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.