ABSTRACT
OliverTwist(1838)beginswithayoungmotherdyinginutterpovertyinaworkhouse immediatelyafterthebirthofwhatthenarratordescribesonthenovel'sfirstpage as"theitemofmortalitywhosenameisprefiXedtotheheadofthischapter"(17)- towit,Oliver'1\vist.Thegood-lookinggirlwearingnoweddingringhadbeenfound lyinginthestreet,hershoesworntopieces,abouttogivebirth.Shedoesso,inthe workhouse,attendedbyaparishsurgeonand"apauperoldwoman,whowasrendered rathermistybyanunwontedallowanceofbeer"(18).Oliver'smotherdiesshortly afterheisborn."It'sallover,Mrs.Thingummy!"thesurgeoninformshistipsy helper.Despitethesadfactthatsuchcircumstancesmusthavebeennonetoo uncommoninthe1830s,thefirstchapterofthenovelisfullofDickensianhumor andwit.Wl1ilethenarrator'ssenseofinjusticeisclear,hissardonicbutlivelytone intervenesbetweenthereaderandthesceneitself,helpingustofeelmorecomfortable aboutthedeathwhileappreciatingitspathos.
