This list of Oliver Twist characters includes Oliver Twist, the Artful Dodger, Mr. Sowerberry, Nancy, Bill Sikes, Noah Claypole, Fagin and more.
Oliver Twist Characters
Updated March 27, 2024 – Originally Published July 13, 2018
Oliver Twist was the second novel written by Charles Dickens. It was initially published in monthly installments that began in February of 1837.
It’s interesting to note that the publication of Oliver Twist began before the monthly publication of The Pickwick Papers ended. The two novels overlapped for nine months. Additionally, Dickens started Nicholas Nickleby (also issued in monthly installments) before Twist finished publication. Those two novels overlapped for nine months as well.
This list of Oliver Twist characters is presented in alphabetical order.
Note: Includes spoilers!
Artful Dodger is the nickname of Jack Dawkins. He’s a streetwise pickpocket who works for Fagin. He introduces Oliver to Fagin.
The Artful Dodger introduces Oliver to Fagin, illustration by George Cruikshank
Bull’s-Eye is Bill Sikes’s dog.
Charley Bates is a pickpocket and close associate of the Artful Dodger.
Mr. Brownlow thought that Oliver picked his pocket. (It was really the Artful Dodger and Charley Bates.) After Oliver is captured for the crime, Brownlow has second thoughts about Oliver. Mr. Brownlow takes Oliver into his home and cares for him.
At the end of the novel, Brownlow adopts Oliver.
Mr. Bumble runs the workhouse. Oliver famously asks him, “Please, sir I want some more.”
“Please, sir, I want some more.”
But, tears were not the things to find their way to Mr. Bumble’s soul; his heart was waterproof.
Noah Claypole works for Mr. Sowerberry as does Oliver. Noah is jealous of Oliver and bullies him. Later Noah works for Fagin.
Noah writhed and twisted his body into an extensive variety of eel-like positions; thereby giving Mr. Bumble to understand that, from the violent and sanguinary onset of Oliver Twist, he had sustained severe internal injury and damage, from which he was at that moment suffering the acutest torture.
Toby Crackit is an associate of Bill Sikes.
Jack Dawkins is more frequently known as the “Artful Dodger”.
Edward Leeford is more frequently known as “Monks”.
Fagin is a criminal. He is the leader and father figure to a gang of young thieves. He rarely commits crimes himself, instead he employs others to commit crimes on his behalf.
Fagin, illustration by Kyd (Joseph Clayton Clarke)
Agnes Fleming is Oliver’s mother.
Mr. Gamfield is a chimney sweep. Oliver almost becomes his apprentice.
Mr. Giles is the butler and steward of Mrs. Maylie.
Mr. Grimwig is an old friend of Mr. Brownlow. A notable expression that he often uses is that he’s going to eat his own head.
“Look here! do you see this! Isn’t it a most wonderful and extraordinary thing that I can’t call at a man’s house but I find a piece of this poor surgeon’s friend on the staircase? I’ve been lamed with orange-peel once, and I know orange-peel will be my death, or I’ll be content to eat my own head, sir!”
Mr. Losberne is a doctor and friend of the Maylies. He treats Oliver after he’s shot.
Mrs. Mann runs the orphanage where Oliver lives for the first nine years of his life.
Mrs. Maylie is Miss Rose’s guardian.
Harry Maylie is Mrs. Maylie’s son. He’s in love with Rose.
Miss Rose Maylie is an orphan whose original last name was Fleming. She was adopted by Mrs. Maylie.
Rose and Mrs. Maylie, were the intended victims in a robbery that Fagin forced Oliver to commit. When the robbery plan goes haywire, the Maylies care for the wounded Oliver.
Rose Maylie is later revealed to be Oliver’s aunt.
Rose Maylie and Oliver Twist, illustration by George Cruikshank
“But even if he has been wicked,” pursued Rose, “think how young he is; think that he may never have known a mother’s love, or the comfort of a home; that ill-usage and blows, or the want of bread, may have driven him to herd with men who have forced him to guilt. Aunt, dear aunt, for mercy’s sake, think of this, before you let them drag this sick child to a prison, which in any case must be the grave of all his chances of amendment.”
Monks is a mysterious figure. He and Fagin plot to destroy Oliver’s reputation.
Monks is later revealed to be Edward Leeford, Oliver’s half-brother.
Nancy is a prostitute in Fagin’s gang. She’s in love with the violent Bill Sikes. She has a good heart and helps Oliver.
Sadly, Nancy is murdered by Sikes toward the end of the novel.
Nancy lying dead, image by James Mahoney
“Then spare my life for the love of Heaven, as I spared yours,” rejoined the girl, clinging to him. “Bill, dear Bill, you cannot have the heart to kill me. Oh! think of all I have given up, only this one night, for you. You SHALL have time to think, and save yourself this crime; I will not loose my hold, you cannot throw me off. Bill, Bill, for dear God’s sake, for your own, for mine, stop before you spill my blood! I have been true to you, upon my guilty soul I have!”
Bill Sikes is a member of Fagin’s gang and the love interest of Nancy. Sikes is extremely violent. Because of misinformation from Fagin, Sikes kills Nancy in a fit of rage.
Bill Sikes and Bull’s-Eye, illustration by Fred Barnard
Mr. Sowerberry is an undertaker who employs Oliver after he’s ejected from the workhouse.
Oliver Twist is an orphan and central character of the novel. His mother died in childbirth and the identity of his father remains a mystery for much of the novel.
Oliver Twist, illustration by James Mahoney
More About Oliver Twist
Collection of Quotations from Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist Picture Scramble
Oliver Twist Quiz
Oliver Twist
