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Oliver Twist

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Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Oliver Twist: Introduction

Oliver twist: plot summary, oliver twist: detailed summary & analysis, oliver twist: themes, oliver twist: quotes, oliver twist: characters, oliver twist: symbols, oliver twist: literary devices, oliver twist: theme wheel, brief biography of charles dickens.

Historical Context of Oliver Twist

Other books related to oliver twist.

• Full Title: Oliver Twist, or, The Parish Boy's Progress
• When Written: Written serially, February 1837 to April 1839
• Where Written: London, England
• When Published: February 1837 to April 1839; revised 1847
• Literary Period: Victorian
• Genre: Victorian social novel; Bildungsroman (novel of education); novel of morality
• Setting: London, England, and the countryside surrounding, 1830s
• Climax: Oliver is shot by a servant of the Maylies; he recovers under their care, and begins the process of learning his true parentage
• Antagonist: Monks and Fagin
• Point of View: third-person omniscient

Extra Credit for Oliver Twist

Musical adaptation. Many have come to know the general story of Oliver Twist via the musical Oliver! , which premiered in 1960 in London, and which was made into a successful motion picture in 1968. The musical retains many of the characters made most famous in the novel, including Fagin and the Artful Dodger.

Dickens' 'Oliver Twist': Summary and Analysis

A Gritty, Crusading Work of Art

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Oliver Twist is a well-known story, but the book is not quite as widely read as you might imagine. In fact, Time Magazine's list of the top 10 most popular Dickens' novels put Oliver Twist in 10th place, even though it was a sensational success in 1837 when it was first serialized and contributed the treacherous villain Fagin to English literature .  The novel has the vivid storytelling and unimpeachable literary skill that Dickens brings to all his novels, but it also has a raw, gritty quality that may drive some readers away.

Oliver Twist was also influential in bringing to light the cruel treatment of paupers and orphans in Dickens' time. The novel is not only a brilliant work of art but an important social document.

'Oliver Twist': Indictment of the 19th-Century Workhouse

Oliver, the protagonist, is born in a workhouse in the first half of the nineteenth century. His mother dies during his birth, and he is sent to an orphanage, where he is treated badly, beaten regularly, and poorly fed. In a famous episode, he walks up to the stern authoritarian, Mr. Bumble, and asks for a second helping of gruel. For this impertinence, he is put out of the workhouse.

Please, Sir, Can I Have Some More?

He then runs away from the family that takes him in. He wants to find his fortune in London. Instead, he falls in with a boy called Jack Dawkins, who is part of a child gang of thieves run by a man called Fagin.

Oliver is brought into the gang and trained as a pickpocket. When he goes out on his first job, he runs away and is nearly sent to prison. However, the kind person he tries to rob saves him from the terrors of the city gaol (jail) and the boy is, instead, taken into the man's home. He believes he has escaped Fagin and his crafty gang, but Bill Sikes and Nancy, two members of the gang, force him back in. Oliver is sent out on another job—this time assisting Sikes on a burglary.

Kindness Almost Saves Oliver Time and Again

The job goes wrong and Oliver is shot and left behind. Once more he is taken in, this time by the Maylies, the family he was sent to rob; with them, his life changes dramatically for the better. But Fagin's gang comes after him again. Nancy, who is worried about Oliver, tells the Maylies what's happening. When the gang finds out about Nancy's treachery, they murder her.

Meanwhile, the Maylies reunite Oliver with the gentleman who helped him out earlier and who—with the kind of coincidental plot turn typical of many Victorian novels—turns out to be Oliver's uncle. Fagin is arrested and hanged for his crimes; and Oliver settles down to a normal life, reunited with his family.

The Terrors Awaiting Children in London's Underclass

Oliver Twist is probably not the most psychologically complex of Dickens' novels. Instead, Dickens uses the novel to give readers of the time a dramatic understanding of the deplorable social situation for England's underclass and particularly its children . In this sense, it is more closely linked to Hogarthian satire than Dickens' more romantic novels. Mr. Bumble, the beadle, is an excellent example of Dickens' broad characterization at work. Bumble is a large, terrifying figure: a tin-pot Hitler, who is both frightening to the boys under his control, and also slightly pathetic in his need to maintain his power over them.

Fagin: A Controversial Villain

Fagin, too, is a wonderful example of Dickens ability to draw a caricature and still place it in a convincingly realistic story. There is a streak of cruelty in Dickens' Fagin, but also a sly charisma that has made him one of literature's most compelling villains. Among many film and television productions of the novel, Alec Guinness's portrayal of Fagin remains, perhaps, the most admired. Unfortunately, Guiness's makeup incorporated stereotypical aspects of portrayals of Jewish villains. Along with Shakespeare's Shylock, Fagin remains one of the most controversial and arguably antisemitic creations in the English literary canon.

The Importance of 'Oliver Twist'

Oliver Twist is important as a crusading work of art, although it did not result in the dramatic changes in the English workhouse system that Dickens may have hoped. Nevertheless, Dickens researched that system extensively before writing the novel and his views undoubtedly had a cumulative effect. Two English reform acts addressing the system actually preceded the publication of Oliver Twist , but several more followed, including the influential reforms of 1870.  Oliver Twist  remains a powerful indictment of English society in the early 19th Century. 

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Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens was a British author who penned the beloved classics Oliver Twist , A Christmas Carol , David Copperfield , and Great Expectations .

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Who Was Charles Dickens?

Charles Dickens was a British author, journalist, editor, illustrator, and social commentator who wrote the beloved classics Oliver Twist , A Christmas Carol , and Great Expectations . His books were first published in monthly serial installments, which became a lucrative source of income following a childhood of abject poverty. Dickens wrote 15 novels in total, including Nicholas Nickleby , David Copperfield , and A Tale of Two Cities . His writing provided a stark portrait of poor and working class people in the Victorian era that helped to bring about social change. Dickens died in June 1870 at age 58 and is remembered as one of the most important and influential writers of the 19 th century.

Quick Facts

Early life and education, life as a journalist, editor, and illustrator, personal life: wife and children, charles dickens’ books: 'oliver twist,' 'great expectations,' and more, travels to the united states, 'a christmas carol' and other works, pop culture adaptations.

FULL NAME: Charles John Huffam Dickens BORN: February 7, 1812 DIED: June 9, 1870 BIRTHPLACE: Portsmouth, England SPOUSE: Catherine Thomson Hogarth (1836-1870) CHILDREN: Charles Jr., Mary, Kate, Walter, Francis, Alfred, Sydney, Henry, Dora, and Edward ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aquarius

Charles John Huffam Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth on the southern coast of England. He was the second of eight children born to John Dickens, a naval clerk who dreamed of striking it rich, and Elizabeth Barrow, who aspired to be a teacher and school director. Despite his parents’ best efforts, the family remained poor but nevertheless happy in the early days.

In 1816, they moved to Chatham, Kent, where young Dickens and his siblings were free to roam the countryside and explore the old castle at Rochester. Dickens was a sickly child and prone to spasms, which prevented him from playing sports. He compensated by reading avidly, including such books as Robinson Crusoe, Tom Jones , Peregrine Pickle , and The Arabian Nights , according to The World of Charles Dickens by Fido Martin.

In 1822, the Dickens family moved to Camden Town, a poor neighborhood in London. By then, the family’s financial situation had grown dire, as Charles’ father had a dangerous habit of living beyond the family’s means. Eventually, John was sent to prison for debt in 1824, when Charles was just 12 years old. He boarded with a sympathetic family friend named Elizabeth Roylance, who later inspired the character Mrs. Pipchin in Dickens’ 1847 novel Dombey and Son , according to Dickens: A Biography by Fred Kaplan.

Following his father’s imprisonment, Dickens was forced to leave school to work at a boot-blacking factory alongside the River Thames. At the run-down, rodent-ridden factory, Dickens earned 6 shillings a week labeling pots of “blacking,” a substance used to clean fireplaces. It was the best he could do to help support his family, and the strenuous working conditions heavily influenced his future writing and his views on treatment of the poor and working class.

Much to his relief, Dickens was permitted to go back to school when his father received a family inheritance and used it to pay off his debts. He attended the Wellington House Academy in Camden Town, where he encountered what he called “haphazard, desultory teaching [and] poor discipline,” according to The World of Charles Dickens by Angus Wilson. The school’s sadistic headmaster was later the inspiration for the character Mr. Creakle in Dickens’ semi-autobiographical novel David Copperfield .

When Dickens was 15, his education was pulled out from under him once again. In 1827, he had to drop out of school and work as an office boy to contribute to his family’s income. However, as it turned out, the job became a launching point for his writing career. Within a year of being hired, Dickens began freelance reporting at the law courts of London. Just a few years later, he was reporting for two major London newspapers.

In 1833, he began submitting sketches to various magazines and newspapers under the pseudonym “Boz,” which was a family nickname. His first published story was “A Dinner at Poplar Walk,” which ran in London’s Monthly Magazine in 1833. Seeing his writing in print made his eyes “overflow with joy and pride,” according to Dickens: A Biography . In 1836, his clippings were published in his first book, Sketches by Boz.

Dickens later edited magazines including Household Words and All the Year Round , the latter of which he founded. In both, he promoted and originally published some of his own work such as Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities .

Dickens married Catherine Hogarth in 1836, soon after the publication of his first book, Sketches by Boz . She was the daughter of George Hogarth, the editor of the Evening Chronicle . Dickens and Hogarth went on to have 10 children between 1837 and 1852, according to biographer Fred Kaplan. Among them were magazine editor Charles Dickens Jr., painter Kate Dickens Perugini, barrister Henry Fielding Dickens, and Edward Dickens, who entered into politics after immigrating to the Australia.

In 1851, Dickens suffered two devastating losses: the deaths of his infant daughter, Dora, and his father, John. He also separated from his wife in 1858. Dickens slandered Catherine publicly and struck up an intimate relationship with a young actor named Ellen “Nelly” Ternan. Sources differ on whether the two started seeing each other before or after Dickens’ marital separation. It is also believed that he went to great lengths to erase any documentation alluding to Ternan’s presence in his life. These major losses and challenges seeped into Dickens’ writing in his “dark novel” period.

Best known for his fiction writing, Dickens wrote a total of 15 novels between 1836 and 1870. His first was The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club , and his last was The Mystery of Edwin Drood , which went unfinished due to his death.

Dickens’ books were originally published in monthly serial installments that sold for 1 shilling each. The affordable price meant everyday citizens could follow along, though wealthier readers, such as Queen Victoria , were also among Dickens’ fans. Once complete, the stories were published again in novel form.

Dickens’ books provided a stark portrait of poor and working class people in the Victorian era that helped to bring about social change. In the 1850s, following the death of his father and infant daughter, as well as his separation from his wife, Dickens’ novels began to express a darkened worldview. His so-called dark novels are Bleak House (1853), Hard Times (1854), and Little Dorrit (1857). They feature more complicated, thematically grim plots and more complex characters, though Dickens didn’t stray from his typical societal commentary.

Read more about each of Charles Dickens’ novels below:

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Serial Publication: April 1836 to November 1837 Novel Publication: 1837

In 1836, the same year his first book of illustrations released, Dickens started publishing The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club . His series, originally written as captions for artist Robert Seymour’s humorous sports-themed illustrations, took the form of monthly serial installments. It was wildly popular with readers, and Dickens’ captions proved even more popular than the illustrations they were meant to accompany.

Oliver Twist

Serial Publication: February 1837 to March 1839 Novel Publication: November 1838

While still working on The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club , Dickens began Oliver Twist, or The Parish Boy’s Progress , which would prove to be one of his most popular novels. The book follows the life of an orphan living in the streets of London, where he must get by on his wits and falls in with a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the dastardly Fagin.

Oliver Twist unromantically portrayed the mistreatment of London orphans, and the slums and poverty described in the novel made for biting social satire. Although very different from the humorous tone of the Pickwick Papers , Oliver Twist was extremely well-received in both England and America, and dedicated readers eagerly anticipated each next monthly installment, according to the biography Charles Dickens by Harold & Miriam Maltz. Even the young Queen Victoria was an avid reader of  Oliver Twist , describing it as “excessively interesting.”

Nicholas Nickleby

Serial Publication: April 1838 to October 1839 Novel Publication: 1839

As Dickens was still finishing Oliver Twist , he again began writing his follow-up work in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby . It tells the story of the title character, who must support his mother and sister following the loss of their comfortable lifestyle when his father dies and the family loses all of their money.

The Old Curiosity Shop

Serial Publication: April 1840 to February 1841 Novel Publication: 1841

Taking a few months between projects this time, Dickens’ next serial was The Old Curiosity Shop . Protagonist Nell Trent lives with her grandfather, whose gambling costs them the titular shop. The pair struggles to survive after into hiding to avoid a money lender.

Barnaby Rudge

Serial Publication: February to November 1841 Novel Publication: 1841

Right on the heels of The Old Curiosity Shop came Barnaby Rudge . The historical fiction novel, Dickens’ first, follows Barnaby and depicts the chaos of mob violence. The author originated the idea years prior but is thought to have temporarily abandoned it due to a dispute with his publisher.

Martin Chuzzlewit

Serial Publication: January 1843 to July 1844 Novel Publication: 1844

After his first American tour, Dickens wrote The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit . The story is about a man’s struggle to survive on the ruthless American frontier.

Dombey and Son

Serial Publication: October 1846 to April 1848 Novel Publication: 1848

After an uncharacteristic break, Dickens returned with Dombey and Son , which centers on the theme of how business tactics affect a family’s personal finances. Published as a novel in 1848, it takes a dark view of England and is considered pivotal to Dickens’ body of work in that it set the tone for his future novels.

David Copperfield

Serial Publication: May 1849 to November 1850 Novel Publication: November 1850

Dickens wrote his most autobiographical novel to date with David Copperfield by tapping into his own personal experiences in his difficult childhood and his work as a journalist. The book follows the life of its title character from his impoverished childhood to his maturity and success as a novelist. It was the first work of its kind: No one had ever written a novel that simply followed a character through his everyday life.

David Copperfield is considered one of Dickens’ masterpieces, and it was his personal favorite of his works; he wrote in the book’s preface, “Like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is David Copperfield.” It also helped define the public’s expectations of a Dickensian novel. In The Life of Charles Dickens , biographer John Forster wrote “Dickens never stood so high in reputation as at the completion of Copperfield ,” and biographer Fred Kaplan called the novel “an exploration of himself through his art more direct, more honest, more resolute than in his earlier fiction.”

Bleak House

Serial Publication: 1852 to 1853 Novel Publication: 1853

His next work, Bleak House , dealt with the hypocrisy of British society. The first of his “dark novels,” it was considered his most complex novel yet. Drawing upon his brief experiences as a law clerk and court reporter, the novel is built around a long-running legal case involving several conflicting wills and was described by biographer Fido Martin as “England’s greatest satire on the law’s incompetence and delays.” Dickens’ satire was so effective that it  helped support  a successful movement toward legal reform in the 1870s.

Serial Publication: April to August 1854 Novel Publication: 1854

Dickens followed Bleak House with Hard Times , which takes place in an industrial town at the peak of economic expansion. Hard Times focuses on the shortcomings of employers as well as those who seek change.

Little Dorrit

Serial Publication: December 1855 and June 1857 Novel Publication: 1857

Another novel from Dickens’ darker period is Little Dorrit , a fictional study of how human values conflict with the world’s brutality.

A Tale of Two Cities

Serial Publication: April to November 1959 Novel Publication: 1859

Coming out of his “dark novel” period, Dickens published A Tale of Two Cities in the periodical he founded, All the Year Round . The historical novel takes place during the French Revolution in Paris and London. Its themes focus on the need for sacrifice, the struggle between the evils inherent in oppression and revolution, and the possibility of resurrection and rebirth.

A Tale of Two Cities was a tremendous success and remains Dickens’ best-known work of historical fiction. Biographer Fido Martin called the novel “pure Dickens, but essentially a Dickens we have never seen before. This is a Dickens who has at last captured in prose fiction the stage heroics he adored.”

Great Expectations

Serial Publication: December 1860 to August 1861 Novel Publication: October 1861

Many people consider Great Expectations Dickens’ greatest literary accomplishment. The story—Dickens’ second that’s narrated in the first person—focuses on the lifelong journey of moral development for the novel’s protagonist, an orphan named Pip. With extreme imagery and colorful characters, the well-received novel touches on wealth and poverty, love and rejection, and good versus evil. The novel was a financial success and received nearly universal acclaim, with readers responding positively to the novel’s themes of love, morality, social mobility, and the eventual triumph of good over evil.

Our Mutual Friend

Serial Publication: May 1864 to November 1865 Novel Publication: 1865

In June 1865, Dickens was a passenger on a train that plunged off a bridge in Kent, according to biographer Fred Kaplan. He tended to the wounded and even saved the lives of some passengers before assistance arrived, and he was able to retrieve his unfinished manuscript for his next novel, Our Mutual Friend , from the wreckage. That book, a satire about wealth and the Victorian working class, wasn’t received as well as Dickens’ other works, with some finding the plot too complex and disorganized.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Serial Publication: April 1870 Novel Publication: 1870

Dickins’ final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood , began its monthly serialized publication in April 1870. However, Dickens died less than two months later, leaving the novel unfinished. Only six of a planned 12 installments of his final work were completed at the time of his death, according to biographer Fido Martin.

