Plot Summary of Oliver!
Oliver is a poor orphan boy who lives in a cruel workhouse with mutton-chops Mr. Bumble as Beadle. Until, that is, he draws the longest straw at his table, and has to go ask for some more food. Then he is sold to the undertaker (man who arranges funerals) Mr. Sowerberry, and marches infront of the burial procession with his drab little face. Soon he is locked in the celler for standing up for his mother to Noah Claypole, an older boy working there; and finding a loose window, escapes into the night.
After traveling for 'sivin' days he makes it to London, and in no time is scouted out by none other then the Artful Dodger after hearing that Oliver had come to 'make his fortune', and is promptly recruited. The Artful takes him to Fagin and the rest of his pick-pocket croonies (including Charley Bates), who live in a sort of abandoned building (?). After the boys go to sleep, Fagin slips out to a rumble down tavern called The Three Cripples to meet the notorious Bill Sikes, a growen up house breaker who's also working for him. Nancy, Bills girlfreind, is also there waiting for him, and when he arrives they have a jolly ol' time, though Bill decides to eat instead. Fagin gets his collection of stolen goods; but doesn't pay Bill the money for them. The next day Nancy and her freind Bet come to the hideout to get it, and meet Oliver; the Artful proves he's got manners just the same as any other filthy little sneaking pick pocket. Nancy gets the money from Fagin, and Artful asks the same man if Oliver can come on the job with him and Charley. Fagin agrees, saying he couldn't be in better compnay, and soon their on their way!
All is going swimmingly until Dodgr and Charley pick a pocket from a rich gentlmen, then dash off leaving Oliver standing there guiltily. A great pursuit follows, joined by Artful and Charley's desperate attempts to help the poor scapegoat- but in the end he's caught. When Fagin hears of this, he's scared that Oliver will rat on them, and so is Bill. Oliver doesn't tell, but the gentlemen, Mr. Bronwlow, sees he's not the culprit (actauly the book keeper clears him), and decides to take him home. Fagin sends Dodger out after him, thinking that he still could peach on them. Bill soon captures Oliver back, just as the gentlemen is reconizing him as a long lost nephew.
Bill takes Oliver on a job, breaking into a house, and they almost get caught. When they get back, Nancy has gone to Mr. Brownlow's intent on helping them get Oliver back, and agrees to meet him on the brdige at midnight with the boy. She creates a good enough diversion; but Bill follows them, and kills Nancy before Oliver is reunited. Sikes goes back to Fagins den, and soon Fagin realises the tragic event that happens, and the pick pockets den is due for a moving of lodgings! On the way out, though, Fagin drops his treasure into the bog.
Bills dog Bullseye alerts the gentlman and some others nearby and they chase Sikes, who has taken Oliver hostage for his own saftey. Soon there is a great crowd below and Bill with Oliver atop a building. Bill is getting ready to make an escape, but is shot down by the police.
With the boys gone and no money, Fagin thinks of becoming respectable and getting a real job when the Artful appears and changes his mind, becoming his partner (more a freind :). Oliver goes to live with the gentlmen in luxery, and so the story ends happily ever after. :o)
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