Oliver - Overview

Oliver Twist is a young boy who lives in a workhouse with other orphaned boys. When Oliver disrupts a meal by asking for more, he is sold to a local undertaker and his family. They treat Oliver horribly and make him sleep under the coffins.

Oliver escapes and runs off to Paddington Green, where he quickly befriends another young boy, the Artful Dodger. Dodger takes him to his home, an academy for orphans who learn how to be pick-pockets run by a kind, yet slightly sinister, old gentleman named Fagin.

Oliver is also introduced to Nancy Sykes, a lovable young woman, and Bet, Nancy's best friend. When Oliver goes with the other boys on his first pick-pocketing job, he is caught by the police (even though Oliver did not actively participate in the crime). The man that the boys thieved, Mr. Brownlow, learns of Oliver's sad past and brings him into his own home.

Meanwhile, Nancy's husband (the villainous Bill Sykes) worries that Oliver will tell Mr. Brownlow and the police where the thieves live. He forces Nancy and Bet to snatch Oliver from Mr. Brownlow's house and take him back to Fagin's. Nancy does everything her husband tells her to but plans on secretly taking Oliver back to Mr. Brownlow. Before she can do so, Bill finds out of his wife's plans, and murders her. He then goes after Oliver, but is shot and killed.

Oliver and Mr. Brownlow, who turns out to be Oliver's grandfather, return safely home.