50
4.2.3 Children as Laborer
Children as laborer happened during industrial revolution because of poverty in a family. The decision of children work as laborer is made by parents. If the
family live below the poverty line, parents see children as part of contributor in their family income. The only reason parents send children to labor is because of their low
income. Consequently poor parents cannot afford schooling for their children. Thus, mainly poor households are to send forced their children to labor instead of sending
to school. It shows that poverty and underdevelopment drives children labor. “Noah was a charity-boy, but not a workhouse orphan. No chance-
child was he, for he could trace his genealogy all the way back to his parents, who lived hard by; his mother being a washerwoman, and his
father a drunken soldier, discharged with a wooden leg, and a diurnal pension of twopence-halfpenny and an unstatable fraction.” Dickens,
1838: 30
During industrial revolution, there were factories which developed because of the increase of product demand so that they had to produce quicker. Many
factories labor many children because they can be paid by low wages and ordered arbitrary. Those children begin to work at early morning every day.
‘Well You have come here to be educated, and taught a useful trade,’ said the red-faced gentleman in the high chair.
‘So you’ll begin to pick oakum to-morrow morning at six o’clock,’ added the surly one in the white waistcoat. Dickens, 1838: 10-11
This also can be categorized as physical exploitation because being the part of the factory make children should spend several hours a day in their young age. They
have to start working on six o’clock so that is why they have no chance to attend school. Those children also have the same working hour as the adult ones yet they
are paid by lower wages even the wages only enough to fulfill their stomach a week.
51 Sevenpence-half penny’s worth per week is good round diet for a
child; great deal may be got for sevenpence-halfpenny; quite enough to overload its stomach and make it uncomfortable.” Dickens, 1838:
5
During labor in factory, most of those children laborer are starved to death. In the factory, the food is limited by the owner whereas they have to do their work for
hours. The food is not enough to regain their energy or even satisfying their hunger. Sometimes, those children have to hold their hunger for three months. This kind of
thing is a kind of general torture toward children. Starvation had become the worst problem that ever happened on children during labor in factory.
“…employing themselves, meanwhile, in sucking their fingers most assiduously, with the view of catching up any stray splashes of gruel
that might have been cast thereon. Boys have generally excellent appetites. Oliver Twist and his companions suffered the tortures of
slow starvation for three months.” Dickens, 1838: 12
Those children are not allowed to ask for more food to the owner. Each child cannot exceed the food quota because it will violate the rule of the factory. For those
children that tried to ask for more food than it will be considered as violation to the feeding rule because it equals with doing crime act.
“What’ said the master at length, in a faint voice. ‘Please, sir,’ replied Oliver, ‘I want some more.’
The master aimed a blow at Oliver’s head with a ladle, pinioned him in his arms, and shrieked aloud for the beadle.” Dickens, 1838: 12
Because it is considered as crime, there must be a punishment. The punishment for those children that violated the rule is being locked in stone jug or being starved until
the owner accepts their regret and gives his mercy upon them. “For a week after the commission of the impious and profane offense
of asking for more, Oliver remained a close prisoner in the dark and solitary room to which he had been consigned by the wisdom and
mercy of the board.” Dickens, 1838: 14
52 Sometimes, death sentence could be valid on those children that tried to ask for more
food at that time. The death sentence can be hung. It can be happen if the factory owner reports this kind of rebellion to the board then the board can order to hang the
children. It was the picture of the cruelty of children life as laborer during industrial revolution.
“Horror was depicted on every countenance. ‘For more’ said Mr. Limbkins. ‘Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly. Do
I understand that he asked for more, after he had eaten the supper allotted by the dietary?’
‘He did sir,’ replied Bumble. ‘That boy will be hung, ‘said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. ‘I
know that boy will be hung.” Dickens, 1838: 14 Dickens tried to criticize the Victorian society for the ill-treatment of the poor and
social stratification that existed during this period. He opened the eyes of readers to the plight of children who were subjected to child labor and he was successful partly
due to the fact that he had personally been involved in child labor and was able to give his readers a vivid image of what it was like for those unfortunate children.
