The Application of Semantic Deviation in Oliver Twist：taking pun for example

李亦松

【Abstract】Oliver Twist is one of Dickens masterpiece and is the best representative of his writing style.This paper focuses on the application of semantic deviation in Oliver Twist，taking pun for example.It mainly consists of three parts：the first part gives a brief introduction of the novel，semantic deviation，and pun； the second one is the body of this paper，which involves the specific use of pun in this novel including the use of pun in some main characters as well as in some typical words； and the last one is a concise conclusion of this thesis.

【Key words】Oliver Twist； Semantic Deviation； Pun

1.Introduction.Oliver Twist is one of Charles Dickens masterpiece as well as one of the most famous and most enduringly popular stories of Charles Dickens.The central theme of this novel is on the hardship and tragic life in Britain in 18th century.This story is about the complex fade of an orphan named Oliver Twist，who undergoes a lot of tribulation，suffering，and misery.Finally，after his bumpy life，the goodness eventually conquers devil and Oliver lives a happy life in the end of this novel.Stylistics is the study of varieties of language and semantic deviation is one part of it.Semantic deviation shows an unconventional way of collocation，which may be conveniently exhibited in figures of speech and pun belongs to it.Simply speaking，a pun is a word employed in two or more senses，or a word used in a context that suggests a second term sounding like it.

2.The Use of Pun in Oliver Twist

（1）Oliver Twist.Oliver Twist，as the title of the novel，is the protagonist of the novel without hesitation.Whats more，his name possesses a deep meaning.The original meaning refers to wrenching or pulling out of shape with a twisting action.Oliver Twist is a name which is accidentally given to him by Mr.Bumble in alphabetical order，but it is a punning and has a profound meaning in this novel.“Twist” representing Olivers fate is not plain sailing，but filled with tribulation，suffering，and misery.“Twist” implies death by hanging and it hints the bumpy and rough life that Oliver has to experience and undergo.

In this novel，twists and turns are the best illustration of Olivers miserable life.In the end，Olivers life has a reversal.After undergoing all of the pains and sufferings，Oliver gains a happy and wealthy life.And the novel is ended with a happy and satisfied ending.All of the bad persons are punished，and good person deserve what they should have.As a saying goes，“Good and evil must at last have their reward”.

（2）Mrs.Mann.Mrs.Mann is homophonic with “man”，symbolizing that she owns some characters of man and is lack of maternal instinct.She is the woman who has charge of Oliver for the first nine years.However，she，who is a hypocritical，rude，untender，ruthless，cold-heart and avaricious woman with flammable and fiery temper，treats Oliver and other orphans very poorly by beating and starving them.So the name “Mann” has a deep and symbolic meaning：a typical implication of Mrs.Manns character.

（3）“Board” in the novel.The word “board” appears several times in Chapter II in Oliver Twist，and it is used as a pun here.In paragraphs from 42 to 44 in Chapter II in Oliver Twist，we can find several “board”.They imply two kinds of meanings：First，the word “board” means a long thin piece of strong hard material，especially wood，used，for example，for making floors，building walls and roofs and making boats.For instance，“Not having a very clearly notion of what a live board was，…”.Second，the word “board” means “a group of people who have power to make decisions and control a company or other organization”.For instance，“Bow to the board.”.

（4）“Sweet” in the novel.The word “sweet” appears in Chapter XXIII in Oliver Twist，and it is also used as a pun here.This chapter involves a pleasant conversation between Mr.Bumble and Mrs.Corney.On that cold night，Mrs.Corney misses her dead husband very much and Mr.Bumble happens to visit her.They have some common values and talk with each other pleasantly.At first，they communicate with each other as ordinary friends.However，Mr.Bumble begins to do some bold actions，for example，put his arm around Mrs.Corneys waist and kisses her.

When Mr.Bumble and Mrs.Corney drink a cup of tea，Mrs.Corney asks Mr.Bumble “Sweet？ Mr.Bumble” and Mr.Bumble answers “Very sweet，indeed，maam”.Here，the word “Sweet” has two meanings：the first one is the original meaning that the tea is really sweet； the second meaning is that they flirt with each other due to this conversation occurs in their intimate relations.

3.Conclusion.All in all，through the elaborate and practical analysis of pun used in Oliver Twist，it is not only for us to better understand this novel，but also can let us learn from the authors talented writing style and technique.However，due to the limit time and energy，this paper mere deals with the tip of the iceberg on semantic deviation of his writing style.It is possible for us to analyze and appreciate from other perspectives.

References：

[1]Dickens，Charles.Oliver Twist[M].Beijing：Central Compilation and Translation Press，2010.

[2]Lian Yunjie，Wan Ping.A Comparative Study of English and Chinese Stylistics[M].Shenyang：Liaoning University Press，2011.