Oliver Twist (1837)
By Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870)
Materials: DVD of Oliver Twist with subtitles
Summary of the book:
One of Dickens’ most popular stories is Oliver Twist, an early work published 1837-8. Like
many of his novels, its central theme is the hardship faced by the poor dispossessed and those
of the outside of ‘polite’ society. Oliver himself is born in a workhouse and treated cruelly as
was the norm at the time for pauper children. Bumble, a parish council official or ‘beadle’,
was particularly cruel. The story follows Oliver as he escapes the workhouse and runs away to
London. Here he receives an education in crime from the Fagin’s gang that includes the brutal
thief Bill Sikes, the famous ‘Artful Dodger’ and Nancy, Bill’s whore. Oliver is rescued by the
intervention of a benefactor - Mr Brownlow - but the mysterious Monks gets the gang to
kidnap the boy again. Nancy intervenes but is murdered viciously by Sikes after she has
showed some redeeming qualities and has discovered Monk’s sinister intention. The story
closes happily: with justice for Bumble and the cruel Monks who has hidden the truth of
Oliver’s parentage out of malice. Accusations were made that the book glamorised crime (like
the ‘Newgate Group’ of the period) but Dickens wisely disassociated himself from criminal
romances. His greatest achievement was in presenting the underworld and problems of
poverty to the rich upper classes in a way rarely attempted previously.
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About the author:
Dickens was 19th century London personified, he survived its mean streets as a child
and, largely self-educated, possessed the genius to become the greatest writer of his
age
Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, the son of a clerk at the Navy Pay Office. His
father, John Dickens, continually living beyond his means, was imprisoned for debt
in 1824. 12-year-old Charles was removed from school and sent to work at a bootblacking factory, earning six shillings a week to help support the family. This dark
experience cast a shadow over the clever, sensitive boy that became a defining
experience in his life. He would later write that he wondered "how I could have been
so easily cast away at such an age". This childhood poverty and feelings of
abandonment, although unknown to his readers until after his death, would be a
great influence on Dickens' later views on social reform and the world he would
create through his fiction.
Dickens wrote 15 major novels and countless short stories and articles before his
death on June 9, 1870. He wished to be buried quietly in a small cemetery in
Rochester, but the Nation would not allow it. He was laid to rest in Poet's Corner in
Westminster Abbey. Flowers from thousands of mourners overflowed the open
grave.
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See www.bbc.co.uk/drama/bleakhouse/animation.shtml for an animated film
about Dickens’ life. Recommended!
Important Vocabulary:
A pickpocket
A workhouse
An orphan
Poor
Rich
To murder
To steal
To kidnap
Teaching Notes
The Setting
England in the 1830s. There are several locations: the small seaside village where
Oliver is born, a small town next to London where Dodger finds Oliver, London at
Fagin's place and Brownlows, and finally in the country will Rose.
The atmosphere of the story is incredibly dark, violent, frightening and sad. There
are thieves, prostitutes, pickpockets, burglars and overall wicked people.
Central Characters
*Agnes Flemming- Oliver's mother
*Edwin Leeford- Oliver's father
*Edward Leeford, a.k.a. Monks- son of Edwin and Elizabeth Leeford; Oliver's half
brother, tries to rob him of his fortune
*Oliver Twist- the title character, an orphan raised in a workhouse by Mrs. Corney
and in a home with Mrs. Mann
*Mr. Bumble- the parochial beadle, names Oliver alphabetically
*Sowerberry- the coffin maker/undertaker with whom Oliver stays for a short time
after leaving the workhouse because he asked for more food
*Noah Claypole- worked for Sowerberry; follows Nancy and is responsible for her
death
*Jack Dawkins, known as the Artful Dodger- one of Fagin's boys. A pickpocket, he
finds Oliver and takes him to Fagin, he is transported for taking a snuff box
*Fagin- head of a group of pickpockets, he teaches young boys to steal. He buys
stolen goods from Bill Sikes. He is hanged for his part in Nancy's death
*Bill Sikes- he has a dog named Bullseye. He is a thief. Nancy is his girlfriend. When
he learns that Nancy went to see Brownlow he murders her in a fit of rage.