In 1842, Dickens and his wife, Catherine, embarked on a five-month lecture tour of the United States. Dickens spoke of his opposition to slavery and expressed his support for additional reform. His lectures, which began in Virginia and ended in Missouri, were so widely attended that ticket scalpers gathered outside his events. Biographer J.B. Priestley wrote that during the tour, Dickens enjoyed “the greatest welcome that probably any visitor to America has ever had.”

“They flock around me as if I were an idol,” bragged Dickens, a known show-off. Although he enjoyed the attention at first, he eventually resented the invasion of privacy. He was also annoyed by what he viewed as Americans’ gregariousness and crude habits, as he later expressed in American Notes for General Circulation (1842). The sarcastic travelogue, which Dickens’ penned upon his return to England, criticized American culture and materialism.

After his criticism of the American people during his first tour, Dickens later launched a second U.S. tour from 1867 to 1868, where he hoped to set things right with the public and made charismatic speeches promising to praise the United States in reprints of American Notes for General Circulation and Martin Chuzzlewit , his 1844 novel set in the American frontier.

On December 19, 1843, Dickens published A Christmas Carol , one of his most timeless and beloved works. The book features the famous protagonist Ebenezer Scrooge, a curmudgeonly old miser who—with the help of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come—finds the holiday spirit. Dickens penned the book in just six weeks, beginning in October and finishing just in time for Christmas celebrations. Like his earlier works, it was intended as a social criticism, to bring attention to the hardships faced by England’s poorer classes.

The book was a roaring success, selling more than 6,000 copies upon publication. Readers in England and America were touched by the book’s empathetic emotional depth; one American entrepreneur reportedly gave his employees an extra day’s holiday after reading it. Despite its incredible success, the high production costs and Dickens’ disagreements with the publisher meant he received relatively few profits for A Christmas Carol , according to Kaplan, which were further reduced when Dickens was forced to take legal action against the publishers for making illegal copies.

A Christmas Carol was Dickens’ most popular book in the United States, selling more than two million copies in the century after its first publication there, according to Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin. It is also one of Dickens’ most adapted works, and Ebenezer Scrooge has been portrayed by such actors as Michael Caine, Albert Finney, Patrick Stewart, Tim Curry, and Jim Carrey .

Dickens published several other Christmas novellas following A Christmas Carol , including The Chimes (1844) The Cricket on the Hearth (1845), The Battle of Life (1846), and The Haunted Man and the Ghost ’s Bargain (1848). In 1867, he wrote a stage play titled No Thoroughfare .

On June 8, 1870, Dickens had a stroke at his home in Kent, England, after a day of writing The Mystery of Edwin Drood . He died the next day at age 58.

At the time, Edwin Drood had begun its serial publication; it was never finished. Only half of the planned installments of his final novel were completed at the time of Dickens’ death, according to Fido.

Dickens was buried in Poet’s Corner at Westminster Abbey , with thousands of mourners gathering at the beloved author’s gravesite.

When 48 Doughty Street in London—which was Dickens’ home from 1837 to 1839—was threatened with demolition, it was saved by the Dickens Fellowship and renovated, becoming the Dickens House Museum . Open since 1925, it appears like a middle-class Victorian home exactly as Dickens lived in it, and it houses a significant collection related to Dickens and his works.

Many of Dickens’ major works have been adapted for movies and stage plays, with some, like A Christmas Carol , repackaged in various forms over the years. Reginald Owen portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in one of the earliest Hollywood adaptations of the novella in 1938, while Albert Finney played the character alongside Alec Guinness as Marley’s ghost in the 1970 film Scrooge .

Some adaptations have taken unique approaches to the source material. Michael Caine portrayed Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), with members of the Muppets playing other characters from the story, and Gonzo the Great portraying Dickens as a narrator. Bill Murray played a version of Scrooge in a modern-day comedic take on the classic story. Several animated versions of A Christmas Carol have also been adapted, with Jim Carrey playing Scrooge in a 2009 computer-generated film that used motion-capture animation to create the character.

Several more of Dickens’ works have been similarly adapted. Famed director David Lean made celebrated adaptations of both Great Expectations (1946) and Oliver Twist (1948). The latter novel was also adapted into a successful 1960 stage musical called Oliver! , and a 1968 movie version—directed by Carol Reed—of that same musical won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Director.

More recently, The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019) put a comedic spin on Dickens’ personal favorite of his own works, with Dev Patel performing the title role. Barbara Kingsolver also adapted the novel in her Pulitzer Prize winner Demon Copperhead (2022).

• The English are, as far as I know, the hardest worked people on whom the sun shines. Be content if in their wretched intervals of leisure they read for amusement and do no worse.
• I write because I can’t help it.
• Literature cannot be too faithful to the people, cannot too ardently advocate the cause of their advancement, happiness, and prosperity.
• An author feels as if he were dismissing some portion of himself into the shadowy world, when a crowd of the creatures of his brain are going from him forever.
• Nobody has done more harm in this single generation than everybody can mend in 10 generations.
• If I were soured [on writing], I should still try to sweeten the lives and fancies of others; but I am not—not at all.
• Well, the work is hard, the climate is hard, the life is hard: but so far the gain is enormous.
• Who that has ever reflected on the enormous and vast amount of leave-taking there is in life can ever have doubted the existence of another?
• I never knew what it was to feel disgust and contempt, till I traveled in America.
• My great ambition is to live in the hearts and homes of home-loving people and to be connected with the truth of the truthful English life.

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Charles Dickens Info

The life and work of charles dickens.

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Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist was the second novel by Charles Dickens.  It was initially published in monthly installments that began in February of 1837 and ended in April of 1839.

The publication of Oliver Twist began before the monthly publication of The Pickwick Papers ended. The two novels overlapped for nine months. 

Additionally, Dickens started Nicholas Nickleby (also issued in monthly installments) before Twist finished publication.  Those two novels overlapped for nine months as well.

The first edition of Oliver Twist was subtitled The Parish Boy’s Progress.

Table of Contents

Oliver Twist – Dickens’s Life At The Time

Once in a lifetime, themes in oliver twist, collection of quotations from oliver twist, oliver twist characters, oliver twist picture scramble, oliver twist quiz.

Catherine (Hogarth) Dickens

In early 1836 the first chapters of The Pickwick Papers were published. On April 2nd of that year Dickens married Catherine Hogarth .

During January of 1837, the first of his 10 children was born. The next month publication of Oliver Twist began. The year took a sad turn on May 7th when Mary Hogarth, Catherine’s sister, died.

In 1838 the publication of Nicholas Nickleby began.

Fagin, illustration by Kyd (Joseph Clayton Clarke)

Charles Dickens did not have a happy childhood .

The low point came when he was twelve. His father, John Dickens, was arrested and sent to jail for failure to pay a debt. Worst of all, young Charles Dickens was sent to work in a blacking (shoe polish) factory.

Illustration by Fred Bernard of young Charles Dickens at work in a shoe-blacking factory. (from the 1892 edition of Forster’s Life of Dickens)

It was at the blacking factory that Dickens met Bob Fagin.

Bob was another employee at the factory. However, unlike some of the others, Bob never teased young Dickens. In fact, Fagin defended Dickens when the other boys taunted him. He also taught Dickens how to wrap and tie the bottles of polish. He even helped Dickens when he was ill at work.

Why would Dickens remember someone who had shown him such kindness by naming such a villain after him?

The time Dickens spent at the blacking factory was the worst time of his entire life.  His shame over the incident made him keep it a secret from all but a few people.

Perhaps Dickens associated the name Fagin with the darker side of life.  In his mind, he might have linked Bob Fagin introducing him to the ways of the factory with the other Fagin showing Oliver the correct way to pickpockets.

Portrait of Mary Hogarth aged 16

In June of 1837 something happened that only occurred once in Dickens’s career.  He missed a deadline.  He was writing two serialized novels at once, The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist . 

However, in June of 1837 there was no Pickwick .  There was no Oliver Twist .  Instead, there was a funeral.

In 1837 Mary Hogarth was seventeen, pretty and living with her sister Catherine and Catherine’s husband, Charles Dickens.  Mary was a favorite with the couple and had become like a little sister to Charles.

On the evening of May 6th Mary went with the couple to the St. James Theatre.  The group returned late in the evening and Mary retired for the night. 

Shortly after that Dickens heard a cry from Mary’s room.  She was ill.  Despite her doctor’s care, Mary passed away in Dickens’s arms on May 7th.

Charles was devastated.  The June installments of Twist and Pickwick were not published due to “the sudden death of a very dear young relative to whom he was most affectionately attached and whose society had been for a long time the chief solace of his labours.”

