Slumdog Millionaire, Oliver Twist

Similarities and differences in both ‘Oliver Twist’ and ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ allow us to understand significant issues that occur in society. Within Oliver Twist and Slumdog Millionaire, both Dickens and Boyle highlight the concerns of corruption, the exploitation of the vulnerable and the way society approaches these matters.

The concerns of corruption and the abuse of the helpless are evident throughout Dickens’ text, ‘Oliver Twist’.   Dickens shows this through the characterization of Oliver. Being poor and orphaned, Oliver is exposed to the corruption of the workhouses. Dickens uses satiric language to depict the corruption of the workhouses. This is evident through the symbolically named, Mrs Mann.   Dickens uses symbolism of her name to suggest that she is manly, or has masculine characteristics even though she is a matron, known for kindness and looking after the poor. Dickens also uses satire when relating to Mrs Mann, “the elderly female was a woman of wisdom and experience; she knew what was good for the children; and she had a very accurate perception of what was good for herself.” With satire, Dickens shows the corruption of Mrs Mann’s actions.   Another example of corruption throughout ‘Oliver Twist’, is, “Please sir, I want some more”. Dickens uses this to emphasize how poverty plays a key role in the injustices occurring. Dickens uses the representation of the poor starving children to show the poor state the vulnerable children are living in. Another example of corruption is Fagin’s gang. As the boys are poor, they have no other choice but to live a life of crime to survive in this world. “Well,’ said the Jew, glancing shyly at Oliver, and addressing himself to the Dodge, “I hope you’ve been at work this morning, my dears?’ Dickens uses this to show the corruption of Fagin. The children are being exposed to a life of criminality at a young age.
The film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ directed by Danny Boyle highlights many concerns of corruption...