Oliver Twist, or the “Parish Boy's Progress”, is the second novel by Charles Dickens, and was first

published as a serial in 1837 until 1838. The story had some influence on social policy and contributed to
the creation of the modern system of workhouses.

Oliver Twist is one of Dickens' most well-known novels and has been adapted into various stage and
screen versions. Many notable actors have portrayed the orphan Oliver including Sir Alec Guinness in
1948 and Mark Lester who starred alongside Ron Moody as Fagin in 1968.

Here is our Oliver Twist summary, to help you understand the plot and its many ‘twists’ and turns:

The story begins in a Victorian workhouse. Oliver Twist is a young orphan. His life in the workhouse is
lonely and sad. Oliver becomes an apprentice for an undertaker but runs away after he gets into a fight
with another apprentice.

When Oliver arrives in London, he meets Jack, also known as the Artful Dodger, who offers him a place to
stay. Unfortunately, Jack and his gang are pickpockets, who work for an unscrupulous career criminal
called Fagin. When Oliver sees the others pick the pocket of an elderly gentleman, he is horrified and
runs away. A kind man called Mr Brownlow takes Oliver in and looks after him.

Sadly it isn’t “happily ever after” for poor Oliver as Fagin and his gang reappear and capture him. They
force Oliver to take part in a robbery and he gets shot. A family called the Maylies nurse Oliver back to
health. They take him to see Mr. Brownlow when he's well enough, but they discover his home deserted
—he has emigrated to the West Indies.

Oliver Twist Plot

Meanwhile, Fagin and his elusive associate Monks are still looking for Oliver, to no avail. One day, after
having a nightmare in which he sees them through his window, Oliver wakes up to find them gazing at
him. He raises the alarm, but they flee before he can stop them.
Nancy hears Fagin and Monks talking. She decides she needs to tell Rose what she knows. Nancy tells
the truth to Rose that Monks is Oliver's half-brother, who has been trying to hurt him so he can get all of
his inheritance money. Rose tells Mr Brownlow and he goes to tell Oliver's other caretakers. They decide
they need to meet Nancy again so they can find Monks.

Nancy meets them on London Bridge at a prearranged time, but Fagin is suspicious and has sent Noah
Claypole to spy on her. Nancy still won't betray Fagin or Sikes, but she tells Rose and Mr Brownlow how
to find Monks.

Noah tells Fagin about every piece of information that he knows. Fagin then tells Sikes even though he
knows that telling him what he knows will result in Sikes trying to kill her. Mr Brownlow finds Monks and
Monks admits that Oliver's birth was not what first appeared to be true.

Sikes is trying to run away, but people are looking for him. He falls off a building and dies. Fagin gets
arrested and gets a visit from Oliver, after which he is executed. Oliver, Mr Brownlow, and the Maylies
end up living peacefully in a small village in England.

There you have it - a short summary of Oliver Twist! We hope you enjoyed this whirlwind tour through
Oliver Twist's Victorian London.