Abstract：Charles Dickens is the most outstanding British novelists in the Victorian period. Oliver Twist, or The Parish Boy's Progress, is his third novel and this novel shows us the miserable life of the hero, Oliver Twist. His mother was dead almost immediately after his birth and he became an orphan. His childhood is full of misfortune while he has been in workhouse. The author reveals the tragic fate of the people who lived in the bottom of London society in 1830s, especially, children and women’s suffering. So far, there are many people at home and abroad have studied women character in Oliver Twist, and they have achieved much. Dickens created many unforgettable women characters in his novel, and most of them are the prototype of life. In this paper we mainly talk about some women characters in Oliver Twist: Nancy, Rose Maylie and Mrs. Bedwin’s character. Then analysis the impact of the social society status and social environment for women’s character, at the same time, the society got the benefits from their good personalities and thereby can call the goodness of society.

Key Words: Women Characters; Social Status; Goodness 

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

Introduction- 1 -

1. Dickens’ Portrayal of Women Character- 2 -

1.1 The Author: Charles Dickens- 2 -

1.2 Dickens’ Personal Experience- 4 -

1.3 Writing Background- 6 -

1.3.1 Ideological Background- 7 -

1.4 Mayor Works- 8 -

1.5 Dickens’ Writing Style- 9 -

2. Women Character Portrayed in Oliver Twist- 11 -

2.1 The Main Contents of the Novel- 11 -

2.2. An Analysis of Women’s character- 13 -

2.2.1 Nancy’s Character- 13 -

2.2.2 Rose’s Character- 15 -

2.2.3 Mrs. Bedwin’s Character- 16 -

3. The Revelation to Modern Society- 17 -

3.1 The Call of Goodness- 17 -

3.2 Women’s Status in Victorian Society- 18 -

Conclusion- 19 -

References- 21 -

Acknowledgement- 22 -