Oliver Twist LitChart

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Oliver Twist
part of the Industrial Revolution) caused many more in the
INTR
INTRO
O middle classes to read as a pastime.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF CHARLES DICKENS
KEY FACTS
Born to an English Navy clerk and a mother of seven other
children, Charles Dickens lived a life of some middle-class • Full Title: Oliver Twist, or, The Parish Boy's Progress
comfort until, abruptly, changes in the family's financial • When Written: Written serially, February 1837 to April 1839
situation forced his family into a poorhouse and him, at age ten, • Where Written: London, England
to work for some time at a boot-blacking factory. Although
• When Published: February 1837 to April 1839; revised 1847
Charles eventually went to school and began a career as a law
clerk, journalist, and writer, he never forgot this period of • Literary Period: Victorian
economic privation and social despair, and he included • Genre: Victorian social novel; Bildungsroman (novel of
depictions of poverty in many of the fifteen novels and other education); novel of morality
stories and pieces of prose he wrote over the course of his life. • Setting: London, England, and the countryside surrounding,
1830s
HISTORICAL CONTEXT • Climax: Oliver is shot by a servant of the Maylies; he recovers
The Victorian Period coincides with a series of political, under their care, and begins the process of learning his true
parentage
economic, and social changes in England that are inseparable
from the nature of the fiction produced. The high-point of the • Antagonist: Monks and Fagin
Industrial Revolution took place, more or less, at the time of • Point of View: third-person omniscient
Oliver Twist's writing; the production of goods had transitioned
from "cottage industries" in the countryside to centralized EXTRA CREDIT
factories in London and in the newer cities of Manchester and Musical adaptation. Many have come to know the general
Birmingham. A whole host of other industries sprang up to story of Oliver Twist via the musical Oliver!, which premiered in
support these new modes of production (including coal energy 1960 in London, and which was made into a successful motion
and railroad infrastructure development), and cities grew to picture in 1968. The musical retains many of the characters
include vast tenements of workers recently relocated from the made most famous in the novel, including Fagin and the Artful
country. England was also the crown jewel of an Empire "on Dodger.
which the sun never set," meaning it extended across much of
the known world, including Australia and New Zealand, the
Indian subcontinent, and interests in Africa. London was not PL
PLO
OT SUMMARY
just a hub for English workers, writers, artists, and thinkers—it
was a multinational cosmopolis, the like of which the world had Oliver Twist begins in a workhouse in 1830s England, in an
never seen (or had not since the far different Roman Empire, unnamed village, where a young woman, revealed to be
1800 years previous). Dickens fiction reflects London both as a Oliver's mother, gives birth to her son and promptly dies. The
center of international power, as a city consisting of small boy, lucky to survive, is raised until the age of nine in a "farm"
neighborhoods, and of a city made up of the rich and those for young orphaned children, and then is sent to the local
clinging to new and tenuous economic circumstances. workhouse again, where he labors for a time, until his innocent
request for more food so angers the house's board and beadle,
RELATED LITERARY WORKS Mr. Bumble, that the workhouse attempts to foist Oliver off as
an apprentice to some worker in the villager. Oliver is
Dickens was, in essence, a genre unto himself: his novels have
eventually given over to a coffin-maker named Sowerberry.
come to seem synonymous with the "Victorian" period in
Oliver works as a "mute" mourner for Sowerberry, and must
English literature (extending roughly from the 1830s until
sleep at night among the coffins. After a fight with Noah,
1900, and coinciding with the cultural effects of the reign of
another of Sowerberry's apprentices, over Oliver's unwed
Queen Victoria in England and the English Empire). But the
mother (whom Noah insults), Oliver runs away to London, to
Victorian period was a high time for the novel in general. Many
make his fortune.
magazines serialized works of prose fiction for public
consumption, and increased education levels (derived from Near London, Oliver meets a well-dressed young boy who
many factors, including the movement of workers to cities as introduces himself as the Artful Dodger, a thief under the
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employ of a local crime boss named Fagin. The Dodger takes the inheritance for himself. But Brownlow confronts Monks
Oliver to Fagin, who promises to help Oliver but really holds with these facts, and Monks agrees, finally, to sign an affidavit
him hostage, and forces him to go on a thieving mission with the admitting his part in the conspiracy to defraud Oliver.
Dodger and Bates, another young criminal. Bates and Dodger Meanwhile, the members of Fagin's gang are all caught: Noah;
try to steal the handkerchief of an old man, who notices Oliver Charlotte, his partner; the Dodger; and Fagin himself. Sikes
(an innocent onlooker), and believes him to be the thief. Oliver dies, by accident, attempting to escape a mob that has come to
is caught and hauled to jail, only to be released into the old man kill him following Nancy's death. Brownlow manages to secure
Brownlow's company after Brownlow sees that Oliver had half of Oliver's inheritance for Oliver, and gives the other half
nothing to do with the crime. Brownlow nurses Oliver for a to Monks, who spends it in the New World on criminal activity.
time and vows to educate him properly. But after sending Rose Maylie, long in love with her cousin Harry, eventually
Oliver out to return some books and money to a bookseller, marries him, after Harry purposefully lowers his social station
Brownlow is shocked to find that Oliver does not to correspond with Rose's; Rose was said to be of a blighted
return—Oliver has been picked up by Nancy, an associate of family, and in the novel's final surprise, this "blight" is revealed:
Fagin's, and taken back to the criminal gang. Rose's sister was Agnes, meaning that Rose is Oliver's aunt.
The remainder of the novel comprises Brownlow's attempts to At the novel's end, Oliver is restored to his rightful lineage and
find Oliver, and Oliver's attempts to escape Fagin, his criminal is adopted by Brownlow. The pair live in the country with Harry,
associate Sikes, and the other boys. Fagin orders Oliver to who has become a parson, and Rose, along with Losborne and
accompany Sikes and another thief named Toby Crackit on a Mrs. Maylie. Oliver can, at last, be educated in the tranquility
house-breaking, in a country village, that goes awry; Oliver is and manner he deserves, as the son of a gentleman.
shot in the arm in the attempt, by a servant named Giles of the
Maylie house (the house being broken into); Oliver nearly dies,
but walks back to the house the next morning and is nursed CHARA
CHARACTERS
CTERS
back to health by Rose, Mrs. Maylie, and a local doctor named
Lorsborne. Lorsborne later takes Oliver into London to find Oliv
Oliver
er T
Twist
wist – The novel's hero, Oliver Twist is aged nine at the
Brownlow, but they discover Brownlow has gone to visit the beginning of the novel, and several years older by the end (it is
West Indies. Oliver is crestfallen, but is happy nonetheless with not clear exactly how much time elapses; he is probably about
the Maylies, and is educated by an old man in the Maylies' twelve). Born of an unwed mother, in a poorhouse, Oliver is
village. Later, on a trip into London, Rose is visited by Nancy, raised in the same poorhouse, then apprenticed to a coffin-
who wishes to come clean about her involvement in Oliver's maker named Sowerberry. After getting in a fight with another
oppression, and Oliver finds that Brownlow is back in the city, apprentice regarding his mother's reputation, Oliver strikes
having returned from the West Indies. out for London on foot, where he accidentally falls in with a
group of thieves led by Fagin. Oliver is briefly saved by
Meanwhile, Mrs. Corney, mistress of the workhouse, receives a
Brownlow, only to be retaken by Nancy, and involved, later, in a
package from a dying woman named Old Sally, which Sally in
burglary of the Maylies' house that almost kills him. The
turn received from Oliver's mother upon her death. The
Maylies, Rose and her aunt, take Oliver in, and the novel traces
package contains material indicating Oliver's family history,
the discovery of Oliver's parentage, a secret kept close by
which is of interest to a friend and shadowy associate of Fagin's
Monks, Oliver's half-brother, who wishes to disinherit his
named Monks. Nancy meets with Rose and Brownlow in secret
brother and eliminate all traces of Oliver's high-born ancestry.
in London, to discuss what she has overheard, from Fagin and
Oliver ends the novel happily, having been adopted by
Monks, regarding Oliver's parentage; Noah, sent to spy on
Brownlow. Throughout the novel, Oliver remains a boy of good
Nancy, overhears this conversation, and reports it to Fagin.
morals, despite his dire financial situation.
Fagin tells Sikes, misleadingly, that Nancy has "peached" on the
whole gang (even though Nancy refused to incriminate Fagin or Agnes Fleming – Oliver's unwed mother, Agnes was engaged
Sikes to Brownlow), and Sikes, in a fit of rage, kills Nancy, then to Oliver's father, Edward, but Edward died before they could
goes on the lam with his dog. be married; Agnes was pregnant when Edward died. Agnes
Brownlow realizes that he recognized Oliver as resembling the gives birth to Oliver in a poorhouse, since her family has
picture of a woman in his parlor, and also recognized a man he abandoned her in the wake of her pregnancy—at the novel's
comes to realize is Monks. Brownlow pieces together the end, the narrator says that, though she was a fine woman, and
mystery of Oliver's parentage: Oliver's father is also Monks' beautiful, Agnes was "weak and erring," because of her
father, and Monks' mother defrauded Oliver's mother, an dalliance with Edward before their marriage.
unwed woman named Agnes, of the inheritance Oliver's father, Edward LLeeford
eeford – Married first to Monks' mother, and then
Edward, intended to leave to Oliver and Agnes. Monks wishes engaged to Agnes Fleming, Oliver's father dies in Rome after
to destroy these facts of Oliver's parentage in order to keep all having claimed his inheritance, which he intended to pass on to

Oliver and Agnes. This money, instead, went to Monks' mother fraudulent inheritance by eliminating all traces of Oliver's
and to Monks, thus precipitating much of the drama in the inheritance, and on making Oliver into a thief so that his name
novel—Agnes' giving birth to Oliver in a poorhouse, and might be ruined. Monks fails in this attempt, after being caught
Oliver's travails in finding out his true identity. by Brownlow, and admits to his misdeeds and acknowledges
Mr
Mr.. Brownlow – A man who becomes Oliver's adopted father Oliver's true parentage.
at the end of the novel, Brownlow is robbed earlier in the novel Sik
Sikes
es – The third of the novel's antagonists, Sikes is a brutal
by Bates and the Dodger, only to think that Oliver, who was "housebreaker," or robber, who takes Oliver with him on the
with those two boys, was responsible. Brownlow recants his failed robbery of the Maylies' house. Sikes later kills Nancy in a
accusation and takes Oliver home, to nurture him, but when he fit of rage, and accidentally kills himself while fleeing an angry
sends Oliver out on a mission to return books (prompted by his mob.
friend Grimwig, to test Oliver's virtue), Oliver is re-taken by The Artful Dodger – The most skilled of Fagin's young boy-
Fagin. Brownlow is distraught at what he believes to be Oliver's thieves, the Artful Dodger is a talented pickpocket and card-
betrayal of him, but never entirely believes that Oliver is a bad shark. The Artful Dodger is caught by the police for stealing a
at heart and spends the remainder of the novel solving the snuff box late in the novel, and is observed, by Noah, being sent
mystery of Oliver's birth and inheritance. to jail in a triumphant and defiant manner.
Losborne – A doctor and close associate of the Maylie family, Charle
Charleyy Bates – A young thief of Fagin's who is always joking
Losborne cares for Oliver when Oliver is recovering from a and laughing, Bates undergoes a moral transformation in the
gunshot wound in the Maylie home. Later, he cares for Rose novel: from ironic young criminal to defender of goodness after
when she falls ill with fever. Losborne, at the novel's end, moves Bates realizes Sikes has killed Nancy. Bates ends the novel
close to Harry and Rose, as he has become almost a part of the having given up crime and taken on a series of difficult jobs,
family. working in the fields.
Mrs. Bedwin – Oliver's nurse when he lives, briefly, with Nancy – Sikes' romantic partner, Nancy at first takes Oliver
Brownlow early in the novel. Mrs. Bedwin is Brownlow's maid. back to Fagin but later expresses regret for this, and attempts
She never believes that Oliver is not virtuous, even when Oliver to protect Oliver as much as she can. After talking one night to
disappears. Rose and Brownlow, and being overheard by Noah, Nancy is
Mr
Mr.. Grim
Grimwig
wig – Brownlow's cantankerous friend, Grimwig does killed by Sikes in a rage, for Sikes believes Nancy has "peached,"
not believe, initially, in Oliver's virtue, and commonly uses the or ratted out the gang (despite the fact that she has staunchly
expression, "I'll eat my hat." At the end of the novel, he enjoys refused to do so).
joking about how he used to not believe in Oliver's goodness, Bet – One of Nancy's fellow female thieves, Bet has a small
once Oliver proves it. part in the novel, and is mostly notable for being the object of
Mr
Mr.. and Mrs. Sowerberry – A coffin-maker and his wife, Mr. Tom Chitling's romantic interest.
and Mrs. Sowerberry take Oliver in as an apprentice after the Rose Ma
Maylie
ylie – Mrs. Maylie's niece, Rose helps nurse Oliver
workhouse. Sowerberry takes something of a liking to Oliver, back to health, only to catch sick later herself. Rose is in love
and makes him a "mute" mourner at funerals, but Mrs. with Harry, but social barriers (her low social standing) keep
Sowerberry never likes or trusts Oliver. their marriage from occurring until the end of the novel. It is
Noah Cla
Claypole
ypole – An older apprentice to Sowerberry, Noah revealed, at the novel's end, that Rose is Oliver's biological
picks a fight with Oliver and ends up blaming Oliver for it; he aunt. Rose embodies pure goodness and generosity.
later makes his way to London and winds up serving as a spy for Harry MaMaylie
ylie – Rose's cousin, Harry is poised for a "brilliant"
Fagin, overhearing Nancy's conversation with Brownlow and career in politics, but he renounces this, and takes on the life of
Rose. a village parson, in order to marry Rose, who believes she is far
Charlotte – Noah's partner and lover, Charlotte goes with too socially inferior to Harry to be an acceptable wife for him.
Noah to London, and at the end of the novel, the two have The two live "happily ever after" at the novel's end.
become a con-men pair in the city. Mrs. Ma
Maylie
ylie – Rose's aunt, Mrs. Maylie takes care of Rose after
Fagin – One of the novel's trio of antagonists, Fagin is in charge the "blight" on Rose's family name, deriving from Agnes
of the "boys," his thieves, and their exploits pay for his life in Fleming's pregnancy and death. Agnes, it is revealed later, is
London. Fagin attempts to make Oliver a thief, but fails; Fagin is Rose's sister.
later sentenced to death. Fagin is Jewish, and described in Tob
obyy Cr
Crackit
ackit – Another housebreaker, Toby accompanies Sikes
extremely anti-Semitic terms by the narrator. and Oliver on the robbery of the Maylies' house. It is revealed
Monks – The second of the novel's antagonists, Monks is that Crackit is something of a coward, as he runs away at the
Oliver's half-brother, and is hellbent on keeping his own first sound of gunshots, after the robbery is botched.

Tom Chitling – Another of the young robbers in Fagin's gang,
Tom is mostly notable for his love of Bet and his dim wit—he is THEMES
beaten by the Dodger repeatedly in cards.
In LitCharts each theme gets its own color and number. Our
Mr
Mr.. Bumble – The village beadle of Oliver's home village, Mr. color-coded theme boxes make it easy to track where the
Bumble is another, more minor antagonist in the novel—he themes occur throughout the work. If you don't have a color
hates Oliver, and eventually marries Mrs. Bumble in order to printer, use the numbers instead.
take over the poorhouse's control, such that he can order
paupers around. But Bumble is exposed as being complicit in a 1 THIEVERY AND CRIME
part of Monks' plot, and loses his social station—he and his wife
later end up paupers in the very same poorhouse that they Oliver Twist is, among other things, a meditation on the nature
used to run. of criminality in 1830s England: an examination of who
commits crimes; of the spectrum of crimes (from petty thievery
Mrs. Bumble (Mrs. Corne
Corney)
y) – Married to Bumble, Mrs. Bumble to murder); and of the idea of criminality as a learned behavior
takes a package from Old Sally once belonging to Agnes, and or an innate quality. Oliver is born a poor orphan; he is raised in
sells this information to Monks. This small crime causes the a workhouse and makes his way to London, where is "rescued"
Bumbles to lose their social station and, eventually, to wind up by a group of young thieves controlled by Fagin. Thus Oliver,
in the poorhouse they once managed. according to Victorian ideas about the link between poverty
Mrs. Mann – A maid at the poorhouse annex near which Oliver and criminality, is seen as being "naturally" predisposed to
was born, Mrs. Mann is in charge of Oliver very early in his life, crime, because he was brought up poor, and was not school
before he is sent to work in the poorhouse for adults. educated. Oliver is also at risk of learning criminal behavior
The man in the white waistcoat – A member of the from Fagin, Charley Bates, the Artful Dodger, and Sikes.
poorhouse's board, the man in the white waistcoat is notable One of the novel's great questions, therefore, is: will Oliver
for shouting, constantly, that he believes Oliver will one day be succumb to this "natural" predisposition and learned criminal
hanged for his "vices." behavior, or will he retain his innate virtue? Dickens presents a
Dick – A small friend of Oliver's at the workhouse, Dick gives full range of criminality as a means of describing English
Oliver a blessing when Oliver is running away to London near criminal society at the time of his writing. Sikes and Fagin are
the beginning of the novel. Oliver hopes, at the novel's end, to both shown to be "natural" criminals—meaning they are men
return this blessing, but does not have the chance, as Dick, for whom crime is an organic outgrowth of their innate badness
sadly, has died. or evil. But although Dickens is clear in his disapproval of Sikes
and Fagin, he nevertheless reserves a certain amount of room
Giles and Brittles – Two servants of the Maylie household,
for moral complication as regards the "criminality" of other
Giles accidentally shoots the "robber" who winds up being
characters in the novel. Dickens acknowledges that Nancy has
Oliver, and Brittles, with Giles, seeks out the "robber" that
been forced to commit crimes, but Dickens has a certain
night, only to have Oliver stumble back to the house the next
amount of sympathy for Nancy's condition, as she was forced
day.
to work for Fagin from a young age. The Artful Dodger and
Barne
Barneyy – Another of Fagin's associates, Barney works at the Bates are entertaining and funny characters, and there is a
Cripples, a pub with which Fagin is involved, and where despair Dickens ascribes to their condition, as Fagin's servants
criminals often meet. Barney is notable for speaking with a and partners in crime (not out of choice, but out of necessity).
constant headcold. The Dodger ends up going to a penal colony, and Charley
Blathers and Duff – Two doltish investigators who attempt to decides he ought to find honest work, and begins a series of
see whether Oliver was one of the robbers of the Maylies' menial jobs after renouncing his life of crime. Monks is given
home, they are misled by Losborne and sent back to London part of his inheritance by Brownlow, in the hopes that he will
with misleading information; Losborne makes it seem that change, but he, too, returns to crime.
Oliver was wounded in a coincident gunshot accident, and that Oliver's purity and strength of spirit are never compromised
Oliver therefore had nothing to do with the robbery. throughout the novel; it is implied that his "gentlemanly"
Monks' mother – Oliver's father's first wife, Monks' mother parentage makes it more likely that he will end up part of a
takes a good deal of Oliver's inheritance for herself and for stable family structure, and that he will become educated and
Monks. find legal employment. Thus Dickens seems to indicate that
criminality is, after all, a mixture of moral disposition and of
Old Sally – The woman who nursed Agnes just as she was
circumstances. Bates transcends his circumstances to live a
giving birth to Oliver, Old Sally dies later in the novel, and Mrs.
"legal" life, but his rewards are few, and his job training poor.
Bumble takes from her a small package that she (Mrs. Bumble)
Oliver is virtuous and strong, but also aided by the help of
later sells to Monks.

members of the middle class, and by the fact that he is of noble The thieves Fagin controls all look out for themselves, since
birth. they would probably not work for Fagin if they were able to
earn their living elsewhere. But Fagin argues that, since he is in
2 POVERTY, INSTITUTIONS, AND CLASS command of this band of thieves, he is truly their Number One,
or the figure they must obey if they are to continue living.
Oliver Twist is a sustained attack on the British Poor Laws, a
complex body of law that forced poor families to labor in Fagin's organization of the group is based primarily on fear; if
prison-like "workhouses." One of the novel's effects is, simply, the thieves do not rat one another out, they will be saved from
to describe what poverty was like at this time in England. the courts and hanging. Dickens shows that this is not a strong
Although many parts of English society had come in contact enough social bond to keep the boys safe. Bates eventually
with the poor, few had read accounts of what it meant to be leaves his life of crime; the Dodger is taken into court, and the
poor. Simply by telling of conditions in the workhouse, Dickens boys are encouraged to believe that the Dodger will long be
does a service to the English poor—he shows they are human remembered for his defiance in the courtroom. Sikes hangs
beings, and that they are not treated as such. himself by mistake, and Fagin is tried and sentenced to death
on the scaffold.
Dickens' description of the workhouses, and of Bumble and
Mrs. Bumble especially, also serves to show that the Poor Laws Oliver, however, is an example both of the importance of a
are not simply dehumanizing—they are a part of the cycle of strong individual work ethic and of social bonds. Oliver leaves
poverty rather than a remedy for it. The workhouse provides Sowerberry; braves the criminals of Fagin's gang in London;
Oliver and others with no meaningful skills, and it feeds them escapes to Brownlow; is recaptured by Fagin; survives a
so little that many simply become sick and die. Bumble is a gunshot to his arm and dodges Sikes; and finally educates
"beadle," or an Anglican Church official in charge of managing himself under Brownlow's tutelage. If it weren't for Oliver's
the poor within each county. Dickens shows that Bumble goodness and his drive to better himself, he would have
behaves "un-Christianly" in hoping simply to shelve the poor in remained at Sowerberry's for the rest of his life. But Oliver also
the workhouse, and to prevent them from leading meaningful benefits greatly from the love he receives from Brownlow,
lives. The novel's goal, then, is not just to describe English Rose Maylie, Mrs. Bedwin, Mrs. and Harry Maylie, and Mr.
poverty—it is actively to change perceptions of both poverty Losberne. Dickens praises these social bonds above all—the
and the general sense of Victorian society that poverty is being bonds of love and of a family-like atmosphere. The Maylies and
dealt with humanely and appropriately, in the hopes of Mrs. Maylie move to a parsonage with Oliver, who is officially
changing society. adopted by Brownlow, so that he can continue in his education
with all the legal protections afforded to the child of a
Dickens' argument about poverty, social institutions, and class
gentleman.
immobility is a complex imagining of the interrelation of the
three. Dickens believes that workhouses play to the worst
desires of people in power—people like Sowerberry and the 4 SOCIAL FORCES, FATE, AND FREE WILL
Bumbles—to keep the poor poor. The workhouses then enable In the novel, "fate" is revealed to be an interaction of social
the middle and upper classes to argue for a self-fulfilling forces or pressures on one's life, and one's decisions as an
prophecy: that people who have no options in life, no ability to agent possessing free will. Oliver is an orphan and a pauper,
make a positive contribution to society, either die or become meaning his "fate" is more or less sealed from birth: social
society's outcasts. Dickens does not excuse crime committed forces appear poised to keep him in a "low" position forever.
by those who are inherently evil (Fagin and Sikes), but he does But Oliver, as it turns out, is the illegitimate son of a gentleman,
tend to be more sympathetic to the lives of those that have and his father has inherited enough money to be able to pass
been determined by terrible circumstances (Oliver, Nancy, some on to Oliver. Thus Oliver has a competing fate: that of a
Bates and the Dodger). Dickens champions Oliver above all, son who realizes his fortune later in life. The grand question of
since Oliver struggles so mightily to maintain his goodness, and the novel, then, is which fate will determine the course of
manages to do so. Oliver's life: the fate of the pauper, or the fate of the
gentleman?
3 INDIVIDUALISM AND SOCIAL BONDS Other characters have their fates set up and determined in
Oliver Twist presents, also, an inquiry into the nature of interesting ways. Monks, also the son of a gentleman (he and
"individualism" in 1830s England, and in the social bonds that Oliver are half-brothers), seems not to be able to "realize" his
must be formed and sustained by individuals if they are to fate as a gentleman himself—he become a criminal, and even
prosper. One of the novel's most notable scenes is Fagin's after inheriting half of his father's money, he dissipates it away
speech, to Noah, arguing that one must look out both for and returns to crime. Fagin and his crew—including the
"Number One" (oneself) and "the other Number One," or Fagin. Dodger—are mostly fated to remain criminals. Although Fagin

does everything he can to avoid detection, it is not a surprise the city. Dickens does not advocate that the country should
when he is captured at the novel's end, and sentenced to death. remain wholly separate from the city, or that the city should
Similarly, the Dodger, despite his skill in thievery, accepts that it cease to exist. Rather, he seems to argue that the country
is his fate to be sent to a penal colony. Sikes understands that, provides a kind of serenity and family structure that should be
after he kills Nancy, he is a hunted man, and that he can never brought back to the city.
recover the "normalcy" of his life-in-crime before the murder.
Rose and Harry, too, seem fated to be together. When Harry
first proposes to Rose, Rose rejects his offer of marriage—not
SYMBOLS
because she does not love him, but because Harry is poised for Symbols appear in red text throughout the Summary and
a brilliant career, and she comes from a disgraced family. But Analysis sections of this LitChart.
Harry implies that he is willing to alter the trajectory of his
career, to take over the modest life of a country parson, in
order to "level" his social relationship to Rose, and therefore to COFFINS
facilitate their marriage. Thus the novel shows that, although Coffins crop up repeatedly in the novel, and symbolize not only
there are many strong social forces appearing immutably to the proximity of death throughout Oliver Twist, but the very real
"fate" characters to certain destinies, characters can, through possibility that Oliver himself will not live long enough to
exceptional strength of character, determine their own paths in realize his high birth and receive his due inheritance. Oliver is
life. apprenticed, first, to Sowerberry, a coffin-maker, and is forced
to sleep among the coffins while in the house. Oliver is made to
5 CITY AND COUNTRY witness numerous burials while working as a "mute" mourner
for Sowerberry—someone brought along to enlarge the size of
The novel takes place in two separate, morally distinct
a funeral party. Other characters in the novel, too, use coffins in
locations: the Country and the City. The Country is everything
their figures of speech: Monks, on seeing Oliver in the town of
outside London and its outlying villages; London is the primary
Chertsey, while Oliver is delivering a letter, utters an oath
City. To Dickens, the country is a place of peace, quiet, hard
involving the word, and Nancy tells Rose and Brownlow, later,
work, and strong family structures that ensure people continue
that the only home she will ever know is the final home
to work hard and avoid criminality. The city, however, is a place
provided by a coffin. Indeed, the novel ends with a bittersweet
of difficult working conditions, where the poor are crowded
image of a tomb for Agnes, Oliver's unwed mother, in the local
together, ground down by all the difficulties of "modern"
church near where Oliver settles; this tomb has no coffin,
industrial life.
symbolizing the fact that, though Agnes was a good women, she
Oliver, tellingly, comes from the "country," from a town committed a crime against God by having a child out of
environment relatively far from London. He makes his way to wedlock, and her body was not buried with the rest of the
London to avoid Sowerberry, the coffin-maker, and a live of family but rather interred in a shallow grave near the
terrible poverty in the workhouses, but what he finds in the city workhouse. Thus Oliver manages, at the end of the novel, to
is not a means of escape, but rather, a more difficult life: one of avoid the grisly fate, the waiting coffin, reserved for
forced criminality. Only when Oliver stumbles, half-dead, upon others—Nancy and his mother among them.
the Maylies' house far outside the city, does he begin to
recuperate, to think longingly for Brownlow, and to begin to
find a stable family life. Oliver ends up near a country QUO
QUOTES
TES
parsonage at the novel's end, with the Maylies and those who
care about him; he is adopted as Brownlow's legal son, allowing The color-coded and numbered boxes under each quote below
him to be educated in peace and quiet. make it easy to track the themes related to each quote. Each
color and number corresponds to one of the themes explained
Dickens wrote during the English Industrial Revolution's most
in the Themes section of this LitChart.
robust stage—when cities were becoming "the" location for all
those hoping to make their fortunes, and to rise up out of
poverty. But cities were also repositories for vice and poverty, CHAPTER 1 QUOTES
and seemed to provide ammunition for those who sought to Wrapped in the blanket which had hitherto formed his only
equate the "social diseases" of poverty and criminality. Thus covering, he [Oliver] might have been the child of a nobleman
Dickens has a complicated relationship to the city and the or a beggar . . . . But now that he was enveloped in the old calico
country as he describes them. He believes that Oliver's virtue is robes which had grown yellow in the same service, he was
best suited to the country, but that country is rapidly badged and ticketed . . . a parish child . . . the orphan of a
disappearing as England becomes more connected by rail and workhouse.
roads, and more economically dependent on the factories of

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CHAPTER 5 QUOTES
2 3 4 Well, Oliver . . . how do you like it [serving as a mute mourner at
funerals].
CHAPTER 2 QUOTES Pretty well, thank you, sir . . . Not very much, sir.
Ah, you'll get used to it in time, Oliver. . . .
Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir! Oliver Twist has asked for
Oliver wondered, in his own mind, whether it had taken a very
more!
long time to get Mr. Sobwerberry used to it . . . .
For more! . . . Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer me
distinctly. Do I understand that he asked for more, after he had •Speak
•Speaker
er: Oliver Twist, Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry
eaten the supper allotted by the dietary? •Related themes
--- and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, and Free Will
That boy will be hung . . . I know that boy will be hung.
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acters: Oliver Twist, Mr. Bumble
2 3 4
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themes: Thievery and Crime, Poverty, Institutions,
and Class, Individualism and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate,
and Free Will CHAPTER 8 QUOTES
•Theme T
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had turned the cuffs back . . . to get his hands out of the sleeves .
1 2 3 4 . . . He was, altogether, as roistering and swaggering a young
gentleman as ever stood four feet six, or something less, in his
CHAPTER 3 QUOTES bluchers.
Oliver fell on his knees, and clasping his hands together, prayed •Mentioned or related char
characters
acters: The Artful Dodger
that they would order him back to the dark room—that they •Related themes
themes: Thievery and Crime, Individualism and Social
would starve him—beat him—kill him if they pleased—rather Bonds, City and Country
than send him away with that dreadful man [Gamfield, the
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characters
acters: Oliver Twist 1 3 5
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and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, and Free Will CHAPTER 9 QUOTES
•Theme T
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play, had to do with his chances of being a great man. But
2 3 4 thinking that the Jew [Fagin], being so much his senior, must
know best, he followed him quietly to the table; and was soon
CHAPTER 4 QUOTES deeply involved in his new study.
Then come with me . . . your bed's under the counter You don't •Mentioned or related char
characters
acters: Oliver Twist, Fagin
mind sleeping among the coffins, I suppose? But it doesn't much •Related themes
matter whether you do or don't, for you can't sleep anywhere Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, and Free Will, City and Country
else. Come . . . !
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1 3 4 5
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acters: Oliver Twist
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and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, and Free Will
CHAPTER 12 QUOTES
What's this? Bedwin, look there!
As he [Brownlow] spoke, he pointed hastily to the picture
above Oliver's head; and then to the boy's face. There was its

living coy. The eyes, the head, the mouth; every feature was the •Theme T
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same. The expression was, for the instant, so precisely alike,
that the minutest line seemed copied with a startling accuracy. 2 3 4
•Speak
•Speaker
er: Mr. Brownlow
CHAPTER 20 QUOTES
characters
acters: Oliver Twist
For a long time Oliver lay awake: thinking it not impossible that
•Related themes
themes: Individualism and Social Bonds, Social Nancy might seek that opportunity of whispering some further
Forces, Fate, and Free Will advice; but the girl sat brooding over the fire, without moving . .
•Theme T
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characters
acters: Oliver Twist, Nancy
•Related themes
CHAPTER 14 QUOTES and Class, Individualism and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate,
and Free Will
Send Oliver with them . . he will be sure to deliver them safely,
you know. •Theme T
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Yes; do let me take them, if you please, sir. . . . I'll run all the way,
1 2 3 4
sir.
•Speak
•Speaker
er: Oliver Twist, Mr. Grimwig CHAPTER 22 QUOTES
•Related themes
themes: Thievery and Crime, Poverty, Institutions, The cry was repeated—a light appeared—a vision of two
and Class, Individualism and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, terrified half-dressed men at the top of the stairs swam before
and Free Will, City and Country his eyes—a flash—a loud noise—a smoke—a crash somewhere . .
•Theme T
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1 2 3 4 5 •Mentioned or related char

characters
acters: Oliver Twist, Giles and
Brittles
CHAPTER 15 QUOTES •Related themes
Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, and Free Will, City and Country
Wait a minute! . . . I wouldn't hurry by [the gallows], if it was you
that was coming out to be hung, the next time eight o'clock •Theme T
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struck, Bill. I'd walk round and round the place till I dropped, if
1 3 4 5
the snow was on the ground, and I hadn't a shawl to cover me.
•Speak
•Speaker
er: Nancy CHAPTER 25 QUOTES
characters
acters: Sikes Bill had him [Oliver] on his back and scudded like the wind. We
•Related themes
themes: Thievery and Crime, Poverty, Institutions, stopped to take him between us; his head hung down; and he
and Class, Individualism and Social Bonds was cold. . . . We parted company, and left the youngster lying in
•Theme T
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code: a ditch. Alive or dead, that's all I know about him.
1 2 3 •Speak
•Speaker
er: Toby Crackit
characters
acters: Oliver Twist, Sikes
I should like . . . to leave my love to poor Oliver Twist, and to let
him know how often I have sat by myself and cried to think of •Theme T
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his wandering about in the dark night with nobody to help him.
1 3 4 5
•Speak
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er: Dick
characters
acters: Oliver Twist CHAPTER 26 QUOTES
•Related themes
themes: Poverty, Institutions, and Class, Individualism I tell you again, it was badly planned. Why not have kept him
and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, and Free Will here among the rest, and made a sneaking, sniveling pickpocket
of him at once?

•Speak
•Speaker
er: Monks CHAPTER 34 QUOTES
characters
acters: Oliver Twist It was but an instant, a glance, a flash, before his eyes; and they
•Related themes
themes: Thievery and Crime, Poverty, Institutions, were gone. But they had recognized him, and he them; and
and Class, Individualism and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, their look was as firmly impressed upon his memory, as if it had
and Free Will been deeply carved in stone . . . .
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acters: Oliver Twist, Fagin, Monks
1 2 3 4 •Related themes
CHAPTER 27 QUOTES •Theme T

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Say it again, you vile, owdacious fellow! . . . How dare you 1 3 4 5

mention such a thing, sir? And how dare you encourage him,
you insolent minx! Kiss her! . . . Faugh!
CHAPTER 35 QUOTES
•Speak
•Speaker
er: Mr. Bumble The prospect before you . . . is a brilliant one; all the honors to
characters
acters: Noah Claypole, Charlotte which great talents and powerful connections can help men in
•Related themes
themes: Thievery and Crime, Poverty, Institutions, public life are in store for you. . . . I will neither mingle with such
and Class as hold in scorn the mother who gave me life; nor bring disgrace
or failure on the son of her who has so well supplied that
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1 2 •Speak
•Speaker
er: Rose Maylie
characters
acters: Harry Maylie
This . . . this is the lad, who, being accidentally wounded by a and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, and Free Will
spring-gun in some boyish trespass on Mr. What-d'ye-call-him's •Theme T
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grounds, at the back here, comes to the house for assistance
this morning, and is immediately laid hold of, and maltreated, by 2 3 4
that ingenious gentleman [Giles]
•Speak
•Speaker
er: Losborne CHAPTER 37 QUOTES
characters
acters: Oliver Twist, Giles and Are you going to sit there snoring all day?
Brittles I am going to sit here, as long as I think proper, ma'am. . . . And
•Related themes
themes: Thievery and Crime, Individualism and Social although I was not snoring, I shall snore, gape, sneeze, laugh, or
Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, and Free Will, City and Country cry, as the humor strikes me . . . .
•Theme T
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themes: Individualism and Social Bonds, Social
1 3 4 5
Forces, Fate, and Free Will
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CHAPTER 33 QUOTES
Death! Who would have thought it! Grind him to ashes! He's 3 4
start up from a marble coffin, to come in my way!
•Speak
•Speaker
er: Monks CHAPTER 40 QUOTES
characters
acters: Oliver Twist Do not close your heart against all my efforts to help you . . . I
wish to serve you indeed.
•Related themes
themes: Individualism and Social Bonds, Social
You would serve me best, lady . . . if you could take my life at
Forces, Fate, and Free Will, City and Country
once; for I have felt more grief to think of what I am, tonight,
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3 4 5 •Speak
•Speaker
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•Related themes
themes: Thievery and Crime, Poverty, Institutions, CHAPTER 47 QUOTES
It was a ghastly figure to look upon. The murderer staggering
and Free Will, City and Country
backward to the wall, and shutting out the sight with his hand,
•Theme T
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1 2 3 4 5 •Mentioned or related char
characters
acters: Sikes, Nancy
•Related themes
themes: Thievery and Crime, Social Forces, Fate, and
CHAPTER 43 QUOTES Free Will
You'll pay for this, my fine fellers. I wouldn't be you for •Theme T
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something. I wouldn't go free, now, if you was to fall down on
your knees and ask me. Here, carry me off to prison! Take me 1 4
away!
CHAPTER 48 QUOTES
•Speak
•Speaker
er: The Artful Dodger
The animal looked up into his master's face while these
•Related themes
preparations were making; and, whether his instinct
apprehended something of their purpose, or the robber's
and Free Will
sidelong look at him was sterner than ordinary, skulked a little
•Theme T
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code: farther in the rear than usual . . . The dog wagged his tail, but
moved not . . . and scoured away at his hardest speed.
1 2 3 4
characters
acters: Sikes
Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, and Free Will
You have a friend in me, Nance; a staunch friend. I have the
means at hand, quiet and close. If you want revenge on those •Theme T
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that treat you like a dog . . .come to me. I say, come to me.
1 3 4
•Speak
•Speaker
er: Fagin
characters
acters: Nancy CHAPTER 49 QUOTES
•Related themes
themes: Thievery and Crime, Poverty, Institutions, You must do more than that . . . make restitution to an innocent
and Class, Individualism and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, and unoffending child, for such he is, although the offspring of a
and Free Will guilty and most miserable love . . . .
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1 2 3 4 •Mentioned or related char
characters
acters: Oliver Twist, Monks
•Related themes
CHAPTER 45 QUOTES and Class, Individualism and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate,
and Free Will, City and Country
She goes abroad tonight . . . and on the right errand, I'm sure;
for she has been alone all da, and the man she is afraid of, will •Theme T
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not be back much before daybreak . . . .
1 2 3 4 5
•Speak
•Speaker
er: Fagin
characters
acters: Noah Claypole, Sikes, Nancy CHAPTER 50 QUOTES
•Related themes
themes: Thievery and Crime, Poverty, Institutions, The noose was at his neck. It ran up with his weight, tight as
and Class, Individualism and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, bow-string . . . there was sudden jerk, a terrific convulsion of the
and Free Will limbs; and there he hung, with the open knife clenched in his
•Theme T
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1 2 3 4 •Mentioned or related char

characters
acters: Sikes
•Related themes
Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, and Free Will

•Theme T
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code: Oliver's mother asks to see It is a cardinal sin, in the
Oliver once before she dies. Victorian era in England, to be
1 3 4 The surgeon places Oliver in pregnant and to give birth out of
her arms, and she falls back wedlock. This is the first strike
CHAPTER 53 QUOTES and dies immediately. The against Oliver, in his unlucky
surgeon and the attending early years—that he is a
I believe that the shade of Agnes sometimes hovers round that
woman, Mrs. Thingummy, "bastard," or, officially, the child
solemn nook [in the country church]. I believe it none the les,
discuss Oliver's mother's of parents who were not married.
because that nook is in a Church, and she was weak and erring.
origins. The night before the
characters
acters: Agnes Fleming birth, Oliver's mother came to 2 3 4
•Related themes
themes: Thievery and Crime, Poverty, Institutions, the workhouse in torn, dirty
and Class, Individualism and Social Bonds, Social Forces, Fate, clothes, without a wedding
and Free Will, City and Country ring. Oliver's father is
unknown.
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The narrator states that, when Another ironic note. Poverty, the
1 2 3 4 5 Oliver is simply wrapped in narrator states, is not inherent to
swaddling clothes, he cannot the poor—it is something taken
be distinguished from the child off or worn, like clothing; it is
SUMMARY AND ANAL
ANALYSIS
YSIS of a very rich man—all indeed inseparable from the
newborns exist outside the clothing one wears. Oliver's
The color-coded and numbered boxes under each row of reversal in fortune later on will
hierarchies of social class. But
Summary and Analysis below make it easy to track the themes show that his "poverty" was not
then Oliver is placed in a
throughout the work. Each color and number corresponds to an essential quality of his
garment of the workhouse,
one of the themes explained in the Themes section of this character (many in Victorian
indicating that he is to be a
LitChart. England, though, did seem to
pauper. The narrator
comments that, if Oliver were believe that poverty was just
CHAPTER 1 aware of his poverty, he would that: innate, a product of a
The narrator introduces Oliver The narrator here introduces his be crying even louder. person's inner laziness or
Twist, the novel's young (or her) ironic tone, which will be badness.
protagonist, who is born in an maintained throughout the
2 3 4
unnamed town in 1830s course of the novel. Although it
England, in a workhouse for appears, at first, that the
the poor. The narrator claims narrator is going to highlight the
that, although it is typically not importance of family, and the
considered good luck to be ways in which a family might
born in a workhouse, Oliver help a mother giving birth,
was, in this case, lucky: he had instead the narrator states that
trouble breathing at birth, and all those meddling relatives
if he were surrounded by would only get in the way of the
family members trying to help young child's breathing. Much of
him breathe, he surely would the humor in the novel derives
have died because of their from this ironic detachment from
misguided efforts. Since it was or subversion of one's
only the surgeon, an attending expectations of a typical "family
old woman, Oliver's mother, drama" of the time.
and Oliver at the birth,
however, Oliver was allowed 2 3 4
simply to "fight with Nature,"
and he eventually breathes.

CHAPTER 2 Although Oliver finds Mrs. Some trades were reserved
Mann to be a cruel woman, he specifically for children, as they
Because the parish determines Although this "farming house" is
pretends that he has loved her involved small, repetitive actions
that the workhouse does not supposed to exist to raise the
and his time at the "farm." He that would better be practiced by
have a woman in place to care children of deceased parents, it
goes with the beadle to the those with lots of time and small
for Oliver, he is "farmed" to a mainly serves to keep these
workhouse, and is brought hands. The picking of oakum is
branch-workhouse three miles children "out of the way." Many of
before "the board," or the one of these trades; and it is
away, where he plays with the children die before they even
group of men that manage and irrelevant whether or not Oliver
twenty or so other young reach adulthood, meaning that
administer the house. Oliver agrees to this assignment—he
children. He is nursed "by the state no longer has to look
cries before them, out of has no choice in the matter.
hand," or with a bottle. The out for them or take care of
nervousness, and they wonder
woman in charge of this them. Those children that do, 2 3
why he would be crying. They
branch-house, Mrs. Mann, almost by accident, survive to
tell Oliver he is to be assigned
spends most of the parish "grow up" will simply be placed in
a trade: he will learn to pick
stipend on her own purchases, the workhouse, to labor
"oakum," or hemp used for
and leaves only a very small alongside other paupers—and to
making ships, the next
amount to feed the children, be shelved, similarly, out of sight
morning.
many of whom die of of the general populace.
malnourishment. But the The narrator describes how An iconic scene in the novel.
surgeon and the local beadle 1 2 3 the board regulates the Oliver dares do what no one else
make sure not to investigate amount of food those in the does—this is an indication that
the branch-house's activities, workhouse are allowed to eat; Oliver possesses "heroic"
which continues operating to it is mostly water mixed with qualities—that he is a beacon of
the detriment of the children thin oatmeal, and many of the virtue toward which other
in it. workers starve and die. An characters in the novel seem to
episode is then related: Oliver, gravitate. Oliver's decision to ask
It is Oliver's ninth birthday, Oliver's iconic last name was
after three months of near for more—to think that he might
and Mr. Bumble, the beadle, or invented by Bumble and
starvation, approaches the deserve more or that the world
church official in charge of assigned to him—much of the
master in the dining hall and might be willing to give him
administering the Poor Laws in novel, indeed, will be a search for
asks if he might have more more—precipitates his leaving
that region, has arrived to Oliver's origins, for his "true
oatmeal. The master is the workhouse, and his journey
speak with Mrs. Mann about name." It should be noted, too,
flabbergasted, and calls for the through the world and into
him. The beadle declares also, that conceptions of
beadle, who brings Oliver London.
as an aside, that he gave Oliver "adolescence," or teenage years,
before the board again.
his full name (he invented the did not exist at this time, nor did 1 2 3
first, and the last was the next child labor laws. From the age of
alphabetically, after a previous nine, Oliver is expected to work One member of the board, a This man in the white waistcoat
boy named "Swubble"). After like an adult. "man in a white waistcoat," will repeat his refrain, of "hanging
this, the beadle announces remarks aloud, over and over, for Oliver," numerous times. Of
that Oliver, being aged nine, 2 3 4 that he believes Oliver, a course, it is not Oliver but several
will have to leave the "farm" troublemaker, will eventually of the criminals around him,
and return to the workhouse. be hung. The beadle and the namely Sikes and Fagin, who will
board decide to post a notice be hanged later on.
outside the workhouse: five
pounds to anyone who will 1 2 3 4
take on Oliver Twist as their
apprentice.

CHAPTER 3 Bumble is immensely angry It should be noted that the board
with Oliver, and he leads him is mostly upset, here, because
Oliver is placed in a small Here Oliver's punishment in the
back to the workhouse; they now have to expend extra
room, in solitary confinement, workhouse is indistinguishable
Gamfield walks away, wishing effort in "placing" Oliver again,
as punishment for asking for from the punishment he would
he might have had Oliver as an and because they had a "good
more oatmeal; he remains receive in prison. This lays bare
apprentice; and a sign is once deal" in placing him with
there one week. Oliver is the truth of the workhouse: that
again posted outside the Gamfield—paying Gamfield less
flogged in public and in private, it is, essentially, a jail for the poor,
house, offering Oliver's than the promised five pounds.
including before the other who are treated, by the state, like
services.
boys in the dining hall. criminals, simply for being poor. 2 3 4
Meanwhile, a chimney-
sweeper named Mr. Gamfield 2 3
happens to notice the posted CHAPTER 4
bill, advertising Oliver's The board and the beadle Sowerberry, as evidenced here,
services as apprentice. decide that they will try to also participates in the economy
send Oliver to sea, to of poverty that surrounds the
Mr. Gamfield, who has been The board merely pretends they
apprentice him to a captain on workhouse, but which benefits
mercilessly beating his donkey are concerned for Oliver's health
a ship. On his way back to the no one who actually lives in the
outside the workhouse, is as a chimney-sweep's
workhouse, the beadle workhouses. Sowerberry makes a
believed, by the man in the apprentice—in reality, the board
encounters Mr. Sowerberry, a profit manufacturing cheap
waistcoat and others on the wants to pay less to foist him off
coffin-maker, who looks to coffins for the poor who die while
board, to be a "suitable" and on someone else. Another irony:
collect money for recent in the workhouse—the coffins
strong-willed master for while the board fakes concern for
coffins he has made for the can be cheap because the bodies
Oliver. But the board pretends Oliver's condition, they have him
workhouse, and who of the poor placed inside are so
that they have reservations, locked up in a solitary room not
complains, to the beadle, that frail.
sending Oliver to such a far away.
the workhouse pays him very
dangerous trade as chimney- 2 3 4
1 3 4 little for his coffins. The beadle
sweeping, and they argue their
replies that the pay is small
reward down to three pounds,
because the coffins, and the
fifteen shillings. Gamfield
people that go inside them
accepts.
from the house, are small.
Bumble takes Oliver before One of Oliver's qualities,
Bumble asks Sowerberry if Another irony. Bumble has been
the magistrate, in order to throughout the novel, is an
the latter knows of anyone given an award for his
have papers signed granting inability to dissemble—to lie
needing an apprentice, and "Samaritanship," meaning his
Oliver to Gamfield as a about his feelings. Rather, as
Sowerberry responds that he willingness to help others when
chimney-sweep's apprentice. here, Oliver must show what he
himself needs one. Sowerberry they are in need, but of course
All proceeds according to feels—he "cannot tell a lie." He is
also compliments the beadle Bumble cares not a jot for the
Gamfield's wishes, until the scared about serving as
on his "button," a medal he needs of anyone but himself.
magistrate notices that Oliver Gamfield's apprentice, and he
received from the church of Sowerberry points this out,
is pale and upset about his shows this to the magistrate.
the Good Samaritan for subtly, to Bumble, who has
coming apprenticeship. The Bumble believes Oliver is trying
healing a sick man. The beadle difficulty taking the hint.
magistrate asks Oliver what's to trick his way into sympathy,
recalls that he first wore the Sowerberry, though a participant
the matter, and Oliver replies but this is simply Oliver's way of
medal to the official meeting in the exploitative economy
by begging the magistrate to expressing emotion.
wherein the death of a surrounding the workhouses,
do anything he can—even to
1 3 4 tradesman was investigated, does seem more aware of the
send Oliver back to the
and Sowerberry reminds the injustices this system creates.
workhouse—to avoid going off
beadle, not without irony, that
with the cruel Gamfield. 1 2 3 4
the tradesman died because he
was locked out of the
workhouse late at night, and
froze to death just outside the
door.

The beadle brushes of Here, again, Bumble's lack of CHAPTER 5
Sowerberry's criticism aside concern for others shows.
Oliver spends the night, alone, This section indicates the
and informs Oliver, while Bumble has no idea why Oliver
among the coffins, and can "naturalness" of certain
Sowerberry is meeting with might be crying—why Oliver
barely sleep, he is so disturbed hierarchies, which will always
the board, that Oliver will might be afraid to be taken out of
by the strange and macabre develop in societies, no matter
either go as apprentice to the only home he has ever known
sight of the coffins laid out. how impoverished the
Sowerberry, or he'll be sent to (and a terrible home at that), to
Oliver is awoken the next circumstances. Noah is a boy of
sea, where surely he will be placed in the house of a
morning by Noah Claypole, a no means, but his family is alive,
drown. The board approves strange family, and to be forced
boy only slightly older than and his parents work
this apprenticeship. Later that to work a terrifying trade from a
him, who nevertheless begins trades—menial ones, but trades
evening, Oliver becomes quiet young age. Bumble appears, for a
ordering Oliver about. nonetheless. This makes Noah, in
and frightened. As Bumble moment, to sympathize with
Charlotte, the Sowerberry's his own mind, superior to Oliver.
drags Oliver to meet Oliver here, but just as quickly
daughter, finds Noah's Of course, there is a dramatic
Sowerberry and his wife at drags Oliver along to
mistreatment of Oliver funny. irony here, for it will be revealed,
their home, Oliver begins to Sowerberry—Bumble is
Noah believes himself superior later, that Oliver is in fact the son
cry again, and the beadle starts incapable actually of changing
to Oliver because, though he is of a gentleman, and of higher
to yell at Oliver. But Oliver his attitude toward the poor.
also poor, he knows his social station than anyone in the
pleads that he is merely lonely
2 3 4 parents, who live close Sowerberry home.
at the workhouse and afraid of
by—unlike Oliver, the orphan,
what will become of him. The 1 2 3 4 5
who has never known his
beadle, confused by Oliver's
parents.
emotion, allows Oliver to
collect himself, then continues One night, after about a month These "mutes" help mourners to
dragging him to Sowerberry. of Oliver's apprenticeship, feel that their loved one was an
Sowerberry tells his wife that, important personage, one for
Mrs. Sowerberry remarks that Mrs. Sowerberry believes she is
because Oliver is an attractive whom many will come and pay
Oliver is very small and thin, doing Oliver a good deed by
young man with a respects. At the same time, the
when he is dropped off at their giving him any meat at all, even if
"melancholic" disposition, he more people at a funeral, the
house by the beadle. She this meat is of such low quality
would make a good "mute," or a more who know about
offers Oliver small bits of meat that a dog won't eat it. No one
mourner brought along to Sowerberry's coffin-making
that their dog wouldn't eat, seems to think that Oliver might
accompany and "enhance" services; it is an advertisement
and Oliver eats them down in be terrified by the thought of
funeral parties. for the man's business.
the basement. Mrs. sleeping among so many coffins,
Sowerberry then shows Oliver about to be placed in the ground. 2 3
upstairs, to the attic containing
the coffins, where Oliver is to 2 3 4 The beadle arrives soon How quickly Oliver is forgotten.
sleep. thereafter, and tells Bumble seems only to care about
Sowerberry that a woman in Oliver when Oliver is making
the parish has died, and is in problems for him in the
need of a coffin and a funeral workhouse—otherwise, the poor,
preparation. The beadle does to the beadle, are nothing more
not ask after Oliver, nor does than objects to be collected,
he seem to remember that managed, moved about, and
Oliver is even present at profited from.
Sowerberry's. Sowerberry
decides to take Oliver along 2 3
with him to the house of the
deceased woman.

