Marxism, child labour, abuse, utilitarianism, Dickens, Oliver Twist,David Copperfield, Hard Times.

The thesis aims to study the theme of child labour in Oliver Twist, DavidCopperfield, and Hard Times with regard to Marxist approach. The ideas that are tobe highlighted are the exploitation and abuse of children during the time in whichthese three novels are written. For instance, in Oliver Twist the appalling conditionsin the workhouse, pocket picking, prostitution, and criticism of the Poor law in 1834will be studied. In David Copperfield, many social issues might be found; Dickensfocuses on the child mistreatment and beating by giving examples for that. The firstexample is that, David is beaten and mistreated by his stepfather and his sister. In thesecond example, students in Salem House School are abused and beaten. As for classdifference and its influence, Dickens creates two models. Steerforth from upper classand Mr. Mell from the lower class. Dickens shows how Mr. Mell is fired from schoolafter confronting Steerforth. In Hard Times, inserting material ideas into the mind ofschool children run by Mr. Creakle who is adopting the idea of Utilitarianism. All inall, the above mentioned and the related topics are to be analyzed in accordancewith the Marxist ideology to reveal upper class' exploitation of the working class orthe poor in general.