OLIVER TWIST

Chapter 21-31
Summary chapter 21
◦ Chapter begins with Bill Sikes grumbling while running for his life from the failed heist at
the house of an old lady, later revealed as Mrs. Maylie.
◦ Toby Crackit pretends to help Sikes but he is only concerned with saving his life, also
suggesting that they should Leave Oliver in the ditch as it would cost them their life.
◦ Meanwhile, workers and dogs of that house exhaust and retire to go back to the house,
giving up on the chase.
◦ The workers feign not to be scared and show chivalry though they had been scared of
the whole incident as they later confessed.
◦ The day comes to an end and Oliver being left alone in the ditch, wounded and
unconscious was seemingly regaining his senses, though his bones were hurting
terribly. He tried to steady himself and approached the nearby house thinking they will
take pity on him and let him in. However, he realized that he had seen this house
before, in fact, it had been the same house they had attempted to rob.
◦ Oliver dragging his existence came to garden-gate which was luckily open.
◦ Mr. Giles and brittles had been busy in tea and exaggerating the course of events to
cook and other house workers and maids. They went on to exclaim that courage,
chivalry and wit isn’t the quality of women for they are only expected to be scared
and in need of assistance.
◦ In the meantime, they all heard the knock on the door in the earlier hours of the
day which was quite unexpected – they were ready for self-defense and making the
witness if they are to encounter the thieves again.
◦ However, they meet Oliver outside the house. Giles held onto him and two female
workers went to tell this news to the women of the house.
◦ They told the women about the boy and their first reaction was to treat him kindly.
Summary chapter 22
◦ We are introduced to Mrs. Maylie, Ms. Rose (17 years old) and Dr. Lesborne
sitting in a parlor dressed elegantly.
◦ They both had called their family doctor who was actually like a family member to
them to check on Oliver Twist.
◦ Mr. Giles realizes that he shot Oliver the other night and hasn’t been able to
retrieve much information about the thief makes him feel guilty.
◦ Everyone is concerned about the well-being of Oliver and are hoping for his speedy
recovery.
Summary 23
◦ Although, they had anticipated to find a ruffian or thief but they had only a little boy
that too in weak condition.
◦ They all are in dilemma whether Oliver is guilty or not, for they are not ready to
believe that a helpless boy like Oliver could have been bad in his nature.
◦ Mrs. Maylie wants to do this good deed before she passes away as she thinks her
time is drawing near. They waited for Oliver to recover to ask him what was the
actual matter.
◦ As he got better he simply narrated his whole story to the listeners and was forced
by his health to sleep again.
◦ Event of the attempted robbery was the talk of the house and Giles was feeling
conscious of his hideous act.
Cont’d
◦ Police had arrived for investigation, however they all collectively decide to save the
boy.
◦ Dr. Lesborne had gaslighted them into thinking that the boy they had captured
wasn’t the boy they saw last night as no one was actually sure of seeing him.
◦ Since they all testified against him, it was uncertain whether Giles had actually hit
anybody.
◦ Finally the police constables left finding no clue.
Summary 24
◦ Oliver sickness took a toll on his health, not only he was wounded but also under
fatigue & fever which remained for weeks.
◦ All he wanted to do was serve his kind hosts as soon he could get better to which
Rose assured him that he’ll have plenty of chances for.
◦ Then he mentions his old friends whom he betrayed and was ungrateful towards
( Mr. Brownlow & Mrs. Bedwin).
◦ Dr. Lesborne had promised to take him to their house as soon as he could bear the
ordeal of the journey.
◦ When they trailed down to his house, it was dawned upon them Mr. Brownlow had
sold his goods and moved to West Indies, six weeks ago.
◦ Oliver was quite taken back & disappointed.
Cont’d
◦ His condition got worse keeping in mind that grief of losing contact with his mentors.
◦ However, the Maylies decided to move out of Chertsey for few months to go to a
cottage in distant country.
◦ They left Giles and other servants in-charge of the house.
◦ Chapter proceeds with description of the cottage & his experience there (read pg.
221)
◦ He took classes for reading & writing from an old gentle-man who lived near the
church. After his classes he used to go on walks with Rose.
◦ 3 months passed and he got used to of the two kind ladies.
◦ Rose had a fever for two days and Oliver was quite worried about it.
◦ Oliver stumbled against an old man wearing an old cloak. He appeared to be
unconscious and fell on the floor. He was taken into the hotel safely.
Cont’d
◦ As soon as he got back to the house, he forgot that encounter and got in frenzy of
Rose sickening condition.
◦ Nobody ate dinner that night so the table was cleared.
◦ After long, Doctor finally told them that Rose is completely alright and Mrs. Maylie
got overwhelmed and prayed for this great news.