Oliver and Sowerberry find A harrowing scene, intended CHAPTER 6
the house in squalid, surely, by Dickens, to show the
Oliver continues working for Another of Dickens' ironies.
impoverished condition. The crushing horrors of poverty
Sowerberry as a "mute," and Dickens makes it seem as though
husband of the deceased outside the workhouse. The
because it's a time of year he does not judge those
woman is afraid to have her in woman has died simply for want
when sickness is more "mourners" who use funerals as
the ground, "where the worms of basic amenities, yet even in
prevalent, the coffin trade excuses to meet new romantic
can get her," and mourns her her death the family is being
increases, and Oliver attends partners—when, of course,
quick passing, of fever. The charged (to them) high rates just
more funerals. Oliver notes Dickens is strongly criticizing the
woman's mother asks when to bury the body and perform the
that many apparent superficiality he sees in
the funeral is to take place, and last rites.
mourners—including people the Victorian middle class.
Sowerberry responds that it
2 3 5 who have lost their wives and
will be the next day. The beadle 2 3
husbands—seem all too happy
has sent to the house a small
to bury their dead, and to look
amount of food, to placate the
for new partners. Oliver
family.
interprets this as a sign of their
Oliver walks with Sowerberry, A continuation of the harrowing happiness, but the narrator
the beadle, and four scene above. To bury bodies implies that these people are
pallbearers the next day, at the more cheaply, the poor are actually selfish and heartless.
woman's funeral; the casket is placed in makeshift mass graves,
Noah keeps ordering Oliver Marriages in the novel tend
so light, with the woman's frail some of which are then exposed
around, and Charlotte, either to be Happy or Unhappy,
body, that the pallbearers by heavy rains. All this
following Noah's lead, does so with very few falling in between.
more or less run to the grave, contributes to an atmosphere of
as well. Mr. Sowerberry tends The Sowerberrys' marriage, like
where they are kept waiting by horror and degradation for the
to look out for Oliver (because the Bumbles' later on, falls into
a pastor busy with other poor.
Oliver is so useful for business, the latter category.
funerals. The casket is buried
2 3 4 serving as a mute), and Mrs.
atop numerous others in a 2 3
Sowerberry, to oppose her
shallow grave, and the
husband, typically criticizes
ceremony is very brief.
Oliver.
Sowerberry asks, after the At least Sowerberry shows some
An important episode is The implication here is that
funeral is over, whether Oliver concern for Oliver—even if this
recounted: Noah and Oliver Oliver's mother, apart from
minded being a "mute" concern ultimately derives from
descend to the basement to having Oliver out of wedlock,
mourner; Oliver says he does a business interest (Sowerberry
eat dinner (as usual), and Noah was also what Victorians would
not like the job very much, but believes Oliver's handsomeness
asks about Oliver's mother. call a "woman of loose morals."
Sowerberry ensures he will get will bring in more customers).
Oliver replies that she is dead, This is not borne out by the facts
used to it. Oliver wonders how Although Sowerberry is cruel to
and Noah, knowing this, goes of Agnes' life—as Edward,
long it took Sowerberry to get Oliver, he is the least cruel of the
on to say that Oliver's mother Oliver's father, was her true love,
used to this line of work. novel's early characters.
was a "bad ‘un"; he implies that and she was committed to him.
2 3 4 she was a prostitute and a
criminal. At this, Oliver 1 2 3 4
becomes enraged, and flies at
Noah in a fury.

Noah immediately cries out Noah appears to talk a good Sowerberry returns at this An important point, noted by the
(coward-like) for help, and deal, but when it comes to point. Mrs. Sowerberry insists narrator: Sowerberry is still
Charlotte and Mrs. fighting, Oliver—never one to that whatever Noah said about inclined to like Oliver and to side
Sowerberry rush to his aid, instigate—will battle to defend Oliver's mother was true, but with him. Only after Oliver
pulling Oliver away, and his principles, and, in this case, to Oliver becomes enraged at contradicts his wife does
remarking that they always protect his mother's reputation this, and shouts to Mrs. Sowerberry decide that, to save
knew Oliver was a bad seed. (although at this point he knows Sowerberry that these are lies. face, he must punish the boy.
They pledge to inform Mr. nothing about his mother). Mrs. Sowerberry bursts into Sowerberry's major flaw,
Sowerberry of Oliver's actions Oliver's bravery here is implicitly tears, and at this point demonstrated here, is a
when he returns home. Noah praised by Dickens, and Noah's Sowerberry, initially reluctant willingness to please his wife at
feels he is lucky to be alive. No cowardice is criticized. to punish Oliver, feels he must all costs.
mention is made of the fact do so.
that Noah incited the fight. 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Charlotte and Mrs. Sowerberry beats Oliver to A turning point in the book.
Sowerberry send Noah to tell Bumble's and Mrs. Oliver decides to take his "fate"
Bumble of the fight. Sowerberry's satisfaction, into his own hands. If he were to
then has him sleep in the coffin stay at the coffin-shop, he would
CHAPTER 7 workshop alone. That night, be an unhappy, poor apprentice
Oliver realizes how alone he is for much of his young life.
Noah runs all the way to the It was not enough that Noah
in the world, and resolves to Instead, he attempts to make his
workhouse, and finds Mr. pushed Oliver into a fight for
do something about his fortune in London.
Bumble. Noah informs Bumble which he (Noah) was not
ready—Noah also lies to Bumble, position. In the early morning
that Oliver has "gone vicious" 1 2 3 4 5
making it seem that Oliver light, he sneaks out of the
and attempted to kill him;
started the fight, and that Oliver Sowerberrys' house and
Noah exaggerates the episode,
has been plotting to kill the makes his way, quickly and
and says also (falsely) that
Sowerberrys all along. Bumble is quietly, to the workhouse.
Oliver pledged to kill
Sowerberry as well. Noah asks all too willing to believe this—to Oliver encounters an old Dick barely appears in the
whether Bumble would return ascribe unsavoriness to Oliver's friend named Dick in the novel—he is in three scenes—but
to the Sowerberry home and character. Of course, later in the workhouse garden. Oliver tells he is something of a foil to Oliver,
beat Oliver, since Sowerberry novel, it is Bumble who is Dick never to tell anyone that another "good boy" who is not so
is out at the moment. The man revealed, by the narrator, to be he has seen Oliver there; lucky, and who apparently does
in the white waistcoat, who an unsavory and immoral man. Oliver announces that he is not come from high-born
overhears this exchange, going off in the world to seek parents. Whatever benefits
remarks that he always knew 1 2 3 4 his fortune. Oliver tells Dick he Oliver later receives, Dick does
Oliver was a bad seed—a boy will one day be happy, and not; thus their two fates, so
who one day would be hung. Dick, overcome with love for similar in the beginning of the
Oliver, kisses him and blesses text, diverge a great deal by the
Bumble heads with Noah back A means by which Bumble
him. The narrator says that end, when Oliver returns to his
to the Sowerberrys'. He finds justifies his, and the workhouse's,
Oliver never once forgot this village with Brownlow and the
Oliver locked in a room, and thin ration of gruel—any larger
blessing from Dick—which Maylies and Dick dies. In this
Oliver tells Bumble he is not amount of food, and the
were really the first kind words way, Dickens is able to maintain
afraid of him. Bumble informs prisoners and workers, well-fed,
anyone had ever spoken to his criticism of England's Poor
Mrs. Sowerberry that Oliver's would revolt against Bumble and
him. Laws even as Oliver escapes
anger is attributable to his the board. It is hard to believe
poverty.
being fed meat at their home. that Oliver would be strong
Bumble recommends leaving enough to fight Noah, who is 1 2 3 4 5
Oliver down in the cellar for a much larger than Oliver, even if
day or too, to "starve" him a Oliver is being fed "meat."
little; he says that Oliver's
mother was also physically 1 2 3 4
very strong, and she fought
long and hard before she died
in childbirth.

CHAPTER 8 The strange boy purchases The narrator introduces one of
ham and bread from a Dickens' most famous
Oliver decides to walk to This is one of the most arduous
shopkeeper, and takes Oliver characters, across all his novels.
London, which is about tasks Oliver must accomplish in
to a pub, where Oliver eats The Artful Dodger is not much
seventy miles away. He is five the novel. It is not an easy walk
ravenously. The boy asks older than Oliver, and not much
miles outside the town, but he for anyone, and Oliver is a small,
Oliver whether he is heading larger, but is impossibly wise in
hides during the morning undernourished boy. Dickens
to London, and if he needs the "ways of the world." The
hours in case someone might here shows the extent of Oliver's
shelter; Oliver says yes to Dodger has been educated in the
be sent to find him and bring resolve and courage: his
both. The boy introduces streets of London, and he speaks
him back. He has only a "crust willingness to risk his life in order
himself as Jack Dawkins, and a language so full of slang it is
of bread," a penny, and a to escape his circumstances.
says that he lives with a "kind sometimes difficult for Oliver to
change of clothes, and he
2 3 4 5 old gentleman" who will be understand.
walks another four miles,
able to provide Oliver shelter.
wondering whether he will 2 3 4 5
Dawkins says his nickname is
make it to the big city at all.
the Artful Dodger.
On the first day Oliver walks One of the additional savageries
Oliver distrusts some aspects It is hard to piece through the
twenty miles and sleeps under of the Poor Laws in England was
of the Dodger's bearing—he Dodger's motives. Of course he
a pile of hay; the next morning, the fact that paupers, as the poor
senses that the Dodger might brings Oliver to Fagin because
he exchanges the penny for were known, were not permitted
be using him for some kind of Fagin is always on the look-out
another loaf of bread. In the to leave the place in which they
trick—but resolves to go with for other boys to bring into the
towns he passes through, were born. That is, paupers had
him into London, to see about fold—small boys who won't be
Oliver attempts to get a ride in only one option: the poorhouse,
the "old gentleman," and from considered "marks" or thieves.
others' coaches, but they do which was no option at all. Oliver
there to decide on the best But the Dodger also seems to
not admit him, and he often has forgone this "option," and
course of action. The pair make take a liking to Oliver, and he
sees billboards stating that therefore is, technically, a
their way, in the evening, into wants, in however small a way, to
beggars will be arrested and criminal, in the eyes of Victorian
London, a distance of several help him, in the way that the
prosecuted (as it was illegal to law.
more miles, and go through a Dodger was helped when he
beg, and to travel as a pauper;
1 2 3 4 5 series of increasingly arrived in the city. The Dodger is
the poor were supposed to
impoverished neighborhoods, still a largely immoral character,
report only to their local
until they reach an apartment but he is not without his
workhouses for relief).
building, where the Dodger humanity.
Oliver continues walking for This couple, the roadworker and provides a password to
days. He encounters a his wife, play a very small part in another young boy and asks if 1 2 3 5
roadworker and his wife, who the novel, but they help Oliver a Fagin is home. The other
give him bread and great deal—without their aid, young boy says yes, and Oliver
cheese—enough to keep him Oliver might have perished on and the Dodger enter the
alive. Oliver is thankful for the way to the great city of building.
their kindness and continues London. Dickens, and the
on. On the seventh day, in the narrator, appear to have a large
town of Barnet, Oliver comes amount of sympathy for this
upon a young boy who asks couple—it should be noted that it
him what's the matter. The boy was also illegal to help the poor
is dressed in the manner of a to flee the region of their birth, as
young gentleman, though he is this couple does.
very small, and he speaks to
Oliver in a slang Oliver does 2 3 4 5
not understand. But he says he
will help Oliver to get food.
Oliver agrees readily, as he is
nearly starved.

Oliver walks into the dirty, Dickens' anti-Semitism in this Oliver's eyes open for a Fagin is also worried that Oliver
grimy apartment, and is section deserves a mention. In moment and catch will realize how much money he
introduced by the Dodger to Victorian England, it was Fagin's—Fagin immediately manages. What Fagin does not
Fagin, a Jewish man described common in popular culture to closes the lid and hides the know, however, is that Oliver's
(with great prejudice) by the attribute shockingly "evil" box, asking Oliver how much of concern for money is only very
narrator as being small, characteristics to Jewish people. the preceding he has seen. basic: Oliver wants enough
shriveled, and evil-looking. These representations go back to Oliver says he has seen only a money to live comfortably and
There are "four or five" other the Middle Ages, and though little, but admits to noticing stably, but he has no desire to be
boys in the room, and they they should not by any means be the jewels, which Fagin rich. This goodness, ironically, is
appear to work for Fagin. The excused or ignored in Dickens, explains are the "little bit" he later rewarded by the relatively
boys cook sausages for Oliver, they are a product of the time has to live on, now, in his old large inheritance Oliver receives.
who eats them hungrily, and and the dominant culture in age. Oliver remarks to himself
Fagin mixes Oliver a hot gin which, and to which, Dickens that Fagin must be a "miser," to 1 2 3 5
and water to help him sleep, was writing. live with such wealth in such
which Oliver does almost squalid surroundings.
immediately, as he is 1 2 3 5
The Dodger returns to the Oliver believes that Bates and
exhausted from his journey.
apartment with a "sprightly" the Dodger work in some kind of
boy he introduces to Oliver as factory and manufacture these
CHAPTER 9 Charley Bates. Fagin asks items. He will learn, slowly, that
Oliver sleeps until the late Another anti-Semitic stereotype: what the Dodger and Bates they simply steal them. Dickens
morning, and wakes up slowly the idea that Jewish members of have "made" that morning, and here attributes Oliver's naiveté
to find Fagin boiling coffee for society were somehow the Dodger replies he has to a desire to believe the best in
his breakfast. Fagin checks to "obsessed" with gold and jewelry. "made" some pocket-books, people—but it is sometimes
see if Oliver is awake—Oliver There are numerous historical and Bates that he has made difficult to believe, in the novel,
pretends still to be asleep, reasons for this association—the some handkerchiefs, or that Oliver is so willing to ascribe
though he is semi-conscious. fact that many European "wipes." Fagin asks Oliver if goodness to characters who are
Fagin then latches the door of societies did not allow Christians one day he will "make" wipes, so clearly immoral and "bad."
the apartment and pulls a small to lend money at interest, thus and Oliver readily agrees, not
understanding that to "make" 1 3 5
box out of a hutch in the causing many Jewish people to
floor—the box contains jewels enter early banking means to steal these objects.
and other valuable items, industries—but Dickens does not The boys laugh aloud at how
which Fagin examines with concern himself with these "green," or naïve, Oliver is.
great relish, remarking to subtleties. Rather, his Fagin is an Fagin then plays a "game" with This "game" is a form of
himself how fine these objects amalgam of various common the Dodger and Bates, pickpocketing practice for the
are. Fagin mumbles to himself Jewish stereotypes of the time. wherein he puts on a large Dodger and Bates. Fagin, in this
about the men who stole some coat, filled with trinkets and way, creates a life that almost
of these objects, and implied 1 2 3 5
baubles, and challenges the resembles a kind of foster home,
that they have been hung by two to steal from it without where he cares for his "children"
the authorities, while Fagin has Fagin's noticing. They play this and helps them to play. But, in
been left with the booty. game for a while, and Oliver reality, this is only the
watches, not understanding appearance of a family: Fagin's
how the game relates to their relationship to the boys is only
"jobs" in the streets. Two motivated by Fagin's greed.
women, Bet and Nancy, arrive
dressed in finery, and after a 1 3 5
little drink they head out with
the Dodger and Bates for the
afternoon.

Fagin shows Oliver how easy Fagin begins, here, to tell Oliver Oliver observes the Dodger Oliver's response is a normal
the life of these young men that he wishes for him to pattern steal the old man's one—to run from the scene of a
and women is—they "work" his behavior on Bates' and the handkerchief out of his pocket, crime—but it is also the response
only in the mornings, and are Dodger's. Fagin wishes to "raise" and immediately the Dodger that a naïve person would have,
free to spend time to Oliver in the tradition of these and Bates run away. Oliver is thus implicating Oliver in a crime
themselves in the afternoon, other pickpockets. But Fagin will horrified and doesn't know with which he had no part. Once
unless a "job" presents itself to encounter resistance on Oliver's what to do. He quickly realizes Oliver is seen running away, he
them by chance. Fagin has part—the boy is too virtuous to where all the jewels have come can only increase his perceived
Oliver practice picking his be corrupted by his surroundings, from in Fagin's apartment, and guilt, not dispel it.
pocket, and also has him take even when forced to by those the reason for the "game" he
stitches out of people's who have power over him, like plays with Fagin. Oliver 1 2 3 4
personalized handkerchiefs, Fagin and, later, Sikes. decides to run away, and the
but Oliver does not old man at the book-stall,
understand how these 1 2 4 5 realizing his handkerchief is
"games" relate to the jobs the gone, sees Oliver running last
Dodger and others do in the and assumes him to be the
streets. Fagin says, simply, that thief.
Oliver ought to make those
Bates and the Dodger, to This will be a common scene:
boys his model, and do as they
avoid suspicion, also raise the that of shopkeepers and other
do.
cry of "Stop, thief!" shouted by people on the street rallying to
the old man as he runs after capture Oliver, or to allow him to
CHAPTER 10 Oliver. Others in the street be captured. Later, when Oliver is
For the next several days, Like Oliver, this gentleman, later answer the call as well, and taken by Nancy and Sikes, people
Oliver plays the "wipes" game revealed to be Brownlow, is soon Oliver is hunted by many on the street chastise Oliver for
with Fagin, but is not allowed considered "green," or too naïve people, shopkeepers and his apparent unwillingness to go
to accompany the Dodger and and wrapped up in his own life to bystanders alike, down a along with his "sister" Nancy.
Bates on their work. Finally, think about the criminal activity narrow road. He is hit on the
going on around him. One of the back of the head by one of 1 2 3 4 5
Fagin allows Oliver to go out
with them, since there has novel's great coincidences here them, and brought down; the
been very little money coming occurs: that Oliver should find old man identifies Oliver as the
into the house for some time. himself near a man who, it is boy he believes to have stolen
Turning into a bookstall near a later shown, was a good friend of his handkerchief.
part of town called Oliver's long-lost father. These A police officer arrives, and Bates and the Dodger have a
Clerkenwell, the Dodger and coincidences build up in the though Oliver pleads that he reaction opposite to Oliver's;
Bates spot an elderly novel, especially as it nears its stole nothing, that it was "the they make no fuss and move
gentleman examining his conclusion. other two boys," the officer slowly and surely away from the
books, and believe he is says this is a likely story, and scene of the crime, thus avoiding
"green," a "good plant," 1 2 3 4
drags Oliver to the police being "pinched," or captured by
someone from whom they station nearby. The old man the authorities. Oliver is not yet
might be able to take a follows along. The Dodger and versed in these sorts of criminal
handkerchief. Oliver still does Bates slink merrily away, methods.
not understand, but walks up undetected, knowing they
to the man with the two boys. have framed Oliver for their 1 2 3 4 5
crime.

CHAPTER 11 Brownlow tells Fang he is It should be noted that Oliver's
worried that Oliver has been real name was given him by
The policeman walks Oliver to Brownlow realizes, just by
injured by the crowd's beating Bumble—in other words, Oliver's
the magistrate's office, along looking at Oliver, that Oliver has
after the "theft." Fang doesn't name is an assumed one (his
with the old gentleman. the appearance of an honest boy.
listen, and asks Oliver to father's last name, it will later be
Questioned by a guard at the This is in marked contrast to
describe the theft himself. A revealed, is Leeford). Thus "Tom
magistrate's gate, however, the others in Oliver's life (Bumble,
clerk standing nearby White" is simply another identity
old gentleman says he is not those on the board of the
attempts to hear Oliver's layered over Oliver's already
sure that Oliver actually stole workhouse) who look at Oliver
words, which are mumbled "artificial" identity. It is
the handkerchief—it could and see only a vicious, lying
softly (as Oliver does appear interesting to note that Oliver's
have been someone else—and scoundrel.
quite ill); the clerk ventures last name, Twist, is far more
he says he does not want to
1 2 5 that the boy's name is Tom interesting than the name given
press charges. But the guard
White (because he cannot him by the guard—the generic
says it is too late at this point;
hear Oliver speak), and "White."
they must see the magistrate
guesses, correctly, that Oliver
about the case. 1 2 3 5
is an orphan with no
Oliver is thrown into a cell, and The first of a series of permanent home. Fang,
the old gentleman looks at him "recognitions" that happen in the believing he has heard enough,
as this is being done; he swears novel. Most involve Brownlow. sentences Oliver "summarily"
he has seen something like Brownlow later figures out that to three months' hard labor.
Oliver's face before, but he the woman in the
Just as Fang is delivering the The bookseller emerges just in
does not know how or why, nor portrait—Edward Leeford's
sentence, however, a man time. This is a common tactic in
can he place the face that intended—is Agnes, Oliver's
rushes into the courtroom: the Dickens' fiction: a character
resembles Oliver's. He is mother—but he only does so
book-stall's owner, who claims appears to be in an impossible
tapped on the shoulder and led after Oliver is recaptured by
to have seen the theft and to scrape, only to find out, at the
by the guard into the office of Nancy and sent back to Fagin.
know that Oliver is not the very last second, that he has
Mr. Fang, the district been rescued. Indeed, this will
1 2 5 culprit. The bookseller states
magistrate. happen to Oliver throughout the
that he saw two other boys
An angry and cruel man, Mr. Fang is an exemplar of the with Oliver, the Dodger and novel—most importantly, when
Fang rules over his courtroom "faceless" system of justice Bates, and that they conspired he is taken in by the Maylies after
with an iron fist. The old holding sway at this time in to steal the the failed robbery. Oliver's "good
gentleman explains that his Victorian England. Fang is handkerchief—Oliver had luck" in this regard seems to
name is Brownlow, but before capable of dispensing verdicts nothing to do with it. Fang indicate not only that he is the
he is allowed to narrate the from his bench without even points out that Brownlow is novel's "hero," but that he is
events of the case—and to hearing the substance of a still carrying a book he took protected by some sort of fated
plead on Oliver's behalf, since trial—this makes Fang, literally, from the bookseller's, during good luck.
he now thinks Oliver is "judge, jury, and executioner." the commotion, and for which
innocent of the crime—Fang Dickens lampoons Fang's judicial he did not pay. Fang tells 1 2 3 4 5
demands that the policeman powers and his inability to hear Brownlow he is lucky not to be
describe the theft. The anyone's side of the case. prosecuted for his own "theft."
policeman must admit, after Fang tells everyone to clear
repeating the sequence of 1 2 3 5 out; he will drop charges
events, that the handkerchief against Oliver.
was not found on Oliver, and Another rescue. Brownlow has
Brownlow is ushered outside
no one actually witnessed done a 180 degree turn on his
by the guard, along with Oliver
Oliver taking it from appraisal of Oliver—he now
and the bookseller. Brownlow
Brownlow. wants only to help the young boy.
orders a carriage immediately,
as he fears Oliver truly is ill;
the three get into the first cab 1 3 4
that arrives.

CHAPTER 12 Brownlow enters the parlor Oliver has been forced into a
soon after to see Oliver; when difficult position—the guard who
Brownlow takes Oliver with The first of Oliver's spells in bed.
he does so, he cannot help claimed Oliver's name was Tom
him back to his house near Oliver will have another when he
holding back a few tears, which was doing so because Oliver was
Pentonville, a nice is taken in by the Maylies, after
he attributes, in front of Mrs. incapable of speech at that
neighborhood of London (the the bungled robbery. In those
Bedwin, to some kind of cold. moment; but this seems, to
bookseller, no longer who are good, Oliver seems to
Brownlow refers to Oliver as Brownlow, at first, like another
mentioned, is presumably inspire even more goodness.
Tom White, and when Oliver possible lie from Oliver. Although
dropped off). Oliver lies in bed
2 3 4 corrects Brownlow, telling him Brownlow is inclined to believe
and is tended to by the
his real name, Brownlow the boy, Oliver is nevertheless,
servants at Brownlow's house;
wonders why Oliver told the through bad luck, put into
Oliver is in bad condition, and
magistrate differently—Oliver situations in which it appears he
lies "insensate" for many days
explains that he never told the is lying.
with fever.
magistrate anything (because
Oliver finally awakes, after An important instance of he was too weak to speak), and 1 2 3 4
several days, to find himself foreshadowing. Oliver feels his Brownlow, though puzzled,
still in Brownlow's house, mother's presence in Brownlow's takes Oliver at his word.
being looked after by an old house—and it turns out that his
Then Brownlow immediately One would imagine that
woman named Mrs. Bedwin. mother's presence is there.
notices the likeness between Brownlow, here, would put
When Mrs. Bedwin exclaims to Brownlow was given a picture of
Oliver and the woman in the together that Agnes is Oliver's
herself that Oliver is a sweet Agnes by Edward Leeford, on
picture, the one with which mother, but this full realization
young boy, and that his mother that man's last trip from England
Oliver was fascinated. As does not come until after Oliver
should see him lying as he is to continental Europe. Thus,
Brownlow points out this has been recaptured by Fagin's
now, Oliver remarks that he ironically, Oliver is correct in
coincidence, Oliver faints in his gang. This is perhaps hard to
feels his mother has been believing his mother is near.
easy chair. The narrator takes believe, but necessary for
watching over him as he has
2 3 4 advantage of Oliver's faint to Dickens complex plot.
been ill in bed. This causes
describe the whereabouts of
Mrs. Bedwin to shed a few 2 3 4
the Dodger, Bates, and Fagin.
sympathetic tears.
The Dodger and Bates have The Dodger and Bates have
A doctor visits and The second important
slipped away from the scene of differing attitudes regarding their
corroborates the fact that recognition. Oliver is very much
the crime, and once they are escape. Although both are happy
Oliver is on the mend. Oliver attracted to the picture of the
clear of the crowd, Bates to be free, Bates seems only to
spends several ensuing nights woman he sees—a woman he
begins laughing at Oliver's enjoy the raucous fun of leaving
lying quietly in bed, and prays does not know to be his mother.
face when he was Oliver to take the blame; the
to God for his speedy recovery He simply finds her radiant,
taken—Bates finds the incident Dodger, on the other hand,
when he is alone, as he feels beatific. It is perhaps hard to
only funny—while the Dodger appears to have small pangs of
that death is "nearby." Oliver imagine that Oliver wouldn't
worries what Fagin will say, remorse for their deed, and the
eventually feels strong enough suspect a family resemblance
now that Oliver has been Dodger worries that Fagin will be
to sit in an easy chair in a between himself and this
nabbed by the police. Bates upset with them, when they
parlor of the house, and when woman, but that disbelief must
and the Dodger realize they return to the flophouse.
he does so he spots a portrait be suspended in order for the
cannot avoid Fagin much
on the wall of a young woman, scene to have its intended 1 3 4
longer, so they head back to
one he finds beautiful and emotional effect.
the house, where Fagin
mysterious. But Mrs. Bedwin
2 3 4 recognizes at once that only
fears the picture is causing
two of them have returned
Oliver to grow agitated in his
from the day's escapade.
still-present illness, so she
turns his chair to face another
direction.

