ABSTRACT
This paper is mainly based on one of the masterpieces of Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, which is deemed as one the representatives of English critical realistic literature of the 19th century. It first introduces the origin and development of critical realism in England and illustrates the ideological and artistic features of critical realism. It then, based on its ideological and artistic features, analyzes the manifestations of Nancy’s double character in this novel. It finally discusses the reasons for Nancy’s double character from the perspective of human nature and social environment as well as Charles Dickens’ viewpoint of Nancy. As a result, it proves that social environment has a great effect on human’s character, but however adverse the environment is, it may never tarnish the goodness in human nature.
Key words：Nancy; double character; critical realism; Oliver Twist
Contents
1．Introduction 1
2. The review of critical realism 3
2.1 Rise and development of English critical realism 3
2.2 The ideological and artistic features of critical realism 5
3. Analysis of Nancy’s double character 8
3.1 Manifestations of Nancy’s double character 8
3.2 Analysis of her double character from the perspective of ideological features 10
3.3 Analysis of her double character from the perspective of artistic features 11
4. The reasons for Nancy’s double character 14
4.1 Selfishness and indifference derived from instinct of survival 14
4.2 Her return to virtue derived from goodness in humanity 15
4.3 Dickens’ viewpoint of molding Nancy 16
5．Conclusion 18
Acknowledgements 19
References 20
