Oliver Twist: The Reason for 'Asking for More'
Chapter III of Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist describes the harsh conditions in the workhouse where Oliver resided. The narratorial remark highlights Oliver's punishment for a specific request.
Understanding Oliver's Request
Following a period of severe hunger due to insufficient rations, the parish beadle was instructed to ask Oliver "what he would like to be served with." The boys drew lots, and Oliver lost, meaning he had to ask the beadle for more food on behalf of the group.
- The boys were suffering from extreme hunger.
- Oliver was chosen by lot to ask for more food.
- He famously approached the beadle and asked, "Please, sir, I want some more."
The Consequence
This request for additional sustenance was seen as a grave offense by the workhouse authorities. Instead of receiving more food, Oliver was punished severely for his "impious and profane offence of asking for more."
Identifying the Specific Request
Based on the context of the workhouse and the extreme hunger experienced by the boys, the "more" Oliver asked for was:
More food to eat
Important Questions from Literature
- Gitanjali, a famous collection of poems, was originally written in which of the following languages?
- Which of the following languages is most notably associated with the literary contributions of Girish Karnad, exemplified by his acclaimed play 'Tughlaq'?
- Which of the following texts is considered the earliest Tamil grammar work?
- The drain of wealth theory was a major critique of colonial economic policies. Who propounded the 'Drain of wealth theory' in the late $19^{th}$ century?
- Which one of the following plays mock the Restoration drama of Dryden and Thomas Otway?
