Oliver Twist

### Themes

Good vs evil, crime and corruption, poverty and social class, cruelty and kindness

### Symbols

London Bridge, Bulls-eye, names, obesity, lightness and darkness

> "*Dignity, and even holiness too, sometimes, are more question of coat and waistcoat than some people imagine.*"
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**Oliver Twist; or The Parish Boy's Progress**, is an 1838 novel by Charles Dickens. Published serially under the pseudonym "Boz" in monthly instalments from 1837-39 before it was made into a 3-volume novel in 1838, Dickens' novel tells the tale of a young orphaned boy raised in a miserable workhouse. When he runs away to London, he is taken into a gang of thieves led by the master criminal Fagin.

Oliver Twist is Dickens' second novel after *The Pickwick Papers* and was even the first major Victorian novel to feature a child protagonist. It has also become one of Dickens' most beloved and popular works.

## Plot Summary

A child named Oliver Twist is born at a parish workhouse in a small English town. The boy's mother dies in childbirth, and the father is unknown, so Oliver is placed in a home for young orphans. When he is nine years old, he is sent back to the workhouse by the parish beadle, where he and the other children are mistreated and starved. Oliver was chosen to ask for some more food, and when he attempts for seconds, he's punished by the workhouse until Mr. Bumble puts him up for sale to anyone who would take him away and teach him a trade.

A chimney sweeper initially wants Oliver but intervenes, and then the local undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry, takes the child in as his apprentice. But after a charity boy named Noah Claypole insults Oliver's dead mother, the orphan fights Claypole and then runs away to London. As he reaches the city, Oliver meets another boy around his age named Jack Dawkins, who provides him shelter in a London house led by his master, Fagin.

Oliver doesn't know that Fagin is actually a master thief and teaches young boys he took in to steal for him. After a couple of training days, Oliver goes on a mission with Jack Dawkins, also known as the Artful Dodger and with one of the gang members, Charley Bates. As he witnesses the two boys rob a handkerchief from an old man, Oliver is shocked and tries to flee but is arrested and taken to the courthouse, where he falls ill with a fever. The robbery victim, Mr. Brownlow, takes pity on him and brings him back to his home to look after him.

Oliver recovers in Mr. Brownlow's house, and the old gentleman is surprised that the child resembles a portrait of a young woman in his home. But Fagin's gang members, Bill Sikes and Nancy, capture Oliver and bring him back to the lair. Later, Fagin sends Oliver to assist in a robbery alongside Sikes. During the break-in, Oliver is shot and wounded, and after Sikes escapes, the orphan is taken into the house by its inhabitants: Mrs. Maylie and her adopted young niece, Rose. With Mr. Brownlow away in the West Indies, Oliver stays with the Maylies. He becomes close with them and enjoys a blissful summer in the countryside at their cottage.

Meanwhile, Fagin and another man named Monks make a plan to capture Oliver and destroy his reputation. At the same time, Mrs. Corney, the matron of the workhouse who is now married to Mr. Bumble, is told by a dying old woman about a secret and gives her something she had robbed from Oliver's mother after she died. Monks later meet with the couple and discover that the trinket given to the Bumbles was a golden locket engraved "Agnes" on it. Monks gets rid of it by dropping it in the river.

After Nancy overhears Fagin and Monks' plan, she tells Rose everything she has heard. She tells her that Monks is Oliver's half-brother, and he plans to destroy the boy's reputation and steal his fortune. Upon Mr. Brownlow's return, Rose tells him Nancy's story, and they devise a plan. They meet at London Bridge at midnight to discuss Monk's capture. At the same time, Noah Claypole, whom Fagin sent to spy on Nancy, eavesdrops on the whole conversation and reports it back to Fagin. After Sikes hears what his master told him about Nancy, he kills her in a rage and flees to London.

Mr. Brownlow figures out Oliver's parentage. He has Monks captured and learns most of the story from him. He discovers that Monks' real name is Edward Leeford, and he is the son of Edwin Leeford and his estranged wife, Mrs. Leeford. After the couple separated, Mr. Leeford fell in love with a retired naval officer's daughter named Agnes Fleming. But Leeford died suddenly, leaving Agnes alone and pregnant, whose child would later be Oliver. Mr. Brownlow was entrusted the young woman's portrait, Mr. Leeford's friend, and Monks planned to go after Oliver and take back their father's will. Mr. Brownlow knows everything connected to Oliver, from the resembling portrait and the will to the lost locket.

