# Chapter XXVII: Atones for the Unpoliteness of a Former Chapter; Which Deserted a Lady, Most Unceremoniously explained — Oliver Twist

> Chapter companion for Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Mr. Bumble waits for Mrs. Corney in her room, snoops through her drawers, and discovers a locked box that jingles with coins, resolving to marry her. When Mrs. Corney returns, she is flustered by the death of an old woman (Old Sally). Bumble comforts her, they embrace, and he leaves to arrange the funeral at Sowerberry's. At the undertaker's, he finds Noah Claypole drunk and flirting with Charlotte; Bumble scolds them and departs, after which the narrative turns back to Oliver Twist.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Hypocrisy

Mr. Bumble's moral outrage at Noah and Charlotte's behavior contrasts with his own opportunistic snooping and self-serving plans, highlighting the hypocrisy of those in authority.

### Social Injustice and Poverty

The casual mention of Old Sally's death and the arrangement of her funeral underscore the dehumanizing treatment of the poor within the workhouse system.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Bumble

Displays possessive and opportunistic behavior toward Mrs. Corney, snooping through her belongings and deciding to marry her; later asserts authority over Noah and Charlotte.

### Mrs. Corney

Flustered by Old Sally's death, she seeks comfort from Mr. Bumble and agrees to marry him.

### Noah Claypole

Found drunk at Sowerberry's, flirting with Charlotte and eating oysters; scolded by Mr. Bumble.

### Charlotte

Feeds Noah oysters and is caught in a flirtatious exchange; scolded by Mr. Bumble.

### Oliver Twist

Mentioned at the end of the chapter as the narrative prepares to check on his fate after being left in a ditch by Toby Crackit.

## Key lines

> Mr. Bumble had recounted the teaspoons, re-weighed the sugar-tongs, made a closer inspection of the milk-pot, and ascertained to a nicety the exact condition of the furniture, down to the very horsehair seats of the chairs; and had repeated each process full half a dozen times; before he began to think that it was time for Mrs. Corney to return.

Mr. Bumble meticulously examined every item in the room multiple times while waiting for Mrs. Corney.

_Shows Bumble's nosy and controlling nature as he familiarizes himself with her possessions._

> The sin and wickedness of the lower orders in this porochial district is frightful! If Parliament don't take their abominable courses under consideration, this country's ruined, and the character of the peasantry gone forever!

Bumble condemns the lower classes as sinful and warns that Parliament must act to prevent the nation's ruin.

_Highlights Bumble's hypocritical moralizing and class prejudice._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxvii-atones-for-the-unpoliteness-of-a-former-chapter-which-deserted-a-lady-most-unceremoniously
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oliver_twist_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters