Very Short Summary
London, 1830s. A young boy was born in a workhouse, his mother dying shortly after his birth.
After enduring mistreatment in the workhouse and an apprenticeship with an undertaker, Oliver ran away to London. There, he fell in with a gang of child pickpockets led by Fagin, an elderly criminal. When Oliver witnessed his first theft, he fled but was wrongly arrested. The victim, Mr. Brownlow, took him in and showed him kindness.
The gang, fearing Oliver would expose them, kidnapped him back. They forced him to participate in a burglary, during which he was shot. The wealthy Mrs. Maylie and her niece Rose nursed him back to health. Meanwhile, a mysterious man named Monks plotted against Oliver, paying Fagin to corrupt him.
Nancy, a member of Fagin's gang, revealed Monks' plot to Rose, but Sikes murdered her for her betrayal. Haunted by his crime, Sikes fled through London.
Every object before him, substance or shadow, still or moving, took the semblance of some fearful thing; but these fears were nothing compared to the sense that haunted him of that morning's ghastly figure following at his heels.
In his attempt to escape, Sikes accidentally hanged himself. Mr. Brownlow forced Monks to reveal the truth: he was Oliver's half-brother, trying to deny Oliver his inheritance. Rose was discovered to be Oliver's aunt. Fagin was arrested and hanged, while Monks died in prison. Oliver was adopted by Mr. Brownlow, and the other characters met various fates fitting their deeds.
Detailed Summary
Division into chapters is editorial.
Oliver's Birth and Early Life in the Workhouse
Although I am not disposed to maintain that being born in a workhouse is the most fortunate circumstance that can possibly befall a human being, I do mean to say that in this particular instance, it was the best thing for Oliver Twist.
Oliver Twist was born in a workhouse, where his mother died shortly after his birth. The infant's survival was initially uncertain, but he managed to draw his first breath and cry, allowing his dying mother a brief moment to kiss him before passing away. The parish surgeon and nurse showed little concern for either mother or child.
Oliver was sent to a branch workhouse where he endured years of neglect and mistreatment. When he was nine years old, the parish beadle, Mr. Bumble, brought him back to the main workhouse.
At the workhouse, Oliver was assigned to pick oakum with other boys. Driven by extreme hunger, he famously asked for more food during dinner, shocking the workhouse authorities. This act of defiance led to his punishment and isolation. The board offered a reward to anyone who would take Oliver as an apprentice, eager to be rid of the troublesome boy.
Apprenticeship and Escape to London
The first attempt to apprentice Oliver was to a chimney sweep named Mr. Gamfield. However, the magistrates refused to approve this arrangement after seeing Oliver's terror. Eventually, he was apprenticed to an undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry. Before leaving, Mr. Bumble warned Oliver not to complain about his new situation.
At the undertaker's, Oliver faced cruel treatment from Noah Claypole, another apprentice. When Noah insulted Oliver's dead mother, Oliver attacked him in a rage. This led to severe punishment, with Oliver being beaten and locked up. After this incident, Oliver decided to run away to London.
On his journey to London, Oliver encountered Jack Dawkins, also known as the Artful Dodger, who offered him shelter and introduced him to Fagin, an elderly Jewish man who led a gang of young pickpockets.
Life Among Thieves: Fagin's Gang
Once let him feel that he is one of us; once fill his mind with the idea that he has been a thief; and he's ours! Ours for his life. Oho! It couldn't have come about better!
In Fagin's den, Oliver observed the old man handling stolen goods and learned about the criminal activities of the gang. The Artful Dodger and Charley Bates, another young thief, demonstrated their pickpocketing skills, and Fagin encouraged Oliver to learn their trade through a game of mock theft.
Eventually, Oliver was sent out with the Dodger and Charley on what he thought was an innocent excursion. However, when he witnessed them stealing a handkerchief from an elderly gentleman, Mr. Brownlow, Oliver fled in horror. In the ensuing chaos, Oliver was wrongly arrested for the theft while the real culprits escaped.
Rescue and Life with Mr. Brownlow
But even if he has been wicked, think how young he is; think that he may never have known a mother's love, or the comfort of a home; that ill-usage and blows, or the want of bread, may have driven him to herd with men who have forced him to guilt.
At the police office, despite the harsh treatment from the magistrate, Mr. Fang, Oliver's innocence was proven when a witness testified that he had seen the real thieves. Mr. Brownlow, moved by Oliver's condition, took the sick boy to his home in Pentonville, where his housekeeper, Mrs. Bedwin, nursed him back to health.
