Oliver Twist

Dickens's classic morality tale of a starving orphan caught between opposing forces of good and evil is a powerful indictment of Victorian England's Poor Laws. Filled with dark humor and an unforgettable cast of characters Oliver Twist, Fagin, Nancy, Bill Sykes, and the Artful Dodger, to name a few Dickens's second novel is a compelling social satire that has remained popular since it was first serialized in 1837-39. The text for this Modern Library Paperback Classic is taken from the 1846 New Edition, revised and corrected by the author. It includes new explanatory notes and an appendix,A Brief History of the English Poor Laws.

Philip Pullman is the author of the bestselling fantasy trilogy <i>His Dark Materials</i>. His other books for children and young adults include three Victorian thrillers featuring his popular heroine Sally Lockhart. He lives in Oxford, England.

Biographical Note

v

List of Illustrations

xv

Introduction

xvii

Philip Pullman

The Author's Preface to the Third Edition

xxvii

OLIVER TWIST

Treats of the Place Where Oliver Twist was Born; and of the Circumstances attending his Birth

3

(3)

Treats of Oliver Twist's Growth, Education, and Board

6

(10)

Relates how Oliver Twist was very near getting a Place, which would not have been a Sinecure

16

(8)

Oliver, Being offered another Place, makes his first entry into Public Life

24

(7)

Oliver mingles with new Associates, Goint to a Funeral for the first time, he forms an unfavourable Notion of his Master's Business

31

(10)

Oliver, being goaded by the Taunts of Noah, rouses into Action, and rather astonishes him

41

(6)

Oliver continues refractory

47

(6)

Oliver walks to London. He encounters on the road, a strange sort of young Gentleman

53

(9)

Containing further Particulars concerning the pleasant old Gentleman, and his hopeful Pupils

62

(6)

Oliver becomes better acquainted with the Characters of his new Associates; and purchases experience at a high price. Being a short, but very important Chapter, in this History

68

(5)

Treats of Mr. Fang the Police Magistrate; and furnishes a slight specimen of his mode of administering Justice

73

(7)

In which Oliver is taken better care of, than he ever was before. And in which the Narrative reverts to the merry old Gentleman and his youthful Friends

80

(10)

Some new Acquaintances are introduced to the intelligent Reader; connected with whom, various pleasant Matters are related, appertaining to this History

90

(7)

Comprising further Particulars of Oliver's stay at Mr. Brownlow's. With the remarkable Prediction which one Mr. Grimwig uttered concerning him, when he went out on an Errand

97

(10)

Shewing how very fond of Oliver Twist, the merry old Jew and Miss Nancy were

107

(7)

Relates what became of Oliver Twist, after he had been claimed by Nancy

114

(10)

Oliver's Destiny, continuing unpropitious, brings, a Great Man to London to injure his Reputation

124

(8)

How Oliver passed his time, in the improving society of his reputable Friends

132

(9)

In which a notable Plan is discussed and determined on

141

(8)

Wherein Oliver is delivered over to Mr. William Sikes

149

(7)

The Expedition

156

(6)

The Burglary

162

(7)

Which contains the substance of a pleasant Conversation between Mr. Bumble and a Lady; and shews that even a Beadle may be Susceptible on some points

169

(8)

Treats of a very poor Subject. But is a short one; and may be found of importance in this History

177

(5)

Wherein this History reverts to Mr. Fagin and Company

182

(5)

In which, a mysterious Character appears upon the scene; and many things, inseparable from this History, are done and performed

187

(11)

Atones for the unpoliteness of a former Chapter; which deserted a Lady, most unceremoniously

198

(8)

Looks after Oliver, and proceeds with his Adventures

206

(10)

Has an introductory Account of the Inmates of the House, to which Oliver resorted

216

(3)

Relates what Oliver's new Visitors thought of him

219

(6)

Involves a critical Position

225

(11)

Of the happy life Oliver began to lead with his kind Friends

236

(8)

Wherein the Happiness of Oliver and his Friends experiences a sudden Check

244

(8)

Contains some introductory Particulars relative to a young Gentleman who now arrives upon the Scene; and a new Adventure which happened to Oliver

252

(10)

Containing the unsatisfactory result of Oliver's Adventure; and a Conversation of some importance between Harry Maylie and Rose

262

(7)

Is a very short one, and may appear of no great importance in its place. But it should be read notwithstanding, as a Sequel to the last, and a Key to one that will follow when its time arrives

269

(2)

In which the Reader may perceive a Contrast, not uncommon in Matrimonial Cases

271

(11)

Containing an Account of what passed between Mr. and Mrs. Bumble, and Monks, at their nocturnal Interview

282

(10)

Introduces some respectable Characters with whom the Reader is already acquainted, and shews how Monks and the Jew laid their worthy Heads Together

292

(14)

A strange Interview, which is a Sequel to the last Chapter

306

(6)

Containing fresh Discoveries, and shewing that Surprises, like Misfortunes, seldom come alone

312

(9)

An old Acquiantance of Oliver's, exhibiting decided marks of Genius, becomes a public Character in the Metropolis

321

(10)

Wherein is shewn how the Artful Dodger got into Trouble

331

(10)

The Time arrives, for Nancy to redeem her Pledge to Rose Maylie. She fails

341

(6)

Noah Claypole is employed by Fagin on a secret Mission

347

(3)

The Appointment kept

350

(10)

Fatal Consequences

360

(6)

The Flight of Sikes

366

(9)

Monks and Mr. Brownlow at length meet. Their Conversation, and the Intelligence that interrupts it

375

(9)

The Pursuit and Escape

384

(11)

Affording an Explanation of More Mysteries than One, and comprehending a proposal of Marriage with no Word of Settlement of Pin-money

395

(11)

The Jew's last Night Alive

406

(9)

And Last

415

(6)

Appendix: Dickens and the British Poor Laws

421

(6)

Notes

427

(14)

Reading Group Guide

441

(2)

Note on the Text

443

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Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials