Skip to main content

Where was Oliver taken in Oliver Twist?

Oliver was taken to Fagin’s den in London.


Oliver actually gets taken a lot of places throughout the book.  He is taken from the workhouse to the undertaker, where he is supposed to be apprenticed.  When he runs away, he is taken by Dodger to Fagin.  He is taken home by Brownlow, then taken back to Fagin, and then taken to Brownlow’s house to rob it by Sikes.


The most significant taking of Oliver is...

Oliver was taken to Fagin’s den in London.


Oliver actually gets taken a lot of places throughout the book.  He is taken from the workhouse to the undertaker, where he is supposed to be apprenticed.  When he runs away, he is taken by Dodger to Fagin.  He is taken home by Brownlow, then taken back to Fagin, and then taken to Brownlow’s house to rob it by Sikes.


The most significant taking of Oliver is when Dodger takes him to London.  Oliver has no idea what he is in for.  Dodger tells him that he has a friend who can take him in.



This unexpected offer of shelter was too tempting to be resisted; especially as it was immediately followed up, by the assurance that the old gentleman referred to, would doubtless provide Oliver with a comfortable place, without loss of time. (Ch. 8)



Fagin is not what Oliver expected.  It turns out he is not just a man who looks kindly after little boys.  He has plenty of little boys in his employ, but he uses them as pickpockets.  Oliver has no idea at first.   He thinks that the boys make their own handkerchiefs and pocketbooks.  The first time he is used to steal something, he gets caught.  Fortunately, Brownlow feels sorry for him and takes him home.


Oliver would have been in a great situation with Brownlow, but Fagin had other ideas.  Oliver’s half-brother Monks had asked Fagin to make a thief of Oliver.   This would make him unrespectable.  Monks is not thrilled that Fagin does not succeed.



"I tell you again, it was badly planned. Why not have kept him here among the rest, and made a sneaking, snivelling pickpocket of him at once?" (Ch. 26)



Oliver is innately good, and it seems that no matter what circumstances he ends up in, this will not change.  Fagin is unable to corrupt him.  Eventually, he goes back to Brownlow and the secret of his parentage, which Monks did not want anyone to know, is revealed.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more