What is the first English novel to take a child as its protagonist called?

Oliver Twist is the title character and protagonist of the 1838 novel "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens. He was the first child protagonist in an English novel.

"Oliver Twist" Charles Dickens's second novel, was published as a serial from 1837 to 1839, and as a three-volume book in 1838. Born in a workhouse, the orphan Oliver Twist is sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker. After escaping, Oliver travels to London, where he meets the "Artful Dodger", a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal Fagin.

Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.

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10 Comments

Sally Onyett

Please sir , can I have some more ? MORE…MORE…the boy wants more ! I say this to my grandson often , haha. 😂

John W Shreve

I saw the movie "𝑂𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟!" when I was a patient in the mental ward of a hospital. They took a whole bunch of us. We behaved ourselves for the most part though I may have tossed a few Dots at a certain young lady.

Steve Edwards

Alex Boleyn, that is true but the novel is really about her as an adult

Susan Edwards

Alex Boleyn, I agree with you

Howard Groopman

I saw the play "Oliver!" on Broadway around 1964. Davy Jones (later of the Monkees) was the Artful Dodger.

Julie Allen

Alex Boleyn, As do others that are older including The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, by Henry Fielding (1749)

earlepg

DPickard, It was bound to happen. Up until now the pictures provided by Lilly have telegraphed the correct answer. I sometimes (as in this case) try not to look at the picture. (It sure was suggestive of one of the answers.)