该作以雾都伦敦为背景，讲述了一个孤儿悲惨的身世及遭遇。主人公奥利弗在孤儿院长大，经历学徒生涯，艰苦逃难，误入贼窝，又被迫与狠毒的凶徒为伍，历尽无数辛酸，最后在善良人的帮助下，查明身世并获得了幸福。
该书揭露许多当时的社会问题，如救济院、童工、以及帮派吸收青少年参与犯罪等。该书曾多次改编为电影、电视及舞台剧。
This work is set in London, a foggy city, and tells the tragic story and experience of an orphan. Oliver, the hero, grew up in an orphanage, experienced apprenticeship, fled hard, strayed into a den of thieves, and was forced to associate with vicious murderers, experiencing countless hardships.
Finally, with the help of good people, he found out his life experience and gained happiness.
The book reveals many social problems at that time, such as almshouse, child labor, and gangs absorbing teenagers to participate in crimes. This book has been adapted into movies, television and stage plays many times.
创作背景
《雾都孤儿》作为英国小说家查尔斯·狄更斯在维多利亚时代的作品。资本主义的发展，使英国成为世界超级大国。但繁华之下，是贫穷和不幸。这种繁荣孕育在危险和肮脏的工厂和煤矿里。阶级冲突越发明显，终于在1836年到1848年中接连爆发。19世纪末期，大英帝国国力逐渐下降。作为一个时代的产物，文学日趋多样化，许多伟大的作家出现在那个时代。
《雾都孤儿》写于《济贫法》通过之时。英国正经历一场转变，从一个农业和农村经济向城市和工业国家的转变。《济贫法》允许穷人依赖接受公共援助，却要求他们进行必要的劳动。为了阻止穷人依赖公共援助，逼迫他们忍受难以想象的痛苦。
因为贫民院的救援声名狼藉，许多穷人宁死也不寻求公共援助。《济贫法》没有提高穷人阶级的生活水平，却对最无助和无奈的下层阶级施以惩罚。
When Oliver is sent out with The Artful Dodger and another boy on a pickpocket expedition Oliver is so shocked when he realizes what is going on that he and not the two other boys are caught. Fortunately, the victim of the thieves, the old benevolent gentleman, Mr. Brownlow rescues Oliver from arrest and brings him to his house, where the housekeeper, Mrs. Bedwin nurses him back to life after he had fallen sick, and for the first time in his life he is happy.
However, with the help of the brutal murderer Bill Sikes and the prostitute Nancy Fagin kidnaps Oliver. Fagin is prompted to do this by the mysterious Mr. Monks. Oliver is taken along on a burglary expedition in the country. The thieves are discovered in the house of Mrs. Maylie and her adopted niece, Rose, and Oliver is shot and wounded. Sikes escapes. Rose and Mrs. Maylie nurse the wounded Oliver. When he tells them his story they believe him, and he settles with them. While living with Rose and Mrs. Maylie Oliver one day sees Fagin and Monks looking at him in through a window. Nancy discovers that Monks is plotting against Oliver for some reason, bribing Fagin to corrupt his innocence. Nancy also learns that there is some kind of connection between Rose and Oliver; but after having told Rose’s adviser and friend Dr. Losberne about it on the steps of London Bridge, she is discovered by Noah Claypole, who in the meantime has become a member of Fagin’s gang, and Sykes murders her. On his frantic flight away from the crime Sykes accidentally and dramatically hangs himself. Fagin and the rest of the gang are arrested. Fagin is executed after Oliver has visited him in the condemned cell in Newgate Prison. The Artful Dodger is transported after a court scene in which he eloquently defends himself and his class.
Monks’ plot against Oliver is disclosed by Mr. Brownlow. Monks is Oliver’s half-brother seeking all of the inheritance for himself. Oliver’s father’s will states that he will leave money to Oliver on the condition that his reputation is clean. Oliver’s dead mother and Rose were sisters. Monks receives his share of the inheritance and goes away to America. He dies in prison there, and Oliver is adopted by Mr. Brownlow.本回答被提问者和网友采纳