The character Rose Maylie in Oliver Twist was inspired by Mary Hogarth.

“Oliver Twist has asked for more!”

In Oliver Twist Dickens attacks the New Poor Law of 1834.  The New Poor Law was really a series of measures that were enacted in 1834.  Supposedly these laws were to provide aid and assistance to impoverished people. 

However, the system had serious flaws.

People with no means of support were sent to workhouses. The system was designed with the idea that the workhouses would be unpleasant.  It was thought that this would provide added incentive for people to be self-sufficient.

As a result of that thinking, the food in the workhouses was meager and meals were to be eaten in silence.  Upon entering the workhouse families were separated and assigned to same-sex quarters.  The children were separated from the adults.  Infants were sent to “baby farms”.

Rather than finding this treatment motivational, it broke the spirit of many people forced to live there.  The adventures of young Oliver Twist make this point.

Dickens also touches on this topic in other works.  In  A Christmas Carol  Scrooge says that “those who are badly off” must got to workhouses or other places like them.  The reply is, “Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.”

Charles Dickens used his novel to point out truths about Victorian England that polite society tried to ignore. 

After reading the novel Lord Melbourne protested, “It is all among workhouses and pickpockets and coffinmakers. I do not like those things: I wish to avoid them.  I do not like them in reality and therefore do not like to see them represented.”

More About Oliver Twist

• Oliver Twist

Charles Dickens

• Literature Notes
• Charles Dickens Biography
• Book Summary
• About Oliver Twist
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Chapters 1-2
• Chapters 3-4
• Chapters 5-7
• Chapters 8-9
• Chapters 10-11
• Chapters 12-13
• Chapters 14-16
• Chapters 18-19
• Chapters 20-22
• Chapters 23-24
• Chapters 25-26
• Chapters 28-31
• Chapters 33-36
• Chapters 37-38
• Chapters 39-41
• Chapters 42-43
• Chapters 44-46
• Chapters 47-48
• Character Analysis
• Rose Maylie
• Critical Essays
• Early 19th-Century England
• Setting of Oliver Twist
• Plot and Structure of Oliver Twist
• Themes of Oliver Twist
• Symbolism in Oliver Twist
• Essay Questions
• Cite this Literature Note

Charles Dickens was born February 7, 1812, in Portsea, on the south coast of England, while his father was stationed nearby at Portsmouth. Although the Dickens family was from the lower middle class, it tried to maintain an air of respectability. The father, John Dickens, was a clerk in the navy pay office. He was a man of some ability and he did advance in the service, but his tastes for living beyond his means eventually led to disaster.

In 1814, John Dickens was transferred to London for a tour of duty of unknown duration. By 1817, the family was established in Chatham, near the naval dockyard, marking the beginning of the happy years of Charles's childhood. His recollections of early life were centered in Kent. Later in his life, he spoke of himself as coming from that region. One of Charles's fancies was to own Gad's Hill Place, a stately old dwelling near Rochester.

When Dickens was forty-four years old, he was able to afford to purchase the property; it became his permanent residence for the rest of his life.

Young Charles received his first schooling at home from his mother. He later attended regular schools in Chatham. He soon began reading his father's small collection of literary classics. The youngster also revealed early signs of genius, which John Dickens delighted in showing off. Having his father's approval encouraged Charles to work at his studies.

The pleasant times came to an end in 1822, when John Dickens was ordered back to London. The elder Dickens's fondness for luxuries beyond his means had caught up with him. He was in debt beyond the point where his creditors would cut him slack. Mrs. Dickens tried to help by starting up a school, but this only drew the family deeper into debt.

To lessen the strain, Charles, then twelve years old, was put to work in a shoe-polish factory at low wages. Two weeks later,, his father was sent to a debtors' prison, where Mrs. Dickens and their four smallest children joined him. During that difficult time, young Charles had only irregular relations with his family.

The next four or five months were a painful ordeal. In addition to degrading labor, Charles endured the indignities of insufficient food, shabby quarters, and the association of rough companions. It was a humiliating trial that left an indelible impression on the proud and sensitive boy. In later years, he never spoke of this episode, except in the pages of David Copperfield. It is likely that this introduction to poverty was instrumental in shaping his life. Dickens became distinguished by furious energy, determination to succeed, and an inflexible will.

After John Dickens had been in prison for about three months, his aged mother died. The inheritance he received was large enough to pay his more pressing debts and allow his release from debtor's prison. An additional result of this inheritance was that Charles was taken out of his job at the shoe-polish factory a few weeks later and sent back to school. He spent the next two and a half years in an academy, completing all of the formal education he was ever going to get.

In the spring of 1827, Charles Dickens, then a youth of fifteen, entered a lawyer's office. While applying himself to the law, he managed in his free time to master shorthand. About a year and a half later, the energetic young man felt ready to try a more promising occupation. He became a freelance court reporter, and for the next three years, the future novelist was brought into close contact with grim realities of life as it was played out in the courts. His work was seasonal and irregular, giving him time to read in the British Museum.

In March 1832, Dickens became a journalist. After serving on two newspapers and gaining experience as a parliamentary reporter, in 1834 he joined the staff of the prominent Morning Chronicle, where he got d the reputation for being one of the fastest and most accurate reporters in London. In addition to his metropolitan activities, his assignments took him all over England, mainly to cover political events. With this exposure to the prevailing realities of political life, in Parliament and around the nation, Dickens's apprenticeship was receiving its finishing touches.

In the meantime, drawing upon the abundance of material he'd seen in twenty-one years, Dickens had begun to compose sketches of London life. The first of these was published unsigned in the Monthly Magazine of December 1833. In August 1834, the signature "Boz" made its first appearance, and Dickens's anonymity gradually evaporated.

The energetic Dickens produced numerous sketches while continuing his newspaper career. The records of the reporter's keen observations that were preserved in the vivid pieces later found their way into a number of celebrated novels. Finally, on the author's twenty-fourth birthday, February 7, 1836, Sketches by Boz, Illustrative of Everyday Life and Everyday People was published in book form. A second series came out later, and the complete edition was issued in 1839.

The following month saw an even more significant literary event: the first number of The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club was offered to the public. Instead of being first serialized or released in its entirety, the work came out in individual numbers that were sold separately from March 1836 to November 1837. Only 400 copies were printed of the first installment, and the initial reception was inauspicious. But later sales rose spectacularly and printings reached 40,000.

The success of the Sketches by Boz had sharpened Dickens's confidence in the future and sufficiently improved his income to allow him to consider marriage. On April 2, 1836, two days after the first of the Pickwick Papers went on sale, Dickens and Catherine Hogarth were married. The bride was the oldest daughter of George Hogarth, the editor of the Evening Chronicle, an affiliate of the newspaper for which Dickens wrote. The couple had ten children, but after twenty-two years the marriage ended in dissension and separation.

When the success of the Pickwick Papers was assured, the star reporter resigned from the Morning Chronicle, but within a few months he became editor of a new periodical, Bentley's Miscellany. The February 1837 issue began the serialization of Oliver Twist, or, the Parish Boy's Progress by Boz, even though the busy editor was still at work on the Pickwick Papers. Before Oliver Twist had all appeared, several numbers of Dickens's next novel, Nicholas Nickleby (1838-39), had been printed. Oliver Twist was completed in September 1838 and was issued in book form before the end of the year, although serial publication ran until March 1839.

Dickens gave up the editorship of Bentley's Miscellany after two years, but his astounding literary productivity went on with few intermissions until the day of his death. His many books followed one another at regular intervals: The Old Curiosity Shop (1840-41), Barnaby Rudge (1841), American Notes (1842), Martin Chuzzlewit (1843-44), Dombey and Son (1846-48), David Copperfield (1849-50), Bleak House (1852-53), Hard Times (1854), Little Dorrit (1855-57), A Tale of Two Cities (1859), Great Expectations (1860-61), Our Mutual Friend (1864-65), and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1870 — unfinished).

Besides his output of books, Dickens's other literary pursuits were impressive. Among his best-known short stories are A Christmas Carol and The Cricket on the Hearth. He wrote miscellaneous sketches, travel accounts, articles, and dramatic pieces. In 1850, he assumed the editorship of Household Words, and from 1859 until the end of his life, he edited the successor of that periodical, All the Year Round.

Dickens's non-literary activity alone would have taxed the stamina of an ordinary person. He had a boundless zest for life; everything that he did was undertaken with energy and speed. He enjoyed an active social life and was a prolific letter writer. Many relatives and his own numerous family commanded much of his attention — and material assistance. Some of his time was taken by his interest in organized charity. His travels took him to the continent and twice to America. There were several changes of residence, including sojourns in Italy, Switzerland, and France. In spite of all this, Dickens managed to keep up a strenuous exercise program, including horseback riding and brisk walks of up to twelve or fourteen miles.

