The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

This section finds Oliver going through a whirlwind of changes-taken to court, taken in by a kind stranger, then kidnapped back by his original gang where he is skilfully manipulated in the hopes that he will join the band of thieves.

Ch. 11 shows him taken before a cruel and not very bright Police Magistrate. Fortunately for him, the robbed gentleman is kind-hearted enough to stick around and ensure that the wrong boy isn't punished, and ends up taking Oliver home as he is clearly weak and ill.

Ch. 12-14 show Oliver finding a comfortable and loving home with Mr Brownlow and Mrs Bedwin, and his previous associates plotting to get him back.

Ch 15 & 16 show Oliver's return to Fagin's clutches, and the start of a crack in that fellowship when Nancy realizes the harm into which she has dragged the boy back.

Ch 17 has Mr Bumble claiming the reward for information about Oliver by spreading falsehoods about him (and later learning that if he had only spoken well of him he would have done better). Mr. Brownlow is convinced of Oliver's corrupted nature, but good Mrs Bedwin knows him too well to be fooled by this.

Ch. 18 & 19 show how Oliver is brought back into the fold, and manipulated into joining the fellowship of thieves, if only to have a sense of belonging to someone, rather than being out on his own once more.

1. Were there any exceptions made for children or youth under the law at this time? It seems mind-boggling to us that an undersized 10 year old, clearly an orphan, would have been treated that way by the courts.

2. Why do you think Fagin and his lot were so keen to get Oliver back, given that he had not yet learned the trade and would simply be another mouth to feed?

3. What do you think of Dickens' women in this section? We have Mrs Bedwin, Nancy, and Mrs Mann the orphan-keeper.

Please share your thoughts on this section in Oliver's life.

Fagin's interest in re-capturing Oliver and keeping him in the group seems strange. Of course, he many simply be afraid that Oliver will betray the gang to the police. But I wonder if he has discovered something else about Oliver that Mr. Dickens has not yet revealed. Either way, I feel real pity for Oliver. He was so hopeful when staying at Mr. Brownlow' so eager to show his gratitude and usefulness, and now Mr. Brownlow feels betrayed. Oliver again has no agency in anything that is happening to him. He is trying to do a good deed when is captured by Nancy, he is once more a captive, and he now understands the evil that surrounds him but with no chance of escaping Fagin's gang. The only one who seems to have any compassion for him in his present circumstances is Nancy. She may have captured him, but she is bold in protesting against his treatment.

Yes this section, and the novel so far, is heart-breaking-Dickens does a brilliant job of evoking the despair and loneliness of the orphan Oliver, and it also makes me wonder about the backstory of Charlie and the Artful Dodger-are they what Oliver will become if left in his current situation?

Nancy is definitely an ambiguous character, and so far seems the only adult (or close to adult) character in the workhouse and thieving world that shows any kindness or care for Oliver. One of the things I struggle with in reading Dickens is that his characters are often quite one-dimensional-all good or all bad. This may be his way of reinforcing the points he is trying to make-in this case the horrors of the workhouse or the slums-but it is sometimes a bit over the top.