'Oliver Twist' Analysis

Oliver Twist Essay – Representation of Class

The extract starts with the camera panning across a line of children, this sets the scene and instantly we know that the children are being used as slaves. There is blue lighting which has connotations of depression and sadness; this contrasts with how children that age would usually act as they would be best described as hyper and uncontrollable not quiet and robotic-like. When Mr Bumble enters the set, we know straight away that he is superior to all the others present. This is because no one gains eye contacts with him and try to avoid looking at him. We also know that he is more superior by the low angle, he is higher up from all the children and from the audience, making us feel intimidated by him.

                   In the next scene, a birds eye view angle is used to show the setting of the room where the children eat, the camera tracks Mr Bumble, again with no one making eye contact with him. The camera then goes to a close up of Mr Bumble and pans out to see two women standing behind him, we can tell that Mr Bumble is more superior than the two women but the women are still more superior than the children. We know the Mr Bumble is more important than the women as he is in the middle of the camera and standing closer. The Camera then zooms out to show a quote ‘God seest thou’, this gives power to Mr Bumble as if the children are looking in his direction, they will be able to see the quote, knowing that Mr Bumble, alike sees everything.

                   Composition is used to show how ordered and routined the orphanage is, they are all in lines and Mr Bumble has the power as to when they can eat. He is a cruel character as he makes the children wait even long, just because he can as they won’t disobey him; once they start eating, it is implied that they are inferior due to their lack of self control. Lighting is again used in this scene, this time it is used to give the effect that the children are trapped; the light through the window gives the effect of being stuck inside a prison with bars. This again gives the children no power as they have no way of getting out of their daily routines. The colour of the room is dull yet again, which demonstrates that the children are bored and fed up of the same old routine that they live each day. 

                   There is a cut in of Oliver’s porridge, it seems to have some sort of insect in it, yet he still indulges in the spoonful; conveying the idea how desperate he is to be full and satisfied. There is then a Point of view shot of Oliver looking at the boy who previously got beaten by Mr Bumble for stealing, this is the shot in which Oliver is determined and wants things to change. The music seems to build when Oliver walks up to Mr Bumble, building tension and making the audience afraid for Oliver. Reaction shots are used of the other children, implying that no one has ever dared to stand up before Mr Bumble to ask for ‘more’ food. The fact that Oliver asks for more, shows how desperate he really is; and Mr Bumbles reaction conveys the idea that he thinks it is a complete disgrace to ask for more as he thinks that how the children are treat are at a satisfactory standard. There is an over the shoulder shot of Oliver, and here we see a child look directly at Mr Bumble; this threatens Mr Bumbles position in power, hence why his reaction comes somewhat of a shock to him. A big close up is then used when Oliver repeats his question; “Please sir, can I have some more?”. This gives the audience a complete insight of Oliver’s emotions and makes us sympathise towards him and his desperate actions.

                   The next scene, the camera pans across the food and then up to a man. This shot shows the audience how the others, who are more superior to the children indulge in riches foods while the ones who are hard at work get given worm-invested porridge. Although Mr Bumble is more superior to the children, in this room with the other men, we notice that he has little power in comparison to them; he stutters and rushes his sentences in front of them, likewise with how the children are with him. There is a reaction shot of the men when Oliver speaks up; “he didn’t need to be beaten”. There is a sense of foreboding as we know that no child has ever thought to speak up, nevermind in front of Mr Bumble but especially in front of those in a much higher power than him. Mr Bumble leans down at this point and the camera angle is at high level between him and Oliver; this suggests that at this point, Oliver has the upper hand.

                  Altogether, throughout this extract, class is shown that the adults have more superior than the children, shown through the camera angles. Furthermore, the women are inferior with the men but are still superior to the children, this is shown through composition of characters. Overall, we notice that when the adults are challenge by someone with less power; they do not know how to react as for a moment, there power has been completely stripped from them.