Brief Summary
Oliver Twist is a novel that critiques the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 through the story of an orphan's journey from a workhouse to discovering his true identity and inheritance. Key events include Oliver's mistreatment in the workhouse, his involvement with Fagan's gang of thieves, and the eventual revelation of his half-brother's plot to disinherit him. Ultimately, Oliver finds a loving home and justice prevails, though not without tragic consequences for some.
- Oliver is born in a workhouse and endures harsh conditions.
- He becomes entangled with a gang of thieves led by Fagan.
- Oliver's true identity and inheritance are threatened by his half-brother, Monks.
- Nancy's attempt to help Oliver leads to her tragic death.
- Justice is served as Fagan is arrested and Sykes dies, while Oliver finds a loving home with Mr. Brownlow.
Oliver's Early Life and Escape
Set in 19th-century Victorian England, the novel begins with Oliver Twist's birth in a workhouse, where his mother dies. He spends his early years in a terrible orphanage before being sent back to the workhouse at age nine. The boys there suffer from harsh treatment and near starvation. After drawing straws, Oliver is forced to ask for more food and is subsequently banished. He becomes an apprentice to Mr. Sauerberry, an undertaker, but runs away due to neglect and the taunts of Noah Claypole, who insults his deceased mother.
Oliver's Introduction to Fagan's Gang
Oliver walks towards London and meets Jack Dawkins, also known as the Artful Dodger, who promises him free lodging and food. The Dodger takes Oliver to Fagan, an ugly old man who leads a gang of young pickpockets and thieves. Oliver is later falsely accused of stealing a handkerchief and arrested. However, a bookseller testifies that another boy committed the crime, leading Mr. Brownlow, the gentleman whose handkerchief was stolen, to take Oliver in out of sympathy.
Kidnapping and Forced Crime
Oliver is happy with Mr. Brownlow, but Fagan and his accomplices worry that Oliver will reveal their location. Nancy, a young prostitute, kidnaps Oliver and returns him to Fagan. Oliver is then forced to participate in a house break-in with Bill Sykes, a violent thief. During the robbery, Oliver is shot by a servant, and Sykes and his partner leave him in a ditch.
Recovery and New Friends
Oliver returns to the house where the kind owner, Mrs. Maylie, and her niece, Rose, protect him from the police and nurse him back to health. With the help of Dr. Losberne, Oliver slowly recovers. Once he is well, Dr. Losberne takes him to see Mr. Brownlow, but they discover he has gone to the West Indies. Oliver enjoys his time with Mrs. Maylie and Rose in their country cottage.
Plots and Discoveries
One night, Oliver sees Fagan and a mysterious man named Monks staring at him through the window. Nancy overhears Fagan and Monks plotting against Oliver and decides to tell Rose what she knows. It is revealed that Monks is Oliver's half-brother, who wants to destroy Oliver to inherit their father's entire estate. Nancy refuses to betray Fagan and Sykes.
Unveiling the Truth
Mr. Brownlow returns from the West Indies, and Rose informs him of Monks's plot. Mr. Brownlow and Dr. Losberne plan to find Nancy to learn more about Oliver's parentage. Nancy meets with Rose and Mr. Brownlow near London Bridge, revealing Monks's appearance and how to find him, but still refuses to betray Fagan and Sykes. Fagan, suspicious of Nancy, sends Noah Claypole to spy on her.
Tragedy and Confession
Noah overhears Nancy's conversation and reports back to Fagan and Sykes. Enraged, Sykes murders Nancy. Monks, whose real name is Edward Leeford, confesses to Mr. Brownlow that he plotted to disinherit Oliver. His mother burned his father's will to disinherit Oliver's mother, Agnes, leaving Oliver without support after her death. Edward admits to paying Fagan to turn Oliver into a thief and hiding Oliver's identity papers.
Justice and Resolution
Sykes, on the run for Nancy's murder, is chased by an angry mob and accidentally hangs himself. Edward testifies about his attempts to swindle Oliver out of his inheritance, and Oliver agrees to share the inheritance with him. Edward eventually goes to jail and dies. Fagan is arrested, tried, and sentenced to death. He reveals the location of Oliver's identity papers to Mr. Brownlow. Mr. Brownlow adopts Oliver, and they live peacefully with the Maylies and Dr. Losberne in the countryside.
