Oliver Twist

The novel follows the journey of the titular character, Oliver Twist.
Oliver, an orphan since birth, spends much of his childhood at a “child
farm” (orphanage) with too many children and too little food. The farm
is located roughly 70 miles outside London. One night, after being
served his portion of gruel, Oliver asks for a second helping. This is
unacceptable, and Oliver is sent to work as an apprentice to an
undertaker. Eventually, after suffering repeated mistreatment, Oliver
runs away and heads for London. He soon finds himself in the presence
of the Artful Dodger, who tells him to stay at the house of an “old
gentleman” (named Fagin) with a number of other boys. Oliver learns
that these boys are trained pickpockets. On an outing, Oliver witnesses
the boys take a handkerchief from Mr. Brownlow, an elderly man,
which prompts Oliver to run away in fear and confusion. The elderly
man mistakes Oliver’s behaviour for guilt and has him arrested.
However, after learning more about Oliver, Mr. Brownlow realizes his
mistake and offers to take care of him at his home.

Characters
Oliver Twist-The novel’s protagonist. Oliver is an orphan born in a workhouse, and
Dickens uses his situation to criticize public policy toward the poor in 1830s England. Oliver
is between nine and twelve years old when the main action of the novel occurs. Though
treated with cruelty and surrounded by coarseness for most of his life, he is a pious,
innocent child, and his charms draw the attention of several wealthy benefactors. His true
identity is the central mystery of the novel.

Fagin-A conniving career criminal. Fagin takes in homeless children and trains them to
pick pockets for him. He is also a buyer of other people’s stolen goods. He rarely
commits crimes himself, preferring to employ others to commit them—and often suffer
legal retribution—in his place. Dickens’s portrait of Fagin displays the influence of anti-
Semitic stereotypes.

Mr. Brownlow-Mr. Brownlow owns a portrait of Agnes Fleming and was

engaged to Mr. Leeford’s sister when she died. Throughout the novel, he behaves
with compassion and common sense and emerges as a natural leader.