*Nancy - a prostitute, she is Sikes' girlfriend. She likes Oliver, Sikes forces here to
kidnap Oliver from Brownlow, she tries to rescue him by telling Brownlow. She is
followed by Noah Claypole and when he tells Sikes he murders her
*Brownlow- a kind gentleman. Oliver is accused of robbing him at the bookshop.
When Oliver is released he sees that the boy is sick and takes him home, saying "I
will never dessert you"; he is instrumental in finding Oliver's true identity and
apprehending Monks. He adopts Oliver
*Mr. Grimwig- a lawyer, he'll "eat his head" if Oliver is not a thief, he's Mr.
Brownlow's friend
*Toby Crackit- part of Fagin's gang, lives on Jacob's Island, helps Sikes break into the
Maylie's house
The story’s structure:
A biography of Oliver’s life, involving a mystery surrounding his birth , an exciting
climax ending in murder but with a happy ending. It is Oliver's quest to learn who
he is and the quest of others (i.e. Leeford) to keep him from finding out that he was
supposed to inherit money.
Themes
 The triumph of good over evil (Oliver represents “good”)
 Poverty, child abuse, social norms and the need for reform.
 Family and social class: Family is important in Oliver Twist because Oliver
doesn't have any at first, and some members of his family are out to destroy him.
Oliver is mistreated by many people who are not his family- like Bumble and
Sowerberry - or only pretend to be - Fagin and Dodger. Rose being his long-lost
aunt treats him well even before their relation is known, and Monks treats him
the way he does (i.e. paying Fagin to make him a crook) because he is family and
he wants to get an inheritance.
Class is important to the plot because the book was intended to be an expose of
the squalid conditions of the poor, both in workhouses and slums. Brownlow
treats Oliver well in spite of his class (so too do the Maylies) while Grimwig
doubts him and Fagin uses him because of it.
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Things to discuss
Do places still exist today where children are treated in the same way as Oliver
Twist?
Why do some children today have to work in certain parts of the world?
What is the British ”class system”? What are the differences between working class,
middle class and upper class? What do you think about the class system and why?
Do such class differences exist in Norway?
Activities
1. Make a poster presentation of the life and times of Charles Dickens.
2. Write about Oliver’s first meeting with Fagin from Oliver’s perspective.
Use this title: The day I met Fagin.
Here are some words to help you:
scruffy, rags, handkerchiefs, sly, devious, dishonest, helpful, foggy, cobbled streets, dilapidated
slums, frightening, clever
Oliver, Fagin and The Artful Dodger
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3. Read the text about Betty Steel.
a) Is there a connection between Betty Steel and Charles Dickens? What is it? (See
appendix).
b) Betty was sentenced to “transportation”. A character in Oliver Twist suffers the
same punishment. Who was he and what had he done?
4. Collect pictures of the characters in Oliver Twist from the internet. Make a poster
using the pictures. Write the names of the characters and some details about them for
example their job, their personality etc. Divide the characters into two groups: the
good and the evil.
5. Find out about the conditions for poor children in Victorian England. Find out
about the work of Dr Barnado, The Poor Laws and the social reforms by Lord
Shaftesbury. Give a presentation to the class.
6. You are going to make wanted posters for Fagin and The Artful Dodger. First, you
need to gather information from the film and book of Oliver Twist:



personal details (name, nicknames, age, address etc.)
what they look like (colour of hair, eyes, clothes, build etc.)
what crimes they have committed
Here is an example of a wanted poster for Bill Sikes:
WANTED
For the brutal MURDER
Of Nancy Brown in Clerkenwell, London
WILLIAM SIKES
Age: 39 Height: 6 feet
www.bbs.org
Sikes is said to have a dirty complexion
and is often unshaven. He has black hair
and brown eyes. He usually wears an old
top hat, blue coat and boots. He carries a
large club and has a Staffordshire pitbull
answering to the name of Bullseye.
