Consider Yourself... One of Us? Quiz

Answer:

In Charles Dickens' 1838 novel "Oliver Twist," Oliver is a poor orphan who grows up in a harsh workhouse and escapes to London, where he's drawn into a gang of child thieves. Despite the dangers he faces, he meets kind-hearted people who help him uncover the truth about his family. The story explores themes of poverty, justice, and the resilience of innocence.

At the beginning of the novel, we meet Oliver, who is born into poverty and raised in a government-run institution where he experiences neglect and mistreatment. His early years are shaped by the harsh realities of the Poor Law system. The characters encountered during this time are:

Mrs. Mann: Oversees the care of infants at the baby farm, but is more concerned with her own comfort than the children's well-being.

Mr. Bumble: A self-important official who enforces the rules of the workhouse with little compassion, often making Oliver's life more difficult.

Mr. Gamfield: A chimney sweep who attempts to take Oliver as an apprentice, known for his abusive treatment of children.

Mr. Sowerberry: An undertaker who takes Oliver in as an apprentice, offering shelter but little kindness.

Noah Claypole: Another apprentice of Mr. Sowerberry who bullies Oliver, triggering the boy's decision to escape and seek a better life.

Charlotte: The Sowerberrys' maid and romantic partner of Noah Claypole; she helps him steal from the Sowerberrys and later joins him in London, becoming part of Fagin's circle.

Having decided to leave, Oliver's difficulties are only just begun. In London, Oliver is taken in by a gang of thieves who exploit children for profit. He is exposed to crime and danger but remains morally uncorrupted. Some of the characters encountered during this time are:

Jack Dawkins (The Artful Dodger): A clever pickpocket who introduces Oliver to Fagin's gang.

Fagin: A manipulative leader who trains homeless children to steal for him.

Bill Sikes: A violent criminal who uses Oliver for his own gain.

Nancy: Sikes's partner, who shows compassion toward Oliver and ultimately sacrifices herself to protect him.

Charley Bates: A young thief who later regrets his criminal life.

Bull's Eye: Bill Sikes's aggressive and loyal dog, often used to intimidate others.

Eventually, Oliver encounters some benevolent people with whom he finds safety; kind individuals who help him uncover the truth about his family and escape the criminal world. Not everyone encountered during this final portion of the novel were good, however. Some of the characters encountered during this time are:

Mr. Brownlow: A generous man who becomes a father figure to Oliver.

Mrs. Bedwin: Mr. Brownlow's caring housekeeper who treats Oliver with warmth.

Rose Maylie: A compassionate young woman who helps protect Oliver (and is actually Oliver's aunt).

Mrs. Maylie: Rose's guardian, who provides a safe home for Oliver.

Monks (Edward Leeford): Oliver's half-brother, who tries to prevent him from claiming his inheritance.

Mr. Grimwig: A skeptical friend of Mr. Brownlow who eventually supports Oliver.

Dr. Losberne: A doctor who helps uncover the truth about Oliver's background.

At the end of the novel, the reader finally learns about the origins of Oliver's mother, Agnes Fleming, who was introduced at the very beginning of the novel: a young woman who dies shortly after giving birth to Oliver in the workhouse. Her identity remains a mystery for much of the novel, but she is later revealed to have come from a respectable background. Her tragic death and hidden past are central to the novel's unfolding mystery about Oliver's true heritage.

In the end, Oliver is effectively adopted by Mr. Brownlow, the kind gentleman who had taken a deep interest in him earlier in the story. After the mystery of Oliver's parentage is resolved and justice is served, Mr. Brownlow formally takes Oliver into his care, providing him with a loving home and a stable future.

As for the other characters you should NOT have chosen, we have:

Sydney Carton, from "A Tale of Two Cities"
Miss Havisham, from "Great Expectations"
Uriah Heep, from "David Copperfield"
Little Nell Trent, from "The Old Curiosity Shop"
Sergeant Buzfuz, from "The Pickwick Papers"
Pecksniff, from "Martin Chuzzlewit"
and
Lady Dedlock, from "Bleak House"