“What a fine thing capital punishment is Dead men never repent; dead men never bring awkward stories to light. Ah, it’s a fine thing for
the trade Five of ‘em strung up in a row, and none left to play booty, or turn white-livered” Dickens, 1838: 54-55
Children laborers are involved in many different forms of works, which include risks and hazards. These children are vulnerable to physical pain and injury particularly
being exposed to health hazards. The vast majority of children laborer are involved in hazardous occupations such as agriculture, mining, manufacture, construction
bonded children laborer, domestic work and fishing. Environmental and occupational conditions can impact on the health and development of the children. With that kind
53 of dangerous working condition, it has caused many children laborers die due to
accident in the work place. It also raised the rate of children mortality at that time. “Lor bless her dear heart, when she has lived a long as I have, sir, and
had thirteen children of her own, and all on ‘em dead except two, and them in the wurkus with me, she’ll know better than to take on in that
way, bless her dear heart Think what it is to be a mother, there’s a dear young lamb, do’” Dickens, 1838: 4
Obviously, children as laborer are considered as exploitation because those children are utilized by factory owner but they did not care about those children welfare or
safety. They even pay those children by low wages and ordered them to work arbitrary. This also can be categorized as physical exploitation.
4.2.4 Children Recruitment as Criminals During industrial revolution era, many children that lived on the street. The
existence of many street children is caused by poverty. They have no home or money to buy food. Most of those street children are orphans or neglected children. Because
of the number of street children, it has given a chance for any senior thieves to use this moment. They manipulate those street children’s mine by showing them how
pleasant is their lives. “There, my dear,’ said Fagin, ‘that’s a pleasant life, isn’t it? They
have gone out for the day.’ ‘Have they done work, sir?’ inquired Oliver.
‘Yes,’ said the Jew; ‘that is, unless they should unexpectedly come across any when they are out; and they won’t neglect it, if they do,
my dear – depend upon it.” Dickens, 1838: 58
Despite of manipulating, those children’s mind is also brainwashed by the boss of thieves by telling them the stories of robberies or heroic thief in order to grow their
interest to do stealing.
54 “From this day, Oliver was seldom left alone; but was placed in
almost constant communication with the two boys, who played the old game with the Jew every day: whether for their own improvement or
Oliver’s, Mr. Fagin best knew. At other times the old man would tell them stories of robberies he had committed in his younger days:
mixed up with so much that was droll and curious, that Oliver could not help laughing heartily, and showing that he was amused in spite of
all his better feelings. In short, the wily old Jew had the boy in his toils. Having prepared his
mind, by solitude and gloom, to prefer any society to the companionship of his own sad thoughts in such a dreary place, he was
now slowly instilling into his soul the poison which he hoped would blacken it, and change its hue forever.” Dickens, 1838: 120
That kind of thing can be categorized as mental exploitation because those children are manipulated mentally so that they want to steal.
Because of the harshness life on street, it has made them easily to be manipulated because they can get money easier by becoming a thief. They do not
have to suffer much pain and working really hard like those children who work as laborer.
“Look here,’ said the Dodger, drawing forth a handful of shillings and halfpence. ‘Here’s a jolly life What’s the odds where it comes from?
Here, catch hold; there’s plenty more where they were took from. You won’t, won’t you? Oh, you precious flat” Dickens, 1838: 117
After they are manipulated, they are trained before they start to do stealing for the first time. Those children are being taught to be professional criminals. Children are
starting out as an opportunist thief, if well-trained, can rise to become a member of a gang of exclusive professional pick-pockets.
“See if you can take it out, without my feeling it; as you saw them do, when we were at play this morning.’
Oliver held up the bottom of the pocket with one hand, as he had seen the Dodger hold it, and drew the handkerchief lighty out of it with the
other.
‘Is it gone?’ cried the Jew. ‘Here it is, sir,’ said Oliver, showing it in his hand.
55 ‘You’re a clever boy, my dear,’ said the playful old gentleman, patting
Oliver on the head approvingly. ‘I never saw a sharper lad. Here’s a shilling for you. If you go on, in this way, you’ll be the greatest man
of the time. And now come here, and I’ll show you how to take the marks out of the handkerchiefs.
