In the books of Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol, the theme of a lack of charity is pronounced. In Oliver Twist, society shows a “cold shoulder” to those who need help (Miller 30). Victorian English society prohibits inhabitants of lower social realms from rising in society. Members of the lower classes rarely receive attention, and the attention they receive is far from average (Reeves). Ebenezer Scrooge, the protagonist of A Christmas Carol, learns to be charitable through a lesson on the true meaning of Christmas. At the beginning of the book, Scrooge is a grumpy old fool, who only cares about himself, but on Christmas Eve, his visions of ghosts change his life (Boan). As a child, Dickens becomes subject to poverty. When Dickens is twelve years old, he is sent to work in a warehouse. He is forced to live away from his family for months while his father is in debtors' prison. Dickens' life and experiences are his only inspiration in defending the poor ("Charles John Huffam Dickens"). Charles Dickens was responsible for numerous charitable acts during his lifetime. His books describe his character and his love for people. He is able to sympathize with people affected by poverty because he faces the same situation in his life. Later in Dickens' life, he is endowed with wealth, but never keeps much of the money. He is forced to pay alimony and gives the rest away (Orwell).Oliver Twist is a parody of the Victorian lifestyle. The upper classes do not care about the lower classes because their main concern is money. At this time in British history, laissez-faire capitalist beliefs dominate people's political views George Orwell, Thomas Babington Macaulay, “…refused to re……middle article……EBSCOhost, n.d. 16 April 2011.Miller, J. Hillis by Oliver Twist.” Modern Critical Opinions by Charles Dickens. Ed. Harold Bloom New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987. 29-69.NLT Study Bible: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.Orwell, George. George Orwell: Charles Dickens.ru, December 11, 2004. April 16, 2011. Reeves, Bruce D. “Oliver Twist.” Literary Reference Center EBSCOhost, April 14 2011.