Biographical Note

List of Illustrations

Introduction

Philip Pullman

The Author's Preface to the Third Edition

OLIVER TWIST

Treats of the Place Where Oliver Twist was Born; and of the Circumstances attending his Birth

Treats of Oliver Twist's Growth, Education, and Board

Relates how Oliver Twist was very near getting a Place, which would not have been a Sinecure

Oliver, Being offered another Place, makes his first entry into Public Life

Oliver mingles with new Associates, Goint to a Funeral for the first time, he forms an unfavourable Notion of his Master's Business

Oliver, being goaded by the Taunts of Noah, rouses into Action, and rather astonishes him

Oliver continues refractory

Oliver walks to London. He encounters on the road, a strange sort of young Gentleman

Containing further Particulars concerning the pleasant old Gentleman, and his hopeful Pupils

Oliver becomes better acquainted with the Characters of his new Associates; and purchases experience at a high price. Being a short, but very important Chapter, in this History

Treats of Mr. Fang the Police Magistrate; and furnishes a slight specimen of his mode of administering Justice

In which Oliver is taken better care of, than he ever was before. And in which the Narrative reverts to the merry old Gentleman and his youthful Friends

Some new Acquaintances are introduced to the intelligent Reader; connected with whom, various pleasant Matters are related, appertaining to this History

Comprising further Particulars of Oliver's stay at Mr. Brownlow's. With the remarkable Prediction which one Mr. Grimwig uttered concerning him, when he went out on an Errand

Shewing how very fond of Oliver Twist, the merry old Jew and Miss Nancy were

Relates what became of Oliver Twist, after he had been claimed by Nancy

Oliver's Destiny, continuing unpropitious, brings, a Great Man to London to injure his Reputation

How Oliver passed his time, in the improving society of his reputable Friends

In which a notable Plan is discussed and determined on

Wherein Oliver is delivered over to Mr. William Sikes

The Expedition

The Burglary

Which contains the substance of a pleasant Conversation between Mr. Bumble and a Lady; and shews that even a Beadle may be Susceptible on some points

Treats of a very poor Subject. But is a short one; and may be found of importance in this History

Wherein this History reverts to Mr. Fagin and Company

In which, a mysterious Character appears upon the scene; and many things, inseparable from this History, are done and performed

Atones for the unpoliteness of a former Chapter; which deserted a Lady, most unceremoniously

Looks after Oliver, and proceeds with his Adventures

Has an introductory Account of the Inmates of the House, to which Oliver resorted

Relates what Oliver's new Visitors thought of him

Involves a critical Position

Of the happy life Oliver began to lead with his kind Friends

Wherein the Happiness of Oliver and his Friends experiences a sudden Check

Contains some introductory Particulars relative to a young Gentleman who now arrives upon the Scene; and a new Adventure which happened to Oliver

Containing the unsatisfactory result of Oliver's Adventure; and a Conversation of some importance between Harry Maylie and Rose

Is a very short one, and may appear of no great importance in its place. But it should be read notwithstanding, as a Sequel to the last, and a Key to one that will follow when its time arrives

In which the Reader may perceive a Contrast, not uncommon in Matrimonial Cases

Containing an Account of what passed between Mr. and Mrs. Bumble, and Monks, at their nocturnal Interview

Introduces some respectable Characters with whom the Reader is already acquainted, and shews how Monks and the Jew laid their worthy Heads Together

A strange Interview, which is a Sequel to the last Chapter

Containing fresh Discoveries, and shewing that Surprises, like Misfortunes, seldom come alone

An old Acquiantance of Oliver's, exhibiting decided marks of Genius, becomes a public Character in the Metropolis

Wherein is shewn how the Artful Dodger got into Trouble

The Time arrives, for Nancy to redeem her Pledge to Rose Maylie. She fails

Noah Claypole is employed by Fagin on a secret Mission

The Appointment kept

Fatal Consequences

The Flight of Sikes

Monks and Mr. Brownlow at length meet. Their Conversation, and the Intelligence that interrupts it

The Pursuit and Escape

Affording an Explanation of More Mysteries than One, and comprehending a proposal of Marriage with no Word of Settlement of Pin-money

The Jew's last Night Alive

And Last

Appendix: Dickens and the British Poor Laws

Notes

Reading Group Guide

Note on the Text