Oliver wondered what picking the old gentleman’s pocket in play, had to do with his chances of being a great man. But, thinking that the
Jew, being so much his senior, must know best, he followed him quietly to the table, and was soon deeply involved in his new study.”
Dickens, 1838: 58
Even though by becoming a thief is also a dangerous job, those children will keep doing it because they cannot fulfill their needs if they did not stealing. No stealing a
day means no food all day long. Stealing has become a part of their life. They have been dragged to the darkness life by the boss of thieves that did not want to
contaminate their own hands to steal. “There had been no handkerchiefs to work upon for two or three days,
and the dinners had been meager. Perhaps these were the reasons for the old gentleman’s giving his assent; but whether they were or no, he
told Oliver he might go, and placed him under the joint guardianship of Charley Bates and his friend the Dodger.” Dickens, 1838: 59
This kind of treatment can be categorized as physical exploitation because those little children are utilized by the boss of thieves who wanted to take advantage for
their own self so that they will get no harm and sacrifice those children to get what he wanted. For the boss of thieves, every child is worth pounds because those
children steal not only for themselves but also for the boss. “What is it’ pursued Fagin, mad with rage. ‘When the boy’s worth
hundreds of pounds to me, am I to lose what a chance threw me in the way of getting safely, through whims of a drunken gang that I could
whistle away the lives of And me bound too, to a born devil that only wants the will, and has the power to, to-.” Dickens, 1838: 165-166
The boss of thieves even considered those young thieves as his pet dogs. Their relationship is like a master and pet. The master can ask the dog to do anything just
56 like the boss of thieves who asked his underlings to steal and he kept the best part of
those hot goods like jewelry, and watch while the young thieves can only have handkerchief, and books.
“Aha’ said the Jew, shrugging up his shoulders, and distorting every feature with a hideous grin. ‘Clever dogs Clever dogs Stanch to the
last Never told the old parson where they were. Never peached upon old Fagin And why should they? It wouldn’t have loosened the knot,
or kept the drop up a minute longer. No, no, no Fine fellows, Fine fellows’
With these, and other murmured reflections of the like nature, the Jew once more deposited the watch in its place of safety. At least half a
dozen more were severally drawn forth from the same box and surveyed with equals pleasure; besides rings, brooches, bracelets, and
other articles of jewellery…” Dickens, 1838: 54
Besides, those young thieves always become the bait when they run a big burglary plan. When the burglary is failed, the bait will be left behind and the senior
thieves will run away and rescue themselves without pay any attention to those young thieves. The boss of thieves and those senior thieves are the most selfish
creature on the street. They never thought about those young thieves welfare. As long as they are not caught by police officer then they will be fine.
“Bill had him on his back, and scudded like the wind. We stopped to take him between us; his head hung down, and he was cold. They
were close upon our heels; every man for himself and each from the gallows We parted company, and left the younger lying in a ditch –
alive or dead, that’s all I know about him.” Dickens, 1838: 160-161
Because of the selfishness of boss of thieves, some of those young thieves will be punished when they go back home empty-handed. They always get blow on their
body or even being starved before they go to sleep. Obviously, the result of stealing will be divided with the boss so that if they go back home empty-handed, it means
the boss got no money at that time.
57 “…He had seen of the stern morality of the old gentleman’s character.
Whenever the Dodger or Charley Bates came home at night empty handed, he would expatiate with great vehemence on the necessity of
an active life by sending them supperless to bed. On one occasion, indeed, he even went so far as to knock them both down a flight of
stairs; but this was carrying out his virtuous precepts to an unusual extent.” Dickens, 1838: 59
Usually, most of boss of thieves are selfish. They utilized children to look for money and all the boss has to do is waiting and enjoying the money. The wealth savings of
the boss is never known by other members because there will be disunity of the team if they find out about the savings. Thieves look like two dogs that tried to snatch a
bone when they look for money. That is how Dickens described a selfish boss of thieves named Fagin in his novel. He kept all of his fortune for himself and kept
utilizing his pupil to steal in order to fulfill his demand. “Now,’ said the Jew, when they had left the room, ‘I’ll go and get
you the cash, Nancy. This is only the key of a little cupboard where I keep a few odd things the boys get, my dear. I never lock up my
money, for I’ve got none to lock up, my dear – ha ha ha none to lock up. It’s a poor trade, Nancy, and no thanks; but I’m fond of
seeing the young people about me, and I bear it all - I bear it all. Hush’ he said, hastily concealing the key in his breast; who’s that?
