How does Dickens criticise the 1834 poor law in the first five chapters of Oliver Twist ?

Dickens characterisation is another form of criticism he gives the poor law. He gives the characters names which reflect the type of person they are and the lives they lead. He does this very well in chapters two and three where he describes Mrs Mann. He describes her as nothing but a common thief that steels money from children. The care she gives is described by Dickens sounds more like abuse as he lists cases of infants dying from hunger or sheer neglect. His criticism extends from the actual carer to the authorities that are supposed to keep check on how the new law is implemented , but their reports amount to nothing. Dickens also describes Mr Bumble with apparent glee as this pompous, fat and self important man who is literally living off the poor. The significance of Oliver's characterisation is important because he is described as 'reckless with misery' suggesting that his life and possibly other peoples lives are so awful that they could be convinced to do anything e.g. go to the workhouse.

Dickens' use of black humour is also part of his criticism of the poor law. He uses black humour well in the fifth chapter where he describes how Mr Sowerberry and Mr Bumble just sat by the fire and read the paper with the clergy man whilst the grieving family sat outside in the rain waiting for them. Another example of black humour is in the third chapter where the board and Mr Gamfield are haggling over the 'price' of Oliver, again this links to the idea of Oliver being treated like an animal. There is even a case of black humour in the first chapter when Oliver's mother dies while the surgeon is quietly warming his hands by the fire. This shows he is eager to leave the scene so he can earn some money from his paying customers.

By criticising the 1834 poor law in this way he was hoping to reveal the shocking true nature of the poor peoples lives. He was motivated to do this because at the time when the poor law was introduced he was a typist in the houses of parliament and could see what was happening to these people. He also felt that he should show his audience the sinister things that happened to the poor and also the little options they had, which were; starve to death or work in the workhouse.