Oliver Twist

The novel follows the journey of the young, Oliver Twist. Oliver, an orphan since birth, spends much of his childhood at the workhouse with too many children and too little food. One night, after eating his dinner, Oliver asks for more soup. This is unacceptable, and Oliver is sent to work as an assistant to an undertaker. Eventually, after suffering repeated mistreatment, Oliver runs away and heads for London. He soon finds himself in the presence of the Artful Dodger, who tells him to stay at the house of an "old gentleman" (named Fagin) with a number of other boys. Oliver learns that these boys are trained pickpockets. On an outing, Oliver witnesses the boys take a handkerchief from Mr. Brownlow, an elderly man, which prompts Oliver to run away in fear and confusion. The elderly man mistakes Oliver's behavior for guilt and has him arrested. However, after learning more about Oliver, Mr. Brownlow realizes his mistake and offers to take care of him at his home.