The public are warned that Sikes is very
dangerous.
He is also wanted in connection with
burglaries and kidnapping.
HAVE YOU
SEEN THIS
MAN? THERE IS
A REWARD OF
50 GUINEAS
FOR
INFORMATION
LEADING TO
HIS CAPTURE.
By order of Charles Dickens, Chief Magistrate, City of London
Adapted from Teachit.co.uk
7. Write the front page newspaper report based on the murder of Nancy by Bill Sikes.
You must read chapter 47 (Appendix 2). Find out the following information:




What happened?
When?
Where?
Who was involved?
All the most important details must be in the first few sentences of your report.
Draw a suitable picture too.
Here is an example of a newspaper report covering the death of Sikes:
London Gazette
Thursday 4th March 1864
Price: one penny
MURDERER DIES AFTER POLICE MANHUNT
A man wanted for the murder of an East End prostitute was killed as he tried to
escape from police yesterday.
The police shot Mr William Sikes as he
tried to escape capture. The police had
been looking for him in connection
with the death of Nancy Brown. Sikes
had kidnapped a 12 year-old orphan,
Oliver Twist, in the hope of avoiding
arrest. However, Constable Francis
Crackshot wounded Sikes and the boy
was rescued. Sikes had been hiding for
almost 3 days since the body of Nancy
Brown was found in Whitchapel on
Monday. Sikes had been seen running
from the crime scene by an eyewitness. Sikes was a known thief and
feared for his vicious temper. He is
believed to have killed Miss Brown
after he had learned of her reporting
his crimes to certain persons. Sikes and
Miss Brown were involved in forcing
young children to commit crimes.
Tragically, Miss Brown’s efforts to save
children like Oliver Twist cost her her
life. The police have also arrested
another man who is believed to have
been helping Sikes, Joshua Ezekiel
Fagin, 55. He is to appear at Bow Street
court tomorrow on charges of
receiving stolen goods and
kidnapping.
7. Write a list from 1 to 22 and then put these sentences in the right order:
The story of Oliver Twist
a) Mr Brownlow takes Oliver home after the court hearing.
b) Oliver meets the Artful Dodger.
c) Oliver is arrested for pickpocketing.
d) Oliver Twist is born in the workhouse.
e) The bookseller’s evidence saves Oliver from prison.
f) The police kill Sikes.
g) Nancy arranges to meet Mr Brownlow.
h) Oliver is “sold” to Mr Sowerberry.
i) Oliver asks for more food.
j) Bullseye leads the police to Sikes.
k) Oliver runs away to London.
l) Sikes murders Nancy.
m) Oliver has a fight with Noah Claypole.
n) Oliver joins Fagin’s “workshop”.
o) Nancy and Sikes kidnap Oliver.
p) Old Sally steals the necklace from Oliver’s mother.
q) Grimwig predicts Oliver will run off with Brownlow’s money.
r) Monks buys the locket for £25 from the Bumbles.
s) Oliver’s mother dies.
t) The police arrest Fagin.
u) Sikes and Toby Crackit take Oliver on a burglary “job”.
v) Nancy is seen on London Bridge.
