Impact of Experiencing "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens on Students' Perception of Poverty, Social Inequality, and Attitudes Towards Compassion and Empathy

This study uses an experimental technique with control and test groups to analyze the effectiveness of narrative involvement in the story of Oliver Twist as a means of building empathy, comprehension, and critical thinking among Grade 12 STEM Students. This study aims to gain insight into the influence of experiencing the plot of "Oliver Twist" on those who are unfamiliar with the novel by analyzing pre and post-exposure surveys. The experiment was carried out during Catch-up Friday, when students were expected to interact with various reading materials, allowing the researcher to administer the experiment with human participants/students. The study is grounded in the exploration of how exposure to narrative fiction influences individuals' perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge related to literary themes and societal issues. The subject matter of the study encompasses the themes and messages portrayed in "Oliver Twist," including poverty, crime, compassion, and the indomitability of the heroine. By examining how exposure to the story affects students, this research aims to contribute to our understanding of the potential benefits of narrative engragement in fostering empathy, critical thinking, and literary appreciation.