Sikes arrives in London but is pursued by a mob coming after him. He attempts to escape but accidentally hangs himself. Mr. Brownlow and the Maylies bring Oliver before Monks, and the whole story is told, with details including Agnes fleeing from her home, ashamed of her illegitimate pregnancy and having Oliver at the workhouse. Rose is revealed to be Agnes' sister and Oliver's aunt.

Fagin is arrested, tried and executed, the Bumbles live in poverty, Monks dies in prison, Mr. Brownlow adopts Oliver, and the Maylies and Brownlows live happily together.

## Characters

Oliver Twist- The main protagonist. He is a poor but innocent orphan who has been mistreated since birth. He manages to escape, is taken in by thieves and is rescued by a kind old man named Mr. Brownlow. He is a kind, good-hearted boy who is charming around him and has good morals. His true identity is the novel's central mystery; after he finds out, he receives a large fortune, a home and a family.

Fagin- The leader of the pickpockets whom Oliver first stays with. He is a master criminal, although he never actually commits crimes himself. He is a mentor and father figure to the boys he took in from the streets and, trained to steal on his behalf, kept all the riches stolen in his hideout. He attempts to make a thief out of Oliver and even participates in Monk's devious plan for Oliver's fortune.

Nancy- A prostitute and member of Fagin's gang. She was obedient and loyal to Fagin's commands and her love interest, Bill Sikes. But after Oliver first arrived, she expressed her sympathy toward the boy. She would do anything to help him be safe from Fagin and Sikes, and she betrays the group by revealing Monk's plots. This ends up costing her own life from Sikes.

Rose Maylie- The adoptive niece of Mrs. Maylie. She is a pretty, compassionate young woman who becomes close to Oliver after he lives with her and her aunt and is willing to help him. She's also in love with Mrs. Maylie's son Harry, and at the end of the novel, not only is she able to marry him, but she is revealed to be Oliver's aunt, the younger sister of Oliver's late mother, Agnes Fleming.

Mr. Brownlow- A wealthy, elderly gentleman who first looks after Oliver after he was nearly convicted of theft. He is still loyal and trustworthy to the boy, even if he disappears after he takes him in. After seeing a young woman's portrait with the same features as Oliver, he is hopeful to aid him and discover his true identity. He has connections with one of Oliver's parents and later adopts Oliver and gives him home after learning the truth.

Monks- One of the main antagonists. He is an angry, sickly young man prone to severe epileptic fits. He conspires with Fagin to make Oliver a criminal and ruin his identity. His real name is Edward Leeford, and he is revealed to be Oliver’s half-brother; he is determined to ruin the young boy’s reputation and steal his fortune for himself.

Bill Sikes- A professional robber, member of Fagin’s gang and boyfriend to Nancy. He is ruthless, aggressive and cruel to the innocent, especially to Oliver, Nancy and even to his own dog, Bullseye. He leaves Oliver for dead after the boy was mortally wounded during a burglary and mercilessly kills Nancy after discovering her betrayal.

The Artful Dodger- One of the young criminals working for Fagin, whose real name is Jack Dawkins. He may be a few years older than Oliver but is known to dress and act like an adult. He was the one who introduced Oliver to the gang and is one of Fagin’s most intelligent thieves.

Charley Bates- Another of Fagin’s thieves and a close ally to the Artful Dodger. He often enjoys laughing and joking, but after hearing about Sikes killing Nancy, he becomes so heavily shaken that towards the end of the story, he leaves his criminal life behind and redeems himself by working in the fields.

Mr. Bumble- The parish beadle at the workhouse where Oliver was born. He had named the boy Oliver Twist from a habit of calling the workhouse children and is usually seen as respected and influential. In actuality, however, he mistreats Oliver and the other children. He eventually marries the workhouse matron, Mrs. Corney, but his marriage ruins him and his power.

Agnes Fleming- Oliver’s unmarried mother. She was a lovely young woman who fell in love with Mr. Leeford, a young man who befriended her father. She becomes pregnant with Leeford’s child and is even engaged to marry him. But after Mr. Leeford’s sudden death, Agnes is left alone and abandoned; she then dies anonymously after giving birth to her son in a workhouse. Oliver shares a striking resemblance to his mother.

Edwin Leeford- Oliver’s father. Deceased before the story begins, Mr. Leeford was initially married to Mrs. Leeford, whose son is Edward Leeford, a.k.a. Monks. After leaving his wife, Edwin falls in love and has a sexual relationship with Agnes Fleming. He plans to start a new life with Agnes and their child. After he dies suddenly in Rome, his property goes to Mrs. Leeford and Monks, which results in the novel's dramatic events, such as Oliver being born in poverty and his hidden identity.

