Discussion Topic

Influence of good and evil characters on Oliver in "Oliver Twist."

Summary:

The good characters in Oliver Twist, such as Mr. Brownlow and Nancy, offer Oliver protection, kindness, and support, shaping his moral compass positively. In contrast, evil characters like Fagin and Bill Sikes expose Oliver to crime and hardship, challenging his innocence and resilience. Ultimately, the influence of good prevails, guiding Oliver towards a better life.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

In Oliver Twist, which quotes illustrate how Oliver is influenced by good and evil characters?

Interestingly, Dickens intentionally created Oliver as a character who is not influenced by anything.  Throughout the book, Oliver is "tempted" by various characters, who try to teach him how to live a life of crime.  Oliver does not really understand what they really are.  He sees Fagin as a kindly benefactor and the boys as young gentlemen who are kind to him.  Oliver is naive enough to believe what Fagin tells him.  In chapter 9, the boys bring pocketbooks that they have pickpocketed.

“Not so heavy as they might be,' said the Jew, after looking at the insides carefully; 'but very neat and nicely made. Ingenious workman, ain't he, Oliver?”

As with the handkerchiefs that Fagin tells him they have just put them out “ready for the wash” (chapter 9), Fagin tells Oliver that the boys are learning to make wallets.  Oliver does not realize or understand that the boys are really stealing handkerchiefs and pocketbooks that they bring back to Fagin.

Oliver doesn’t understand the importance of the game.   When Fagin teaches him how to pick his pockets, he doesn’t understand that he is going to be asked to go out and rob people.

“Oliver wondered what picking the old gentleman's pocket in play, had to do with his chances of being a great man. But, thinking that the Jew, being so much his senior, must know best, he followed him quietly to the table, and was soon deeply involved in his new study.” (chapter 9)

 Oliver assumes that Fagin knows best because he is older, and Oliver has never had good role models.  Interestingly enough, Nancy turns out to be a positive influence in Oliver’s life.  When he first meets her, he thinks she is not quite pretty but is happy and charming.  Oliver is surprised when Nancy turns up to take him back to Fagin.  When Fagin starts to beat Oliver with a club, Nancy intervenes.

 Fagin and Sikes try to bring Nancy down a peg, reminding her who she is and telling her that she is “a pretty subject for the child, as you call him, to make a friend of!” (chapter 16).  Nancy regrets returning Oliver, though she had no choice.  She tells Fagin and Bill:

“He's a thief, a liar, a devil, all that's bad, from this night forth. Isn't that enough for the old wretch, without blows?”

Nancy’s predictions do not come true because she manages to warn Rose and Brownlow that Oliver is not the boy they think he is, and it is through Nancy’s intervention that they find out that Oliver is Rose’s nephew.  Nancy risks her life, and in fact gives her life, to keep Oliver honest and innocent.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

How do good and bad characters influence Oliver in "Oliver Twist"?

Oliver is influenced by Fagin, Bill Sikes, and the Artful Dodger because they teach him how to be a thief, however, he doesn't quite understand the implications of stealing. Oliver believes that everyone is inherently good, and he trusts easily.

Mr. Brownlow influences Oliver by leading him on the right path and devotes himself to helping Oliver find his family.

Oliver learns much from the people he comes in contact with. As a trusting character, he is easily swayed and influenced by the characters he meets. When the thieves tell him that pickpocketing is what he should do, he goes along with it.

In the end, Oliver prevails, despite his naivete.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

In Oliver Twist, how do good and evil characters influence Oliver?

In Oliver Twist, Dickens major objective was to show the principle of goodness besought by enormous adversity triumphing in the end:

"I wished to show, in little Oliver, the principle of good surviving through every adverse circumstance, and triumphing at last."

Since this is Dickens' goal and objective, any influence of evil on Oliver will not change his inner nature, although evil may compel him to do things that are evil, such as when he inadvertently participates in pick pocketing and when he goes with Bill Sikes in the wee small hours of the morning.

The good characters influence him by deepening his understanding and appreciation of goodness. They also influence him to a larger sense of generosity and compassion, which are things that he never received from anyone who was rearing him.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial