Oliver Twist · Chapter
XII: 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 explained
Oliver, recovering from a severe fever under the care of Mrs.
What happens
Oliver, recovering from a severe fever under the care of Mrs. Bedwin and Mr. Brownlow, is struck by the resemblance between himself and a portrait in the house. The narrative then shifts to the Artful Dodger and Charley Bates, who escape after pickpocketing Mr. Brownlow, justifying their actions with a satirical philosophical rationale.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence and Corruption
Oliver's innocent truthfulness contrasts with the Dodger and Bates' corrupt, self-serving rationalizations for their theft.
Class and Hypocrisy
The narrative satirizes the hypocrisy of those who justify wrongdoing by appealing to higher principles, mocking the pretensions of philosophers and the wealthy.
Identity and Secret Origins
The resemblance between Oliver and the portrait hints at his hidden family connections, a key mystery in the story.
Characters to notice
- Oliver Twist
Oliver is recovering from a fever in Mr. Brownlow's house, cared for by Mrs. Bedwin. He is weak but grateful, and notices a striking resemblance between himself and a portrait.
- Mr. Brownlow
Mr. Brownlow has taken Oliver into his home and tends to him. He is puzzled by Oliver's denial of the name 'White' and is struck by the resemblance between Oliver and a portrait.
- Mrs. Bedwin
Mrs. Bedwin is the motherly housekeeper who nurses Oliver back to health with kindness and care, becoming emotional at his recovery.
- The Artful Dodger
The Dodger, along with Charley Bates, escapes after pickpocketing Mr. Brownlow, using a maze of streets to evade capture.
- Charley Bates
Charley Bates joins the Dodger in the hue-and-cry and subsequent escape, laughing at their successful evasion.
Key passages
“Thus, to do a great right, you may do a little wrong; and you may take any means which the end to be attained, will justify; the amount of the right, or the amount of the wrong, or indeed the distinction between the two, being left entirely to the philosopher concerned, to be settled and determined by his clear, comprehensive, and impartial view of his own particular case.”
The narrator sarcastically suggests that a person can commit a small wrong for a greater good, with the philosopher deciding what is right or wrong based on their own self-interest.
This passage satirizes utilitarian and philosophical justifications for selfish actions, highlighting the hypocrisy of the Dodger and Bates.
“What a beautiful, mild face!”
Oliver admires the gentle and lovely expression of the portrait.
Oliver's reaction to the portrait foreshadows its connection to his mother and his unknown past.