The forsaken childhood portrayed in jorge amado’s captains of the sands and charles dickens’ oliver twist

Our study discusses the portrayal of poor childhood in England and Brazil, displayed in the works “Oliver Twist”, by Charles Dickens, and “Captains of the Sand”, by Jorge Amado, respectively, in the 19th and 20th centuries. We aimed to identify social and institutional criticisms presented in both works, understanding the existing singularities and adjacencies between them, and to report on the social abandonment experienced by those kids and teenagers. To that effect, we used bibliographical research and returned to historical and conceptual topics that are relevant, such as poor childhood, public power and violence. We also used elements from comparative literature and indispensable concepts to literature analysis. In a later moment, we sought historical elements to contextualize and enrich the knowledge of the reality under study. The studies by Nascimento (2013), Segalin (2007), Soares (2004) and Torezan (2005) served as a theoretical reference, which helped to understand the theme. Carvalhal (2006), Gancho (2006) and Gomes (1998) were indispensable for the analysis of literary elements. As a result, the present study shows that aspects related to family and school are vital for personal and social development.