While still a child, Dickens developed an enduring attachment for the theater. At one time in his youth, Dickens made an attempt to become a professional actor. As an adult, he delighted in arranging amateur performances, at various times writing plays, managing productions, or acting.

His dramatic interests later found expression in the famous readings from his own works. These started with a benefit in 1853, and professional appearances began in 1858. Dickens's second trip to America in 1867-68 was a reading tour that proved to be highly profitable. He threw himself into the oral interpretation of his works, sparing neither himself nor his audiences. After presenting the murder of Nancy from Oliver Twist, Dickens commonly had to leave the stage for a rest before proceeding. The swooning of females in the audience was a regular feature of these occasions.

Beginning with his early successes, Dickens's literary career was an unbroken triumphal procession. His popularity grew enormously and everywhere he came to be regarded with almost reverence. His cosmopolitan reading public grew to epic numbers , and every addition to his writing was awaited with wild expectation. Dickens was universally beloved as probably no other living writer has ever been.

On June 8, 1870, Charles Dickens, working on the manuscript of his last book, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, wrote longer than was his usual practice. At dinner time he collapsed and sank into a coma; he died in the evening of the following day. The news of Dickens's death was carried on a shock wave of grief to remote regions of the earth. As his body was interred in Westminster Abbey, the whole world mourned.

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Oliver Twist

After its initial serialization in Bentley's Miscellany in 1837, Charles Dickens heavily revised the text for a new edition in 1846. This 1846 revision forms the basis of the Clarendon Dickens.

Editions that Charles Dickens contributed to [ edit ]

• "Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boy's Progress", serialized in Bentley's Miscellaney , Vol. 1-5 (1837-1839)
• Oliver Twist (Boz Issue) (transcription volumes: 1 , 2 , 3 )
• Oliver Twist (Charles Dickens' Issue) (transcription volumes: 1 , 2 , 3 ) (Volume 3 has two different printings. This is the variant published after 16 Nov. 1838 with a different fireside plate and several small textual emendations.)
• Oliver Twist (1839 Second Edition) (transcription volumes: 1 , 2 , 3 )
• Oliver Twist (1839 New Edition) 1839.
• Oliver Twist (1840 Edition) Oliver Twist; or, the parish boy's progress. By "Boz." . . . 1840.
• Oliver Twist (Third Edition) 1839.
• Oliver Twist (1841 Serialization)
• Oliver Twist (New Edition) With twenty-four illustrations on steel, by George Cruikshank. A new edition, revised and corrected. London: Published for the author, by Bradbury & Evans, Whitefriars. MDCCCXLVI.
• Oliver Twist (Cheap Edition) With a frontispiece by George Cruikshank. London: Chapman and Hall, 186, Strand. MDCCCL.
• Oliver Twist (Library Edition) London: Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly; and Bradbury and Evans, 11, Bouverie Street. 1858.
• Oliver Twist (Charles Dickens Edition) ( transcription project )

Film adaptations [ edit ]

• Oliver Twist (1909), an American film directed by James Stuart Blackton
• Oliver Twist (1922), an American film directed by Sol Lesser
• Oliver Twist (1933), an American film directed by William J. Cowen

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• British novels
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Oliver Twist Maps:

Fagin the Jew

From Fagin to Riah : How Charles Dickens looked at the Jews By Herb Moskovitz

Bow Street Runners

The Bow Street Runners earned their income through rewards and private fees and gained much of their information through the use of informers. Because they were mobile and traveled all over England, they were much more effective at catching criminals than the stationary London Watch ( Wikipedia ) .

The Law is a Ass

Bumble's reply, one of the most quoted lines in all of Dickens, implies that any married man knows that he has no such control over the actions of his wife.

" If the law supposes that" said Mr. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, "the law is a ass - a idiot. If that's the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is, that his eye may be opened by experience-by experience " ( Oliver Twist , p. 399 ) .

Chimney Sweep Apprentices

Sweeps felt that the optimum age for an apprentice was 6 years of age but boys as young as 4 were used. Tales of boys getting stuck in the flues and suffocating or burning to death were common. The practice was finally abolished in 1875 ( Ackroyd, 2000, p. 637-638 ) .

Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table; and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said: somewhat alarmed at his own temerity:

'Please, sir, I want some more.'

The master was a fat, healthy man; but he turned very pale. He gazed in stupified astonishment on the small rebel for some seconds, and then clung for support to the copper. The assistants were paralysed with wonder; the boys with fear ( Oliver Twist , p. 12 ) . Even more...

Dickens and Cruikshank

The illustrations for Oliver Twist by George Cruikshank (1792-1878) are thought by many to be some of the finest for any Charles Dickens novel. Fagin in the Condemned Cell is a particularly effective illustration, conveying the feeling of isolation and anxiety of Fagin's last hours ( Patten, 1992, p. 122 ) .

Cruikshank had formerly provided illustrations for Dickens' Sketches by Boz but after Oliver Twist never illustrated another Dickens work. Author and artist remained friends through the 1840s until Cruikshank, formerly a heavy imbiber, became a zealous supporter of temperance. Dickens, in favor of moderation, took exception to Cruikshank's fanatical ravings on temperance and the friendship deteriorated ( Patten, 1992, p. 228-229 ) .

In 1872, two years after Dickens' death, Cruikshank claimed that the plot and many of the characters from Oliver Twist had been his idea, a claim which Dickens' friend and biographer, John Forster , vehemently denied ( Forster, 1899, v. 2, p. 31-32 ) .

The debate about how much influence Cruikshank had on the publication of Oliver Twist continues to this day ( Vogler, Cruikshank and Dickens: A Reassessment of the Role of the Artist and the Author, George Cruikshank, Robert L. Patten, 1992, p. 61-91 ) .

Dickens' age: 25-27

February 1837

Moves from chambers at Furnival's Inn to a house at 48 Doughty Street ( Johnson, 1952, p. 191-192 ) .

Catherine's sister Mary Hogarth dies ( Ackroyd, 1990, p. 225 ) .

Grieving for his beloved sister-in-law Dickens misses deadlines for the only time in his life. Monthly issues of Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist are not published ( Ackroyd, 1990, p. 228 ) .

October 1837

Finishes serialization of Pickwick Papers ( Slater, 2009, p. 109 ) .

January 1838

Dickens and Hablot Browne leave for Yorkshire to do research for Nicholas Nickleby ( Ackroyd, 1990, p. 250 ) .

Serialization of Nicholas Nickleby begins ( Schlicke, 1999, p. 404 ) .

Daughter Mary (Mamie) Dickens born ( Ackroyd, 1990, p. 270 ) .

November 1838

Oliver Twist published in 3 volumes. Dickens revised the monthly parts for the publication which was the first published under Charles Dickens instead of Boz. Monthly serialization in Bentley's Miscellany continues ( Schlicke, 1999, p. 429 ) .

Oliver Twist : Flash Language

Confused by some of the terms used by The Artful Dodger and others in Fagin's gang of thieves? The slang they use within the group was termed Flash Language by a former British convict, James Hardy Vaux , who compiled a list of such terms in his Vocabulary of the Flash Language written in 1812.

The Murder of Nancy

In 1868, with his health rapidly declining, Charles Dickens began a farewell reading tour of Britain.

For this tour Dickens added a very passionate and dramatic performance of the murder of Nancy from Oliver Twist , despite pleas from his family and friends not to include it, fearing for his health ( Davis, 1999, p. 353 ) .

Many believe that the energy expended in these performances, which he read with such passion and violence that woman fainted in the aisles, hastened his early death in June, 1870 ( Ackroyd, 1990, p. 1062-1063 ) .

The Artful Dodger

Charles Dickens'

Charles dickens' oliver twist, oliver twist or, the parish boy's progress.

Oliver Twist - Published in monthly parts Feb 1837 - Apr 1839

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Charles Dickens' second novel tells the story of the orphan Oliver set against the seamy underside of the London criminal world. Published in monthly parts in Bentley's Miscellany , partly concurrent with Pickwick and Nicholas Nickleby , the novel was illustrated by George Cruikshank .

Dickens did not originally plan to have the story of Oliver to be a novel. The story was begun as a continuation of the Mudfog (based on Chatham, his childhood home) story he wrote for the first edition of Bentley's Miscellany . Michael Slater, in his biography Charles Dickens , relates that by the sixth installment of the story he resolved to make the book the first of two novels he was contracted to write for Richard Bentley and began to introduce details in the story that hinted at future plot complications ( Slater, 2009, p. 105 ) .

In this departure from the merry world of Pickwick, Dickens targets the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 which renewed the importance of the workhouse as a means of relief for the poor ( Ackroyd, 1990, p. 218-219 ) .

