Who is Mrs. Mann in Oliver Twist?
To answer this question, take a look at chapter two. In this chapter, Oliver is sent from the main workhouse to a "branch workhouse" where he, and thirty other children, are placed under the care of an elderly, female superintendent. That superintendent is Mrs. Mann, and it is her responsibility to care for the young Oliver and the other orphans.
From the text, we see that despite her maternal role, Mrs. Mann is neither maternal nor caring towards the children she looks after. In fact, she is far more interested in the financial benefits of this role than in actually tending to the needs of children:
The elderly female was a woman of wisdom and experience; she knew what was good for children; and she had a very accurate perception of what was good for herself.
In addition, we learn that Mrs. Mann is violent towards the children and...
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does not provide them with adequate nutrition. When anybody from the authorities arrives to inspect her establishment, however, Mrs. Mann pretends to be the perfect mother figure. The children are washed, well-dressed, and appear happy. We see this when Mr. Bumble unexpectedly arrives. Mrs. Mann acts as though her only interest is in the children's welfare when, in reality, they are all desperate to escape from her:
That I should have forgotten that the gate was bolted on the inside, on account of them dear children!
However, Oliver's experience in her care shows the very opposite. She is a cruel and financially-motivated woman who shows no love towards those she is paid to look after.
How is Mrs. Mann depicted as devious in Oliver Twist?
Mrs. Mann is an old woman who works as superintendent of a branch workhouse, separate from the main establishment. She has been charged with taking care of Oliver Twist and around thirty other children. However, it soon becomes clear that Mrs. Mann is not in the least bit interested in taking care of any of these children. She simply sees her job as a money-making opportunity.
As such, she proceeds to treat the children in her care appallingly. She routinely bullies, abuses, and starves them. The children are supposed to receive nutritious food, but the wicked Mrs. Mann ensures that they have to make do with indigestible gruel, which always leaves the poor waifs in her care feeling hungry.
As well as being cruel, Mrs. Mann is also incredibly devious. Just how devious can be observed when someone from the authorities comes around to inspect her establishment. Whenever this happens, Mrs. Mann puts on an act, pretending to be a kindly old mother figure, who only has the best interests of the children at heart. She also ensures that the children are well-scrubbed and properly dressed. This is all part of a cynical attempt to convince the inspectors that everything's above board.