Oliver Twist · Chapter
The Time Arrives for Nancy to Redeem Her Pledge to Rose Maylie. She Fails explained
Nancy struggles with the psychological burden of her secret pledge to Rose Maylie, torn between loyalty to Fagin and Sikes and her desire to do right.
What happens
Nancy struggles with the psychological burden of her secret pledge to Rose Maylie, torn between loyalty to Fagin and Sikes and her desire to do right. Fagin, suspicious of her changed behavior, plots to manipulate her by discovering her new attachment and using it to force her into a scheme against Sikes.
Themes in this chapter
Compassion and Redemption
Nancy's internal struggle and her pledge to Rose Maylie reflect a desire for redemption despite her deep entanglement in crime.
Crime and Punishment
Fagin's plot to murder Sikes and manipulate Nancy underscores the cycle of crime and the threat of retribution.
Identity and Secret Origins
Nancy's hidden loyalty and Fagin's suspicion of her new attachment highlight the theme of concealed identities and secret motives.
Characters to notice
- Nancy
Grows pale and thin, oscillates between laughter and dejection, and is resolved to keep her secret despite internal conflict.
- Fagin
Observes Nancy's altered manner and plots to discover her new attachment, considering using it to coerce her into poisoning Sikes.
- Bill Sikes
Shows suspicion and obstinacy toward Nancy's late-night departure, and is the target of Fagin's murderous scheme.
Key passages
“Adept as she was, in all the arts of cunning and dissimulation, the girl Nancy could not wholly conceal the effect which the knowledge of the step she had taken, wrought upon her mind.”
Despite her skill at deception, Nancy could not hide how much her secret decision affected her.
Shows Nancy's emotional turmoil and the cost of her pledge.
“She grew pale and thin, even within a few days. At times, she took no heed of what was passing before her, or no part in conversations where once, she would have been the loudest.”
Within days, she became pale and thin, often distracted and silent where she used to be lively.
Physical and behavioral signs of Nancy's inner conflict.
“If, without extracting a confession from herself, he laid a watch, discovered the object of her altered regard, and threatened to reveal the whole history to Sikes (of whom she stood in no common fear) unless she entered into his designs, could he not secure her compliance?”
Fagin considered spying on Nancy to find out who she cared for, then threatening to tell Sikes unless she helped him.
Fagin's manipulative plan to control Nancy through fear.