Oliver Twist: Or, The Parish Boy's Progress: Analysis of Major Characters
"Oliver Twist: Or, The Parish Boy's Progress" is a novel by Charles Dickens that explores the life and struggles of an orphaned boy, Oliver Twist, amid the harsh realities of Victorian society. The story is marked by Oliver's innocence and moral integrity, juxtaposed with the exploitation he faces from various societal figures, including the ruthless workhouse managers and a gang of thieves led by the sinister Fagin. Central characters include Mr. Brownlow, a benevolent figure who ultimately rescues Oliver and provides him a loving home; Mrs. Maylie, who cares for Oliver during his time of need; and Rose Maylie, who is revealed to be Oliver's aunt.
The narrative also features antagonists such as Bill Sikes, a violent criminal whose brutal actions culminate in tragedy, and Monks, Oliver's stepbrother, who schemes against him to claim his inheritance. Other important figures include Nancy, a complex character caught between loyalty and morality, and Mr. Bumble, an emblem of the oppressive workhouse system. Through these characters, Dickens critiques social injustices and highlights the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity. The novel remains a poignant commentary on the plight of the vulnerable in society.
Oliver Twist: Or, The Parish Boy's Progress: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Charles Dickens
First published: serial, 1837–1839; book, 1838
Genre: Novel
Locale: England, especially London
Plot: Social realism
Time: Early nineteenth century
Oliver Twist, a workhouse foundling, the helpless, abused hero of the novel. Both innocent and morally sensible, he gives force and sharpness, as well as a full measure of sentimentality, to Dickens' vision of social injustice. Exploited from birth by the selfish managers of the poor farm and work-house, he is apprenticed to a mortician. Treated cruelly, he runs off to London, where he is taken in by a gang of thieves. Falsely arrested as a pickpocket, he is rescued for a time by Mr. Brownlow and then recaptured by the thieves. He is wounded during a burglary attempt and saved from arrest by Mrs. Maylie and her adopted daughter, who care for him until the mystery of his birth is solved and the criminals are taken or killed. Mr. Brownlow offers him a permanent home.
Mr. Brownlow, the kindhearted, benevolent man who delivers Oliver Twist from a vicious judge, gives him care and trust, solves the question of his parentage, and finally adopts him.
Mrs. Maylie, the gentle, good-hearted woman who takes Oliver in after he has been wounded and is being hunted as a burglar. She sees that he is happy and cared for until he finds a lasting home with Mr. Brownlow.
Rose Maylie, her adopted daughter, the tender, lovely girl who nurses Oliver and helps expose the treachery that surrounds him. Later, it turns out that she is really Oliver's aunt.
Harry Maylie, Mrs. Maylie's wastrel son, who later becomes a clergyman and marries his foster sister Rose.
Fagin, a greasy, sinister old Jew who trains boys for stealing and receives stolen goods. Paid to bring Oliver up as a thief, he fails to retake the boy after a burglary attempt. He is finally executed by the law for complicity in a murder.
Bill Sikes, Fagin's accomplice, the leader of Fagin's band of trained thieves. A violent, brutal man, he deserts Oliver after the attempted burglary. Later, he kills his mistress Nancy because he believes she has betrayed him. Haunted by guilt, he accidentally hangs himself while trying to escape the law.
Nancy, a female thief, a member of Fagin's gang. She befriends Oliver and informs on Fagin's activities in order to save the boy. Although she remains loyal to Bill Sikes, he murders her in a rage.
Monks, whose real name is Edward Leeford, Oliver Twist's stepbrother. A vengeful person, he plots with Fagin against Oliver to keep the boy from his inheritance. In the end, he confesses his villainy, makes restitution, moves to America, and eventually dies in prison.
Mr. Bumble, the vain, bullying almshouse beadle who mis-treats Oliver at every opportunity. He meets his match, however, when he marries Mrs. Corney, a workhouse matron. The two become paupers and end their days in the workhouse.
Mrs. Corney, his wife, formerly a vixenish workhouse matron.
Mr. Grimwig, Mr. Brownlow's gruff old friend, who speaks harshly against Oliver but wishes him well.
Mrs. Bedwin, Mr. Brownlow's warm-hearted housekeeper, who comforts frightened, lonely Oliver.
Mr. Losberne, “The Doctor,” a fat, good-hearted surgeon and the Maylies' family friend. He speaks roughly to Oliver Twist but cures his wound and saves him from the police.
Mrs. Mann, the alcoholic matron who keeps the poor farm where Oliver lives for a time.
Mr. Sowerberry, the mortician who takes Oliver as his apprentice and meekly befriends him. He makes thin, pale, sad-looking Oliver a mourner at children's funerals.
Mrs. Sowerberry,hiswife,ashrew.
Noah Claypole, a lumpish bully charity boy who runs away from the mortician and becomes a member of Fagin's gang.
Charlotte, Mrs. Sowerberry's servant, who also misuses Oliver. She marries Noah Claypole.
Jack Dawkins, called the Artful Dodger, the clever young pickpocket who leads Oliver Twist to Fagin.
Charley Bates, the Artful Dodger's boisterous friend and assistant.
Mr. Fang, the cruel judge who tries Oliver Twist when he is charged with picking pockets. Mr. Brownlow, appearing as a witness, pities Oliver and, when his innocence is proved, takes the boy home with him.
Toby Crackit, the burglar who accompanies Oliver Twist and Bill Sikes on the attempted robbery of the Maylie house.
Old Sally, the beggar, present when Oliver Twist is born, who steals the tokens that eventually disclose his parentage.
Agnes Fleming, Oliver's unwed mother. She dies in childbirth in a workhouse.
Mr. Leeford, Oliver Twist's father, unhappily married and separated from his wife when he falls in love with Agnes Fleming. After he dies suddenly in Rome, his wife and son destroy a will that provides for Agnes and her unborn child.
Mrs. Leeford, the jealous, vindictive wife who tries to deprive Agnes Fleming and her child of their inheritance.