CHAPTER 13 Just at this moment, Bet and Bet and Nancy's occupation is
Nancy return to the never explicitly stated—it is
Fagin yells at the Dodger and The relationship between Fagin
apartment. Sikes and Fagin possible they are prostitutes,
Bates, asking what has become and Sikes is never fully explained.
have resolved that someone though Victorian mores would
of Oliver; the Dodger finally It appears that Sikes is simply a
needs to go to the court to probably have precluded Dickens
replies that Oliver has been partner-in-crime, but it is also
determine where Oliver is, and from saying so outright in the
taken by the police, and Fagin, possible that Sikes was a young
what he has said to the novel. Both clearly have ties to
enraged, attempts to throw a man "raised," in part, by Fagin.
authorities. Fagin asks Bet to the other criminal activities in
pot at the two boys. But at this Nancy, of course, was directly
do this, but she declines; he which the group engages:
moment a burly man and his under Fagin's control when she
asks Nancy, and Sikes does thieving and pickpocketing chief
dog walk into the apartment, was younger—just as the Dodger
also, but Nancy also declines. among them.
and Fagin nearly hits the man and Bates are now.
But Sikes eventually threatens
with the pot. The man, aged 1 2 3 5
1 2 Nancy sufficiently that she is
thirty-five years, demands an
forced to go, and Fagin and
explanation from Fagin, and
Sikes makes sure she is
says, contemptuously, that
dressed "respectably," so as
Fagin ought not to mistreat
not to arouse attention at the
the boys in this way.
court.
The burly man, who Fagin Fagin is terrified of Sikes' physical
Nancy goes to the court to try Nancy is a very talented actress
refers to as Bill Sikes, strength, but Fagin also appears
to find Oliver, claiming that and liar; she manages to
continues berating Fagin, willing, in later scenes, to use his
she is Oliver's sister, and she is convince everyone she sees that
saying that, if he were Fagin's cunning to defeat the burly
looking for her beloved "Nolly." Oliver really is her brother. Of
apprentice, he would have housebreaker. Sikes and Fagin
But a guard tells her, finally, course, the irony here is that
tried to kill Fagin a long time are yin and yang—two
that Oliver has been taken by Nancy does become attached to
ago. Fagin appears deferential possibilities for crime: brute force
"the gentleman" (Brownlow) Oliver, later on, and does what
to and fearful of Sikes, and gets and sly calculation.
into his home near Pentonville. she can to save him from Monks.
him a drink while Sikes sits
1 2 Nancy takes this information She becomes a kind of sister to
down in the apartment.
back to Fagin, who dispatches him.
Fagin worries, aloud, to Sikes, One of the gang's, and Fagin's, Sikes, Nancy, the Dodger, and
that if Oliver has been caught, constant fears is "peaching," or Bates to find Oliver and 1 2 3 5
and has given up information the potential for members of the Brownlow, before Oliver tells
about Fagin to the police, then gang to rat out the group's the gentleman any information
Fagin and the boys could be in activities to the police. Fagin about Fagin and his crew.
trouble. Fagin also insinuates does all he can to instill in the
to Sikes that if he (Fagin) is in group the idea that one must
CHAPTER 14
trouble, then that same never, ever talk to the authorities
information would cause Sikes because then the law would The narrator returns to Oliver, Just as Oliver's actual mother
to be in even more trouble, for come for the "peacher" too. who has just awoken from his was "removed" from his life, so,
crimes Fagin does not mention fainting fit at Brownlow's here, is the painterly
or describe. 1 2 3 home, to discover that the representation of her also taken
picture of the unknown away from Oliver. Only at the
mysterious woman has been end of the novel will Oliver finally
removed from the parlor, as learn the truth of his mother, and
Brownlow felt that the picture be able to "live" with the
was too much a source of knowledge of her—as a tomb is
agitation to Oliver. reserved for Agnes in the country
parsonage.
3 4

Oliver and Mrs. Bedwin then Mrs. Bedwin, in the meantime, Grimwig begins complaining One realizes later that, if Oliver
bond over the course of serves as a surrogate mother for about an orange-peel he found had told more of his life to
several days: she teaches him Oliver. She is one of several in the on the steps, which he believes Brownlow at this moment,
cards, talks about her life with novel: Rose and Mrs. Maylie are to be dangerous (for slipping), Brownlow might have learned of
him, and generally contributes also important examples, and and which he decries Oliver's provenance and linked it
to an atmosphere of quiet and Nancy, for her part, protects repeatedly, as Brownlow to the picture of Agnes in the
tranquility that enables Oliver Oliver in several instances, after laughs inwardly at his friend's parlor. This could have avoided
to recover fully from his fever initially recapturing him for strangeness. Brownlow all sorts of difficulties in Oliver's
and illness. Brownlow orders a Fagin. eventually dismisses Oliver, life—but it also would have made
new suit of clothes for Oliver, asking him to return at ten the the novel a good deal shorter and
who has never had new 2 3 4 next morning, to the study, so less exciting.
clothes before. that Oliver can inform
Brownlow further of the 1 2 3 4
Brownlow calls upon Oliver, Oliver worries that, at
circumstances of his life.
after a few more days, to talk Brownlow's, like at the
to him in his office. Oliver workhouse, he will eventually be Oliver leaves the study, and An important "test," for Oliver,
comes in to Brownlow, after "sent away." In fact, the defining Grimwig tells his friend that he one he is fated to fail—and not of
being scrubbed by Mrs. feature of Oliver's life so far is the believes Oliver is a faker, a his own volition, but because of
Bedwin, and comments on all fact that he will be sent off when young con-man, who is taking circumstances outside his
the books in Brownlow's study, he gets too old, or behaves in Brownlow, and who means control. This is another example
which Oliver says he would like badly—or simply when the to deceive him in some way. of Oliver's early bad luck—his
to read. Brownlow says this managers of a given place grow Grimwig convinces Brownlow inability to find situations that
will be done one day. Oliver tired of him. Brownlow promises to test Oliver, by asking Oliver allow him to explain, or to show,
worries that Brownlow is this won't happen to Oliver in his to take back some books to the his fundamental goodness. Later,
preparing to send him away, house. bookseller, and to pay the at the Maylies', however, Oliver's
but Brownlow promises, to bookseller four pounds, ten true and virtuous disposition will
Oliver's reassurance, that he 2 3 4 shillings, owed him. Brownlow become clear.
would only send Oliver away if goes through with the test, and
Oliver gave him reason to do Oliver promises to do as asked. 1 2 3 4
so. Grimwig believes that Oliver
will run away with the book
Brownlow asks Oliver to Grimwig is a voice of skepticism
and money.
narrate his life's story up till in these early pages. It is not that
this point, which Oliver begins he has anything in particular Mrs. Bedwin states that it is Oliver is, in this final scene of the
to do, until their conversation against Oliver, but Grimwig does hard to let Oliver out of her chapter, quite literally a "new
is interrupted by the arrival of appear to believe that all sight, but she does so; Oliver boy": he has new clothes, from
Brownlow's friend, a paupers, regardless of their goes out to return the book Brownlow, and is holding more
gentleman named Mr. origin, are, inherently, liars and and money to the bookseller. money than he has ever held
Grimwig. Brownlow asks cheats. In this way, Grimwig can Grimwig tells Brownlow that before in his life. Again, the stage
Oliver to stay while Grimwig be seen as representing Oliver will not return, since he is set for a great disappointment,
enters. Grimwig is a wizened, conventional Victorian upper has on new clothes, some one that will motivate the action
older gentleman, with a class views of the poor. Oliver books, and five pounds, given of the remainder of the novel.
strange way of talking—he must prove to Grimwig that this him by Brownlow for the four
tends to end his sentences is not the case. pound, ten shilling, debt. 1 2 3 4
with the same oath of "I'll eat Brownlow hopes and believes
my head." 1 2 3 4 that Oliver will return. As the
chapter ends, Grimwig and
Brownlow are sitting in
Brownlow's study, still waiting
for Oliver's return.

CHAPTER 15 Oliver cannot counteract the A scene of great sadness. All
combined force of Nancy and Oliver wishes is to return to his
The chapter opens with Sikes This scene elaborates on the
Sikes, who begin dragging him new "family," in Mr. Brownlow,
sitting with his dog in his filthy, nature of the business
back to Fagin's apartment. but he is prevented by another
dilapidated apartment relationship between Sikes and
Meanwhile, Grimwig and stroke of terrible luck.
building. Sikes mistreats his Fagin. It seems that Fagin
Brownlow continue sitting in
dog, beating him and yelling at "contracts" Sikes to do 1 2 3 4 5
the parlor, wondering if Oliver
him, and though the dog fights particularly dangerous or "dirty"
will return.
back he remains loyal, for now, work for him. Fagin, as is again
to his master. Fagin enters the insinuated here, is far too
apartment and interrupts the cowardly actually to put himself CHAPTER 16
battle between Sikes and his in danger; he merely coordinates Oliver is dragged by Nancy The nature of Sikes' and Nancy's
dog. He hands over an amount crimes. and Sikes through the back- relationship becomes more clear.
of gold he has owed Sikes streets of London—Sikes tells They are romantically involved,
(Sikes appears to get a cut of 1 2 5 and Sikes wonders whether
Oliver that, if he lets go of
some of the robberies either of their hands, or yells Nancy has a special place in her
orchestrated by Fagin and his out for help, Sikes will have his heart for criminals about to be
boys). dog bite Oliver. Nancy hears hanged. Sikes is a complex
Another Jewish man appears, Barney is the comedic foil to the bells chime eight o'clock, character—gruff and impossibly
this one named Barney: he Fagin—also Jewish, but and marvels that, at this violent, on the outside, but filled
speaks throughout the novel incapable of organizing much of moment, some young criminals with dread and doubt on the
as though he has a serious anything, and not especially are being hanged in London (as inside.
head-cold. Barney tells Fagin bright. Barney's cold, which this is the customary time for
hanging); Sikes appears jealous 1 2 3 4
that Nancy is nearby, and causes him to pronounce words
Fagin and Sikes ask to speak with extra Ds, is used heavily by that Nancy cares about other
with Nancy; they tell Nancy, Dickens for humorous effect. men, and Nancy, sensing this,
once again, to be "on the scent" teases Sikes as they head, with
for Oliver, and Sikes and Nancy 1 2 Oliver, back to Fagin's.
walk out together—it appears Nancy and Sikes eventually A scene of interesting ironies.
that he and Nancy have some lead Oliver to a new Oliver is "welcomed" back to his
kind of romantic relationship. safehouse, where Fagin is now "home" by his new "family," Fagin
Oliver, meanwhile, has been Another instance of Oliver's hiding with Bates, the Dodger, and the gang. Of course, Oliver
walking to the book-stall with terrible luck early in the novel. Of and the other boys. The has another option for a new
Brownlow's books. As he nears all the places Nancy and Sikes Dodger and Bates see Oliver family which he prefers, that
the stall, he is intercepted by could have been, they chose to from out the window of the offered by Brownlow, but he is
Nancy (Sikes has gone his own look at the book-stall the exact apartment, and let the three of not able to return to the old
way) who throws an arm moment Oliver is there (Oliver them in. Bates, in particular, gentleman and Mrs. Bedwin.
around him, trapping him, and has only been to this stall twice finds Oliver's new "togs"
(clothes), bought for him by 1 2 4 5
proclaiming aloud that she has in his life, and both times some
found her long lost brother. terrible fate befalls him). Nancy Brownlow, to be incredibly
Sikes emerges, with his dog, demonstrates, once again, her funny.
from a nearby beer-shop, and skill in play-acting, by pretending
proclaims, too, that Nancy has to be Oliver's sister.
found her brother;
shopkeepers in the area 2 3 4 5
chastise Oliver for running
away from his family.

Sikes demands that he and A demonstration of Oliver's Nancy starts screaming at Nancy gives the reader more
Nancy deserve the five-pound naiveté. Oliver acts as though Fagin, expressing remorse for information about the nature of
note, taken from Oliver; Fagin Fagin and the boys might be aiding in the return of Oliver Fagin's "mentorship." Although
reluctantly allows the far more concerned that Brownlow to the apartment, and Fagin appears to take care of the
powerful Sikes to keep the believes Oliver is a liar and a realizing, aloud, that she has boys and of Nancy, he actually
note, and Sikes allows Fagin to thief. In fact, Fagin wants Oliver participated in a capture of the keeps these young people from
keep Oliver's books. Oliver to become a liar and a young boy that mirrors her their families and forces them
claims, desperately, to Fagin thief—thus the plan has worked own capture, by Fagin, when into terrible, immoral, dissipated
that the books belong to out perfectly for him, and she was a child. Nancy bewails lives. Nancy is reminded of these
Brownlow, and that he will horribly for Oliver. her own fate, and argues to as she sees Fagin attempting to
think Oliver has stolen them if Fagin that, although she was corrupt Oliver.
he, and the books, aren't 1 2 4 5 corrupted by him at a young
returned. Fagin says this is age, she does not wish for the 1 2 3 4
right, and that things could not same thing to happen to
have worked out better for Oliver. Sikes attempts to
Fagin and the gang. Oliver is control Nancy, who is worked
very upset. into a frenzy, and when he
grabs her, she faints.
Oliver leaps up and tries to This is a new development for
escape the apartment. Fagin, Oliver: a kind of power and Bates and the Dodger take Bet is an interesting foil to
the Dodger, and Bates run courage even more pronounced Oliver's nice clothes and Nancy—someone who occupies
after him. Sikes tries to send than his earlier efforts in the switch him into shabbier ones. the same social position, but who
his dog after them, but Nancy workhouse, when he asked for Bet arrives and ministers to never questions Fagin's authority,
blocks the door, saying that more gruel. Oliver is attempting Nancy, who is not ill, only nor attempts to change her life or
Sikes shall not hurt Oliver in to take his fate into his own shaken up. Oliver quickly falls consider the immoralities and
that way. Fagin and the two hands. asleep, exhausted by the crimes she is forced to commit.
boys return with Oliver; he terrors of the day.
had not gotten very far before 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
being overtaken.
Fagin begins to berate and slap A common Victorian trope is CHAPTER 17
Oliver for trying to escape. here demonstrated: the idea that The narrator justifies, in the Occasionally, the narrator will
Nancy stomps her foot and women who experience beginning of this chapter, the break into the action to justify
demands that, Oliver having emotional states of any kind are novel's tendency to move from the way in which he tells the
been returned to his "care," "crazy," "hysterical," or "about to "serious" or tragic to story. Here, the narrator plays
Fagin should at least treat faint." The fact that Nancy does "unserious" or comic stories, with the reader's expectations for
Oliver well. But Fagin believes faint here does little to support back and forth. The narrator the tone of a Victorian novel;
Nancy is acting "hysterically" her cause. But, of course, Nancy argues that these shifts in the Dickens, unlike some other
in Oliver's defense. Sikes tells is completely rational in her story are indicative of the writers of the time, believed that
Nancy not to interrupt Fagin's desire to protect Oliver; she cares quick shifts between tragedy comedic and tragic elements
punishment of Oliver, for him. and comedy that occur in real could be blended in a novel,
otherwise he (Sikes) will have life. The narrator then moves without making the novel wholly
to "shut Nancy up" himself. 1 2 3 4 on to describe Bumble, who is comic or tragic.
paying a visit to Mrs. Mann at
the workhouse. 2 3

Bumble has been charged with Another instance of Bumble's Bumble is admitted to Bumble seems poised only to do
overseeing the transport of callousness. Bumble does not Brownlow's parlor, where wrong—here, he arrives at exactly
some paupers to London, care at all if the paupers he is to Brownlow and Grimwig are the worst moment, for Oliver's
where there will be a take to London die en route. He sitting. Brownlow asks Bumble sake, and tells a series of lies
"settlement," or a return of cares only that he dispatches his to tell what he knows of which, when heard by Grimwig
these paupers to their job and gets paid for it. The Oliver's past life, and Bumble and Brownlow, seem to play into
originally registered location paupers are nothing more than unspools a slander about the pair's worst fears: that Oliver
(since it was illegal in England, "objects" for him—something Oliver, claiming that the boy was a liar and a cheat, and that
at this time, to travel if one was more akin to trash than to has always been a "bad seed" he pretended to be good only to
a pauper). Bumble then human beings. and a rabble-rouser. Grimwig steal from Brownlow, when the
provides Mrs. Mann with her feels he has been opportunity arose.
monthly stipend from the 1 2 3 4 5 corroborated in his fears of
Anglican parish, and Mrs. Oliver's badness, and 1 2 5
Mann brings in Dick, Oliver's Brownlow, sadly, tells Mrs.
old friend from the workhouse, Bedwin that Oliver was an
to speak with Bumble. "imposter."
Dick, who fears that he is Bumble begins to realize the Mrs. Bedwin refuses to An important scene. Mrs.
dying, tells Bumble that, when effect that Oliver has had on believe that Oliver is bad, but Bedwin, alone in Brownlow's
he does die, he would like to others in the workhouse, largely Grimwig is convinced, and house, cannot accept that Oliver
leave his "love" for Oliver, from Oliver's efforts to stand up Brownlow, with heavy heart, is bad, because she feels she has
since he has no other earthly to the kitchen staff and demand says he never wishes to hear seen into his soul, and has
possessions to bequeath more gruel. Dick is an emblem of any more about Oliver for as appreciated the goodness of his
anyone. Bumble sends Dick the love for Oliver which still long as he lives. Bumble leaves, heart. Mrs. Bedwin will, of
away, and becomes angry, in exists, quite strongly, in Oliver's and there are "sad hearts" at course, be vindicated in her
front of Mrs. Mann, that home village. the Brownlow home that night. belief.
Oliver has encouraged this
kind of "worship" among his 1 2 3 4 1 2 5
friends at the workhouse.
Bumble, still agitated, travels Another of the novel's CHAPTER 18
to London on a cart with the coincidences. It is hard to Back at Fagin's safehouse, Fagin has not threatened Oliver
paupers, and having deposited imagine it would be likely that Fagin yells at Oliver, calling explicitly until this point in the
them in their rightful Bumble would open the him ungrateful, and to keep novel. Fagin, essentially, implies
jurisdiction, he enters a pub, newspaper exactly to a notice Oliver from running away that he has methods of framing
only to read in the paper a regarding Oliver, the boy who has again, Fagin goes on at length Oliver, to send him to the gallows
notice regarding Oliver, placed occupied his thoughts for some about the horrors of being as a criminal—unless Oliver
by Brownlow, and offering a time—but Dickens needs these hanged, hinting that, should agrees to commit crimes. This
five-guinea reward for any small coincidences to drive the Oliver betray Fagin and the paradox appears to trap and
information regarding his plot of the novel. boys, he will be executed. frighten Oliver.
location or life history. Bumble, Oliver is terrified. Fagin has
excited at this development, 1 2 4 5 Oliver locked in a small room 1 2 3
immediately leaves the pub for days, to punish him for his
and seeks out Brownlow at his intransigence.
home.

Slowly, the Dodger and Bates Oliver is, after all, a young boy, For the next several weeks, One of the great questions of the
begin visiting Oliver in the and though the Dodger and Fagin surrounds Oliver with novel, then, is whether Oliver will
locked room, and Oliver shines Bates are criminals, still Oliver Bates and the Dodger, hoping be corrupted by the other boys.
the Dodger boots and does longs for some company with they can convince Oliver to Although Fagin seems to think
other small tasks for the boy; boys his own age. Oliver can give in to a life of thieving. it's possible, readers of Dickens
he is simply happy to have never be friends with the Dodger Fagin has kept Oliver away know that Oliver's virtue cannot
human company once again. and Bates, but as the novel goes from others, locked in his be destroyed; Oliver would
The Dodger admits to Oliver on, both boys—especially room, in order to insure that sooner die than lose his virtue.
that he, the other boys, Fagin, Bates—appear more human, Oliver "prefers any company"
Nancy, Bet, and Sikes are all more morally complex and to his solitude, hoping this will 1 2 3 5
criminals and thieves—Oliver vulnerable. make Oliver more amenable to
seems to have known this is living a life of crime with the
the case, but is still horrified to 1 2 3 other boys.
hear the Dodger say it so
blithely. CHAPTER 19
The Dodger and Bates ask Oliver questions, in this section, One night, Fagin leaves his In addition to the street-crimes
Oliver why he doesn't simply Bates' and the Dodger's ease apartment and the boys and perpetrated by the boys, Fagin is
apprentice in the trade of with which they blamed their travels to Sikes' small, squalid also involved in more serious
thievery with Fagin, but Oliver own theft of Brownlow's place, where Sikes lives with crimes, for which he needs the
says he doesn't want to do it, property on Oliver. Oliver Nancy. Fagin has come to talk services of Crackit and Sikes.
and wishes he were free to go. wonders if these boys can really about an upcoming robbery in Crackit seems the slyer of the
Charley says that, of course, be his friends, since they are the village of Chertsey, outside two—he is willing to attempt to
Fagin is inclined not to let willing, at the drop of a hat, to London. Sikes' advance scout, infiltrate the house (later
Oliver go. Oliver subtly gibes incriminate Oliver and send him who has been checking into revealed to be the Maylies'
the two boys, who speak so to prison. This is the attitude the feasibility of the job, is house) with spies. Sikes, however,
highly of their criminal life, for among the boys Fagin named Toby Crackit, and advocates a brute-force method
leaving him to take punishment cultivates—a kind of competition Crackit has reported to Sikes for the break-in.
for the theft of Brownlow's preventing true comradeship. that they cannot "turn" a
kerchief, but Bates and the servant in the house, in order 1 4 5
Dodger say it was necessary to 1 2 3 4
to have an easy "in" to the
avoid getting the whole crew house and to its valuables.
in trouble. Sikes says they need another
Bates and the Dodger sing the Although Chitling is a good deal plan to break into the home.
praises of the criminal lifestyle, older than the other boys, he is Sikes asks Fagin if he will pay Another of the novel's
and the Dodger tells Oliver not particularly bright, as extra for Sikes' services in coincidences. It just so happens
that, if Oliver doesn't go evidenced later. It is implied that breaking into the home if the that the house-break requires a
around picking people's perhaps Chitling went to prison break-in occurs without a man little boy, and Fagin just so
pockets, someone else will, and in the first place because he was on the inside—in other words, happens to have a boy he wishes
will gain the benefit thereof. At unable to wrangle himself out of if it's a "clean" break-in. Fagin to convert to a life of crime. As
this point Fagin walks in with a dicey legal situation. Fagin likes agrees. Sikes tells Fagin that he the novel goes on, these
Bet and a new person, a man of Chitling because he is and Crackit can break into the coincidences become more and
eighteen named Tom Chitling, dependable, as a thief; but Fagin Chertsey house with a drill and more important, particularly as
whom Oliver has not yet met. depends more on the street- a small boy capable of fitting they drive the connection
Fagin and Chitling both hint smarts of the Dodger and Bates. through a tiny window. If Fagin between Monks, the shadowy
that Chitling has been in prison can provide the boy, Sikes says, criminal, and Oliver.
for over a month, but Oliver 1 2 3
Sikes can do the burglary.
does not understand their 1 3 4 5
implications. After eating
together, they all go to sleep.

