Orange Spider

"But now he was enveloped in the old calico robes, that had gone yellow in the same service; he was badged and ticketed, and fell into his place at once - a parish child - the orphan of a workhouse - the humble, half-starved drudge - to be cuffed and buffeted through the world, despised by all, and pitied by none."

-Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist is a passive character, not exhibiting any serious change in his demeanour, yet is important as a naive and innocent child for evoking the moral degradation of others. One does not necessarily consider the weight of the crime and immorality in the city unless it is against what is so naturally and obviously good. Oliver Twist is just such a character. Surely he comes in contact with benevolent people, however, the exchange and juxtaposition of his circumstances only intensifies the extremity of the crimes of Fagin and Sikes. What other narrative purpose does Oliver serve? His passivity lends little to the development of his character, and still he is pitied. He affects nothing, yet everything prevails him. One cannot help but suspend judgment on such a poor creature, who "badged and ticketed," succumbs to the patterns of the world; is regarded as nothing more than a mark on someones ledger. Forgotten and alone, he is pitiful.