Dickens was severely criticized for introducing criminals and prostitutes in Oliver Twist ( Schlicke, 1999, p. 433 ) , to which Dickens replied, in the preface to the Library Edition of Oliver Twist in 1858, " I saw no reason, when I wrote this book, why the very dregs of life, so long as their speech did not offend the ear, should not serve the purpose of a moral, at least as well as its froth and cream " ( Oliver Twist , p. xv ) . The novel was well received but not with the adulation of Pickwick.

One of the most dramatized of Charles Dickens' works, Oliver Twist was appearing in 10 theaters in London before serialization of the novel was even completed ( Davis, 1999, p. 288 ) . The Internet Movie Database lists nearly 25 film versions, the first in 1906.

The orphans at the workhouse are starving due to callous mistreatment and cast lots to decide who among them will ask for more gruel on behalf of the group and Oliver is chosen. At supper that evening, after the normal allotment, Oliver advances to the master and asks for more.

Oliver is branded a troublemaker and is offered as an apprentice to anyone willing to take him. After narrowly escaping being bound to a chimney sweep, a very dangerous business where small boys are routinely smothered being lowered into chimneys, Oliver is apprenticed to the undertaker, Mr Sowerber ry.

Oliver fights with Noah Claypole , another of the undertaker's boys, after Noah mocks Oliver's dead mother . After being unjustly beaten for this offense, Oliver escapes the undertaker's and runs away to London.

Oliver is kindly treated at the Brownlow home and, after a period of recuperation, is sent on an errand by Mr Brownlow to pay a local merchant 5 pounds and to return some books. On carrying out this charge Oliver is captured by Nancy and Bill Sikes and returned to Fagin's den of thieves.

Mr Brownlow, thinking that Oliver has run away with his money concludes that Oliver was a thief all along. This assumption is further strengthened when Bumble the beadle, answering an ad in the paper, placed by Brownlow, for information concerning Oliver, gives a disparaging opinion of Oliver.

Oliver is nursed back to health at the home of the Maylies , the house Sikes was attempting to burglarize. Oliver imparts his story to the Maylies and Doctor Losberne .

The mysterious Monks , revealed to be Oliver's half brother, teams up with Fagin in an attempt to recapture Oliver and lead him into a life of crime thereby negating the unknowing Oliver's claim to his rightful inheritance which would then go to Monks.

Sike's woman, Nancy, having compassion for Oliver, overhears Fagin and Monk's plan and tells Rose Maylie in the hope of thwarting the plan. Rose recruits Mr Brownlow, Dr. Losberne, and others.

Mr Brownlow and Rose Maylie meet Nancy on London Bridge and she tells them where to find Monks. Fagin has had Nancy followed and, enraged, tells Sikes that Nancy has betrayed them. Sikes brutally murders Nancy and flees to the country.

Oliver is revealed to be the illegitimate son of Edwin Leeford and Agnes Fleming . Leeford has fathered the evil Edward (Monks) through a failed former marriage. After seducing Agnes, Edwin dies, leaving a will which states that the unborn child will inherit his estate if "in his minority he should never have stained his name with any public act of dishonor, meanness, cowardice, or wrong" in the event of which all would go to Edward (Monks), hence Monk's attempt to corrupt Oliver via Fagin.

Monks is given half of Oliver's inheritance by Mr Brownlow, who had been a friend of Edwin Leeford, in the hope that he will start a new life. Monks flees to America where he quickly squanders his portion and dies in prison. Rose Maylie is revealed to be the sister of Agnes Fleming who is adopted by the Maylies after her parents die, therefore Rose is Oliver's aunt.

Oliver collects his inheritance and is adopted by Mr Brownlow. Rose marries longtime beau, Harry Maylie .

Oliver's Past Untangled

Complete List of Characters:

Oliver twist links:, the new poor law.

The workhouse was little more than a prison for the poor. Civil liberties were denied, families were separated, and human dignity was destroyed. The meager diet instituted in the workhouse prompted Dickens to quip that the poor were offered the choice of " being starved by a gradual process in the house, or by a quick one out of it " ( Oliver Twist , p. 11 ) .

The Anatomy Act of 1832

Before 1832 only the bodies of murderers could legally be used for dissection by medical students. This caused a brisk business for body-snatchers to supply the demand.

With the passage of the Anatomy Act unclaimed bodies from prisons and workhouses would be donated for this cause. The terrifying thought of having your body dissected after death became yet another powerful deterrent to entering the workhouse system.

Charles Dickens alludes to the recently enacted Anatomy Act when he has Oliver's mother's body disappear. Ruth Richardson, in her book Dickens and the Workhouse , says "It is part of the subtext of the novel that the poor young woman who dies in its opening pages was being dissected while her son was being starved" ( Richardson, 2012, p. 236 ) .

Indeed, at the end of the novel as Oliver and Rose stand at the tomb of Agnes Dickens says in the text " Within the alter of the old village church there stands a white marble tablet, which bears as yet but one word: AGNES. There is no coffin in that tomb... " ( Oliver Twist , p. 415 )

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Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist Page 01

OLIVER TWIST

THE PARISH BOY'S PROGRESS

CHARLES DICKENS

TREATS OF THE PLACE WHERE OLIVER TWIST WAS BORN AND OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING HIS BIRTH

Among other public buildings in a certain town, which for many reasons it will be prudent to refrain from mentioning, and to which I will assign no fictitious name, there is one anciently common to most towns, great or small: to wit, a workhouse; and in this workhouse was born; on a day and date which I need not trouble myself to repeat, inasmuch as it can be of no possible consequence to the reader, in this stage of the business at all events; the item of mortality whose name is prefixed to the head of this chapter.

For a long time after it was ushered into this world of sorrow and trouble, by the parish surgeon, it remained a matter of considerable doubt whether the child would survive to bear any name at all; in which case it is somewhat more than probable that these memoirs would never have appeared; or, if they had, that being comprised within a couple of pages, they would have possessed the inestimable merit of being the most concise and faithful specimen of biography, extant in the literature of any age or country.

Although I am not disposed to maintain that the being born in a workhouse, is in itself the most fortunate and enviable circumstance that can possibly befall a human being, I do mean to say that in this particular instance, it was the best thing for Oliver Twist that could by possibility have occurred. The fact is, that there was considerable difficulty in inducing Oliver to take upon himself the office of respiration,--a troublesome practice, but one which custom has rendered necessary to our easy existence; and for some time he lay gasping on a little flock mattress, rather unequally poised between this world and the next: the balance being decidedly in favour of the latter. Now, if, during this brief period, Oliver had been surrounded by careful grandmothers, anxious aunts, experienced nurses, and doctors of profound wisdom, he would most inevitably and indubitably have been killed in no time. There being nobody by, however, but a pauper old woman, who was rendered rather misty by an unwonted allowance of beer; and a parish surgeon who did such matters by contract; Oliver and Nature fought out the point between them. The result was, that, after a few struggles, Oliver breathed, sneezed, and proceeded to advertise to the inmates of the workhouse the fact of a new burden having been imposed upon the parish, by setting up as loud a cry as could reasonably have been expected from a male infant who had not been possessed of that very useful appendage, a voice, for a much longer space of time than three minutes and a quarter.

As Oliver gave this first proof of the free and proper action of his lungs, the patchwork coverlet which was carelessly flung over the iron bedstead, rustled; the pale face of a young woman was raised feebly from the pillow; and a faint voice imperfectly articulated the words, 'Let me see the child, and die.'

The surgeon had been sitting with his face turned towards the fire: giving the palms of his hands a warm and a rub alternately. As the young woman spoke, he rose, and advancing to the bed's head, said, with more kindness than might have been expected of him:

'Oh, you must not talk about dying yet.'

'Lor bless her dear heart, no!' interposed the nurse, hastily depositing in her pocket a green glass bottle, the contents of which she had been tasting in a corner with evident satisfaction.

'Lor bless her dear heart, when she has lived as long as I have, sir, and had thirteen children of her own, and all on 'em dead except two, and them in the wurkus with me, she'll know better than to take on in that way, bless her dear heart! Think what it is to be a mother, there's a dear young lamb do.'

Apparently this consolatory perspective of a mother's prospects failed in producing its due effect. The patient shook her head, and stretched out her hand towards the child.

Oliver Twist Page 02

19th Novels

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Updated on: 22. October 2023

Plot and Storyline

Oliver Twist is a classic novel written by Charles Dickens, first published in 1838. The story follows the life of an orphan named Oliver Twist and explores the social and economic hardships faced by the poor in 19th-century England. The novel begins with Oliver’s birth in a workhouse and chronicles his journey through various institutions and encounters with a range of characters, both benevolent and villainous.