Fagin volunteers that Oliver Nancy, again showing her CHAPTER 20
should be the boy for the job. powerful abilities for dissembling,
Fagin gives Oliver new shoes, Oliver is worried that Sikes will
Fagin wonders for a moment if does not betray her desire to help
the next day, and says he is now be "in charge" of him, but
Nancy will defend Oliver Oliver. Nancy's motivations, here
sending Oliver over to Sikes Fagin assures him that this
again, in front of Sikes, as she and elsewhere, are not always
for a short while, although position is only temporary. Of
did previously, but Nancy easy to understand, as she both
Oliver will not be living with course, Oliver knows better than
appears amenable to the plan desires to help Oliver and
Sikes forever. Fagin says, also, to trust Fagin, and the book of
that Oliver should break into refuses, on the other hand, to
that Oliver ought to watch scary crime stories seems to give
the house—or, at least, she implicate Fagin and Sikes in any
himself around Sikes, since evidence to the idea that Fagin
doesn't betray her sympathy way to the authorities. To do the
Sikes is a dangerous man. has terrible things in store for
for Oliver's cause (it is latter, in her mind, would be to
Fagin gives Oliver a book of Oliver—a dangerous criminal
ambiguous what her true "sell out" those who have helped
crime stories to read while he plot.
feelings are). Fagin believes her attain the life she currently
waits for Sikes, and Oliver,
that, if Oliver successfully leads—even though it is a life 1 3 4 5
terrified by the book, resolves
completes this burglary with that makes her miserable.
simply to wait by the fire
Sikes, Oliver will see what can
1 4 5 without reading further.
be gained from a life of crime,
and will be "brought over" to Nancy comes and tells Oliver Nancy's cleverness is
Fagin's side. Sikes believes he it is time to go to Sikes. Oliver underscored by the narrator.
can keep Oliver in line, and considers begging Nancy for Nancy would like to help Oliver,
that Oliver is the proper size her compassion, but decides to but Nancy also knows that she
for the job. wait until later, since it is only must help him in the right
eleven, and the streets are way—subtly, without drawing the
Fagin says that Oliver's innate This is the fundamental paradox
filled with witnesses who attention of Sikes or Fagin. Thus
goodness—and his appearance of Fagin's desire to corrupt
might see Oliver fleeing Fagin. Nancy tells Oliver that he must
of goodness—would make him Oliver: because Oliver is so
Nancy, sensing this in Oliver, be patient if she is to help him.
an unstoppable thief, since no serene and gentle looking, Fagin
tells him she is doing all she
one would ever suspect him—if believes he will make the perfect 1 3 4
can for his sake, but that, for
Oliver could be convinced that criminal, as no one would
right now, Oliver must follow
thieving was what he ought to suspect him of the ability to
her to Sikes—Nancy will try to
do. Fagin agrees to have commit a crime. But Oliver's
make sure that Oliver is not ill-
Nancy bring Oliver to Sikes goodness is not, as Fagin
used by Sikes and Fagin, if she
the next night. As Fagin is supposes, merely superficial—it
can.
leaving, he remarks to himself runs all the way to the core of his
that, although Nancy's feelings being, and will not be easy to
for Oliver appeared strong a eliminate.
few weeks ago, she has passed
out of this feeling, "as all 1 3 4 5
women do." Fagin resolves,
when back at his apartment, to
tell Oliver of his mission the
next morning.

Nancy brings Oliver to Sikes' Much of the suspense in the CHAPTER 22
apartment. Sikes, taking Oliver novel appears to take place in
Sikes and Oliver enter the Barney tends to appear in
in, shows him a loaded gun, these "in-between" moments: in
house, and find Crackit and circumstances like this, where his
and threatens Oliver with it, in the preparation for major events
Barney, the younger Jewish presence is not strictly necessary,
case Oliver should try to that occur in the wee hours of
man with the permanent head- but when there are small tasks
escape. Nancy prepares dinner the night or morning. Oliver's
cold. Crackit is relatively kind needing to be done. Although
and they all eat; Sikes tells anxiety keeps him awake, but it
to Oliver, and asks him to drink Barney in some ways serves as
Oliver that they will sleep for a should be noted that, despite his
a little liquor after his long Fagin's foil, here he is his
time, then wake early in the fears, Oliver is game for the
journey. Oliver obliges, though opposite: whereas Fagin is at the
morning to travel on their attempt—he will go along with
he doesn't wish to do so. After center of the gang's criminal
mission. Oliver lies awake all Sikes, and is courageous enough
eating a small amount, the men plans, Barney seems only to do
night, worried what will befall to test his mettle in whatever
sleep, and tell Oliver to as well, what he is told.
him the next day. As he is "adventure" Fagin has planned.
Oliver is, in fact, both courageous until one in the morning, when
leaving in the morning, after a 1 3 4 5
and virtuous, whereas Sikes is they prepare to go out and
small breakfast, he tries to lock
only the former. commit the burglary.
eyes with Nancy, as a sign that
she is continuing to look out Crackit, Sikes, and Oliver Only now does Oliver realize the
for him, but she turns away at 1 3 4 5 make their way through the nature of the robbery. Again,
the fire, while Oliver and Sikes town of Sunbury in the middle Oliver's naiveté is obvious. Of
head out the door. of the night—it is so dark and course Oliver had a premonition
foggy, they do not fear that that they trio was up to some
CHAPTER 21 they will be seen. They arrive sort of dangerous criminal
at a farmhouse in the behavior, but he does not know
Sikes and Oliver walk through This journey through London neighboring village of the exact form the robbery would
London in the early morning, mimics Oliver's journey by foot Chertsey. Sikes and Crackit take until the three reach
reaching the outskirts of the en route from his home village to help Oliver over the house's Chertsey.
city by the time vendors are the big city. Oliver exists on the garden wall; Oliver realizes, at
setting out wares for the margins of Victorian society, and, this point, just what the 1 3 4 5
market-day. They get in a cab, similarly Sikes and Oliver do not robbery will entail, and
with Sikes pretending to the keep "normal" business becomes extremely nervous,
driver that Oliver is his son, hours—instead, their schedule is as he sees that Crackit and
and continue traveling from that of the thief—largely Sikes are prepared to use the
village to village on the city's nocturnal, or night-bound. firearms they have brought
outskirts; they then stop at a along.
public-house for dinner, and 1 4 5
Oliver nods off there, tired Sikes tells Oliver the plan: Sikes is aware that Oliver is
from the day's long journey. Oliver is going to be helped up virtuous enough that he would
to a very small window about be willing to risk his life rather
Sikes wakes Oliver, and tells There are a series of flophouses five and a half-feet above the than carry out the robbery.
him they will be getting in present in the novel: Sikes', back-door frame; then Oliver Nevertheless, the robbery is
another coach; this one, to Fagin's, and this one, inhabited will take a lantern with him, dependent on Oliver—he is the
Sunbury, another village. After by the three before the robbery through the house, quietly so only one who can fit through the
leaving the coach early in the outside Chertsey. These houses, as not to startle those sleeping small window into the house.
morning, after a full 24-hours just like the band's nighttime inside nor the dog there, and Thus Sikes must rely on Oliver.
of traveling, they walk over a activities, reinforce the thieves', then to the front-door, which
bridge to a dilapidated house; and Oliver's, status as a cultural he will unlatch for the robbers. 1 2 4 5
Oliver fears Sikes will throw outsider. The house is so beaten Sikes warns Oliver that he is
Oliver in the water and kill him, down it is barely standing, and no within Sike's gun's range the
but Sikes, instead, walks with one seems to notice it from the entire way, in case Oliver
Oliver into the house, a road. wants to do something not in
safehouse being used by keeping with the plan.
Crackit and Sikes to plan the 1 4 5
robbery.

Sikes helps Oliver into the The low point in Oliver's young Bumble, while drinking his tea, It is not immediately clear what
house. Once inside, with a life. Oliver does not even get an flirts with Mrs. Corney, who is Mr. Bumble wants from Mrs.
lantern, Oliver decides to run opportunity to inform the unsure how to respond to his Corney; he appears simply to
up the stairs to alert the family family—he is shot by the advances, in the small room of have a crush on her. The scene
of the robbers, but just as he is overzealous Giles as he attempts her kitchen, with no other ensuing will be an important
doing this, two men appear at to mount the stairs. Although people present (Mrs. Corney deathbed conversation, the
the top of the stairs above Oliver almost dies in the ensuing seems to worry that the scene second in the novel. The first,
Oliver. Sikes tells Oliver to night, this robbery marks a low would appear improper to tellingly, involved the short
return to the window, but then point after which Oliver's luck someone stopping by). conversation Oliver's mother had
a series of shot are fired by the only increases: he is taken in by Suddenly, interrupting this with the doctor and attending
men, and in the confusion, the Maylie family, he finds out scene, is an old woman from nurse, right after Oliver was
Sikes pulls Oliver back through the nature of his birth-family, and the workhouse, who informs born; Oliver's mother died the
the window and begins to run, he is adopted, ultimately, by Mrs. Corney that Old Sally, a next instant. Mrs. Corney seems
with Crackit, away from the Brownlow. pauper living there, is very sick to sense that Sally possesses
house. Sikes fires into the and about to die. The woman important information.
house but hits no one; as they 1 2 3 4 5 informs Mrs. Corney that Old
are retreating, Sikes notices Sally has asked for Mrs. 2 3 5
that Oliver has been hit by a Corney's audience before she
bullet, and Oliver, frightened, dies. Mrs. Corney goes to
faints in a dead swoon. speak to Old Sally, cursing her
along the way, and leaving
CHAPTER 23 Bumble to his tea in the
kitchen, alone.
The narrator shifts the scene Mrs. Corney seems to fill a
back to the workhouse where position similar to that of Mrs.
Oliver was born. A woman Mann, but Mrs. Mann works in CHAPTER 24
named Mrs. Corney, who is the "farm-house" annex to the The old woman leads Mrs. The conditions of this part of the
the matron of the house (the workhouse that is for children, Corney up the stairs to a small poorhouse are as squalid and
director), is making herself a where Mrs. Corney manages the garret room, where Old Sally awful as the rest, including the
cup of tea, when she fully-grown workers at the main lies, dying, in bed. Old Sally is parts in which Oliver lived.
accidentally scalds herself with house. Both Corney and Mann attended by a young Dickens spares no description of
a small teapot, and mourns her are, at best, moderately gentleman, an apothecary's the horror of Sally's death—and
circumstances as the poor immoral—Mrs. Corney cares only apprentice, who makes himself he all but says outright that the
mistress of a miserable of her own material gain, and a toothpick in the fire, workhouse is responsible for her
workhouse. Mrs. Corney, it is Mrs. Mann was noted, earlier, complains about the cold to slow sickness and dissolution.
revealed by the narrator, is a taking some of the funds for the Mrs. Corney, and leaves after a Nevertheless, Sally is also a less-
widow, Mr. Corney having died children for her own use. short while; another old than-moral character, as is to be
some years before. She hears a woman, already in the garret, described in the ensuing parts of
noise and realizes that Bumble 2 5 talks to Mrs. Corney and the the chapter—she seems almost
has arrived. first old woman about Old to deserve these horrid
Sally's condition. The woman surroundings.
Bumble comes simply on a Mrs. Corney does not sense the
who went to get Mrs. Corney
friendly visit. He begins a irony in this scene: that she is 2 3 4
learns from the other that Old
conversation with Mrs. complaining about people she
Sally has been raving in her
Corney, complaining about the believes complain too much. In
bed, and is unable to take any
behavior of the poor people of reality, of course, the workers in
liquids. She is very near death.
whom he is in charge—how the poorhouse do very little
they continue demanding food complaining, as they are not
enough to feed their families, permitted to voice their opinions
and how they complain about with Corney or with the
the terrible conditions of the managing board.
workhouses. Mrs. Corney asks
Bumble to sit down for tea, 2 5
and he readily agrees.

Mrs. Corney, after learning Sally has therefore stolen a bit of The Dodger and Bates This scene is another example of
that Sally is about to die, material proving the link continue teasing Chitling Dickens' manipulation of the
begins to leave, but just at this between Oliver and his mother. about Bet, as they believe expectations of the audience. For
moment Sally awakes from a This material will be an Chitling has taken a liking to several chapters, we have
stupor, and begs Mrs. Corney important part of the set of clues her. Chitling denies this awaited word of what has
to come near the bed; Sally has that, simultaneously, Brownlow heatedly. After a while, the become of Oliver, but Dickens
something to say to her. Sally hopes (later) to piece together, boys and Fagin hear a bell does not give this information
tells a brief story: she, Sally, and Monks hopes to destroy. indicating that someone outright. For readers of the
nursed a woman about ten Monks has a vested interest in wishes to come up to the serialized version of the novel,
years ago, who was on her own eradicating Olver's past; apartment. The Dodger the wait for Oliver's fate cold be
death-bed; that woman, who Brownlow hopes he can find out returns leading up a very quiet, many weeks at a time.
was to give birth to a child, had the true nature of it. and haggard-looking, Toby
a small bit of gold around her Crackit, alone. Fagin is 1 4 5
neck, in a pouch, and entrusted 2 3 4 shocked at his solo
that gold to Sally, who stole it; appearance, but offers Crackit
the woman asked Sally that, if food and drink before asking
her son was born alive, he him about the events of the
would be taken care of. Sally robbery, which Fagin fears has
tells Mrs. Corney that this boy gone awry.
is named Oliver.
After eating, Crackit tells Fagin's reaction here is an
Sally whispers that the gold is . Mrs. Corney—who is supposed to Fagin and the boys that the interesting one. Typically so cool
. . and does not finish her be helping the poor—is an robbery failed, that he and and collected a customer, Fagin
thought aloud—Mrs. Corney immensely gifted liar. She would Sikes escaped the property here belies an especial interest in
bends down and hears Sally not be out of place among Fagin's with Oliver, who was shot in Oliver's fate. Fagin believes that
finish it, quietly, but the other gang. She does not let on, to the the arm and wounded; and Oliver can make him a great deal
woman in the room do not other women, that Sally has said after worrying that they would of money, as a thief; thus Fagin is
hear. Mrs. Corney betrays no anything of value, in case these all be caught, the two men upset not for Oliver's fate, per se,
emotion as to what Sally has other women want to get their abandoned Oliver in a ditch. but for the potential loss of
told her, and leaves the room. hands on the valuable items Sally Crackit lost Sikes, too, and income that Oliver's injury seems
Sally dies just after speaking received from Oliver's mother. came back to London alone. to promise.
with Mrs. Corney. Fagin, horrified at this news,
1 2 4 runs yelling out of the 1 3 4 5
apartment, horrified by the
CHAPTER 25 bungled robbery and the
possibility of Oliver's
Back at Fagin's apartment, It stands to reason that the
endangerment.
Bates, the Dodger, and Dodger, so good at tricking
Chitling are playing hands of people on the street, would be a
whist, a card game, with one gifted cheater at cards. Chitling,
another. The Dodger is a characteristically, is not
wonderful player (it's implies intelligent enough to realize that
that he's also cheating); the Dodger's trickery does not
Chitling remarks, aloud, that disappear at the gambling table.
he cannot fathom how the
Dodger wins so much, and 1 4 5
Bates finds Chitling's gullibility
to be quite funny.

CHAPTER 26 Satisfied with this intelligence Nancy is beginning to fall into a
received at the Three Cripples, spiral from which she will not
Fagin begins slackening his The size of London becomes
Fagin finds a hack-cab on the escape. The mistreatment under
pace, however, and regaining apparent when one considers
street and takes it to near which Oliver has been placed has
his cool as he enters a small that there are entire streets and
Nancy's and Sikes' apartment. upset her a great deal, and her
market neighborhood not too small neighborhoods given over
He gets out of the cab and already pronounced desire for
far from his apartment; he to illegal activities—the police
vows to get more information alcohol has been exacerbated.
stops and talks to a trader of seem not to bother these
out of Nancy, whom he Fagin, notably, does nothing to
stolen merchandise, who neighborhoods, so long as the
believes to be there. He help her in this scene.
knows Fagin in a business criminality does not extend
knocks on the door and is let in
capacity, named Lively. Fagin beyond certain prearranged 1 3 5
by Nancy. Fagin sees no
asks Lively if anyone is at the borders. The Cripples pub, too, is
evidence of Sikes in the
Three Cripples, a nearby pub a seat for criminals, and it
apartment.
and hangout for local remains mostly untouched in the
criminals; Lively says he novel until Brownlow prompts Fagin asks Nancy where Sikes Fagin makes an important
doesn't know, nor does he the authorities to search it, for and Oliver are; Nancy replies attempted bargain here. Of
know (as Fagin follows up by evidence of Fagin and his cronies. that she doesn't know, and she course it has been known that
asking) if Sikes is present at exclaims (coincidentally), that if Fagin is an unscrupulous
that pub, in particular. Lively 1 3 5 Oliver is lying dead in a ditch character, but here he markedly
says he'll join Fagin for a drink somewhere, he is better dead goes behind the back of his
there, but Fagin waves him than under Fagin's and Sikes' associate, Sikes, in order to get
away, and proceeds to the pub control. Fagin tells Nancy to be him out of the picture—Fagin
on his own. quiet, since she is obviously appears to believe that, because
inebriated and distraught. Sikes is no longer a dependable
Fagin walks into the smoky The first significant description of
Fagin tells Nancy, further, that housebreaker, he might just be a
pub, filled as it is with criminals Monks in the novel. Of the book's
if Sikes comes back to the violent nuisance, a man who
whom Fagin recognizes. Fagin three villains, Monks is at once
apartment without the boy, must be eliminated. Nancy
speaks to a man the narrator the most human—he is, after all,
Nancy should kill Sikes, and stands up for Sikes here, and she
refers to as the chairmen, and Oliver's half-brother—and the
Fagin will protect her—the boy will do so again later, which
asks him whether he (the most difficult to understand.
is worth a good deal to Fagin, makes Sikes eventual murder of
chairman) has seen Barney or Fagin is motivated by his greed,
and Fagin cannot allow Sikes her all the more tragic.
Sikes that night. He also asks and Sikes by his lust for violence.
to live after having taken so
the chairman, who is the Monks, however, seems only to 1 3 4 5
little care of Oliver during the
landlord of the establishment, want to blot Oliver out of the
botched robbery. Nancy is
whether a man named Monks virtuous life to protect his own
shocked that Fagin would turn
will be at the pub that evening. legacy.
on Sikes so quickly, and she
The chairmen replies that
1 3 5 defends Sikes. She does not
none of the men are present.
promise Fagin anything.
Fagin asks the chairmen to tell
Monks to visit Fagin the next Fagin leaves Nancy, drunk, in Monks has a tendency to appear
day. the apartment, and is satisfied, where he is least expected.
since he has informed Nancy Although Fagin had asked to
that Sikes has left Oliver meet with him the following
(believing he can gain more night, Monks was nevertheless
control of Nancy if she knows able to hurry from wherever he
that Sikes cares nothing for the was staying to find Fagin. Monks'
boy), and has confirmed that abode is never described in the
Sikes is not in the apartment. novel, nor is his ability to travel
On his way back to his own so far so fast ever explained.
abode, Fagin runs into a man
who has been waiting for him 1 3 4 5
on the street.

The man is Monks, whom Monks reiterates his intentions CHAPTER 27
Fagin had been seeking out. here: he wishes that Oliver
The narrator begins this Bumble's trajectory in the novel
Fagin takes him into a spare become a criminal, but not for
chapter by jokingly is a notable one—it trends
room on a lower floor of the his own direct personal gain (as
"apologizing" to the reader for downward, just as Oliver's
tenement building. There the Fagin does). Monks, instead,
having abandoned so position in society, and his own
men converse in low voices wishes only to blot Oliver's
estimable a personage as the good fortune, rises. Bumble
(the narrator does not name—to keep him from living a
beadle Mr. Bumble for several believes that, by serenading Mrs.
describe their exact virtuous life. The reader finds out,
chapters, while continuing Corney, he will increase his social
conversation), but then the later, that Monks' desire
with other parts of his stature and his wealth, but it
narrator reveals that Monks is dovetails with his hope to keep
"history." Bumble has been soon becomes clear that the
chastising Fagin for placing Oliver from learning of his true
waiting in the kitchen and opposite is true, that his union
Oliver so quickly into harm's parentage, and of his inheritance.
living quarters of Mrs. Corney, with Corney is to be a disastrous
way, and for not raising Oliver
1 2 3 4 while the latter has been one.
in the craft of pickpocketing,
upstairs speaking with Old
which, after a while, would 1 3 4
Sally. Mrs. Corney returns, and
have paid Fagin a good deal of
tells Bumble that Old Sally has
money, and after which Fagin
upset her a great deal. Bumble
could have simply sent Oliver
offers Mrs. Corney his
far away.
sympathies and gives her a bit
It appears that Monks has a Nevertheless, Monks stops short of wine.
mysterious vested interest in of asking that Oliver be
The two begin kissing, and Another instance of Bumble's
Oliver, and, especially, in killed—which would be the
Bumble continues his wooing craven self-interest. It is not clear
Oliver being sent away, but he simplest and "cleanest" way to
of Mrs. Corney. Bumble also why Bumble would care to woo
does not elaborate on what handle his problem. It is never
reveals, after their wooing has Mrs. Corney if she were not in a
this interest might be. Monks explained why Monks is unwilling
gone on for a little while, that position to offer Bumble the lead
claims, further, that he does to kill his brother, unless it is
Mr. Slout, current master of job at the workhouse, once they
not want Oliver killed, as simply a residue of family-feeling,
the workhouse, is dying, and are married. Bumble apparently
Oliver's death would somehow a belief that it is an especial
that a man will be needed to believes that this position, as
get back to Monks, and Monks moral wrong to kill a member of
manage the house of which master of the workhouse, would
wishes to avoid all penalty one's own family.
Mrs. Corney is the head lead to even greater social
regarding Oliver's
1 2 3 4 female official. This, Bumble recognition than his current one
disappearance. Fagin explains
declares, is a as beadle, a relatively minor
to Monks that Nancy has taken
"coincidence"—that he has church official.
a liking to Oliver, but Fagin
"fallen in love" with Mrs.
appears to believe that, if 1 3 4
Corney at the same time this
Oliver survives the robbery
position is opened. The
and becomes a hardened
narrator implies, however, that
criminal, Nancy will no longer
Bumble has arranged all this so
pity him.
he might advance his
Monks, paranoid that Both Monks and Fagin are professional position.
someone has heard them notable for their abundance of
speak, tells Fagin they must caution, and the speed with
search the dark abandoned which they can slink away in the
rooms of the tenement for dark. Nevertheless, Nancy is able
intruders, but after this is to spy on both of them later on in
done, and no one is found, the novel.
Monks take his leave of Fagin
at around one in the morning, 1 2 3 4
and Fagin returns to his own
apartment.

Bumble promises that he will Bumble's hypocrisy is on high A comic scene ensues, as the The difference in this chapter
marry Mrs. Corney, and he display here. Bumble's sole three pursuing men, seeing between serious drama and high
leaves her, after kissing her purpose, in the beginning of the that the criminals are fleeing, comedy is one of the notable
goodbye, to go to novel up till its midpoint, is to decide to pursue no features of the novel and
Sowerberry's to make correct the behavior of others farther—the three admit to Dickens' work more generally.
arrangements for Old Sally's while continuing to behave one another that they are Oliver's struggle is a dire one, but
funeral. When he arrives at the immorally himself. In the second tired, out of breath, and afraid the three men pursuing the
coffin-maker's house, Bumble half of the novel, however, of the criminals. The fattest of robbers know nothing of it—and
walks in on Noah Claypole and Bumble's behavior no longer goes the gang is the head butler of their behavior is therefore free to
Charlotte flirting, kissing one unnoticed or unpunished. the farmhouse, and is named be interpreted, by the reader, as
another, and having a dinner of Dickens clearly intends for the Giles; the smaller is Brittles, a buffoonery. Dickens believes,
oysters. Bumble yells at the reader to loathe Bumble, and to jack-of-all-trades also rightly, that these sorts of
two of them for carousing in an appreciate the extent to which employed by the house; and combination of the serious and
unchaste manner, as they are Bumble is willing to lie and the third is a tinker living in a the comic make literature seem
not married, and the narrator manipulate others for his nearby house. The men do not more real, as real life itself
subtly points out the hypocrisy personal gain. see Oliver lying in the ditch, functions in this way.
of Bumble here, who only and decide to return to their
moments before was doing the 2 3 4 homes, content that the 1 3 4 5
same with Mrs. Corney. criminals have at least run
Bumble then leaves the young away.
lovers and goes downstairs to The novel's only dream sequence,
The next morning, Oliver
arrange Sally's funeral with and it's not a very long leap from
awakes, discovering a terrible
Sowerberry. this "dream" to the reality in
pain where he has been shot in
the arm, but nonetheless alive which Oliver has recently been
CHAPTER 28 (though very weak). Oliver living. At first, it seems that
The narrator returns to the The narrative cuts back, finally, begins walking straight in front Oliver's approach to the very
scene just after Oliver, Sikes, to the scene outside Chertsey. of him, not knowing where he same house they attempted to
and Crackit escaped from the Oliver appears in dire straits, and is going, and hallucinates that rob is another instance of bad
Chertsey farmhouse. Crackit is Crackit and Sikes, who seemed Crackit and Sikes are beside luck, but as Dickens will go on to
already running away from the so courageous when committing him, firing weapons, though by show, the Maylies wish only to
three men pursuing them. a crime, are revealed as too that morning they have long help Oliver, and his retreat to this
Sikes, carrying Oliver, calls cowardly or uncaring to do since fled. Oliver approaches a house is a blessing in disguise.
back to Crackit, telling him to anything for Oliver but run away. garden wall and sees that he
has been heading toward 1 2 3 4 5
return and help with the boy. One wonders what Fagin would
Crackit turns back for a do in this situation—whether he exactly the house he had been
moment, but seeing the three would be willing to risk his forced to rob the night before.
men and their two dogs, turns physical safety to protect his But he is too weak to go to any
on his heels and runs. Sikes "investment" in Oliver. other home.
leaves Oliver in the ditch and
escapes himself. 1 3 4 5

Inside the house, Giles, Giles' buffoonery is of a sort CHAPTER 29
Brittles, and the tinker are Dickens likes, often, to
The narrator introduces the The broad outline of Oliver's new
recounting (and embellishing) highlight—that of an
people living in the Chertsey "family" is sketched. If Brownlow,
the previous night, and telling overconfident oaf, whose actions
house: along with Giles, the back when he was in charge of
it to the cook of the house and are not nearly so grand or helpful
butler and head servant, and Oliver, was something like
a housemaid, who are rapt as he envisions. Bumble behaves
Brittles, the younger servant, Oliver's stepfather, then
with attention. Giles brags that in this same manner, and both
there are Mrs. Maylie, an older Lorsborne is a kind, well-
he, bravely, was the one to Giles and Bumble are chastened
and distinguished woman, and meaning, if quick-to-anger uncle;
shoot one of the intruders. As for their impetuous
her seventeen-year-old niece Mrs. Maylie is a grandmother
he continues to brag, he and behavior—Bumble, later, by
Miss Rose Maylie. A doctor (like Mrs. Bedwin), and Rose is an
Brittles hear a knock on the winding up in the poorhouse, and
arrives, breathless, having aunt. As it turns out, of course,
door, and though they are Giles by becoming the object of
been shocked by the news of Rose really is Oliver's biological
afraid to see who it is, they Lorsborne's scorn.
the robbery—the narrator aunt—a coincidence that seems
cannot make the maids of the
1 2 3 5 points out, jokingly, that the almost too perfect to be believed.
house do it. Giles resolves that
doctor (Dr. Lorsborne) seems
Brittles, the younger man and 1 2 3 5
particularly upset that the
his subordinate, will open the
robbery occurred by surprise
door, and he, Giles, will stand
and at night, as though those
back to defend the house and
weren't usual characteristics
greet the visitor.
of a robbery.
Brittles opens the door and It's important to note here that
The doctor talks to Giles, Lorsborne is an intelligent man,
Giles recognizes Oliver as the the Maylie women (Rose and her
asking if Giles shot the and he quickly realizes that
boy he has shot—the thief, as aunt, Mrs. Maylie) do not see
intruder—Giles says, proudly, Oliver, a young boy with
he claims. He yells into the that Oliver is a young boy. Rose is
that he did. Lorsborne then goodness writ in his face, would
house that a thief has willing to take in a robber who,
checks on Oliver, saying that not be capable of planning and
returned, and when it is for all she knows, could be a
he is all right and stable, executing a robbery, without
revealed that the "robber" is dangerous man more resembling
considering his wound. being forced into it. Lorsborne, in
hurt, the young woman at the Sikes, or Crackit. Rose, as a
Lorsborne asks if Rose would later scenes, will also be the
top of the stairs (one of the character, is so virtuous as to be
like to see Oliver—Rose had engine that drives away the
women of the house), asks that nearly unrealistic—she is the only
asked previously to do so, but investigators, and that ensures
the robber be taken in and character who approaches
her aunt would not allow it Oliver a safe haven at the
cared for. This young woman Oliver's mixture of courage,
(the two women have not seen Maylies' home near Chertsey.
and her aunt ask that the confidence, and innate goodness.
Oliver since he came into the
robber (whom they do not 1 2 3 5
know to be a boy) be brought 1 2 3 5 house; only the servants and
the doctor have seen him). The
upstairs and tended to by the
doctor believes that Rose
other, female servants. Oliver
would very much be happy to
is carried up the stairs by
see Oliver, and so insists upon
Giles; Giles continues bragging
that this boy, whom he has their meeting. Mrs. Maylie
shot, has been captured also decides to see the
(though of course Oliver "robber."
merely walked back, in a daze,
to the house).

CHAPTER 30 When Lorsborne goes Giles and Brittles are not too
downstairs, he sees that the bright, and Lorsborne seems
The doctor leads both Rose Again, Lorsborne realizes, and
village constable has joined acquainted with a small bit of
and Mrs. Maylie upstairs to encourages the Maylies also to
Giles and Brittles. Lorsborne, police psychology—that eye-
see Oliver. On revealing that believe, that Oliver is simply a
attempting to protect Oliver, witness testimony can easily be
Oliver is only a young boy, young boy who has lost his way.
cunningly persuades Giles and manipulated, so long as a
Lorsborne sees Rose and her Lorsborne and the Maylies are
Brittles into thinking that, different idea is planted in the
aunt's looks of total the first characters to see Oliver
perhaps, Oliver is not the same "eyewitness's" head. Giles, here,
shock—they had expected a and assume he is good, other
"robber" they shot just that is convinced quickly that he is
more "hardened" criminal. than Brownlow—Bumble, the
morning, although Giles at first not certain the boy he shot was
When Rose asks Lorsborne members of the board, and Mr.
seemed convinced that Oliver Oliver—this is all the doubt
whether he believes that Fang the judge all presumed
was the very same. Just before Lorsborne needs.
Oliver, though so young, is Oliver to be a criminal, just
Lorsborne is able fully to
actually a thief, Lorsborne says because he was poor, and poorly- 1 2 3 4 5
convince them that Oliver is a
no—his inclination is, at this clothed.
different boy from the robber,
point, that Oliver had been
1 2 3 4 5 two investigators arrive at the
somehow forced to participate
house from London.
in the robbery. Lorsborne
appears to have gleaned this
from the sweetness of Oliver's CHAPTER 31
temperament while injured. The two investigators, named Blathers and Duff are named
Lorsborne swears that he will Unlike the previous scene in Blathers and Duff, enter perfectly, as a means of
get the truth out of Giles and Brownlow's study, where Oliver gruffly and ask to speak with expressing not only their
Brittles, but before doing so, is not permitted to tell the full those in charge in the house. bumbling qualities (a la Bumble),
he waits, with Rose and her story of his life (as he knows it; of They ask whether "a boy" it but their total inefficiency and
course, Oliver is missing a good was who robbed the home; idiocy as regards police
aunt, for Oliver to wake and
deal of detail), Oliver here is able Lorsborne says that this isn't investigation. Lorsborne is able
tell of his life, and how he came
to finish his story, thus true, that Giles and Brittles to dispatch them quickly in this
to associate with criminals.
convincing the Maylies and only believes the person they chapter.
Oliver does so, pausing in
between to take breaks Lorsborne, further, that he really shot was a boy; Blathers and
Duff say that they'll check it 1 3 4 5
(because he is still in a great is a good boy, far away from his
deal of pain), and after the home, and on the run from evil out for themselves.
conversation is concluded, forces who hope to control him. Lorsborne is worried that, if Dickens seems to think this
Rose, Mrs. Maylie, and Oliver tells the true story of "white lie" of Lorsborne's is OK,
Lorsborne are convinced that 1 2 3 4 5 considering the circumstances.
his life to Blathers and Duff,
Oliver is a good boy who has they won't take pity on him the Lorsborne is lying to protect a
been taken in by scoundrels. way he and the Maylies have. greater good—the health and
Lorsborne goes downstairs to Rose does not understand safety of the young boy placed in
hear how Giles came to shoot how anyone couldn't pity his charge. And Blathers and
Oliver. Oliver, and Lorsborne tells her Duff do not appear to have
that, for this, she is a lovely Oliver's best interests at
woman; but he insists that heart—they would be all too
Blathers and Duff must be happy to arrest a child.
misled into thinking that Oliver
was not the person who 1 3 4 5
entered the house the
previous night. Otherwise,
Oliver could be arrested for
vagrancy, as it is illegal for
paupers to travel outside of
their home district.

After telling a long, strange, Giles seems almost to give up the CHAPTER 32
complex story about a robber lie, as he attempts, poorly, to
Oliver, not only injured by the It is typical of Oliver that, even as
he once caught named Conkey make up a story that gibes with
gunshot wound, also suffers he is on the brink of serious
Chickweed—a story that Lorsborne's. But, luckily, Blathers
from another fever, which illness again, he is only worried
neither Lorsborne nor the and Duff are too perplexed by
causes him to lie in bed for about what he might contribute
Maylies can follow—Blathers, this seeming coincidence to
many days. However the to the Maylie household. It later
with Duff, goes upstairs to talk notice, and they eventually allow
Maylies care for him with becomes clear that Oliver's
to Oliver. Lorsborne and Giles that it is possible Oliver was shot
great interest, and soon he presence is a gift enough—the
go along as well. Introducing in an unrelated incident. This is
begins to regain his strength. Maylies are overjoyed to have a
Oliver to the two another bit of good fortune in
Oliver asks Rose whether young boy in their midst.
investigators, Lorsborne lies Oliver's favor—his luck is truly
turning around. there is anything he can do to
and says that Oliver was 2 3 4 5
help the family, and Rose
injured by accident with a
1 3 4 5 replies that, once Oliver's
spring-gun earlier that day;
strength has returned, the
Giles, at first confused as how
family could use him around
to pull off this ruse, eventually
the house in "a hundred ways."
agrees with Lorsborne, and
though Blathers and Duff still Once Oliver is hardy enough It does seem hard to imagine
suspect that a boy, with two to make the journey, he takes a that this flop-house, which was
larger men, arranged the wagon with Lorsborne back to more or less hidden when Oliver
robbery, they believe London, in order to meet with and Sikes approached it earlier,
Lorsborne, and do not believe Brownlow and Mrs. Bedwin, should be visible in broad
anymore that Oliver is that and to explain why he never daylight from the street—but the
boy. returned from his trip to the scene ensuing is powerful, and
bookseller's, so many weeks strange, enough to make this
Before this interview with An exaggeration of the white lie.
ago. As Lorsborne and Oliver recognition worthwhile.
Oliver, the doctor also pulled Another coincidence also buoys
are leaving Chertsey, however,
apart a section of Giles' gun, Lorsborne's lie, and of course 2 3 4 5
Oliver spots the flop-house in
rendering it useless; thus Lorsborne had nothing to do with
Sudbury where he stayed, with
Blathers and Duff, on it. This series of good breaks in
Sikes and Crackit, the night
examining the broken gun, saw the Maylie home seem to
before the robbery.
that, whomever Giles believed indicate that Oliver will be safe
to have injured could "not" there, that his life has changed Lorsborne, by nature an Dickens appears to be
have been injured at all. This for the better. Dickens' impetuous man, goes into the scrambling the readers'
additional lie increases the characters fates seem always to house to berate whomever is expectations in this scene. One
appearance that Oliver is not be either on slow upward or slow there, and finds a humpbacked would imagine that the house
the boy Blathers and Duff are downward trajectories, with very old man, who claims to live would have some kind of link to
looking for; they leave the next few interruptions once one is on there alone. Lorsborne says Crackit, or perhaps to Barney,
morning, and a rumor goes up a given path. Oliver's clearly that the old man has been but instead one finds an old
in London that another two trends upward from this point on. harboring criminals among hermit who has been living there
men and boy have been him, but the old man replies several decades. This weird
caught, meaning that Oliver is 1 3 4 5 that he has lived alone in the blip—either Oliver's mistake or a
officially free of suspicion house for twenty-five years, strange confusion of another
(these three others' being and that Lorsborne is kind—is never ironed out or
caught is simply a coincidence). mistaken. Lorsborne, cowed by explained in the novel.
this embarrassing episode,
Oliver is now safe at the This scene recalls the previous 1 3 5
returns to the carriage and to
Maylies' home, where he scene at Brownlow's, wherein
Oliver, convinced that Oliver
begins to grow stronger, Oliver was cared for by the
simply got the house mixed up
despite his injury. He is looked servants of the house and by
with another.
after by Rose, Rose's aunt, and Mrs. Bedwin.
Dr. Lorsborne.
1 3 4 5

Lorsborne and Oliver head to This seems like a hitch in Oliver's Oliver asks Mrs. Maylie, when The novel has so far moved along
Brownlow's house, where they plans, an instance of bad luck no Rose has been safely placed in without a romantic interest, but
ring and find a servant. This longer in keeping with his bed, whether Rose will get now Dickens supplies one
servant, however, tells the pair positive state of affairs. But better, but Mrs. Maylie fears (perhaps to satisfy those reading
that Brownlow and all his Brownlow will return to the instead that Rose will only the novel in serialized form).
house have decamped to the narrative quickly. The West grow sicker, and eventually Harry and Rose's romance does
West Indies six weeks prior, Indies, like Australia in "Great pass away. Oliver is surprised not occupy too much of the
and that they shall remain Expectations," is a place so far by Mrs. Maylie's negative novel's remaining pages, but it
there for some time. Oliver is away as to seem almost outlook. The next morning, contains enough interest to
crestfallen at this, and though mythical—as though Brownlow however, Mrs. Maylie seems create a genuine romantic spark
Oliver suggests they talk to had travelled all the way to the poised to help her niece, and to in a book that otherwise charts
the bookseller, Lorsborne says moon. fight off melancholy. She the ups and downs of the life of a
that is "enough dispatches Oliver to ten-year-old—a boy too young
disappointment for one day," 3 4 5 Lorsborne's, with a note for this kind of romantic
and the two head back to informing him of Rose's fever. attachment.
Chertsey. Oliver notices another letter
for a man named Harry 3 4 5
In Chertsey, over the next This scene is one of the first of
Oliver's encounters with the Maylie, but when he inquires
several weeks, the weather
beautiful natural surroundings of Mrs. Maylie whether he
grows warm, and Oliver has a
near the Maylies' home. Oliver ought to deliver that one, too,
wonderful time recuperating
was raised in a village in the she says no, that it should wait
and living with the Maylies.
countryside, but his life was for the next day.
Oliver begins studying with an
old man, a tutor, since he has mostly spent in institutions, thus Oliver runs all the way to the Another coincidence, although
never had any formal he was not able, nor did he have market, four miles off, with the this one is later "explained" by
education, and on Sundays he the time, to run about and see letter for Lorsborne (it will be the fact that Monks knew Oliver
begins going to church with grass, trees, sunlight. Then Oliver taken from the market to was being rehabilitated in the
the Maylies, and sees his was taken in by Fagin and the Lorsborne by coach). While small farmhouse outside
inherent virtue joined to boys in London, and those running back home from Chertsey. Nevertheless, Monks
traditional religious squalid city conditions, too, did dropping off the letter, does not introduce himself to
observance. Oliver often walks not allow for much recreation. however, Oliver nearly crashes Oliver, and of course Oliver has
through the beautiful fields of The depiction of the country is into a strange gentleman, who never seen Monks before. It
Chertsey, a place prettier than paradisiacal compared to curses at Oliver in a manner should be noted that Oliver
any he has known, and spends Dickens squalid depictions of far outstripping the small, resembles his mother, meaning
three months of bliss with the much of the city. accidental offense Oliver he does not look at all—it can be
Maylies and Lorsborne, who caused; the strange man says, inferred—like his half-brother,
visits often from his home 2 3 4 5 among other things, "He'd Monks, who shares only a father
nearby. start up from a marble coffin, with Oliver.
to come in my way!" Oliver is
perturbed by this man's 1 3 4 5
CHAPTER 33
behavior, but continues
One evening that summer, Dickens does not elaborate on running along.
Rose sits down to play the what might be the cause of
piano for her aunt, when Rose's illness, nor does he explain
suddenly her aunt, noticing why Rose suddenly feels better.
that something is wrong with What's more important, in this
Rose, asks her what is the scene, is the destabilizing effect
matter. Rose replies that, Rose's illness has on the Maylie
although for some time she family.
has been trying to hide it, she
does not feel well—she 3 4 5
believes that she is growing ill.

When Oliver returns home, The dramatic compression in this Harry runs inside and finds his Rose's "tainted" family history is
Rose's fever has grown chapter is notable. At first, Rose mother, whom he upbraids, not elaborated in this scene, but
worse—Lorsborne, who is well; then she is sick; then she gently, for not telling him it is described later in the novel,
arrives later, fears that Rose is violently sick, almost on the sooner of Rose's illness. Mrs. when Dickens (via the narrator)
might not survive it. After a verge of death; and when it Maylie counters that it would explains that, because Rose is the
few days, in which neither appears there is no longer hope, not have mattered—if Rose got far younger daughter of Agnes,
Oliver nor Mrs. Maylie sleep she recovers quickly. Again, it is worse, she would have died who gave birth while unwed,
hardly at all, Lorsborne not clear why Dickens inserted before Harry had had a chance Rose has been "afflicted" with
emerges from the sick room, this small character arc in the to arrive. Mrs. Maylie and the scourge of Agnes' sin.
after another visit, to declare novel, over than to emphasize Harry have a conversation, in Victorian audiences would not
that, finally and against all the importance of Rose's general and abstract terms, have found that sort of "scourge"
hope, Rose appears to be on goodwill on the structure of the which seems to indicate that to be altogether surprising,
the mend. Mrs. Maylie can Maylie family. Harry has a genuine romantic although modern readers often
barely believe the news—she love for Rose, and that some have difficulty understanding the
feared that her niece was lost. 3 4 5 secret of Rose's, which causes gravity of Agnes' "crime" or how
And Oliver is overjoyed to hear her to have a "tainted" family it could be seen as affecting her
Lorsborne's new prognosis. history, keeps Harry and Rose sister.
from being happily married.
3 4
CHAPTER 34
Harry and his mother leave off Again, Harry is a figure everyone
Oliver, relieved to hear that Harry comes flying at full speed
the subject for the time being; in the family adores, not just
Rose will recover from her into the narrative. A dashing
Mrs. Maylie goes back to tend Rose; Giles and Lorsborne, in
fever, takes a walk outside to young man, whose "brilliant
to Rose, and Harry entertains particular, seem taken with him.
clear his head. On his return to future" is sketched only in the
Oliver, Losborne, and Giles Harry's relationship with Oliver
the Maylies' house, he runs broadest of terms by Dickens,
with stories into the night. is not developed very much in the
into Giles, in a post-chaise (a Harry is more or less the
Over the next several days, novel, but one infers that Oliver
kind of carriage), with an archetype of the romantic hero:
Harry stays at the home, and looks up to Harry a great deal.
unnamed gentleman. Giles is he is handsome, intelligent, and
so devoted to his female love collects flowers with Oliver to
still in his nightcap, as they 2 3 4 5
interest that he is willing to forgo arrange for Rose.
have come to the Maylies'
home very quickly. The all his life's advantages in order One late afternoon, as the sun Another "appearance" of Monks.
gentleman asks Oliver to win her. is setting and Oliver is seated Again, at first this seems
whether Rose has gotten in his room, reading and improbable, but then one learns,
better—Oliver says she has, 3 4 studying, he wakes up, slowly, later on, that Monks and Fagin
and the man, also quite to spot Fagin and the man he have been in cahoots; it would
relieved, introduces himself as saw on the street (the "strange have been easy for Monks to tell
Harry Maylie, Mrs. Maylie's man," after Oliver had dropped Fagin that Oliver is living at the
son, and Rose's cousin. off a letter for Losborne in the very house he robbed; and
nearby market-town) outside therefore the two could easily
the window. In a daze, Oliver have found an opportunity to
cannot do anything, and he visit Oliver there.
watches them disappear; once
he wakes up fully, however, he 1 3 4 5
runs out of the room and calls
the rest of the family, asking
for their help.

CHAPTER 35 Harry does not agree with An important part of the novel.
what Rose is saying, but seeing Although Harry will largely
Oliver alerts the house that Again, it is hard to imagine that
that her resolution is firm on disappear for the next ten or so
"the Jew" (Fagin) and another Fagin and Monks could
the matter—that this "blight" chapters, Rose will keep her
man were there. Harry, Giles, disappear so quickly, until one
on her family would prevent promise, and Harry his; he will
and Lorsborne attempt to find considers the fact that the two
them from the otherwise ask her, again, if she will accept
them outside, but cannot—the are accomplished criminals,
happy union they both him, and this allows for the
two seem to have vanished people who are exceedingly good
desire—he asks her only one establishment of a nuclear
without a trace. Harry at making quick and thorough
thing: that he might bring the family, in which Oliver might live
wonders aloud if Oliver didn't getaways. Also, were Harry to
question of their marriage to comfortably, at the novel's end.
possibly dream their arrival, find the two near the Maylies'
her once again, in a year's time, Dickens seems to desire this kind
but Oliver insists that they property, the novel would have
and if she says "no" again, at of closure for Harry, Rose, and
were there, outside his come to its conclusion a great
that moment, then Harry will Oliver.
window. Lorsborne and Harry deal sooner.
give up all hope of their union.
continue to listen, in the 2 3 4
1 3 4 5 To this, Rose agrees, and Harry
coming days, for rumors of the
parts with some small hope
two men in town, but hear
that they might live together
nothing.
happily.
A few days later, when Rose is Rose's goodness continues even
feeling better, Harry comes up to the realm of self- CHAPTER 36
to her in the house, and asks to abnegation—she feels that,
speak with her. Rose, though because of the accident of her After breakfast, as Harry is This is an interesting case in the
she likes Harry very much, family's "blight," she should not preparing to leave with novel—a plot point that appears
seems upset, and remarks that stain the perfect reputation of Lorsborne, Harry pulls Oliver to have been placed by Dickens,
she wishes Harry had left Harry and his branch of the aside and asks him a favor: that but which seems not to be
sooner—since his professional family by marrying him. One Oliver might write to Harry followed up on in the remainder
life is "so high and noble," and should also note, here, that it was every day, reporting on how of the text. Harry does need to
Rose feels that she is only legal and socially acceptable in things go in the house, and on receive information about the
keeping Harry from these Victorian England for cousins to how Mrs. Maylie and Rose are Maylie family, as he is far away
pursuits, and from the fame marry. doing. Oliver agrees to do so. during most of the events that
they will win him (Harry works As Harry and Lorsborne occur in the last quarter of the
as a lawyer, and has an eye 2 3 4 departs, Rose sees that Harry novel, but it seems that Dickens
toward political office). is happy (because Oliver has probably intended to make more
agreed to write to him with of this correspondence with
Rose then listens as Harry Harry, for his part, is dead set on news of Rose); Rose interprets Oliver than he in fact ended up
reiterates his love for her. Rose; he believes he can love no this happiness as relief that doing. These sorts of blips in
After hearing him, she asks if other woman, and he will stop at Harry does not have to marry continuity are common in novels
she might say something to nothing to win Rose. But the Rose after all, and Rose, written serially, in which the
Harry: she asks that Harry "winning" here occurs in a quietly, is sad at the prospect writer was writing just slightly
forget her, and when Harry curious fashion; Harry must of perhaps not marrying Harry ahead of the publication of each
asks why, Rose explains. She is purposefully "lower" his social after all, although, of course, in chapter.
a woman with no name, no station in order to "deserve" the chapter before she said no
prospects, and with a "blight" Rose. This is the inverse of the to this proposal of marriage. 3 4 5
on her family (still typical sense of romantic striving,
undescribed); she could not wherein the male hero "wins" the
bear the idea, she tells Harry, woman.
of feeling that she had caused
Harry to lose the brilliant 2 3 4
future he is planning for
himself.

CHAPTER 37 The strange man goes on to Bumble is not particularly adept
imply that he knows, further, at this kind of discreet plan-
The narrator turns to the story Here, Dickens turns to a bit of
that Mrs. Bumble now has that making, but his wife appears
of Bumble and Mrs. Corney domestic comedy, showing that,
package, taken from Old Sally more comfortable dealing with
(now Mrs. Bumble); they have once they are married, Bumble
(and originally possessed by Monks and his special brand of
been married two months, and and his wife turn into a textbook
Oliver's mother). The strange underworld wheeling and
Bumble is in a melancholic unhappy couple. Mrs. Bumble
man wishes to arrange a dealing. Bumble, for the
state. Although he is master of now bosses her husband around,
meeting with Mr. and Mrs. remainder of the novel, is out of
the workhouse, he has and the great irony is, that
Bumble for the following his depth, and this scene marks
resigned as beadle, and so has Bumble, in his attempt to
night—to all this Bumble, the total dominance of Mrs.
given up a certain amount of become master of the
confused, agrees. The man, as Bumble, in their strange,
his social stature—he felt that workhouse, is not even master of
he is leaving, gives his name to unhappy marriage.
the promotion to workhouse the marriage he so desperately
Bumble—Monks, the same
master would be greater than desired. 1 2 3 4
man who was seen with Fagin
it ended up being in fact.
1 2 outside Oliver's window, by
the Maylies' house.
Mr. Bumble and Mrs. Bumble There could be no greater shame,
fight about Bumble's laziness, for Bumble, than being insulted
and Mrs. Bumble ends up in front of the paupers, who he CHAPTER 38
pushing him out of his chair to does not consider to be fully Bumble and his wife go to Here, Mrs. Bumble puts into
take a turn of the workhouse; human, and yet whose opinion meet Monks, in a shabby old practice her street-smarts,
Bumble begins having does seem to matter to him. Mrs. building down by the river demanding payment for the
sympathy for those men who Bumble, sensing this, makes sure Thames. They find him outside package before Monks even sees
escape their families in order to highlight Bumble's flaw and and, ducking out of the it. Monks, therefore, must know
to be "rid of their wives." failures for the joy of those thunder and rain outside, head that the package is valuable for
Bumble finds his way into a paupers observing. with him up a ladder to small him, otherwise he would not be
room where a group of women room. Monks indicates, to Mrs. so willing to offer cash for it up-
are doing laundry, and as he 1 2 5 Bumble, that he knows she front, without even examining it
observes them at his work, possesses something of value first.
Mrs. Bumble comes in and taken from Old Sally; Mrs.
insults him in front of them. Bumble demands that Monks 1 3 4
pay her twenty-five pounds for
Bumble becomes upset, and Another coincidence, this one
this package. Bumble remains
walks out of the room in a huff. necessary to bring Bumble,
silent and nervous during this
He winds up in a pub and Monks, and Mrs. Bumble
exchange.
begins drinking, to calm together. As Monks will find out,
himself down. While at the pub Mrs. Bumble has a package that
he comes upon a strange man, was given by Oliver's dying
seated near him, and begins mother to Old Sally, her nurse in
talking to him—the man buys the workhouse. Mrs. Bumble,
Bumble another pint, and even believing this package might
appears to have been waiting have some value, has kept it, but
to talk to him. The strange man it turns out that the package is
indicates that he knows about more valuable as a piece of
Oliver Twist, and more information that can be
particularly, about the woman leveraged, from Monks, for
Old Sally who nursed Twist's financial gain.
mother before she died, and
who had information and a 1 2 3 4
package from Oliver's mother.