A quiz
1. Where was Charles Dickens born?
a) London
b) Portsmouth
c) Chatham, Kent
2. What is the name of Bill Sikes’ dog?
a) Bullseye
b) Gnasher
c) Wobblebottom
3. Who is Oliver Twist’s half brother?
a) Noah Claypole
b) Monks
c) Arthur Twist
4. Before becoming a famous author, Dickens worked as what?
a) Journalist
b) Judge
c) Parish beadle
5. Who does Oliver work for when he leaves the workhouse?
a) Mr Grimwig
b) Mr Undertaker
c) Mr Sowerberry
6. When was Dickens born?
a) 1838
b) 1908
c) 1812
7. What is the real name of the Artful Dodger?
a) John Dawkins
b) Jackson Arthur
c) Charles Dodgson
8. What was Charles Dicken’s middle name?
a) Augustine
b) Ludwig
c) Huffam
9. Who asked for more food?
a) The Artful Dodger
b) Nancy
c) Oliver Twist
10. What is a pickpocket?
a) A pocket to put money in
b) Someone who steals from people’s pockets
c) A thief who steals from people’s houses
From book and film to play
Oliver asks for more
Read an excerpt from Chapter 2 of the novel. See Appendix 3.
Work in small groups and turn the text into a play script to be performed in
Norwegian Sign Language. Here is a list of characters:
A narrator, the master cook, Oliver, the cook’s assistant, another boy
Write the script:
 The play opens with the narrator describing the setting.
 The names of the characters are written on the left of the page
 The words they say are written next tot the names. There are no speech marks
(“…”)
 Descriptions of how the characters move and behave are written in brackets: (..)
These are called stage directions.
 Try to make the characters use words and actions that match their personalities
Appendix 1
Betty Steel
Betty Steel is the first, European, Deaf person we know about who was sent from England to
Australia in 1770.
Betty was born in the slums of London. We believe that she was arrested for stealing bread.
She was taken to the terrible prisons in *Clerkenwell and Newgate in London. Prisoners were
cruelly treated and beatings were common. About 10,000 people were imprisoned at
Clerkenwell each year.
At her trial, Betty was sentenced to “Transportation.” This meant that she was sent to
Australia to serve her prison sentence. Each year, many thousands were transported to
Australia.
Betty travelled by boat together with hundreds of other prisoners to Sydney. Life in the prison
colony was very hard.
Betty never returned to England. Her grave has recently been found in Sydney.
*Clerkenwell prison and the slums around it inspired Charles Dickens to write his book “Oliver
Twist”. The prison was pulled down in 1890 although the cellars remained. In 1892 a school for the
deaf was built there. The school existed until 1943 when it was bombed and destroyed by German
planes.
Appendix 2
FATAL CONSEQUENCES
Chapter 47
Introduction to the text
Fagin has told Sikes that Claypole followed Nancy. She had a meeting with Brownlow. It is
clear that Nancy has betrayed Sikes and he wants revenge.
It was nearly two hours before day–break; that time which in the autumn of the year,
may be truly called the dead of night; when the streets are silent and deserted; when
even sounds appear to slumber…
…Sikes made no reply; but, pulling open the door and dashed into the silent streets.
Without one pause, or moment’s consideration; without once turning his head to the
right or left, or raising his eyes to the sky, or lowering them to the ground, but
looking straight before him with savage resolution: his teeth so tightly compressed
that the strained jaw seemed starting through his skin; the robber held on his
headlong course, nor muttered a word, nor relaxed a muscle, until he reached his
own door. He opened it, softly, with a key; strode lightly up the stairs; and entering
his own room, double–locked the door, and lifting a heavy table against it, drew back
the curtain of the bed.
The girl was lying, half–dressed, upon it. He had roused her from her sleep, for she
raised herself with a hurried and startled look.
‘Get up!’ said the man.
‘It is you, Bill!’ said the girl, with an expression of pleasure at his return.
‘It is,’ was the reply. ‘Get up.’
There was a candle burning, but the man hastily drew it from the candlestick, and
hurled it under the grate. Seeing the faint light of early day without, the girl rose to
open the curtains.
‘Let it be,’ said Sikes, thrusting his hand before her. ‘There’s enough light for what
I’ve got to do.’
‘Bill,’ said the girl, in the low voice of alarm, ‘why do you look like that at me!’
The robber sat regarding her, for a few seconds, with dilated nostrils and heaving
breast; and then, grasping her by the head and throat, dragged her into the middle of
the room, and looking once towards the door, placed his heavy hand upon her
mouth.
