Oliver Twist

An orphan who endures the harsh conditions of the workhouse and is later drawn into London’s criminal underworld. He is used as a mute at children's funerals by Sowerberry and must navigate manipulation while preserving a stubborn core of innocence. Oliver's moral core and resilience pull him toward acts of kindness from Mr. Brownlow and Nancy, even amid danger from Fagin's gang.

A wily master of a criminal gang who preys on vulnerable boys and trains them to steal. He masks his exploitation with a veneer of camaraderie, shaping Oliver’s early exposure to crime. His scheming ultimately drags Oliver further into peril until his arrest, exposing the true cost of his underworld empire.

A kind, benevolent guardian who sees Oliver's humanity despite appearances. He nurses Oliver back to health and uncovers a link to Oliver's presumed past, providing a beacon of stability and family in a hostile world. His gentleness stands in sharp contrast to the brutality Oliver faces elsewhere.

A compassionate figure within the criminal world who forms a maternal bond with Oliver. She risks danger to protect him and acts as a counterbalance to the violence surrounding Sikes. Her loyalty and eventual fate highlight the humanity that persists even in harsh environments.

A brutal enforcer whose violence drives much of the plot’s tragedy. His harsh control over others and his volatile temper culminate in a fatal confrontation with Nancy. Sikes's menace underscores the danger Oliver faces in the criminal world.

A quick-witted, street-smart youth who introduces Oliver to Fagin and the theft-driven world of London’s gutters. He embodies youthful resourcefulness and a fleeting hope for belonging within the group, even as his world is defined by survival.

Oliver's half-brother whose greed and scheming threaten Oliver's future. He is connected to a will that could change Oliver's fate, fueling the tension between familial duty and self-interest. His manipulation emphasizes the darkness within the family dynamic.

A ruthless workhouse official whose authority contributes to the systemic oppression Oliver faces. He embodies the cold efficiency of the social system and plays a part in the broader conspiracy involving Monks. Bumble's power illustrates how institutional greed can devastate lives.

A victim of the era's harsh conditions whose death sets Oliver's origins in motion. Her memory anchors the narrative's focus on lineage, loss, and the drive to secure a better future for her child. The locket and Agnes Fleming's connection later weave her memory into Oliver's identity.