Mrs. Maylie- A kind, elderly woman. He took in Rose Maylie and raised her as her niece, whose son Harry loves Rose. After she finds Oliver, she takes him in and lovingly treats him as her own, even spending time with her foster children at the family cottage in the countryside.

Dr. Losberne- Mrs. Maylie's physician. He looks after Oliver after he was shot during the attempted robbery and nurses Rose back to health as she falls ill with a fever. He later assists the women in protecting the boy, and in the end, he is almost accepted as part of the family by the Maylies.

Mrs. Bedwin- Mr. Brownlow's housekeeper. She is kind towards Oliver and never believes her master that the boy isn't a good child.

Harry Maylie- Mrs. Maylie's son. He is a handsome young man deeply in love with Rose and pursuing a political career path. He ends up planning to be a village parson to be able to marry Rose, while she initially knew she could not marry him due to her reputation and lower social status. In the end, however, both Harry and Rose are happily married.

Old Sally- An elderly pauper who looks after Oliver's mother as she gives birth to him. She then steals a locket from her that is an important clue to Oliver's identity.

Mr. Grimwig- Mr. Brownlow's friend. He is an eccentric, gruff old man who initially doesn't believe in Oliver's virtue and has a habit of uttering his common catchphrase, "I'll eat my hat." However, he eventually wishes him well once Oliver's virtuousness is exposed.

Mr. Gamfield- A cruel chimney sweep who nearly takes in Oliver as his apprentice.

Mr. Sowerberry- An undertaker whom Oliver lives with as his apprentice. Despite his job dealing with impoverished clients and burying their deceased loved ones, he is a kind man to Oliver.

Mrs. Sowerberry- Mr. Sowerberry's shrewd wife. Unlike her husband, Mrs. Sowerberry is cruel towards Oliver and criticizes Mr. Sowerberry for his ideas of making Oliver's life decent with them.

Noah Claypole- A charity boy who is also an apprentice of Mr. Sowerberry. He bullies Oliver and even mocks his deceased mother. Later, he becomes a member of Fagin's gang.

Charlotte- The Sowerberry's servant. She also mistreats Oliver but later becomes romantically involved with Noah Claypole.

Mrs. Corney- A matron of the workhouse where Oliver was born. She was a widow for 25 years until she married Mr. Bumble, but their marriage is miserable as she humiliates and dominates him.

Toby Crackit- A member of Fagin's gang who participates in the attempted robbery with Sikes and Oliver.

Bull's eye- Sikes' bull terrier dog is just as vicious as his owner and serves as his alter ego.

Mrs. Leeford- Monks' mother and Mr. Leeford's wife. She is a heartless wife to her husband; after his sudden death, she destroys the will that contained half of the property that would have gone to Oliver.

Mrs. Mann- The superintendent of the juvenile workhouse where Oliver was raised in the early years of his life. She selfishly keeps the money for herself that was supposed to be paid for the children's welfare, which results in Oliver and the others in her care being mistreated and starved.

Mr. Giles- Mrs. Maylie's pompous but devoted butler.

Mr. Brittles- A short, stout man who had worked for Mrs. Maylie for years and may be mentally disabled.

Blathers and Duff- Two police officers from Bow Street who investigate the attempted robbery at Mrs. Maylie's home.

Barney- A Jewish waiter at The Three Cripples tavern, is one of Fagin's associates.

Bet- A pickpocket turned prostitute who works for Fagin. She's a close friend of Nancy and was the one who found her body after Sikes killed her.

Mr. Fang- A magistrate who presides over Oliver's trial after he was accused of stealing.

Tom Chitling- A member of Fagin's gang.

Dick- A sickly orphan and Oliver's friend at the workhouse.

Mr. Kags- An associate of Toby Crackit.

Mr. Limbkins- The chairman of the workhouse board.

The Man in the White Waistcoat- A member of the board.

## Writing History/Reception

By the mid-1830s, Dickens’ writing career was getting started while working as a journalist and publishing short stories and sketches under the pseudonym “Boz.” The Poor Law of 1834 was adopted around this time, which resulted in impoverished people not receiving payments or welfare unless they lived in a workhouse, where they were mistreated or starved. As a child growing up in poverty and forced to work hard labour in a blacking factory after his father was imprisoned for debt, Dickens was appalled and disgusted by how the poor were being treated.