During Oliver's recovery, Mr. Brownlow noticed the boy's striking resemblance to a portrait in his house. Meanwhile, Fagin, concerned that Oliver might reveal information about his gang, sent Nancy to find the boy. Mr. Brownlow, trusting Oliver completely, sent him on an errand with books and money.
Recapture and the Failed Burglary
While on his errand, Oliver was forcibly captured by Nancy and Bill Sikes, who dragged him back to Fagin's den. There, he was mocked and robbed of the books and money. Nancy, showing unexpected compassion, protected him from further violence, though she couldn't prevent his recapture.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bumble visited Mr. Brownlow in response to an advertisement seeking information about Oliver. He falsely portrayed Oliver as a troublemaker, causing Mr. Brownlow to believe he had been deceived, though Mrs. Bedwin maintained her faith in the boy's innocence.
Fagin, along with Sikes and Nancy, planned a burglary in Chertsey, deciding to use Oliver for the job. Despite Nancy's reservations, Oliver was delivered to Sikes, who threatened him with death if he didn't cooperate. During the burglary attempt, Oliver was shot while trying to warn the household, and Sikes carried him away wounded.
Recovery at the Maylies
The wounded Oliver was found at the doorstep of the house he was forced to rob, home to Mrs. Maylie and her adopted niece Rose. Despite the suspicious circumstances, they took pity on him and nursed him back to health. Dr. Losberne helped protect Oliver from the authorities, and the boy found happiness in his new home.
During his stay with the Maylies, Oliver attempted to find Mr. Brownlow to explain what had happened, but discovered the gentleman had moved to the West Indies. The Maylies took Oliver to their country home, where he experienced a peaceful and educational summer until Rose fell dangerously ill. Her eventual recovery brought great relief to everyone, particularly Harry Maylie, who loved her deeply.
Nancy's Betrayal and Death
Nancy, troubled by her conscience, secretly met with Rose Maylie to reveal a plot against Oliver. She explained that a man called Monks, Oliver's half-brother, had arranged with Fagin to corrupt the boy and destroy his inheritance. Despite Rose's offers of help, Nancy refused to leave her life of crime, though she agreed to meet again on London Bridge.
Rose shared this information with Mr. Brownlow, who had returned to London. They formed a plan to help Oliver and capture Monks, but their meetings with Nancy were observed by Noah Claypole, now working for Fagin. When Fagin learned of Nancy's betrayal, he manipulated Sikes into a murderous rage by implying she had betrayed him personally.
Sikes brutally murdered Nancy in a fit of rage, despite her pleas for mercy. Haunted by his actions and pursued by the authorities, Sikes fled London but eventually returned, driven by guilt and paranoia. While attempting to escape capture, he accidentally hanged himself, with his loyal dog dying alongside him.
Resolution: Oliver's True Identity
It is because I was your father's oldest friend... it is because the hopes and wishes of young and happy years were bound up with him, and that fair creature of his blood and kindred who rejoined her God in youth...
Mr. Brownlow confronted Monks and forced him to reveal the truth about Oliver's identity. Oliver was the illegitimate son of Edwin Leeford and Agnes Fleming. Monks, Leeford's legitimate son, had plotted to destroy Oliver's inheritance and reputation. The evidence of Oliver's identity had been stolen by old Sally on Agnes's deathbed and sold to Monks by the Bumbles.
Rose was revealed to be Agnes Fleming's younger sister, making her Oliver's aunt. The truth about Oliver's parentage restored his inheritance and position in society. Monks received his share of the inheritance but squandered it and died in prison. The Bumbles lost their positions and ended up as paupers in the same workhouse where they once ruled.
Fagin was arrested and sentenced to death. In his final hours, Oliver and Mr. Brownlow visited him in prison, seeking information about papers that could help Oliver. The old man died on the gallows, his death marking the end of his criminal empire.
If the spirits of the Dead ever come back to earth, to visit spots hallowed by the love-the love beyond the grave-of those whom they knew in life, I believe that the shade of Agnes sometimes hovers round that solemn nook.
The story concluded with happiness for the survivors. Rose married Harry Maylie, who had chosen love over his political ambitions. Oliver was adopted by Mr. Brownlow and lived with him near his friends. The Artful Dodger was transported to Australia, while Charley Bates reformed and became an honest farmer. The tale ended with a reflection on the enduring power of love and the importance of mercy, with a final tribute to Oliver's mother, Agnes.