Monks produces twenty-five Dickens qualifies the exact CHAPTER 39
gold coins and gives them to manner by which Mrs. Bumble
The chapter opens in Sikes' Sikes and Nancy appear to have
Mrs. Bumble, who begins her received the package. This is
flophouse, where he is still been abandoned, or at the very
story of how she received the probably done simply for
staying with Nancy. They are least held at arm's length,
package from Sally. Mrs. practical reasons: it would be
both in terrible condition, following the botched robbery.
Bumble describes Old Sally's much more difficult for Old Sally
having very little money, and There are many possible
death, and states that, though to have clutched the package to
appear weak and starved. They explanations for this, but it is
Sally died without saying her person during the final throes
get into a fight, for which most likely that Fagin is avoiding
anything of interest regarding of her illness. A slip for a
neither is strong enough, and police scrutiny by not associating
the package she had pawnbroker is much easier to
Nancy faints just as Fagin, with Sikes for a period of time.
mentioned to Mrs. Bumble, conceal in one's fist, and much
easier, too, to hang onto during Bates, and the Dodger
she did possess, in her hand, a 1 2 3
one's final moments. enter—they help Nancy and
pawnbroker's slip for this
get her water, while Sikes
package—and Mrs. Bumble
1 3 4 inquires as to what has
took this slip and redeemed it,
brought Fagin to him, all of a
finding the objects in a small
sudden.
bag, once belonging to Oliver's
mother, which she gives, at As Fagin begins his The nature of the dependence
this point, to Monks. explanation, Bates and the between Fagin and Sikes is here
Dodger empty food for Sikes more or less reversed. In earlier
In the bag are: a locket The first announcement of the
and Nancy out of their sacks. chapter, Sikes could simply take
engraved with the name Agnes name of Oliver's mother. This is
Sikes is angry that Fagin has money (for example, the money
(and a blank for the last name), important for the plot, and also
not visited him, nor brought Oliver was holding on his way to
a wedding-ring, and two locks for symbolic reasons. For up till
him any food and nourishment the book-stall) and tell Fagin that
of hair. At this, Mrs. Bumble this point, Oliver's mother was a
for several weeks, and the money is Sikes', not Fagin's.
completes her story, and asks character only inasmuch as she
demands to know why. Fagin But here, Sikes is reduced to
Monks whether this is what he was the woman who gave birth
and the boys reply that they begging for whatever small
wanted, and whether he can to the novel's hero. But Agnes is a
were "out of London," and that amount Fagin can provide him.
use this package or this character of her own—one with a
family, and a history. It is this they have brought food for
information to ruin Mrs. 1 2 3
history that is to be revealed as them now. Sikes tells Fagin he
Bumble. Monks replies that
the text progresses. is sending Nancy back to
this information will ruin no
Fagin's apartment, with the
one, and at that, he opens a
1 3 4 boys, for some money, which
trap door, which leads all the
she will then deliver to
way down to the river rushing
Sikes—Sikes complains he is
beneath (as the building juts
dying for want of money.
over part of the Thames River).
Monks then drops the package
into the river, and claims it is
gone forever.
Monks then tells Mr. Bumble The entire conversation is quite
and Mrs. Bumble that this is short, and Bumble, notably, has
all, and tells them, too, that played almost no part in the
they must keep the meeting proceedings.
secret. The Bumbles leave the
house, and Monks stays 1 3 4
behind, with an unnamed
servant-boy.

Nancy goes, with Fagin and Fagin and Monks do not seem to CHAPTER 40
the boys, back to Fagin's worry that Nancy will eavesdrop
Nancy enters Rose's room at The relationship between Rose
apartment. There, after on them. Either Fagin believes
the hotel, where Rose and Nancy is an intriguing and
clearing out Toby and Chitling Nancy is too weak, and too much
apologizes for Nancy's complex one. One can imagine
and the boys from the common of a drunk at this point, to care
difficulty in coming to see her. that Nancy might have turned
area, Fagin gets Nancy the very much what Fagin has to say,
Nancy, for her part, apologizes out a bit more like Rose, had she
money and seems about to or Fagin and Monks are
for her low social status, simply been raised in more
speak to her about something beginning to get sloppy in their
remarking that, "if there were pleasant circumstances. This is
important, when Monks enters planning. It is this kind of
more like you [Rose], there one of Dickens' subtle jabs at the
the apartment, brusquely. sloppiness that will, eventually,
would be fewer like me." Nancy impermeability of classes in
Monks and Fagin go off to the get both Monks and Fagin
admits that it was she who England at the time—it was very
second floor to have a private arrested—the former by
dragged Oliver back to Fagin's, difficult for someone like Nancy
conversation, but Nancy Brownlow, the latter by the
when he was carrying books to to receive a good education, or a
secretly follows them up there, authorities.
the bookseller. Although Rose good job, without the social
and hears all that they say
1 2 3 4 is shocked by this information, connections possessed by
(although the narrator does
Nancy says she only did it someone like Rose.
not report this dialogue to the
because of her
reader). Before the two 1 2 3 4 5
circumstances—she feels loyal
descend, Nancy returns and
to Fagin and Sikes because
pretends as though she has
they helped to raise her, even if
not been eavesdropping.
they initiated her into a life of
Nancy looks pale, and, after Nancy has, quite clearly, heard crime. Rose seems to
quickly taking the money from something that truly upsets her. understand this, and says she
Fagin that he has promised for In fact, she is so agitated she is pities Nancy.
Sikes, she returns to Sikes, and willing to dose Sikes with a drug.
Nancy reveals to Rose Nancy hears a large amount of
gives him the money. The next Nancy, we are led to believe, has
information she has heard Monks' motivation, but not all of
morning, Nancy still appears not taken such desperate
from conversations between it. She knows that Monks and
pale and agitated, and Sikes measures previously; but now,
Fagin and Monks (whom Rose Oliver are half-brothers, and she
notices this throughout he day. things are different, and she feels
does not know). Nancy says perceives that Monks has a
That evening, Nancy slips compelled to act.
that Monks has his own vested interest in keeping Oliver
laudanum, a sleeping drug, into
1 2 3 4 reasons for wanting to find from discovering that very fact.
Sikes' beer, and he falls into a
Oliver, which he has not But Nancy does not seem to
deep slumber. At this, Nancy
revealed to Fagin; Monks saw know, or to have heard, the
leaves the apartment on some
Oliver on the street on the day extent to which Oliver stands to
kind of mission.
when the Dodger and Bates benefit from this connection with
Nancy walks with great speed Another one of the novel's robbed Brownlow (by Monks, via the inheritance Oliver
through the streets, and ends necessary coincidences. Dickens coincidence), and from this is to receive from his deceased
up at a nice hotel in a genteel never elaborates why the Maylies time on Monks promised Fagin father Edward.
neighborhood. Acting on are in London, but they happen money if Fagin could get Oliver
information she has gleaned to be there, with Oliver, exactly back, alive, and if Fagin could 1 2 3 4 5
from the conversation when Nancy overhears Monks' then make Oliver a criminal.
between Fagin and Monks the involvement in the life of Oliver Monks, again, had his reasons
previous night, she asks after Twist. for wanting these things, but
Miss Maylie, to a footman in did not share them with Fagin.
the hotel, hoping to have a 1 2 3 4
conversation with Rose. Rose,
hearing that someone is there
to see her, allows Nancy to
come upstairs for a discussion.

Nancy reveals the content of Bumble and his wife might have Rose begs, again, that Nancy An important use of coffin
tonight's conversation thought that their actions took stay with them, but Nancy symbolism. The coffin, later in
between Monks and Fagin to place under the cover of repeats that she is loyal to the the novel, will come to symbolize
Rose: Monks said that the only darkness, but once Nancy scoundrels she lives with, that also Agnes Fleming, Oliver's
proof of Oliver's family ties lies overhears Monks discussing the it is too late for her, that she mother, who was similarly good-
at the bottom of the river purchase of the package, Bumble cannot be redeemed. Nancy natured, like Nancy, but who
Thames, and that the woman and Mrs. Bumble are irrevocably tells Rose, further, that she can succumbed, like Nancy, to moral
who once had this proof (Sally) part of the narrative. And when be met on London bridge every temptation in agreeing to have a
is "in her coffin." Further, Monks is captured, the Bumbles Sunday night between eleven liaison with Edward before
Monks reveals that Oliver is of will also suffer. and twelve to talk with Rose marriage. Nancy has also made
high birth, and that if he finds and whomever Rose brings decisions that push her into a life
out about this high birth, he 1 2 3 4 5 along. Nancy refuses money of crime from which she cannot
might be able to use it against from Rose but takes her escape.
Monks. Monks, lastly, told blessings, and saying that she
Fagin that Monks and Oliver (Nancy) has "no roof but a 1 2 3 4 5
are brothers. coffin-lid," heads out again into
the night, leaving Rose
This last piece of information is Another instance of Nancy's
shocked by the evening's
most shocking to Rose. Monks loyalty. Dickens seems to be of
revelations.
also told Fagin that the two minds regarding this loyalty.
Maylies would die to know On the one hand, Nancy's
their relationship to Oliver, courage is notable, and she is far CHAPTER 41
but that they would never stronger, as it turns out, than the Rose is not sure what to do This is the second time that a
learn the nature of this male criminals Fagin and Sikes, in with Nancy's information. letter, intended to be sent to
relationship. Rose begs, on her determination and moral Rose has promised to keep Harry, is not even written—the
hearing this, that Nancy fortitude. But Dickens also Nancy's information secret, first was to be written by Mrs.
remain with them, in the hotel, clearly believes that Nancy has but Rose knows, also, that she Maylie, when she had found out
and be spirited away to safety. cast her lot with the wrong must ask someone's advice in that Rose had taken ill with fever.
But Nancy insists that she will side—that of the criminals. order to untangle the secret of It seems that, as regards
go back to Fagin, Sikes, and the Oliver's birth, and to protect important family decisions,
boys. Rose says that she 1 2 3 4 5 Harry is often the last to know.
Oliver. As Rose is sitting down
believes the truth of what to write to her cousin Harry
Nancy says, because Nancy regarding his assistance in the 1 2 3 4
has risked her life to tell it to matter, Oliver comes into
her. Rose's room, greatly agitated.
Oliver tells Rose that he has Another coincidence. It is not
spotted Mr. Brownlow in the noted whether the hotel in which
street. Oliver wishes the Maylies, and Oliver, stay is
desperately to be reunited close to the neighborhood in
with the man who had given which Brownlow used to live, but
him so much, and who still in any event, Oliver sees him, and
believes him to be a thief and a the plot of the novel begins
rotten boy. Rose hires a cab approaching its grand finale.
and she and Oliver drive to the
Brownlow residence. Rose 1 2 3 4
enters and is let in to
Brownlow's parlor, where he is
seated, once again, with Mr.
Grimwig.

Rose claims that she has Oliver finally makes his way back Brownlow and Lorsborne go Brownlow's interactions with,
knowledge of Oliver Twist, can to the parlor, where Grimwig and to the hotel to meet with Rose and plans about, Oliver might
prove that he is in fact a good Brownlow were waiting so many and Mrs. Maylie. Brownlow best be characterized as
boy. Grimwig does not believe months previous. It will take has a plan for how to proceed, paternal. He withholds certain
that this is possible, but little, this time, to convince although the plan galls information from Oliver that he
Brownlow is clearly excited by Brownlow that Oliver was Lorsborne, who is impetuous feels would hurt or frighten the
the prospect that Oliver was, virtuous all along, and was and wants to act that night: small boy, and he hopes that by
after all, telling the truth, and merely the victim of terrible they will wait until the next hiding this information from
that his leaving Brownlow was circumstances. Sunday (it is Tuesday), and Oliver he might bring about a
not of Oliver's choosing. At send Rose to speak again with plan which ultimately protects
this point, Rose asks Oliver to 1 2 3 4 Nancy on London Bridge, with the boy. This is a far cry from the
enter the parlor (he has been the aim of getting more kind of information-withholding
waiting outside the door). information about Monks. practices practiced by those in
Brownlow says that all these the workhouse, such as Bumble,
Brownlow is overjoyed to see Mrs. Bedwin has stayed
developments should be kept who wished merely to make
Oliver again, as is Mrs. steadfastly in Oliver's corner
from Oliver (who has money off the "sale" of Oliver as
Bedwin, who states, once since his stay at Brownlow's the
overheard nothing, yet, of their an apprentice.
more, that she never believed first time. Bedwin knew, all along,
plans), and he agrees that
that Oliver was a bad boy in that Oliver possessed a 1 2 3 4
Grimwig and Harry should be
the first place. Rose goes out fundamental goodness that
brought in to help. With this
of the parlor with Brownlow to could not be taken away. This
plan made, the meeting breaks
tell him all the information goodness was also seen, in Oliver,
up till morning.
Rose has relayed to her. by Rose and Mrs. Maylie, when
Brownlow, hearing all, pledges first they laid eyes on him.
to tell Lorsborne all that had CHAPTER 42
taken place, while Rose 1 2 3 4
On the same night that Nancy Noah Claypole might have been
returns to the hotel to inform dosed Sikes with laudanum believed to have been out of the
Mrs. Maylie. Rose and and visited Rose, Noah narrative for good, but here he is
Brownlow part, and Oliver Claypole and his now-partner introduced again, as a young
leaves with Nancy. Charlotte (it is unclear if they aspiring criminal on his way to
Lorsborne is furious with Lorsborne's characteristic are legally married) are London. In this way, Noah's
Nancy when he hears that she impetuosity is on display in this walking to London, with only a journey, with Charlotte, to
is responsible for dragging scene; though Lorsborne is a kind small bit of clothing tied to London on foot mirrors Oliver's
Oliver back to Fagin, when man, and one with a generous sticks they are carrying. Both journey so many months before.
Oliver was en route to the spirit, he has a hard time have escaped Sowerberry, and And, like Oliver, Noah will soon
bookseller. Brownlow asks understanding how someone in are coming to London to seek come into contact with Fagin.
him, politely, to be calm, since Nancy's position could endanger, their fortune. They stumble
upon a pub called the Three 1 2 4 5
only by proceeding calmly will willfully, the life of a poor child,
they be able to solve the true by leading him back to Fagin. Cripples, where they stop for
mystery: that of Oliver's refreshment, as they have
parentage, and of his 1 2 3 4 traveled a long distance and
inheritance, of which eaten and drunk very little.
Brownlow feels Oliver has
been defrauded.

Noah requests of Barney, who Dickens here makes reference to Fagin says he has "a friend" Once again, Fagin leverages his
is working at the Cripples that a common theory among who does some criminal work; information and places himself in
night, some beef and ale, and Victorians, the idea that one's Noah realizes that he more or a position of power by claiming
he and Noah sit in a small "looks," or "physiognomy," could less has to help Fagin, now, in that he could turn Noah in to the
room, eating and drinking. tell an observer important his this criminal enterprise, police for Noah's desire to
Barney then goes in the back information about that person's since Fagin has overheard him become a criminal, should Noah
of the pub and meets with personality, or even moral discussing his desire for illegal find it necessary to go his own
Fagin; both of them are able to outlook. Fagin believes he sees, in employment, and Fagin could way and disregard Fagin's orders.
observe Noah and Charlotte Noah, the shadow of a criminal take this information Fagin is a master at manipulating
through a small and out-of- temperament, and so he pursues immediately to the police. people without having to resort
sight window into the room in Noah to that end. Noah asks for some "light" to the threat of physical
which the pair is eating. Fagin, work to begin with, as he does violence—in other words, unlike
not knowing of Noah's 1 2 4 5 not have much experience with people like Sikes.
connection to Oliver, simply crime in the big city of London.
likes the man's "looks," and the Fagin says he has just the thing 1 2 3 4 5
fact that Noah seems capable for Noah—Noah will steal
of "controlling" his wife. Fagin small amounts of money from
vows that he can "use" Noah. children, given them by their
mothers, in certain parts of the
Fagin comes in just as Noah Fagin is nothing if not observant.
city. He will be a robber of little
was discussing how he Although he does not know
boys and girls. Noah agrees to
intended to make money in exactly from where Noah and
this, and introduces himself to
London through petty Charlotte come, he does know
Fagin as Mr. Bolter, here with
thievery—pickpocketing and that they have come from the
his wife Mrs. Bolter.
the like. Fagin notices that the country; Fagin is too sly to say,
two are from the country however, what he really means,
based on the dust on their which is not that the dust tipped CHAPTER 43
shoes—Noah is impressed by him off to their country origins, The next day at Fagin's An incredibly important scene in
this detection. Fagin indicates but rather their behavior apartment, when Noah comes the novel, and one that has
that he overheard Noah and did—Noah and Charlotte are to meet Fagin's "friend," with become, understandably, quite
Charlotte talking about illegal terrified of the city, and it is whom he is to work, he finds famous. Fagin inverts the
activities, but he says the two obvious. Fagin instead. Noah is commonplace idea that one
are lucky, as he, Fagin, is also surprised that Fagin is the should look out for "Number
"in that line of work" himself. 1 2 3 4 5
"friend" he mentioned, but One" (oneself), by arguing that
Noah and Charlotte are Fagin answers that every man he, Fagin, is also always Number
stunned and listen attentively is his own best friend—every One, and so everyone should also
to Fagin. man is his own "number one." look out for Fagin's interests.
Fagin explains to Noah that he
must look out for two number 1 2 3 4 5
ones, in order to be successful
as a criminal: Noah himself
(number one), and Fagin (the
absolute number one of all).

Fagin says that the more Noah As with Oliver, Fagin threatens Noah is dressed in different It seems that the police have had
values the first, the more he Noah, again, with the prospect of clothes and given directions to a "file" on the Dodger for some
will have to value the second, hanging, should Noah find it the court. Once there he picks time, but have been unable to
and vice versa; Fagin also necessary to "peach," or rat out out the Artful Dodger right nab him. The Dodger, far from
threatens Noah with hanging, the remainder of the group. This away, by his flamboyant style trying to avoid detection, wishes
at the hands of justice, if he is how fear keeps the band of of dress and characteristically rather to be famous among
disobeys. Fagin explains to criminals together. But that fear swaggering manner. The London criminals.
Noah how one of his best is all that keeps the gang forever, Dodger has his charges read
hands, the Artful Dodger, was in contrast to the bonds of love against him by the judge, and a 1 3 4
taken by police just the that Oliver seems able to forge policeman corroborates the
previous day, for stealing a between people. story and argues that the
snuff box. Dodger has committed many
1 3 4 5 more thefts as well.
Charley Bates comes to Fagin The Dodger's crime has come The judge sentences the Fagin believes that the Dodger's
to inform him that the police off-stage, and only his Dodger to time in a penal court performance will "go down
have additional evidence punishment will be narrated to colony, and the Dodger, rather in history," but it is not clear that
against the Dodger linking him the reader. Again, one gets the than fighting this sentence, anyone in the court will
to other thefts—this means he sense that, perhaps, Dickens had merely tells the whole court remember the Dodger's words
will be sent away for a long more he wanted to show of the they'll regret sentencing him. beyond the day of his court
time, possibly to a penal Dodger, but he ran out of space He is taken away by guards in proceeding. But Fagin needs to
colony. Bates is upset—not his or time to do it. It should be cuffs, and Noah returns, create this air of myth and legend
usual laughing self—and cries noted, also, that the Dodger, meeting up with Bates halfway, in order to keep the group from
to Fagin that no one will know despite his fame in the novel, has to Fagin's, to tell of the disbanding, for fear of getting
of all the Dodger's wonderful relatively few appearances—but Dodger's glorious rebuke to caught.
thefts and deeds. Fagin replies, the character is so vividly drawn, the courts.
however, that the trial is a he remains a touchstone of the 1 3 4
matter of public record, and novel and of Dickens' work in
perhaps the Dodger will general. CHAPTER 44
announce some of his greater
criminal achievements aloud to 1 3 4 5 Nancy, back at Sikes' Nancy is being torn apart by her
the assembled crowds when apartment, worries that she loyalties, as are many
he is judged. This, Fagin says, must attempt to protect Oliver "informants" placed in Nancy's,
will increase the Dodger's while hiding her exertions from or similar, positions. But Nancy is
fame, and deservedly so. both Sikes and Fagin. She does steadfast in her unwillingness to
not know how much longer she send Fagin and Sikes to jail—she
Fagin's description of the Noah is not in a very strong can do this, and despite her alone among all the criminals
Dodger's fame seems to bargaining position—he has just belief that both men are "vile," seems to feel loyalty and love for
assuage Charley a bit, and they agreed, more or less, to do she still feels a certain loyalty them, even though she knows of
realize they need someone to whatever Fagin demands of him. to them, and does not want their essentially evil or corrupt
witness the Dodger's trial. No And it is true that no one in simply to give them up to the natures.
one can go except for Noah, London recognizes Noah, authorities.
since all others have faces that although, understandably, Noah 1 2 3 4
could be recognized by the still hesitates to go near the
authorities. At first, Noah authorities who have the power
hesitates to go near a hall of to put him in prison.
justice, since he, too, is illegal
(having left his assigned village, 1 3 4
as a pauper), but Fagin
convinces Noah to do it.

Fagin comes over that night, a Fagin, on the other hand, is all- CHAPTER 45
Sunday, to join Nancy and too-happy to turn on his "friend"
Noah comes to Fagin's the Noah is happy to perform any
Sikes. Nancy is eager to meet Sikes, if it means that Fagin
next morning for breakfast. task that does not seem to offer
Rose on the London Bridge, stands to gain from the
Fagin congratulates Noah on him the possibility of physical
and asks Sikes if she can go out arrangement. Nancy does not
the trinkets he stole from harm. Spying, then, is a perfect
(although of course not saying seem interested in Fagin's
children the previous day, after activity for Noah—one that
she is to meet Rose); Sikes says proposal, perhaps because she
checking on the Dodger at the allows him to be of use for Fagin,
no, and when Nancy protests, understands that Fagin is not to
court. Fagin says he has a new and which keeps him, or so he
Sikes yells at her, angrily, and be trusted. Indeed, although
proposition for Noah: that he thinks, significantly out of harm's
says she will go nowhere. Sikes is physically dangerous and
act as a spy on a "young way.
Nancy gets even more upset imposing, Nancy appears, at
woman." Noah readily agrees
and begins to weep, but Sikes least in these scenes, able to 1 2 3 4
to this. Fagin himself spies on
insists she will not leave the control him; far more terrifying is
Nancy for six days, and realizes
apartment. As Fagin is leaving, the untrammeled cunning of
that, on Sunday, she intends
however, he pulls Nancy aside, Fagin.
again to go out to see her
out of Sikes' hearing, and tells
1 2 3 4 "lover."
Nancy that if she ever needs
help against Sikes, he is happy Fagin takes Noah to the A motif is then developed in the
to provide it. Nancy does not Cripples pub that Sunday novel: of conversations being
understand what Fagin's evening, and, through the trick overheard, or partially overheard,
motive is in helping her, but pane of glass in the secret by other characters. Noah is
says "thank you" to Fagin room (from which Fagin once spied on by Fagin, earlier, and
regardless. Fagin leaves. observed Noah), Noah Fagin blackmails Noah with that
observes Nancy. He says he information; then Noah is tasked
Fagin believes, as he is walking Fagin's assumption, funnily
would recognize her with doing the same thing to
home, that Nancy was eager to enough, dovetails with the
anywhere, and will follow her Nancy.
see a new lover, and that standard assumption of any kind
the whole night. Fagin wishes
Nancy knows that, if she were of romantic tragedy—that one 1 2 3 4
him good speed, and after
to leave Sikes for another man, party is seeing another person,
Nancy has left the Cripples for
Sikes would become and that the relationship is
her meeting, Noah heads out
murderous with rage. Fagin falling apart. Little does Fagin
after her, directed initially by
wonders whether he can know, however, that Nancy has
Barney (holding open the
convince Nancy to poison no lover, only a friend, in Rose.
tavern door), and into the
Sikes—Fagin himself has
1 2 3 4 night.
grown tired of Sikes' raging,
and feels he can gain a larger
share from the crimes they
commit if Sikes is no longer
living.
To this end, Fagin vows to send Fagin has figured out a gambit
someone along to follow which will not result in very much
Nancy the next time she goes gain for him, but will wind up
out to meet the person Fagin killing Nancy, and forcing Sikes to
believes to be a lover; Fagin flee for his life, to the
can then use this information countryside, and to another
to blackmail Nancy into killing flophouse in London.
Sikes. Happy with this plan,
Fagin walks briskly back to his 1 2 3 4
apartment building, happy at
his own cunning.

CHAPTER 46 Nancy describes Monks to Once again, Brownlow appears
Rose and Brownlow, and tells to recognize someone, in the
Nancy keeps arrives at the Brownlow tends to make moral
how he might be found at the same way that he recognized
bridge, and Rose and decision quickly. When he first
pub the Three Cripples. Oliver and Oliver's similarity to
Brownlow arrive just after her. met Oliver, after he believed
Brownlow gives a start at the the picture of his mother
Noah sneaks along the bridge Oliver had taken his "wipe,"
description of a scar on Monks' Brownlow hangs in his parlor. It
and hides himself in an alcove Brownlow looked closely at the
face—he believes he might is perhaps hard to believe that
just below the three; he is in a boy and realized, all of a sudden,
have seen Monks before. Brownlow's interactions with
position to hear all, and that Oliver was incapable of
Brownlow thanks Nancy for Oliver's father were so distant in
escapes detection. Although theft. Here, after hearing very
her information, and the past that he does not
Brownlow at first questions little from Nancy, Brownlow is
Brownlow and Rose attempt immediately figure out the
Nancy's truthfulness, after convinced that she is telling the
to convince Nancy to come novel's central mystery, but of
Nancy begins to speak, and truth, and that he can trust her.
with them, and not to go home course, without that there would
tells of how Sikes would not Of course, Brownlow was deeply
to the dangerous Sikes. But be no novel.
allow her to leave the shaken when he believed in
Nancy says she cannot leave
apartment last week, and how Oliver and then Oliver ran 1 2 3 4
him, nor the rest of her
she again had to drug him with away—which was, perhaps, why
criminal "friends."
laudanum this week to escape, Brownlow then tried so hard to
Brownlow seems convinced of find out more information about Rose is deeply upset that Rose tries, for the second time to
her earnestness. Brownlow Oliver's life. Nancy will not go with them, convince Nancy that she can be
tells Nancy that they need to and that Nancy will take no helped by Rose and the Maylie
formulate a plan to get 1 2 3 4 money from them. Nancy tells family if she leaves Sikes. But
information about Oliver from Rose and Brownlow that, one Nancy denies Rose's help for the
the mysterious man Monks. day soon, she (Nancy) will die last time, and when she heads
and become another forgotten back to Sikes' apartment, she will
Brownlow says that, if they Nancy repeats, for the third time,
soul in London. Rose is not leave there alive. Nancy
cannot secure Monks, then her wish that neither Fagin nor
shocked to hear this, but seems to foresee her fate.
Nancy will have to hand over Sikes get in trouble because of
Brownlow tells her they must
Fagin to them. Nancy becomes the information she (Nancy) will 1 2 3 4
depart, and they do so; Nancy
upset at this, however, saying provide to Brownlow. Just as
departs in a different direction
that, though Fagin and Sikes Rose knits together her family,
just after. After all three leaves,
are vile men, she cannot betray Nancy offers the possibility of a
Noah sneaks back to tell Fagin
them; she has no relationship social bond among the
what he has heard.
with Monks, and therefore criminals—but her awful fate will
does not feel the same loyalty highlight how impossible such
to him. Brownlow and Rose bonds of love are to maintain CHAPTER 47
promise that, if they get the among criminals. The chapter opens with Noah Fagin thought he would have a
information about Oliver they asleep on the floor of Fagin's different situation for
need, no harm will come to 1 2 3 4 apartment. Fagin is plotting blackmail—he thought he could
Fagin or Sikes without Nancy's based on the information use Nancy's lover for this
consent. Nancy is relieved to Noah has overheard. Fagin is purpose—but he realizes, quickly,
hear this. partially upset that Nancy is that he can cause Sikes to kill
not seeing a lover, and that Nancy, and thus cause Sikes to
therefore Fagin cannot be chased by police for a crime
blackmail her; but Fagin unrelated to Fagin.
recognizes, in this turn of
events, that he might be able 1 2 3 4
to spin circumstances to his
advantage. While Fagin is thus
stewing, Sikes enters the
apartment.