Oliver’s early years are marked by mistreatment and neglect, as he endures harsh conditions in the workhouse and then faces abuse at the hands of Mr. Bumble, the parish beadle. After daring to ask for more food, Oliver is sold to an undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry, where he faces further hardship and humiliation. Eventually, Oliver runs away and makes his way to London.

In London, Oliver encounters a gang of child thieves led by the cunning Fagin and the brutal Bill Sikes. Unaware of their criminal activities, Oliver is reluctantly drawn into their world. However, Oliver’s inherently good nature and innocence prevent him from fully embracing a life of crime. He forms a bond with a kind-hearted prostitute named Nancy, who becomes conflicted between her loyalty to the gang and her affection for Oliver.

As the story unfolds, Oliver’s true identity is revealed, connecting him to characters from his past. Through a series of dramatic events and surprising twists, Oliver’s life takes a turn for the better, and he finds himself in the care of a compassionate benefactor. However, he becomes entangled in a web of secrets and lies that threaten his newfound happiness.

Oliver Twist is the novel’s protagonist and embodies the virtues of innocence, goodness, and resilience. Despite his difficult circumstances, Oliver remains pure-hearted and withstands the corrupting influences around him.

Fagin is a complex character who serves as the leader of the child thieves. He is portrayed as a manipulative and cunning figure, exploiting the vulnerability of orphaned children for his own gain.

Bill Sikes is a menacing and violent criminal who is responsible for some of the novel’s most dramatic and tragic moments. His brutish nature and disregard for human life make him a formidable antagonist.

Nancy is a sympathetic character who provides a glimpse of the potential for redemption within a morally compromised world. Her conflicted loyalties and ultimate sacrifice add depth and emotional resonance to the story.

Themes and Symbols

One of the central themes of Oliver Twist is the inherent goodness of the individual, even in the face of a corrupt and oppressive society. Oliver’s unwavering moral compass serves as a critique of the social conditions of the time, highlighting the inhumanity and hypocrisy of the upper classes.

The novel also explores the nature of identity and the impact of one’s upbringing on their character. Oliver’s true identity and noble lineage challenge the notion that a person’s worth is solely determined by their social status or circumstances of birth.

The symbol of the workhouse represents the dehumanizing effects of poverty and the oppressive systems that perpetuate inequality. Dickens uses vivid descriptions to evoke a sense of hopelessness and despair, emphasizing the need for social reform.

Writing Style

Charles Dickens is renowned for his vivid and descriptive writing style, which brings the characters and settings to life. His use of richly detailed descriptions and colorful language immerses the reader in the world of 19th-century England.

Dickens employs various literary techniques, such as irony, satire, and social commentary, to highlight the injustices and hypocrisies of the time. His skillful use of dialogue and dialects adds depth and authenticity to the characters, capturing the diversity of the urban environment.

The narrative structure of Oliver Twist is episodic, with each chapter presenting a distinct event or encounter in Oliver’s life. This structure allows Dickens to explore different facets of society and provides a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by the poor and marginalized.

Setting and Atmosphere

The setting of Oliver Twist plays a significant role in shaping the tone and mood of the novel. The dark and gritty streets of London create an atmosphere of danger and uncertainty, reflecting the harsh realities faced by the characters.

The time period of the story, set during the early 19th century, is characterized by widespread poverty, social inequality, and the Industrial Revolution. The contrast between the opulence of the upper classes and the squalor of the lower classes is a recurring motif, underscoring the stark divisions within society.

Historical, Social, or Political Context

Oliver Twist was written during a time of significant social and political change in England. The novel reflects the author’s concerns about the treatment of the poor, the shortcomings of the workhouse system, and the moral decay of society.

Dickens criticizes the Poor Laws of the time, which perpetuated the cycle of poverty and offered little assistance to those in need. He exposes the corruption and abuses within the workhouse system, shedding light on the plight of orphaned children and the exploitation of the poorby those in positions of power.

The novel also addresses the broader social issues of the era, such as child labor, crime, and the widening gap between the rich and the poor. Dickens uses the characters and events in Oliver Twist to shed light on these societal problems and advocate for reform.

Impact and Reception

Oliver Twist has had a lasting impact on literature and continues to be widely read and studied today. The novel’s vivid portrayal of social injustices and memorable characters have made it a classic of English literature.

Upon its publication, Oliver Twist received mixed reviews. Some critics praised its social commentary and compelling narrative, while others criticized its depiction of the lower classes as exaggerated and caricatured. However, the novel gained popularity among readers and became a commercial success.

Over time, Oliver Twist has been recognized for its enduring themes and its contribution to the development of the social novel genre. It has been adapted into numerous stage plays, films, and television adaptations, further cementing its place in popular culture.

How did the public and critics initially respond to Oliver Twist when it was first published?

When Oliver Twist was first published in 1838, it received a mixed response from both the public and critics. The novel’s depiction of the harsh realities faced by the poor and its critique of social institutions sparked controversy and raised concerns among some readers.

On one hand, Oliver Twist garnered a significant amount of popularity and commercial success. The serialized format in which it was initially published in Bentley’s Miscellany allowed for a wide readership, and the story captivated many with its engaging plot and memorable characters. The serialized nature of the novel also contributed to its popularity, as readers eagerly awaited each new installment.

However, the novel also faced criticism from certain quarters. Some critics found fault with Dickens’s portrayal of the lower classes, accusing him of exaggerating their characteristics and perpetuating stereotypes. Others were uncomfortable with the novel’s gritty depiction of crime and the underbelly of society. The novel’s unsparing look at the mistreatment of orphans and the abuses within the workhouse system also raised eyebrows and generated controversy.

Despite these criticisms, Oliver Twist did find supporters among critics who praised its social commentary and compelling narrative. The novel’s vivid descriptions, memorable characters, and Dickens’s skillful storytelling were applauded by those who recognized the novel’s literary merits. It is worth noting that Dickens himself responded to some of the criticisms by making revisions to the novel in subsequent editions.

Overall, while there were both positive and negative reactions to Oliver Twist upon its initial publication, the novel’s popularity among readers and its enduring legacy as a literary classic demonstrate its lasting impact on literature and its ability to provoke thought and discussion about social issues.

Final Conclusions

Oliver Twist is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the harsh realities of 19th-century England through the eyes of its young protagonist. Charles Dickens’s skillful storytelling, vivid characters, and social commentary make it a compelling read that continues to resonate with readers today.

The novel’s themes of social injustice, the struggle for identity, and the triumph of goodness over evil are timeless, and its critique of the societal structures of its time remains relevant. Through Oliver Twist, Dickens shines a light on the plight of the poor and marginalized, urging readers to confront the inequalities and injustices of their own societies.

With its lasting impact on literature and its cultural significance, Oliver Twist stands as a testament to Charles Dickens’s mastery as a writer and his commitment to exposing the social ills of his time. It serves as a reminder that literature has the power to inspire change and provoke meaningful discussions about the world we live in.

Oliver Twist – Wikipedia

Oliver Twist | Summary, Context, & Reception | Britannica

Oliver Twist: Full Book Summary | SparkNotes

Oliver Twist: Study Guide | SparkNotes

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Oliver Twist Book by Charles Dickens: Review And Summary

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When it comes to the discussion of the most celebrated works of Charles Dickens, the name Oliver Twist is bound to pop up. Having been the subject of several adaptations and literature references, it continues to be one of the most well-written and beloved novels of the prolific author.

Also known as The Parish Boy’s Progress, Oliver Twist was the second novel by the brilliant mind of Dickens. It was published serially between the years 1837 to 1839 and released as a book in 1838.

The other title of the novel was a connection to The Pilgrim’s Progress, written by John Bunyan. It also served as a reference to the caricature series, A Rake’s Progress, and A Harlot’s Progress, developed in the 18 th century by William Hogarth, a famous English painter.

Oliver Twist is one of the earliest examples of Dickens using his novels to provide a social commentary on the Victorian era. Through this story, he explores subjects such as domestic violence and child labor.

In fact, it’s said that bits of the novel was inspired by the story of Robert Blincoe, whose accounts of being employed as a child laborer were extremely popular during the 1830s.

If you wish to learn further about the novel, keep reading to explore the many facets that make this story relevant to this day.

Table of Contents

Summary of Oliver Twist

Book review of oliver twist, 1. oliver twist, 2. agnes fleming, 3. mr. bumble, 4. mr. sowerberry, 5. mr. brownlow, 6. rose maylie, 7. mrs. lindsay maylie, 9. bill sikes, 12. mr. leeford, famous quotes from the novel, movies and tv adaptations, neha jhunjhunwala.

The story begins by introducing the readers to Oliver Twist, the protagonist who was born in a workhouse in England, during the 1830s. We get to know that Oliver’s mother died shortly after giving birth to him and he was found on the street. Thereby making him an orphan from a tender age.

