Little Oliver: An Example of Purity Inspite of Peril

What is there in a person that makes him or her so uncommon in our world; so untainted by the worlds oppressions, and so unmarred by the force of wickedness thrust upon them? Living in the worst of circumstances, and yet not partaking of the worst of those circumstances; returning goodness for pains. Turning to hope when logically none can be found. Such a child was little Oliver. How much like him are you and I?

We see within the character of Nancy, a soul entrenched in the world she lives in. A misplaced loyalty at an early age that was to be her end; and yet she strives for a morsel of the goodness inspired in her by Oliver.

As for Sikes and Fagan, which is in a worse condition, a man who sinned outright in his angry passion, or the man who harbors, encourages, and teaches it to others?

I am sure Dickens' characters have a great deal to teach us as to the conditions and choices in mortality. Think of Mr. Harry Maylie and his love for Rose. He was willing to choose a vocation that gave her an acceptable society rather than conform to those who would dishonor her.

The nobility of the upright characters is so thoroughly contrasted with the baseness of the worst slime that ever crawled the earth. You can see it is not a fantasy of clear cut division. Dickens shows how some are good who are in the worst of spots, and some are bad who are in the best of places in life. Then there are those who are bad in the worst spots, and others who are good in the best spots. It is also shown how some are transforming themselves to a better spot in life, and some to a better spot in death. Ah, the power of choice; the freedom to enslave or liberate ourselves. This is the God given freedom every human is born with. May we each choose wisely for our happiness and future depends upon it.