Charles Dickens explores 19th Century London crime world through the story of Oliver Twist, an orphaned, born and raised in a workhouse. Oliver runs away, only to land in the London underworld. Dickens explores this crucible of crime, debauchery and abuse where Fagin, running a gang of pickpockets, forces Oliver into street theft. Caught but cleared in trial, Oliver receives kindness from Mr. Barlow. However, he’s ensnared again and forced to participate in a failed robbery, getting shot in the arm and taken in by Rose Maylie. Together, Rose, Barlow, and the sympathetic Nancy, part of Fagin’s gang, shield Oliver from Fagin and Monks. A series of events lead to the death of Nancy and revelation of an important truth to Monks. Similar to most Dickens novels, hope and good triumph as Fagin and gang are brought to justice and the story ends on a happy note for Oliver and his friends.
