Overview

Well basically, Oliver is born in an English workhouse in the early 1800's. His mother, who's name is unknown to us, dies shortly after giving birth to Oliver. Twist then spends the next nine years of his life in an adult work factory where he is bullied and mistreated. The head of the factory, Mr. Beadle, offers five pounds to anyone who will take Oliver Twist from the factory. Oliver then becomes an apprentice to the town undertaker, but when another boy makes snide comments about Oliver's mother, he flees to London. On the outskirts of London Twist encounters a boy his age that offers him food and shelter. The boy takes Oliver to a man named Fagin that turns out to be an accomplished criminal. Fagin teaches the children how to pickpocket people and then sends them out to obtain riches. Frightened to death after seeing a pickpocket of a man's handkerchief, Oliver proceeds to flee again but is caught by the victim of the crime. A Mr. Brownlow takes Oliver Twist back to his home and realizes a resemblance between Twist and a portrait in his house. After prospering in this house Oliver is recaptured by more of Fagin's accomplices. Fagin sends Twist on another mission with a man named Sikes. While robbing a house Oliver is shot by a servant of the house and Sikes flees. Mrs. Maylie and her adopted niece Rose grow fond of Oliver and take him in where he spends his summer living it up in the countryside. Fagin hires a new criminal named Monks who tries to capture Oliver but the Maylies reunite him with Mr. Brownlow first. Monks ends up being the half brother of Oliver and their father was a wealthy man that left behind a hefty family inheritance. Monks is forced to give up Twist's half of the inheritance and Fagin is hung for the crimes that he committed. Mr. Brownlow and the Maylies then move to the countryside with their adopted son Oliver.