Fagin reveals to Sikes, slowly, The die has been cast—after this CHAPTER 48
that Nancy has spoken to "a point, Nancy will no longer walk
The next morning, Sikes is Nancy's death is accomplished in
gentleman and a lady" on free. It is ironic and horrifying to
sitting in his apartment, staring an instant, but Sikes regrets it
London Bridge; he insinuates consider that this is how Nancy
at Nancy's body, which he has almost as quickly. Silks regret
to Sikes that Nancy has is repaid for her loyalty—she is
tried to cover with a rug, but to seems to be in part selfish—that
"peached," or told of Sikes' and killed, in an instant, by the man
no avail—there is too much he knows there is nothing he can
Fagin's illegal activities. Fagin who is supposed to love her, and
blood in the apartment, and it do to protect himself. Yet at the
wakes up Noah, who also tells to protect her. But such is the
is driving Sikes mad. Sikes same time, Sikes also seems truly
Sikes that Nancy has been nature of the social "bonds"
attempts to clean his shoes distraught that he has killed
drugging him at night in order connecting those in Fagin's gang.
and leaves the apartment, Nancy, as if he senses that she
to get him asleep and allow
1 2 3 4 Nancy's body still inside, with felt a real kind of love for him—a
herself out of their shared
his dog; he does not know love now forever beyond
apartment. Sikes is infuriated
where he is going, but he no him—and he repaid her with
by this information and vows
longer can stay alone with the death. Sikes' desperation in this
to retaliate against Nancy.
body. and the following chapters is
Fagin has therefore spun the There is little Nancy can say to truly something to behold;
turn of events, lying to Sikes stop Sikes at this point. It is out of Dickens is a powerful writer of
that Nancy has sold out Fagin the question that Sikes would this kind of abjection.
and Sikes, when in reality stop to consider whether Fagin
Nancy has avoided doing just had a vested interest in lying to 1 3 4 5
that. Sikes returns to his him about Nancy's Sikes wanders all day, and ends Another coincidence, and
apartment in a fury, and involvement—Sikes does not go up in a town where he meets a instance of dramatic irony: the
screams at Nancy that she is in for those types of hawker selling a product that audience, or reader, knows that
an ingrate and a liar. Nancy psychological games. He merely can "get stains out of Sikes has just killed someone and
attempts to defend herself by resorts to violence. anything—any kind of stains." that the stain the man attempts
telling the truth—that she did The hawker sees a spot of to rinse can never be rinsed. But
not betray Sikes and 1 3 4
blood on Sikes' clothes, and the man selling his wares does
Fagin—but Sikes strikes her attempts to get it out with this not know this, nor does he
twice, on the head, with his product. Sikes is aghast and understand why Sikes seems so
pistol, knocking a deep gash in moves on. He walks by two upset.
her skull. He then beats her guards, who are talking of a
with a club until she dies. murder in London, and it 1 3 4 5
seems, from this information,
that they are speaking
specifically of Nancy's murder.
Sikes is alarmed and continues
his aimless journey.

Sikes attempts to sleep in a This conflagration is an apt It is revealed by Monks, when Another, and perhaps the
barn but is tormented by metaphor for Sikes state of mind. the servants have gone, that crowning, coincidence of the
thoughts of his deed, and as he Try as he might to put out the Monks is Brownlow's "father's novel. Brownlow is not just a
walks, later that night, he flames of guilt even as he helps to oldest friend." This is, naturally, disinterested party—he has a
comes upon a farm-building put out the fire, he can only a shock to the reader but not relationship with Oliver's father,
that has gone up in flames. To contain them—he cannot stop to the two men in the scene. and in becoming Oliver's
distract himself from his own the fire completely. This bit of Brownlow also explains (aloud, stepfather, at the novel's end,
mind, Sikes takes up water- physical activity helps Sikes to and for the reader's benefit), Brownlow is fulfilling a duty to a
pails and helps the villagers to "lose himself" for a moment, but that Monks' real name is long-lost friend of his, one that
put out the fire. That next soon he will have to come to Edward Leeford, and that a that friend, Leeford, could never
morning, the fire having been terms, once more, of the fact that woman whose maiden name have anticipated being
put out, Sikes hears some of he has killed his lover, and will be was Leeford, and was related necessary.
the firemen talking of the brought to justice for it, as all to Monks' father, was
murder, and saying that they London is discussing the murder. Brownlow's wife, who now is 1 3 4
heard the murderer has fled to dead. Brownlow says he is glad
Birmingham. Sikes walks away, 1 3 4 5 that Monks no longer goes by
now even more conscious of Leeford, since Monks has
his need to escape detection, sullied that name.
and more paranoid that he will
Brownlow tells Monks that he Though Monks might be a fairly
be caught.
has a brother—Monks does accomplished criminal, he is not
Sikes realizes that his dog Sikes wants to kill the dog out of not at first admit that this is nearly so good at lying as is
could be used to identify him. his instinct for self- true. But Brownlow continues: Fagin. Brownlow then goes in for
He resolves to kill the dog, but preservation—the same instinct Brownlow knows, he says, that a great deal of explanation that
as he calls it over—the two are that made him kill Nancy. The Monks' father and mother is, of course, not necessary for
hiding in a culvert near the dog seems to sense this, though, were brought together in Monks to hear, but is absolutely
road, to pass part of the leaving Sikes truly and totally marriage by Monks' necessary for the reader to hear.
day—the dog runs off, as if alone, with nothing left to live grandfather, that Monks' Monks' denials allow Brownlow
knowing that Sikes wishes to for—no love, no home, not even father never wanted the to outline the facts of the case in
kill it. Sikes is now left alone, his dog. marriage, and that Monks is extreme detail.
with his thoughts, and with no the only child of that union.
plan for where to live, or how 1 3 4 5 When Monks was a boy of 1 2 3 4
to return to London, if at all. about ten, however, his
parents separated, and his
CHAPTER 49 mother went to live in Europe,
while Monks' father stayed in
Between chapters, Brownlow Brownlow has captured Monk England. Monks denies that he
has found Monks at the "off-stage," that is, this action is knows this, too, but it seems
Cripples and has brought him, not narrated by the narrator. clear that he does know.
with help from servants, in a Perhaps, at this point, Dickens
carriage back to his felt it was necessary simply to
(Brownlow's) house. move the plot along, and to
Brownlow says that, if Monks resolve certain aspects of Monks'
yells or tries to get away, and Oliver's fates.
Brownlow will call immediately
for the police. Monks appears 1 3 4
calm but defeated.

Meanwhile, in England, It is, of course convenient and Brownlow tells Monks that it This, too, explains Brownlow's
Monks' father became friends necessary that the younger was he, Brownlow, who took trip to the West Indies—which,
with a naval officer with two daughter of the naval officer be Oliver in off the street, and again, may as well be a symbolic
daughters—one nineteen, and significantly younger than the Fagin purposely withheld from stand-in for a place so far away
the other only two or three. other daughter, Agnes, as that Monks the name Brownlow, as to be almost like another
Monks' father becomes younger daughter ends up being lest Monks should make the planet. Thus Brownlow didn't go
engaged to the elder of these Rose, who is closer to Oliver's age connection between the two. to the West Indies to escape
daughters. But Monks' father than she is to Oliver's mother's After Oliver was taken away by Oliver, but rather to find out
learned that he had inherited, age. Later it is revealed that in Nancy, back to Fagin's, more information about Oliver's
from a relation in Europe, a fact there was a will, which Brownlow realized who Oliver predicament.
good deal of money, and so Monk's mother destroyed, and so was, and vowed to find him.
Monks' father went to Europe Monks received his inheritance Brownlow went to the West 1 2 3 4 5
to get it—but in Rome Monks' through a crime. There is then a Indies because he believed
father became ill, and Monks' suggestion that through this Monks could be found there,
mother, along with Monks, original crime Monk's became but he did not find Monks, and
went to join him there. In ensnared in a life of crime—that so returned to London.
Europe Monks' father died of committing a crime morally
Monks hears all this but still Brownlow never produces this
this illness and left no will, nor tainted him in such a way that he
refuses to admit to his plans will, but it's enough when Monks
did he have a chance to marry could never stop committing
for Oliver. Monks tells admit to it, to know that the will
the elder daughter of the naval crime. This puts Oliver's
Brownlow he cannot prove exists—presumably this is also
officer. All Monks' father's goodness in a new light, that he
that Oliver is the child of enough to satisfy the authorities,
money went to his wife and to always refused to commit any
Monks' father and this who choose to allow Brownlow
Monks. crime even as a 10-year-old boy
woman. But Brownlow says he to administer this will, Brownlow
is what saves him. Dickens
can—he has found out that then chooses to disburse half the
portrays criminality as a kind of
Monks' mother destroyed a will to Monks and half to Oliver,
trap—where a single act of
will that did make mention to a meaning that Brownlow is in a
criminality forces most people
possible child of his union with position of executoriship—which
into an inescapable life of crime.
his fiancée. Brownlow has also is of course possible, since
1 2 3 4 heard that Monks destroyed Brownlow becomes Oliver's
bits of evidence he gained adoptive father.
Brownlow knows this because Finally, the mystery of the from Mrs. Bumble, "the only
Monks' father stopped to see portrait can be explained—the proof of Oliver's parentage." 1 2 3 4
Brownlow on his way to woman resembles Oliver so This knowledge is enough to
Europe to collect his much because Oliver is her own link Oliver to Monks' father.
inheritance. At this time flesh-and-blood. What is less
Monks' father gave Brownlow clear is: why would Brownlow Brownlow also declares, to The final straw. One notes that,
the portrait of his love that hang this portrait on his wall? Monks, that murder has been far earlier, Monks was reluctant
hangs in the parlor—the Because it was important to a done on account of this to kill Oliver, as he felt this would
picture of which Oliver was so friend of his? Because Brownlow secret—as Sikes, after all, killed inevitably drag the authorities
enamored—and on Monks' simply thought the image was a Nancy because he feared that into the affair. When Monks
father's death, Brownlow beautiful one? It's not explained, Nancy had given away the realizes that a woman has been
traveled to see this woman, but the picture had to be on the group (Fagin, Sikes, Monks, killed, he knows there is nothing
only to find out that, before wall so that Oliver could see it, and the boys) to the more he can do—the authorities
their marriage, the woman of and react to it. authorities. The accumulation will soon discover his plot, and he
nineteen and Monks' father of all this information stuns might as well surrender to a man
had had a liaison, and the 1 2 3 4 Monks, who agrees, finally, more inclined to help him,
woman was pregnant. The that Brownlow's story of the namely Brownlow.
woman's family abandoned events is true, and Monks says
he will swear to it in a signed 1 2 3 4
her, because they were
ashamed of her pregnancy affidavit.
before marriage.

Brownlow tells Monks he will The novel approaches, briskly, its Bates attempts to grapple with Crowds tends to assemble
protect him if he swears to this conclusion, after having wrapped Sikes and turn him over to the quickly in Dickens—as when
version of events. Losborne up this lengthy expository authorities himself. He cannot Oliver is captured "stealing" from
then enters and says that they conversation between Brownlow subdue Sikes, but Bates yells Brownlow, and a crowd quickly
have found Sikes' dog and and Monks. The other characters so much that a crowd begins forms in the street outside. Here,
have used it to locate the will be filled in on these details assembling outside the house, Dickens seems to be playing on
murderer; Losborne, later. hearing that perhaps the the incredibly packed urban
Brownlow, and Harry Maylie murderer is inside. Sikes density of London, which would
make haste to find Sikes and 1 2 3 4 refuses to give in, however, have allowed information to
capture him. Losborne also and wresting himself free from travel quite fast from tenement
says that the authorities are on Bates and the others, he takes to tenement building.
the lookout for Fagin. a rope and goes up onto the
roof of the house—he believes 1 3 4 5
CHAPTER 50 that the tide of the Thames is
high enough that he can swing
The chapter opens in a The last of the novel's criminal out from the house over the
dilapidated safehouse on the safehouses, and, of course, this river and escape that way. The
Thames river, in a poor section one is none too safe for anyone crowd outside is now over a
of London. Toby Crackit is inside. We begin learning, very hundred people.
hiding out there with Chitling quickly, what has happened to
and another, old thief named the other characters—Fagin, like In an effort to escape, Sikes Both Sikes and his dog die
Kags, trying to avoid detection other people of some importance ties one end of the rope gruesome deaths—the most
by the police, who are after all in the novel, is captured "off- around a chimney, and is gruesome in the novel. Although
of Fagin's group, after having stage" by authorities, although beginning to loop another Sikes is not hanged by the
been alerted to them by the reader does get to see him around the middle of his body, authorities, he is hanged by the
Brownlow. Chitling tells one more time before he is taken so that he can attempt his only person he has ever cared
Crackit what he knows: that off to be hanged. escape by lowering himself to about—himself. Though in seeing
Fagin was taken just that day, the river. But just as he is the eyes of Nancy before he dies
that the management of the 1 2 3 4 5 looping the rope over his neck, gives her a sort of revenge and
Cripples have also been he turns and believes he sees implies that it is guilt that kills
arrested (along with Noah and "the eyes" of Nancy, which him, or even that his death is a
Charlotte), and that Bates, still have been following him these kind of half-suicide, as if his
free for now, is on his way to many days and preventing him subconscious kills him. Sikes's
the safehouse. from sleeping. He stumbles dog dies out of loyalty to Sikes,
and falls; the rope, lodged just as Nancy did.
Sikes' dog comes bounding This marks a turning-point in around his neck, hangs him;
into the safehouse, followed Bates' character. Bates believed and Sikes accidentally kills 1 3 4 5
some hours later by Sikes, who that all the activities of the gang himself above the crowd. His
now resembles a "ghost." were funny, but once Nancy has dog runs and jumps after him,
Bates, who has arrived at the died, he realizes that the group's and falls to its death.
safehouse in the interim "fun and games" have real
(between the dog and Sikes), consequences; at this point, he
will not speak to Sikes, and turns against Sikes. Bates is the
finds him abhorrent. Sikes only criminal in the novel who
thought his friends would escapes criminality.
support him, but in general the
robbers are now simply afraid 1 2 3 4 5
of him, nor do they wish to
associate with him.

CHAPTER 51 After dinner, Brownlow brings Brownlow is oppositional to the
Monks before Oliver, and last, even though he knows that
Two days later, Oliver travels Oliver is finally informed of
declares that Monks and Oliver will, at this point, receive
by carriage with Rose, Mrs. everything having to do with his
Oliver are half brothers, that his inheritance. But the nature of
Maylie, Mrs. Bedwin, and own history, and with the plot
their father is Edward Leeford, Monks' anger against Oliver is
Brownlow. Oliver has been Monks has been organizing
Sr., and that Oliver's mother is much deeper-seated than was
told the nature of his against him. This, like other
a woman named Agnes originally shown. It is not just
connection to Monks, but important activities at the end of
Fleming. Monks says aloud that Monks wanted Oliver's
Oliver still does not the novel, also takes place
that Oliver is his "bastard" share of the money Edward left
understand the full nature of outside the frame of the narrated
brother, but Brownlow behind; Monks hates the very
his backstory, and he is anxious story, as the reader is already
immediately corrects this, idea that so virtuous a child can
to discover this truth. acquainted with what Oliver has
saying it is no fault of Oliver's. spring from a union that society
Brownlow and Lorsborne have yet to learn.
Brownlow declares, aloud, so has determined "improper," the
also kept the details of Nancy's one between Agnes and Edward.
1 2 3 4 that Oliver might hear, what
murder and Sikes' death from There is also a sense that Monks
Monks knew from Leeford's
the ladies, until such a time despairs at his own inability to
will: that Oliver and his mother
when he can tell them escape his criminality—a
were given equal parts of
properly. criminality that he sank into
Leeford's fortune, with Monks
Oliver tells Rose he looks Dick, perhaps forgotten by the and Monks' mother receiving a because of a crime he and his
forward to seeing Dick, and readers after his two short moderate annuity. Monks also mother would not have had to
promises that, this time, Oliver appearances in the novel to this declares that this will, though commit if Oliver never
will say "God bless you" to point, has nevertheless remained valid, he destroyed, in order to existed—and so he wants to drag
Dick. The town of his birth an important touchstone for prevent Oliver from gaining his Oliver down to the same moral
looks very small to Oliver now, Oliver: the first person who was inheritance. hell where he must reside.
and the party meets Grimwig, ever kind to him. Oliver's
who came out before them, at memory of Dick here sets the 1 2 3 4
the main hotel of the town, stage for the novel to reveal Monks also says that the It seems that Monks has always
where they are to stay for the Dick's fate just a little later on. father of Agnes Fleming, and had a penchant for misbehaving,
night. They have dinner the rest of the family (including as though his criminal nature is
together. 1 2 3 4
a much younger daughter), inborn in him, and not just a
fled to Wales and took on product of the society around
another name. Monks learned him. Though, again, its also
all these secrets from his own possible to trace Monk's
mother, who died of illness criminality back to his and his
when Monks was a young man. mother's first crime—destroying
Before this, Monks had stolen the will that would have given
a good deal of money from his Leeford's wealth to Oliver..
own mother, thus beginning
his criminal career in London. 1 2 3 4
Brownlow believes this to be
the start of Monks' shameful
behavior.

Mr. Bumble and Mrs. Bumble The Bumbles, finally, are called to Rose agrees to the marriage, The novel began with an
are then brought into the hotel account for what they have done. and the party appears happy, extended attack on the Poor
room, where they admit that Bumble is exposed as a until, at the end of the chapter, Laws and the state of the poor in
Mrs. Bumble took the pouch mediocrity and a terrible judge of Oliver receives word that, in England. As Oliver's adventure
from Sally, given by Agnes, character, and his wife is shown the workhouse, poor Dick has begins and his background is
which contains another link to be the mastermind of a very died. This bit of sadness mars revealed, that attack recedes. But
between Oliver and his small plot to enrich herself by 25 the proceedings, as Oliver had the story of Dick's fate brings
mother—this they gave to pounds. But soon the Bumbles hoped to bless Dick in return that attack back. Dick was as
Monks in the aforementioned will be suffering, stripped of their for the blessings Dick had kind as Oliver, as good as Oliver,
chapter, and Monks threw positions, in the workhouse. given him. but unlike Oliver his poverty
these items in the Thames, in killed him. In this way Dickens is
hopes of destroying Oliver's 1 2 3 4 able to once more show the
link to his past. But this was, of brutal unfairness and immorality
course, not successful. Bumble of the Poor Laws.
and Mrs. Bumble are humbled
in front of Brownlow and 1 2 3 4 5
Oliver.
One final revelation is in order: This coincidence is almost too CHAPTER 52
Rose is brought forward, and it much for the structure of the The chapter opens with Fagin Fagin's sentence has been
is declared that Rose is the book to bear; it does seem to in court, ready to hear the decided upon quickly, and will be
younger daughter of the naval strain credulity. But Dickens was sentence promulgated against carried out without delay. The
captain—the sister of Agnes not interested in writing him. Though he hopes against British justice system at this time
Fleming, Oliver's mother. This "realistic" fiction so much as he hope that he might be saved, did not have provisions for
means that Rose is Oliver's cared to write fiction that he looks at the faces in the appeal, nor the legal protections
aunt. Rose is thrilled to know generated a series of emotional gallery, and at others in the of "due process," meaning that
this, as is Oliver—the bond of states with which the reader courtroom, and sees he will be Fagin will die within days of his
kinship had already been could sympathize. Here, the convicted. The verdict is read trial.
strong between them. At this reader is happy to know that out, and he is indeed guilty. He
point, Harry Maylie comes in, Rose could be reunited with part is to be sentenced to death 1 3 4
to reiterate his proposal to of her family, and that Oliver, within several days. He is led to
Rose. He says that his also a good boy, should have so a stone cell, where he is to wait
circumstances have now noble and virtuous an aunt. out the remainder of his life.
changed—he is a country
1 2 3 4 Unrepentant and scared, Fagin These final scenes with Fagin
parson, having forgone the
can barely sleep. He begins seem designed to show how
"brilliant promotions" he was
hallucinating that he is still Fagin's power is broken, how his
to have in London—and he
commanding the group of guile and cunning are gone.
would like to marry Rose now,
boys, Bates and Oliver
since his future will not be 1 3 4
included. Then Brownlow
impeded by the union.
arrives with Oliver, and Fagin
wonders why they have come
to see him.

Brownlow says they have In addition, Fagin's cruelty and Noah and Charlotte receive One of the novel's more
come about some papers Fagin manipulation is here shown to be pardons for their small role in satisfying ironies—the Bumbles
has, the location of which no match for Oliver's goodness. the crimes of Fagin, but they are forced to become the
Fagin tells them—hidden in a Oliver has created an enduring become a con-man team, paupers they have always
chimney in his apartment. community of love while all of faking illness and taking money despised, showing them
Fagin has gone mad in his cell, Fagin's manipulation to scare his from people on the streets of firsthand that poverty is not
and Oliver, not afraid of him, "boys" into protecting "Number London. The Bumbles, necessarily a "natural" condition,
prays aloud for Fagin's One" has led him only to the removed of their positions by but rather something into which
forgiveness. They leave Fagin, gallows, to death. the law, eventually become people can fall. Dickens has given
and as Brownlow and Oliver paupers and must live in the them their comeuppance. Bates
walk out of the prison, they see 1 3 4 workhouse they once meanwhile, has escaped the
the gallows looming—about to managed. Giles and Brittles criminal life, but he too seems to
dispatch the man who once stay on to help in the Maylies' be partially punished for the life
controlled Oliver's life. new home, and Bates, having he used to lead—it is as if he has
repented for a life of crime, escaped hell but can only get so
CHAPTER 53 takes on a series of difficult far as purgatory.
jobs, mostly involving physical
The narrator closes out the It is now the job of the narrator labor. 1 2 3 4 5
novel by detailing the fortunes to tie in a bow the story of Oliver
of the characters. Rose and and his friends and former The narrator ends the novel by This is perhaps a strange note on
Harry marry, and they move to enemies. Monks, in keeping with describing Oliver's happiness which to end the novel, but
the country parsonage where his "biological" predilection to with his aunt Rose, his adopted Dickens wants to make clear to
Harry works; Mrs. Maylie crime, does not become good but father Brownlow, who Victorian audiences that Agnes
comes as well. Oliver's rather wastes the rest of his educates him in the books he does not "get a pass" for behavior
inheritance is meted out, by inheritance on criminal behavior; once promised Oliver would that no one in England, at the
Brownlow, half to Oliver and he is no better than when he read, all in the beautiful time, felt comfortable excusing.
half to Monks, since Brownlow started, before Oliver came into country village. The final Agnes gave birth to a virtuous
believes this money might his life. paragraph of the novel reveals boy, but she herself was not
allow Monks to start a new life that an empty tomb, one virtuous, an "imperfect vessel"
as a virtuous man. But Monks 1 2 3 4 5 without a coffin, has been kept from which a great deal of good
spends this money in the New for Agnes in the local did come.
World and remains a knave church—though she was a
loving woman, she was, 1 2 3 4 5
until his death.
according to the narrator,
Brownlow officially adopts Oliver has found, finally, the "weak and erring," for having
Oliver as his son. He and family that cares for him, that succumbed to her liaison
Oliver move to within a mile of can support him through times of before marriage. The novel
the parsonage where Harry strife. It is a bonus element that ends.
and Rose live. And Lorsborne, there are those in the family, like
inventing an excuse to be close Rose, who are related to Oliver
to the group he loves so much, by blood—but this is not HOW T
TO
O CITE
also moves near the parsonage necessary, Dickens shows, for a
It's easy to cite LitCharts for use in academic papers and reports.
"because the air agrees with strong family to develop. The
him"; he is very content to be bond between father and
near the family. Grimwig and adopted son here is a secure one, MLA CIT
CITA
ATION
Lorsborne have become good and a bond of love. And such Schlegel, Chris. "Oliver Twist." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 5 Jan 2014.
friends, and Grimwig often bonds, such family, are held up as Web. 26 Oct 2016.
jokes about the time when he the most powerful and important
did not believe Oliver to be a forces in the novel.
CHICA
CHICAGO
GO MANU
MANUAL
AL CIT
CITA
ATION
good boy.
1 2 3 4 5 Schlegel, Chris. "Oliver Twist." LitCharts LLC, January 5, 2014.
Retrieved October 26, 2016. http://www.litcharts.com/lit/oliver-
twist.

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3 4 •Mentioned or related char

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CHAPTER 27 QUOTES •Theme T

Say it again, you vile, owdacious fellow! . . . How dare you 1 3 4 5

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