Summary 25
◦ This chapter deals with following events:
1. Arrival of Harry Maylie – who is extremely worried about Rose’s health
2. Rose’s illness and a lot of drama around it
3. Marriage proposal of Harry for Rose – to which she refuses
4. Disdain of Mrs. Maylie towards Rose being her daughter in law
5. Rose’s tainted past (pg. 230)
6. Oliver is inspired by Harry – wants to be like him
7. Doctor is trying hard to locate the thieves – in full Sherlock’s manner
8. Oliver goes on flower plucking for Rose with Harry
9. Rose gets better & Oliver is haunted by Jew’s dream.
Summary 26
◦ Oliver’s state of Frenzy because he feels like Fagin (Jew) is chasing him and
everyone is trying to figure it out but no clues are found whatsoever.
◦ Rose is disgusted with her past and has to turn down Harry’s proposal though they
both are interested in that proposal.
◦ Read Pg. 243 for reference
◦ Harry gives Oliver a duty to write him on daily basis about the well-being of two
ladies back at home.
◦ Rose watches Harry leave and she can’t help but to think to herself that he seems
in high spirits and happy whilst being sad & crying herself
Summary 27
◦ We’re back at the workplace where Mr. Bumble seated – beginning with gloomy
appearances.
◦ He was no longer a beadle since two months actually (Pg. 250)
◦ He had married Mrs. Corney
◦ Stuck in kind of toxic marriage (last para Pg. 250) “Tears were not the things to
find their way to Mr. Bumble; his heart was waterproof”
◦ Some more misogyny is offered about women’s only role in life being “to obey”
(Pg.251)
◦ He counters a shady man at the bar who remember him as beadle and wants to
seek information about Oliver (later revealed as Monks)
◦ Particularly monks is concerned about the nurse who catered his mother that night
twelve years back.
Cont’d
◦ He tells Monks that Old Sally has died but Mrs. Corney might be the woman he is
search of
◦ They decide to meet the next day at 9 in evening – top secret meeting
◦ Bumble asked his name to which he respond – MONKS 
Summary 28
◦ The chapter begins with description of dull, rainy and gloomy evening perhaps
foreshadowing next dark events of the novel
◦ For 25 pounds Mrs. Corney decides to spill the beans
◦ she finally tells him how sally had stolen few desolated belongings from Oliver’s
mother and kept it for a wile before selling it to the pawn shop from where Corney
had retrieved those thinking it might pay out to her someday – which just now did 
◦ She placed the small pouch on the table containing following:
1. gold locket
2. Two locks of hair
3. Gold wedding ring – named embossed on it “AGNES” – Oliver’s mother
Information about the surname was left empty, date was a year before Oliver was
born
Cont’d
◦ Monks after offering the money and scoring the goods opened a trap door beneath
the table – where once used to be the watermill, he threw the stuff there
◦ Saying it could swallow the whole human body easily – posing a threat in case they
backstab him
◦ “If the sea ever gives up its dead, as books say it will, it will keep its gold
and silver to itself…” (Pg. 271)
◦ They part away vowing not to recognize each other ever and as if they never had
been together in one room.
Summary 29
◦ The same evening those three met, Nancy met Fagin on an errand 9to get money
from him)from Bill Sikes
◦ While she is there and Fagin is bragging about his so clean bussiness Monks comes
to visit him, he makes Nancy sit there & asks her to be quiet
◦ Monks tells Fagin that he came two hours ago in the town, he narrates his meeting
with Bumble
◦ They plot against Oliver and Nancy eavesdrops to collect information
◦ But when Fagin gets back she feigns anger saying her delay will upset Bill to which
Fagin only laughs
◦ He asks her if she had heard anything to which she denies, takes her money &
leaves.
◦ She gets out and bursts into tears and then rushes towards home.
Cont’d
◦ She drugs Sikes to sleep and rushes to talk to Rose (family hotel at Hyde Park) As
she enters the hotel the woman makes fun of her and are disgusted for the think
Nancy is a disgrace for her own kind & gender – purely on her background &
profession.
Summary 30
◦ She begins to talk to Rose about the evil plans of her gang members about Oliver.
◦ She introduces herself as pitiful creature (Pg. 284 Para 2)
◦ She explains how that Monks has been after a boy for so long who happens to be Oliver
and they have this bargain going on either to offer money for whoever captures him or to
make him a thief for personal benefit. (Pg. 285 para 2)
◦ The only proof Oliver’s identity now lies in the depths of oceans.
◦ Understating how Oliver’s life could be I grave danger (pg. 286 para 2)
◦ She hurries back and declines Rose’s offer to help her saying she is beyond help and
can’t leave Bill Sikes for sticking by her side when she was in despair & she loves him.
◦ She says in case Rose wants to meet again she should wait for her on Saturday at 10 at
London Bridge only if she is alive (foreshadowing her death)
◦ She leaves leaving Rose confused and clueless as ever
Summary 31
◦ This chapter discusses these points:
◦ Rose’s plan to escape and leave London – without including Dr. at first
◦ Oliver spots Brownlow
◦ Rose meets him and clears his account – reconciliation with Oliver
◦ They discuss the matter at hands
◦ Dr. Lesborne, Harry and Grimwig make a team to make this rescue mission possible
◦ They have to wait for Saturday which is 5 days away but they don’t have any other
option
◦ They need to identify Monks
◦ Brownlow wants to help Oliver get his lawful share.
◦ After discussing the plan they all went about their days.