New
New
Year 5

Exploring characterisation in 'Oliver Twist'

I can compare and contrast characterisation within a chapter.

New
New
Year 5

Exploring characterisation in 'Oliver Twist'

I can compare and contrast characterisation within a chapter.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Characterisation is the way text creators describe & develop the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.
  2. Many of the characters in ‘Oliver Twist’ are complex - they present as kind and helpful when their motives are not.
  3. Fagin compares Oliver & the Artful Dodger; they both share similar characteristics, but have different personalities.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that character traits remain fixed throughout the narrative.

Character traits do not usually stay static. You could use Fagin as an example of this. His character changes within the chapter as Oliver understands what his real intentions are.

Keywords

  • Characterisation - Characterisation is the way an author and illustrator describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.

  • Comparing - Comparing involves identifying similarities between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts.

  • Contrasting - Contrasting involves identifying differences between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts.

List some traits of Oliver and the Artful Dodger to support less-confident readers. They can then decide whether these are similarities or differences. Before the following lesson, read Chapters 5 and 6. Children can read independently or have this read to them.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2014 Oxford University Press edition of ‘Oliver Twist’ written by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Jeff Anderson, for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who is the author of the original source material that 'Oliver Twist' is based on?
Correct answer: Charles Dickens
charles dickens
Q2.
'Oliver Twist' is set during which time period?
Tudor
Stone Age
Correct answer: Victorian
Modern Day
Q3.
Match the following information from reading Chapter 1.
Correct Answer:setting,Victorian London

Victorian London

Correct Answer:character,Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist

Correct Answer:plot,Oliver is orphaned and sent to work in a workhouse.

Oliver is orphaned and sent to work in a workhouse.

Q4.
What is meant by the word slums?
a tall, narrow house in a city
Correct answer: a very poor area where lots of people lived
a grand and luxurious residence for royalty
Q5.
True or False? Oliver had a positive upbringing.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q6.
Who chose Oliver's surname?
Mrs Mann
Correct answer: Mr Bumble
Oliver's mother

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a 'wipe'?
shoe polish cloth
Correct answer: a handkerchief
a wallet
Q2.
Why were embroidered handkerchiefs not desired by Fagin?
They belonged to someone else.
They were too pretty.
Correct answer: They took a long time to unpick to be resold for money.
Q3.
True or False? Oliver initially believes that the boys have stolen the items they are showing Fagin.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q4.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:characterisation,the way an author and illustrator describe and develop characters

the way an author and illustrator describe and develop characters

Correct Answer:compare,identifying similarities between two or more things

identifying similarities between two or more things

Correct Answer:contrast,identifying differences between two or more things

identifying differences between two or more things

Q5.
Who does Fagin say for Oliver to look up to as a role model?
Bill Sikes
Nancy
Correct answer: Artful Dodger
Charlie Bates
Q6.
Which of the following is Fagin compared to within the chapter?
Correct answer: a witch
a wizard
Correct answer: a vulture
a pigeon