Listen” Dickens, 1838: 256
In order to get much money, obviously they have to steal from rich people like gentlemen or rich women that worn jewelry or diamond that walking around the
street. “…Dodger plunge his hand into the old gentleman’s pocket, and draw
from thence a handkerchief To see him hand the same to Charley Bates; and finally to behold them, both running away round the corner
at full speed In an instant the whole mystery of the handkerchiefs, and the watches, and the jewels, and the Jew, rushed upon the boy’s
mind.” Dickens, 1838: 60
58 Despite of rich people, another victim of those young thieves is little children from
middle class that did their errand for shopping in the market. Those little children are innocent and do not recognize the cruelty of life in industrialized city.
“The kinchins, my dear,’ said the Jew, ‘is the young children that’s sent on errands by their mothers, with sixpences and shillings; and the
lay is just to take their money away – they’ve always got it ready in their hands – and then knock ‘em into the kennel, and walk off very
slow, as if there was nothing else the matter but a child fallen down and hurt himself.” Dickens, 1838: 283
The recruitment of children as criminal is also considered as children exploitation because they utilize those children for their own benefit without think
about the safety of those little children. Despite of utilizing, boss of thieves also forces those children to steal even though they are not willing to steal. Those children
usually rebel and resist when they ask to steal. “Oh For God’s sake, let me go’ Cried Oliver; ‘Let me run away and
die in the fields. I will never come near London - never, never Oh Pray have mercy on me, do not make me steal. For the love of all the
bright Angels that rest in Heaven, have mercy upon me” Dickens, 1838: 142
When those children start to rebel and resist the boss, the only way to shut them down is threatening them. The boss of thieves always threatens them by using gun or
abusive word to calm them down. ‘Oliver murmured his comprehension of the different bodies referred
to; and Mr. Sikes proceeded to load the pistol, with great nicety and deliberation.
‘Now, it’s loaded,’ said Mr. Sikes, when he had finished. ‘Yes, I see it is, sir,’ replied Oliver.
‘Well,’ said the robber, grasping Oliver’s wrist tightly, and putting the barrel so close to his temple that they touched; at which moment the
boy could not repress a start.” Dickens, 1838: 132
59 The selfishness of the boss of thieves has made those young thieves in danger. Most
of them are caught by police. They really have a hard time when they have to face police officer. During industrial revolution era, the punishment for those young
thieves that were caught was being locked in a stone prison or had to do hard labor for the time being.
“How do you propose to deal with the case, sir?’ inquired the clerk in a low voice. ‘Summarily,’ replied Mr. Fang. ‘He stands committed for
three months - hard labor, of course. Clear the office.” Dickens, 1838: 67
Those were the negative impacts of industrial revolution on children in England at that time. Many of Dickens’ novels told about children’s life. Dickens
also tried to show his protest against this tragedy during industrial revolution through this novel.
“And I should like to tell him,’ said the child, pressing his small hands together and speaking with great fervor, ‘that I was glad to die
when I was very young; for, perhaps, if I had lived to be a man, and had grown old, my little sister, who is in heaven, might forget me, or
be unlike me; and it would be so much happier if we were both children there together.” Dickens, 1838: 110
It showed that children were better died and lived happily in heaven than had to face the cruelty of industrial revolution. Many children were suffered during industrial
revolution. Many of them were dead as a sacrifice to achieve a modern country. Dickens tried to tell that there was no better place than heaven for children during
industrial revolution.
60
CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
After analyzing the data, the writer has conclusion and suggestion that related to the result of the previous chapters. In this chapter, the writer presents the
conclusion of the whole analysis. This chapter contains the conclusion based on the result of the analysis and the relevant suggestion for the further researcher related to
this study.
5.1 CONCLUSIONS
Kategori