In 1837, after his first novel, *The Pickwick Papers,* was published, Dickens began work on *Oliver Twist*. Dickens was only 25 years old at the time, having been married to his wife Catherine Hogarth and already a father to his firstborn child. The 18-year-old Princess Victoria was crowned queen that same year, and the Victorian era began. Every month, Dickens would publish each chapter of his second serially in *Bentley’s Miscellany* magazine. However, he had missed the deadline to have another chapter serialized as he was grieving the loss of his beloved sister-in-law, Mary Hogarth.

Every chapter ended with a cliffhanger from 1837-39, and many readers were eager to know what happened next in the story until the next chapter was published. Eventually, once all the chapters were serialized, it was completed into a novel in 1838. *Oliver Twist* was mostly met with critical acclaim, as Dickens used the characters, storyline and themes to criticize the harsh treatment of the impoverished and workhouses and write a social attire on criminality in early 19th century England. It would even become one of his greatest novels, and the success of  *Oliver Twist* earned him fame for being a successful writer. However, the novel also had some controversies. Some readers were horrified by its depiction of crime and poverty, including the scene where Sikes brutally kills Nancy. Some critics had even criticized Dickens for being antisemitic, primarily for Fagin’s character design, who is depicted as “ *a very shrivelled Jew, whose villainous-looking and repulsive face was obscured by a quantity of matted red hair*.” Throughout the book, he has even been referred to as the Jew hundreds of times. The Jewish Chronicle in 1854 wrote, “ *Jews alone should be excluded from 'the sympathizing heart' of this great author and powerful friend of the oppressed.”* Dickens responded to the criticism by stating that Fagin was the only Jewish man in the story, and the remaining characters were Christians. He edited most chapters that referred to Fagin as the “Jew” in the 1860s.

Despite its criticism and harsh themes, *Oliver Twist* has never been out of print and featured some of English literature's most iconic characters and scenes.

## Symbols

### London Bridge

London Bridge is where Nancy meets Rose Maylie and Mr. Brownlow to give them information on capturing Monks. The bridge symbolizes how it connects two worlds; the one side of London is where the idyllic and wealthy live, such as Rose and Mr. Brownlow, and the other is where the impoverished and criminals thrive, such as Nancy and Sikes. London Bridge also symbolizes Nancy's only chance to leave behind her life of crime and turn over a new leaf, but it is an offer she refuses as her loyalty to Fagin's gang prevents her from moving on. After the meeting, that opportunity is never brought up again.

### Bullseye

Bill Sikes' dog symbolizes his owner's character traits and behaviour; the dog is also vicious and barbaric like Sikes. However, Bulls-eye also represents Nancy, as he is loyal to Sikes and is a signal of his guilt after killing Nancy. Sikes tries to get rid of the dog as he is afraid that Sikes will get him into trouble with the authorities. No matter how hard he tries, Sikes' canine companion constantly gives him a grim reminder of Nancy's appearance, which haunts Sikes until he accidentally hangs himself while trying to escape.

### Names

Several characters' names present their traits and their impact on the story. Oliver Twist's name is the most obvious. While it was given to him by accident, his surname 'Twist' symbolizes the plot twists of his background, such as that he is the heir to a fortune passed down to him. Rose's name symbolizes her innocence and youth, as her derived name, the flower rose, symbolizes virtue in Christianity. Mr. Bumble's name symbolizes his bumbling but greedy personality, and the Artful Dodger's name symbolizes him being able to easily avoid the police and his appealing nature through his outrageous clothing and attitude.

### Lightness and darkness

Dickens used light and darkness to represent the atmosphere of Oliver's different environments throughout the story. Darkness symbolizes the cruelty and poverty of Oliver's early life; he was forced to sleep in a dark room as punishment for asking for more and even had to sleep in the dark, creepy room where the coffins were kept at Mr. Sowerberry's shop. The neighbourhood where Fagin's lair is located is a decaying, run-down neighbourhood in London where Oliver finds himself trapped in a labyrinth of darkness where nobody would be able to help him.

Lightness symbolizes refreshment and new hope. After Oliver is rescued and cared for by Mr. Brownlow and the Maylies, their loving kindness brings a bright future and life for Oliver as he regains his innocence and thrives in the light of their presence. Lightness also symbolizes exposure to darkness. In one scene, the narrator describes how a ray of sunlight shone on Nancy's body in the room where she was killed; therefore, the lightness will expose the criminals to be brought to justice for their crimes.

## Foreshadowing

* A portrait of a young woman is found in Mr. Brownlow's house, and a locket Old Sally stole from Oliver's deceased mother. Foreshadows the truth about Oliver's parentage.