Oliver Twist, by E. M. Taylor

Oliver Twist

E. M. Taylor

Photographic reproduction of line drawing

Approximately 3.5 inches wide x 4 inches high

From Dickens' Dream Children, p. 113, at the head of Mary Angela Dickens's "Oliver Twist," the fifth chapter, realizing the scene when Oliver sets off on the high road for London.

Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the person who scanned the image and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite it in one in a print medium.]

He had no idea what he was going to do, where he was going to sleep, or when he would have his next meal; all he wanted was toget away from the cruel, unhappy life he had been leading. [126]

Thus, the illustration sets Oliver's journey to the metropolis in a visual-historical context of the poor boy from the provinces setting out on an economic adventure — Dick Wittington of song and legend and Hugh Clopton of Stratford-upon-Avon. The country setting is but sketchily realized, with a few deft strokes representing hedgerows, styles, and trees. The prospect of privation and "nearly dying of starvation" (127) has not crossed his mind, and he seems to be enjoying the walk through the countryside after the virtual imprisonment he has endured at the Sowerbderrys' funeral parlour. As one would expect, he is dressed in hand-me-downs (the cast-offs of fellow apprentice Noah Claypole), the pants and jacket being rather small for him. Details not mentioned by the narrator but perfectly plausible are the stick on his shoulder and bundle in his right hand.

Bibliography

Dickens, Mary Angela [Charles Dickens' grand-daughter]. Dickens' Dream Children. Illustrated by Harold Copping, E. M. Taylor, and M. F. Taylor. London, Paris New, York: Raphael Tuck & Sons, Ltd., 1926.

Last modified 14 September 2010