Novel Charles Dickens: Oliver Twist, in Full Oliver Twist Or, The Parish Boy's Progress

Oliver Twist, in full Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s
Progress, novel by Charles Dickens, published serially under the
pseudonym “Boz” from 1837 to 1839 in Bentley’s Miscellany and in a
three-volume book in 1838. The novel was the first of the author’s
works to realistically depict the impoverished London underworld and
to illustrate his belief that poverty leads to crime.
The Artful Dodger picking a pocket to the amazement of Oliver Twist (far right); illustration by
George Cruikshank for Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist (1837–39).
© Photos.com/Thinkstock
Plot summary
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.
Oliver assumes that he is now rid of Fagin and the pickpockets, but his
knowledge of their crimes causes them to seek Oliver out. Nancy, a
prostitute and mistress of one of Fagin’s men, Bill Sikes, is sent to take
Oliver from Mr. Brownlow back to Fagin. She does so successfully, and
Oliver is sent on a burglary mission with another member of the group
to the countryside around London. On this errand, Oliver is shot in the
arm and then is taken in by the family (the Maylies) that he attempted
to rob. While he is there, Fagin and a man named Monks plot to get
him back. Rose Maylie, while on a trip to London with her family,
meets with Mr. Brownlow to talk with Nancy, who has slipped away
from Sikes to explain the plans made by Monks and Fagin to get Oliver
back. She describes Monks and tells them when he might most easily
be apprehended. Unfortunately for Nancy, news of her betrayal
reaches Sikes, and he beats her to death. Sikes accidentally hangs
himself soon after. The Maylies reunite Oliver with Mr. Brownlow,
who forces Monks to explain himself. The reader and Oliver are then
informed that Monks is Oliver’s half-brother and that Oliver is entitled
to a large fortune. He receives his share of the money, Fagin is hung,
and the Maylies, Oliver, and Mr. Brownlow move to the countryside
where they spend the rest of their days together.
Context and reception
Charles Dickens was well versed in the poverty of London, as he
himself was a child worker after his father was sent to debtors’ prison.
His appreciation of the hardships endured by impoverished citizens
stayed with him for the rest of his life and was evident in his
journalistic writings and novels. Dickens began writing Oliver Twist
after the adoption of the Poor Law of 1834, which halted government
payments to the able-bodied poor unless they entered workhouses.
Thus, Oliver Twist became a vehicle for social criticism aimed directly
atOliver Twist was very popular when it was first published, partially
because of its scandalous subject matter. It depicted crime and murder
without holding back—causing it, in Victorian London, to be classed as
a “Newgate novel” (named after Newgate Prison in London). While
critics often condemned such novels as immoral, the public usually

enjoyed them. Because the novel was also published serially, the
anticipation of waiting for the next installment (and its many
cliffhangers) also likely contributed to its popularity. To this day,
Oliver Twist is enjoyed by many for its historical social commentary
and exciting plotline. It has been adapted for film several times,
including in 1948 (directed by David Lean) and 2005 (directed by
Roman Polanski). the problem of poverty in 19th-century London.

Novel Charles Dickens: Oliver Twist, in Full Oliver Twist Or, The Parish Boy's Progress

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Novel Charles Dickens: Oliver Twist, in Full Oliver Twist Or, The Parish Boy's Progress

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Novel Charles Dickens: Oliver Twist, in Full Oliver Twist Or, The Parish Boy's Progress

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Oliver Twist, in full Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s

Progress, novel by Charles Dickens, published serially under the

pseudonym “Boz” from 1837 to 1839 in Bentley’s Miscellany and in a

works to realistically depict the impoverished London underworld and

to illustrate his belief that poverty leads to crime.

Oliver, an orphan since birth, spends much of his childhood at a “child

farm is located roughly 70 miles outside London. One night, after

is unacceptable, and Oliver is sent to work as an apprentice to an

undertaker. Eventually, after suffering repeated mistreatment, Oliver

“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

arrested. However, after learning more about Oliver, Mr. Brownlow

Charles Dickens was well versed in the poverty of London, as he

His appreciation of the hardships endured by impoverished citizens

journalistic writings and novels. Dickens began writing Oliver Twist

payments to the able-bodied poor unless they entered workhouses.

because of its scandalous subject matter. It depicted crime and murder

without holding back—causing it, in Victorian London, to be classed as

a “Newgate novel” (named after Newgate Prison in London). While

critics often condemned such novels as immoral, the public usually

anticipation of waiting for the next installment (and its many

cliffhangers) also likely contributed to its popularity. To this day,

Oliver Twist is enjoyed by many for its historical social commentary

including in 1948 (directed by David Lean) and 2005 (directed by

Roman Polanski). the problem of poverty in 19th-century London.

You might also like