Oliver spends a major chunk of his childhood at a child farm, which is a poorly run orphanage, before being moved to a workhouse where all the other boys bully him badly.

One day, the bullying leads to him asking for a second helping of his portion of the gruel, which is unacceptable to Mr. Bumble, who is the manager of the workhouse. Bumble is willing to pay a small amount to anyone willing to take Oliver away from the workhouse.

After escaping the fate of having to work for a chimney sweep, Oliver ends up with an apprenticeship with Mr. Sowerberry, a local undertaker. One day, Oliver hears derogatory comments about his mother from Noah Claypole, which causes him to attack Noah.

Aware of Sowerberry’s anger, Oliver flees from the place and makes his way towards London. While he is roaming around feeling exhausted and hungry, Oliver comes across a boy named Jack Dawkins.

Jack provides a roof over Oliver’s head at the house of Fagin, who is Jack’s benefactor. However, it is revealed that Fagin is actually a criminal who trains orphan boys to become pickpockets.

Oliver is sent on his first pickpocketing mission along with two other boys after receiving training for a couple of days. Once he witnesses the boys stealing a handkerchief from an older man, Oliver feels scared and runs away. Although he gets caught, he manages to escape being taken to prison for the act.

He is taken in by Mr. Brownlow, the man whose handkerchief was stolen by the other boys in Oliver’s group. Brownlow looks after Oliver as he recovers from his feverish state and notices the uncanny resemblance between Oliver’s face and that of the young woman whose portrait hangs in his home.

Although Oliver receives a lot of warmth and nourishment under Brownlow’s care, he is captured by a man named Bill Sikes and his girlfriend, Nancy. They are members of Fagin’s gang and bring Oliver to Fagin after capturing him.

Fagin orders Oliver to join Sikes for a burglary they are planning. While Oliver gets shot by a servant at the home they intended to rob, Sikes escapes. Oliver is then accepted into the home by a woman named Mrs. Maylie and Rose, who is her adopted niece.

Oliver spends a beautiful summer with the two ladies, but his happiness is short-lived, as Fagin and someone named Monks are determined to capture him. Meanwhile, it is revealed to the readers that a gold locket was left behind by Oliver’s mother, which is eventually obtained and destroyed by Monks.

Rose and her aunt arrive in London, which is when Nancy meets Rose and discloses Fagin’s plans, but this conversation gets overhead by someone belonging to Fagin’s group. When Sikes learns about Nancy’s betrayal, he kills her and escapes from London.

Feelings of guilt follow Sikes and he is also pursued by an angry mob. As a result of this, Sikes accidentally hangs himself, which seems like he has committed suicide. Oliver ends up reuniting with Brownlow, owing to the efforts of the Maylies. He then confronts Monks about the truth of his heritage.

Monks reveal to him that he is actually Oliver’s half-brother. Mr. Leeford, their father, was unhappy in his marriage and had an affair with Agnes Fleming, who was Oliver’s mother. Monks had been pursuing Oliver so as to prevent him from getting a share of their family’s wealth.

Monks are then made to hand over Oliver’s share of the wealth, thanks to the pressure from Brownlow. Another revelation states that Rose is actually Oliver’s aunt and his mother’s younger sister.

Brownlow adopts Oliver, Fagin is punished for his evil deeds, and the novel ends with all of them happily retiring to a place in the countryside.

Charles Dickens was a keen observer of society and never shied away from expressing his feelings towards social oppression, which forms the foundation of Oliver Twist.

The novel is delightful due to several factors, including interesting characters, engaging interactions, colliding plotlines, and shocking revelations that are a part of Dickens’ signature style.

The twists and turns keep the readers at the edge of their seats, wondering what’s coming next. Social inequality and class distinctions were some of the elements of 19 th -century London that Dickens explored very intricately and sensitively through this story, a trend which he continued in his later works as well.

The author shows the connection between crime and poverty, reiterating that a person’s financial state leads them to commit malicious crimes. He also reminds the readers that while some crimes are committed to fill one’s tummy, others are committed purely for evil purposes.

Dickens used the distinctions between the upper class and the working class to display how the crimes that are committed due to poverty cause a dehumanization of society.

While on the one hand, he paints a picture of the gruesome reality of Victorian society, on the other hand, he symbolizes hope and the power of benevolence through the characters of Brownlow, Rose, and Mrs. Maylie.

The plight of orphans and the roots of a character being traced back to a difficult childhood are displayed through Oliver, very much reminiscent of Dickens’ own hardships as a child and the hurdles he had to endure due to financial impediments.

Fate plays an essential role in the journey of the characters created by the author, which is evident through Oliver’s experiences while he goes from being a penniless orphan to a boy with familial connections that fetch him a small fortune towards the end of the story.

Characters in Oliver Twist

Being able to create characters that remain imprinted in one’s mind for generations truly is an art, and Dickens was an expert in this department. Oliver Twist is brimming with numerous characters, and some of them are as follows:

The protagonist of the novel. He goes through a wonderful journey in the novel, filled with several hardships. Ultimately, though, he finds people who love him, leading to a happy life.

Agnes was Oliver’s mother. She died after giving birth to Oliver.

Bumble was employed at the workhouse where Oliver was born. His nature was quite unpleasant.

Sowerberry was an undertaker by profession. He employed Oliver as his apprentice, and later Oliver escaped to get away from his wrath.

Brownlow and Oliver met under unusual circumstances. However, he was one of the few people who ever showed kindness to Oliver.

Rose is Mrs. Maylie’s niece. She was later revealed to be Oliver’s aunt.

Mrs. Maylie is Rose’s aunt. She took Oliver under her care when he truly needed love and shelter.

Fagin is one of the main villains of the novel. He is the leader of a criminal gang and employs people to commit crimes.

Bill is a member of Fagin’s gang and does a lot of his dirty work. He hangs himself by the end of the book.

Nancy is Bill’s romantic interest. She is murdered by him later on in the story.

Monks is a cruel person with unknown motives. It is later revealed that he is Oliver’s half-brother, wishing to keep Oliver away from their family inheritance.

Mr. Leeford was Oliver’s father. Towards the end of the story, we get to know that he was also Monks’ father.

As we all know, Dickens was a magician with words. His dialogues and phrases echo in the minds of readers even now, remaining beloved and relevant. A couple of the famous quotes from Oliver Twist include:

“There are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts.”

“Some people are nobody’s enemies but their own, yer know.”

“Women can always put things in fewest words. Except when it’s blowing up; and then they lengthens it out.”

“There is a kind of sleep that steals upon us sometimes, which, while it holds the body prisoner, does not free the mind from a sense of things about it, and enable it to ramble at its pleasure.”

“Let the tears which fell, and the broken words which were exchanged in the long close embrace between the orphans, be sacred.”

“It is because I think so much of warm and sensitive hearts, that I would spare them from being wounded.”

The works of Charles Dickens have been adapted in various formats for eons now, and the same holds true for Oliver Twist. While there have been multiple fantastic adaptations of the story, listed below are a few of them that readers can explore:

• A 1948 movie by David Lean
• A 1968 musical adaptation which won at the 41 st Academy Awards
• A 1974 animated movie was co-written by Ben Starr
• A 1997 film which was directed by Tony Bill
• A 2005 movie with Roman Polanski as the director
• A 1962 BBC show with 13 episodes
• A 1985 drama on BBC One which was directed by Gareth Davies

Dickens was not only a master storyteller, but he also possessed the unique ability to combine real-life elements with strings of fiction. This is evident in how Oliver Twist has been crafted, combining the author’s experiences and observations with fictional accounts.

Whether you’re an ardent fan of Dickensian stories or are someone who is hoping to explore some of his most well-rated works, Oliver Twist is a great novel to start with. The minute you’re done closing the book, the discussions will prompt you to pick up the rest of his stories immediately.

This is Neha Jhunjhunwala, one of the writers for this book review website. Her interest in this field is driven by her exposure to a plethora of books from a very early age. By sharing her observations and insights on different books with others on this website, she hopes to motivate and inspire people to read more and more books and help them better their knowledge of different genres and enrich their lives.

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Featured quote, featured article.

Jack Dawkins, better known as the Artful Dodger, is a character in the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. Dodger is a pickpocket, so called for his skill and cunning in that respect. He is the leader of the gang of child criminals, trained by the elderly Fagin. He becomes Oliver's closest friend (although he betrays him when Oliver is mistakenly caught)..

About the writer

Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic in Victorian era. Dickens almost had same childhood as Oliver Twist, when his father was sent to debtor's prison and 12-year old Charles had to leave the school and work in factory. However, he gained success after publishing his works (Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, and much more). His creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton, for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism.

• 1 Bill Sikes
• 2 Oliver Twist (Character)
• 3 Mrs. Bedwin