The editor has corrected the printing errors and commented on unknown terms and references. Three illustrations by George Cruikshank and a map of London by Oliver accompany the text. The "Historical and Sources" section focuses on the Poor Law of 1834, central both to Dickens and the characters in Oliver Twist. The long-term consequences of this law are examined in sources including parliamentary discussions on the Poor Law, a dramatic account of a riot in Bedfordshire in 1835, and the "Appeal to the Destitute Women," Dickens' public letter in 1847 to the prostitutes of London, urging them to turn away from "corruption and neglect." Ten letters regarding Oliver Twist, written between 1837 and 1864, are republished, including those to the novel's publisher, the novel's illustrator, and John Forster, a close friend of Dickens and future biographer. Furthermore, readers can trace the evolution of the novel by examining Dickens' plans for the installments and chapters and enjoy "Sikes and Nancy," the text of a public reading that he often composed and performed in front of large audiences. The "Early Reviews" section provides eight clever, penetrating, and at times passionate responses to the novel and Oliver's predicament from William Makepeace Thackeray and John Forster (anonymous), among others. The "Criticism" includes twenty of the most significant interpretations of Oliver Twist published in this century. Essays by Henry James, George Gissing, Graham Greene, J. Hillis Miller, Harry Stone, Philip Collins, John Bayley, Keith Hollingsworth, Steven Marcus, Monroe Engel, James R. Kincaid, Michael Slater, Dennis Walder, Burton M. Wheeler, Janet Larson, Fred Kaplan, Robert Tracy, David Miller, John O. Jordan, and Gary Wills are included. A Chronology and Selected Bibliography are also provided.

Pages: 624, Year of Publication: 0108, Dimensions: 13x13cm