If this book has taught me anything, it is that people can be truly cruel and selfish. This applies not only to then, but to now as well. However, the contrast of the terrible people such as Noah and Mrs. Mann, and the kind people, like Mr. Brownlow, makes the good look all the better. Mr. Brownlow and his housekeeper, Mrs. Bedkin, are amazing to Oliver. They nurse him back to health, and it is so sweet that he tears up when Oliver is doing well, and pretends it is because it is cold. I thought I would share what I was picturing Mr. Brownow looking like the whole time.. not really sure why George Clooney came to mind!
The contrast of nice people to all of the terrible ones is similar to kind actions in contrast to horrible ones. Early in Fagin's appearances, I did not process what a horrible person he is. He does some nice things to Oliver in the book, like "praising" his skills with pick pocketing. At the time, it seemed like he was decent human being. But seeing as he doesn't get any nicer than this, I think it was poor character analysis on my part. Any acts that aren't inherently mean, seem to be kind in contrast to the rest of his character.
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