Oliver Twist (Adaptation) characters

Appears from the start

An orphan born in a parish workhouse, where his mother dies immediately after giving birth. Small, underfed, and treated as a burden by the authorities, he nevertheless retains a strong sense of right and a capacity for affection despite repeated cruelty.

First appears in chapter 2

The self-important parish beadle who supervises Oliver's removal from the baby farm to the workhouse. He speaks constantly of duty and economy while bullying people who have no power to resist him.

First appears in chapter 4

The undertaker who takes Oliver as an apprentice after the parish tries to dispose of him. Mild and commercially minded, he is capable of treating Oliver with limited kindness but rarely protects him from the cruelties of his household.

First appears in chapter 5

A charity boy employed by the Sowerberrys who resents Oliver's arrival. He torments the smaller boy and insults Oliver's dead mother, provoking a resistance that shocks everyone accustomed to Oliver's submission.

Also known as The Artful Dodger

First appears in chapter 8

A quick-witted, unusually dressed London boy who finds Oliver exhausted on the road. Calling himself the Artful Dodger, he offers food and lodging and leads Oliver to Fagin's crowded den without explaining how its young residents earn their living.

First appears in chapter 9

An elderly criminal who shelters a group of boys and trains them as pickpockets. He initially presents his lessons as games, using food, praise, and fear to bind children to him while keeping himself at a distance from their crimes.

First appears in chapter 9

One of Fagin's young pickpockets and a close companion of the Artful Dodger. He joins in the joking life of the den but has a less hardened conscience than some of the adults directing the boys.

First appears in chapter 10

A prosperous, compassionate gentleman whose handkerchief is stolen while Oliver watches in confusion. Unlike the pursuing crowd, he is disturbed by the sick, terrified child accused of the theft and wants the charge examined fairly.

First appears in chapter 13

A young woman associated with Fagin's circle and Bill Sikes. She knows the streets and can play a respectable role when the gang needs one, but her dependence on dangerous men limits the choices open to her.

First appears in chapter 13

A violent housebreaker who works with Fagin and dominates Nancy through fear. His readiness to threaten people and his dependence on brute force make him immediately dangerous to Oliver.

First appears in chapter 14

Mr Brownlow's suspicious friend, fond of testing hopeful appearances with gloomy predictions. He doubts Oliver's honesty, though his challenges arise more from habitual skepticism than malice.

First appears in chapter 26

A secretive young man who meets Fagin in the shadows and shows an intense personal interest in keeping Oliver within the criminal world. His reason for hating a child he scarcely knows is not immediately explained.

First appears in chapter 30

The gracious young ward of Mrs Maylie, living with her in the country. She helps nurse the wounded Oliver and listens to his account without judging him by the circumstances in which he was found.

First appears in chapter 30

An older, generous woman whose household is targeted by Sikes's burglars. Once Oliver's unwilling part in the crime becomes clear, she protects him and gives him the stable home he has never known.

First appears in chapter 34

Mrs Maylie's son, an earnest young man in love with Rose. His social prospects make Rose reluctant to accept him, but he values a life with her more than the ambitious career others expect him to pursue.