Analyzing the Last Two Sentences

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 81 views

What two suggestions about parish officials are made in the last two sentences of this excerpt from Charles Dickens's "Oliver Twist"?

Charles Dickens's "Oliver Twist" is a classic novel that highlights the social issues of the Victorian era. The novel is a commentary on the treatment of the poor and the corrupt practices of those in power. In this excerpt, Dickens discusses the inquests held by parish officials, which were meant to investigate the causes of death and provide relief to the families of the deceased.

The Excerpt

Occasionally, when there was some more than usually interesting inquest upon a parish, a few of the poorer loafers would assemble about the door of the nearest public-house, and discuss the points at issue in the case. They would divide into two parties, and the one which was in the minority would, of course, be wrong.

Analyzing the Last Two Sentences

The last two sentences of the excerpt are: "They would divide into two parties, and the one which was in the minority would, of course, be wrong." These sentences suggest that the parish officials are not impartial and are more interested in maintaining the status quo rather than seeking the truth. The use of the phrase "of course" implies that the minority party is always wrong, which suggests that the parish officials are biased and do not allow for dissenting opinions.

Two Suggestions about Parish Officials

Based on the last two sentences of the excerpt, two suggestions about parish officials can be made:

Lack of Impartiality: The parish officials are not impartial and are more interested in maintaining the status quo rather than seeking the truth. This suggests that they are biased and do not allow for dissenting opinions.
Disregard for Minority Opinions: The parish officials disregard the opinions of the minority party, which suggests that they do not value diversity of thought and are more interested in maintaining their own power and influence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the last two sentences of the excerpt from Charles Dickens's "Oliver Twist" suggest that the parish officials are not impartial and disregard minority opinions. This highlights the corrupt practices of those in power and the need for reform in the treatment of the poor.
Q&A: Understanding the Corruption of Parish Officials in Charles Dickens's "Oliver Twist"

Q: What is the significance of the inquests held by parish officials in Charles Dickens's "Oliver Twist"? A: The inquests held by parish officials in "Oliver Twist" are significant because they highlight the corrupt practices of those in power and the need for reform in the treatment of the poor. The inquests were meant to investigate the causes of death and provide relief to the families of the deceased, but in reality, they were often used to cover up the truth and maintain the status quo.

Q: What does the phrase "of course" imply in the last two sentences of the excerpt? A: The phrase "of course" implies that the minority party is always wrong, which suggests that the parish officials are biased and do not allow for dissenting opinions. This phrase is significant because it highlights the lack of impartiality and the disregard for minority opinions that is characteristic of the parish officials.

Q: What is the relationship between the two parties in the excerpt? A: The two parties in the excerpt are the majority and the minority. The majority party is always right, while the minority party is always wrong. This suggests that the parish officials are more interested in maintaining their own power and influence rather than seeking the truth.

Q: What does the excerpt suggest about the treatment of the poor in Victorian England? A: The excerpt suggests that the treatment of the poor in Victorian England was corrupt and unjust. The parish officials were more interested in maintaining their own power and influence rather than providing relief to the families of the deceased. This highlights the need for reform in the treatment of the poor and the importance of seeking the truth.

Q: What is the significance of the public-house in the excerpt? A: The public-house in the excerpt is significant because it is where the poorer loafers would assemble to discuss the points at issue in the case. This highlights the importance of public spaces in facilitating discussion and debate, and the need for a free and open exchange of ideas.

Q: What does the excerpt suggest about the role of the media in Victorian England? A: The excerpt suggests that the media in Victorian England was not as free and open as it is today. The parish officials were able to control the narrative and shape public opinion, which highlights the need for a free and independent press.

Q: What is the significance of the phrase "more than usually interesting inquest" in the excerpt? A: The phrase "more than usually interesting inquest" is significant because it highlights the fact that the inquests were often used to cover up the truth and maintain the status quo. This suggests that the parish officials were more interested in maintaining their own power and influence rather than seeking the truth.

Q: What does the excerpt suggest about the relationship between the parish officials and the poor? A: The excerpt suggests that the parish officials were corrupt and unjust in their treatment of the poor. They were more interested in maintaining their own power and influence rather than providing relief to the families of the deceased. This highlights the need for reform in the treatment of the poor and the importance of seeking the truth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the excerpt from Charles Dickens's "Oliver Twist" highlights the corrupt practices of the parish officials and the need for reform in the treatment of the poor. The inquests held by the parish officials were often used to cover up the truth and maintain the status quo, which highlights the lack of impartiality and the disregard for minority opinions that is characteristic of the parish officials.