Oliver Twist

Anusha Khedkar, MBA, SKN Sinhgad School of Business Management Pune

Oliver Twist : written by Charles Dikens
Synopsis: Oliver Twist is a journey of a young boy who is an orphan whose name is oliver.
He is poor and raised in a workhouse.The novel tells us about his escape from harsh
upbringing and also runs into various characters like Mr Brownlow, the sinister Fagin,and the
Artful Dodger. In this novel Oliver faces many challenges as he navigates the dengers of
19th century London.
Review : Oliver Twist is a classic that shows how hard was the life of poor people in the 19 th
century. Oliver was an innocent boy who faces many hurdles and challenges in his life. In
this story, Fagin is the leader of a group who are child thieves and also is very cruel. The
Artful Dodger is a young thief who is clever and mischievous. Nancy is another important
character who is kind even if she faces difficulties in her life.The story is very interesting and
is full of twist and turns. Dikens has used simple language so that not only children but also
adults find it enjoyable to read.

The story talks about the issues like poverty,crime were the readers think about

the issues faced by the society.
Conclusion: “Oliver Twist” is a fantastic book for both children and adults. It teaches
importance of kindness,bravery and how to raise voice against an injustice.
If you love to read the novels like crime ,mystery and adventure then you should definitely go
for it.

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.