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Oliver Twist

by Charles Dickens

19th Century Novel
Overview

Oliver Twist tells the story of an orphan boy who escapes the workhouse only to fall into the hands of a criminal gang in Victorian London. Dickens uses Oliver's journey to expose the harsh treatment of the poor and the corruption of social institutions.

Plot Summary
  • 1Oliver is born in a workhouse; his mother dies, and his origins remain mysterious
  • 2After asking for more food, Oliver is sold to an undertaker but runs away to London
  • 3He meets the Artful Dodger, who leads him to Fagin's gang of child thieves
  • 4Oliver is caught after a pickpocketing attempt but is rescued by the kind Mr. Brownlow
  • 5Fagin and Bill Sikes recapture Oliver and force him to participate in a burglary
  • 6The burglary fails; Oliver is shot and taken in by the kind Maylie family
  • 7Nancy tries to help Oliver but is murdered by Sikes for her betrayal
  • 8Oliver's true identity is revealed, he inherits his father's estate, and Fagin is hanged
Key Themes
  • •The treatment of the poor and social injustice
  • •Good versus evil and moral corruption
  • •The power of environment versus innate character
  • •Childhood innocence
  • •Crime and punishment
  • •Social class and identity
Main Characters
  • Oliver Twist: The innocent orphan protagonist
  • Fagin: The cunning leader of the child thieves
  • Bill Sikes: The brutal criminal
  • Nancy: Sikes's girlfriend who tries to save Oliver
  • The Artful Dodger: The skilled young pickpocket
  • Mr. Brownlow: The kind gentleman who rescues Oliver
Historical & Literary Context
  • Published 1837-1839 during the Victorian era
  • Dickens criticized the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834
  • Workhouses were harsh institutions for the destitute
  • Child labor and poverty were widespread in Victorian London
  • The novel was influenced by Dickens's own childhood hardships
Exam Relevance & Tips
  • Analyze Dickens's criticism of workhouses and the treatment of the poor
  • Examine how Oliver maintains his goodness despite his environment
  • Discuss the portrayal of London and urban poverty
  • Consider the role of women, particularly Nancy's tragic fate
  • Explore how Dickens uses sentimentality to engage readers' sympathy
Why This Matters

Oliver Twist was groundbreaking in its sympathetic portrayal of the poor and its critique of social institutions. Dickens's vivid depiction of Victorian poverty and his argument that environment shapes character helped change public attitudes about the treatment of the disadvantaged, making it both influential social commentary and compelling literature.