Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens was written and released in the 1830s. It is his first book to realistically show poverty within London at the time, underscoring the author’s belief that poverty could lead to a life of crime and misfortune. The novel follows the journey of the titular character, Oliver Twist. Oliver, an orphan since birth, spends much of his childhood at an orphanage with too many children and too little food. Enjoy reading the article, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (PDF)
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“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” – Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist and social critic who created some of the world’s best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.
Oliver Twist: Book Summary
Oliver Twist is a book about a young orphaned boy living in London in the Victorian era. After his mother dies during childbirth, Oliver is sent to live in a workhouse, where he is mistreated along with the other children who live there. There’s not enough food to go around, and no role models to call on. Despite this, Oliver keeps his innocence and good nature, which stay with him throughout the story. One night, when served a tiny portion of ‘gruel’, Oliver asks for a second helping, and is punished by being sent to work for an undertaker.
After being mistreated for long enough, Oliver decides to flee, and heads for London, which is around 70 miles away. There, he meets ‘The Artful Dodger’, a boy called John Dawkins who survives by pick-pocketing. The Dodger introduces him to an old man named Fagin, who has trained many boys to steal for him. Now, Oliver has become part of their gang without really having a choice.
One day, the boys attempt to steal a handkerchief from an elderly gentleman named Mr Brownlow. This makes Oliver confused and fearful, so he attempts to run away. The man assumes that Oliver has fled because he’s guilty, so he catches him. Thankfully, the man realises that Oliver couldn’t have committed a crime like this, and he offers to take care of him at his home.
Oliver is free of Fagin’s gang for a while, but because he’s seen them commit crimes, they soon come looking for him. We’re introduced to Nancy, a kind-hearted woman who is under the control of her boyfriend, Bill Sikes. She is sent to look for Oliver and bring him back, which is does successfully. Oliver is forced to take part in a burglary of a family called the Maylies, and is shot during in the arm. The Maylies decide to look after him, as Fagin plots to get Oliver back.
While on a trip to London, Rose Maylie meets with Mr Brownlow and Nancy, and they all work to find a safe home for Oliver away from Fagin and his gang. Bill Sikes finds out about this plan. Enraged by this betrayal, he kills Nancy, and accidentally dies in the process too. Oliver is eventually reunited with Mr Brownlow, who has discovered that Oliver is the half-brother of a man called Monks. Not only does learn about his family for the first time, but he finds out he is entitled to a large fortune, which was left behind by his mother.
Fagin’s plot is uncovered, and he is sentenced to death for his crimes, while Oliver, the Maylies and Mr Brownlow are able to leave London and live peacefully.
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