‘Bill, Bill!’ gasped the girl, wrestling with the strength of mortal fear,—‘I—I won’t
scream or cry—not once—hear me—speak to me—tell me what I have done!’
‘You know, you she devil!’ returned the robber, suppressing his breath. ‘You were
watched to–night; every word you said was heard.’
‘Then spare my life for the love of Heaven, as I spared yours,’ cried the girl, clinging
to him. ‘Bill, dear Bill, you cannot have the heart to kill me. Oh! think of all I have
given up, only this one night, for you. You SHALL have time to think, and save
yourself this crime; I will not loose my hold, you cannot throw me off. Bill, Bill, for
dear God’s sake, for your own, for mine, stop before you spill my blood! I have been
true to you, upon my guilty soul I have!’
The man struggled violently, to release his arms; but those of the girl were clasped
round his, and tear her as he would, he could not tear them away.
‘Bill,’ cried the girl, striving to lay her head upon his breast, ‘the gentleman and that
dear lady, told me to–night of a home in some foreign country where I could end my
days in solitude and peace. Let me see them again, and beg them, on my knees, to
show the same mercy and goodness to you; and let us both leave this dreadful place,
and far apart lead better lives, and forget how we have lived, except in prayers, and
never see each other more. It is never too late to repent. They told me so—I feel it
now—but we must have time—a little, little time!’
The housebreaker freed one arm, and grasped his pistol. The certainty of immediate
detection if he fired, flashed across his mind even in the midst of his fury; and he
beat it twice with all the force he could summon, upon the upturned face that almost
touched his own.
She staggered and fell: nearly blinded with the blood that rained down from a deep
gash in her forehead; but raising herself, with difficulty, on her knees, drew from her
bosom a white handkerchief and holding it up, in her folded hands, as high towards
Heaven as her feeble strength would allow, breathed one prayer for mercy to her
Maker.
It was a ghastly figure to look upon. The murderer staggering backward to the wall,
and shutting out the sight with his hand, seized a heavy club and struck her down.
Glossary
Grate: peis
To repent: å anger
Detection: å bli oppdaget
Fury: sinne
Gash: sår
A Forehead: pannen
A prayer: en bønn
Her Maker: Gud
Ghastly figure : forferdelig skikkelse
A murderer: en morder
A club: en kølle
To stike/ struck: å slå/slo
Appendix 3
CHAPTER II
TREATS OF OLIVER TWIST’S GROWTH, EDUCATION, AND BOARD
Introduction to the text
The orphan boys in the workhouse were not given enough food. They were always hungry.
The bigger boys decided it was time to ask for more food and it was decided that little Oliver
Twist would ask Bumble for more food that evening..
…The evening arrived; the boys took their places. The master, in his cook’s uniform,
stationed himself at the copper; his pauper assistants ranged themselves behind him;
the gruel was served out; and a long grace was said over the short commons. The
gruel disappeared; the boys whispered each other, and winked at Oliver; while his
next neighbours nudged him. Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and
reckless with misery. He rose from the table; and advancing to the master, basin and
spoon in hand, said: somewhat alarmed at his own temerity:
‘Please, sir, I want some more.’
The master was a fat, healthy man; but he turned very pale. He gazed in stupified
astonishment on the small rebel for some seconds, and then clung for support to the
copper. The assistants were paralysed with wonder; the boys with fear.
‘What!’ said the master at length, in a faint voice.
‘Please, sir,’ replied Oliver, ‘I want some more.’
The master aimed a blow at Oliver’s head with the ladle; pinioned him in his arm;
and shrieked aloud for the beadle.
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Glossary
The master: koken
The copper: en gryte
Gruel: grøt
A grace: en bordbønn
Hunger: sult
Reckless: uten redsel
Basin and spoon: skål og skje
Turned pale: ble blek
Astonishment: overraskelse
Faint voice: svak stemme
Support: støtte
A ladle: en øse
Shrieked aloud: ropte høyt