A scathing attack on the cruelty of society in Dickens's time, Oliver Twist details the life of an unfortunate orphOliver Twist, written by Charles Dickens and first published in serialized form from 1837 to 1839, is a classic work of English literature that explores the themes of poverty, social injustice and the struggle for survival in nineteenth-century London. The novel tells the story of Oliver Twist, an orphan boy born in a workhouse, who faces a series of hardships and encounters a variety of characters from different social classes and backgrounds.n of the same name. moving from the workhouse to a gang of pickpockets to a kindly family, Oliver's live goes through many twists and turns, poignantly showcasing the travails of underprivileged children in nineteenth - century England. Along the way, he meets some of the most memorable characters created by Dickens: the cruel Fagin, the Artful Dodger and the mysterious Monks. Dickens's sensitivity towards the plight of orphans and his colorful descriptions make Oliver Twist the classic it is.