Summary: Chapter 17
Mr. Brownlow publishes an advertisement offering a reward
of five guineas for information about Oliver’s whereabouts or his
past. Mr. Bumble notices it in the paper while traveling to London.
He quickly goes to Brownlow’s home. Mr. Bumble states that, since
birth, Oliver has displayed nothing but “treachery, ingratitude,
and malice.” Bumble tells Brownlow that Oliver attacked Noah Claypole without
provocation, and Brownlow decides Oliver is nothing but an impostor.
Mrs. Bedwin refuses to believe Mr. Bumble.
Summary: Chapter 18
Fagin leaves Oliver locked up in the house for days. During
the daytime, Oliver has no human company. The Dodger and Charley
ask him why he does not just give himself over to Fagin, since the
money comes quickly and easily in their “jolly life.” Fagin gradually
allows Oliver to spend more time in the other boys’ company. Sometimes, Fagin
himself regales his crew with funny stories of robberies he committed
in his youth. Oliver often laughs at the stories despite himself.
Fagin’s plan has been to isolate Oliver until he comes to be so
grateful for any human contact that he will do whatever Fagin asks.
Summary: Chapter 19
Sikes plans to rob a house, but he needs a small boy for
the job. Fagin offers Oliver’s services. Sikes warns Oliver that
he will kill him if he shows any signs of hesitation during the
robbery. Sikes arranges to have Nancy deliver Oliver to the scene.
Fagin watches Nancy for any signs of hesitation. Despite her earlier
protests against trapping Oliver in a life of crime, she betrays
no further misgivings.
Summary: Chapter 20
Fagin informs Oliver that he will be taken to Sikes’s
residence that night. He gives Oliver a book to read. Oliver waits,
shivering in horror at the book’s bloody tales of famous criminals
and murderers. Nancy arrives to take him away. Oliver considers
calling for help on the streets. Reading his thoughts on his face,
Nancy warns him that he could get both of them into deep trouble.
They arrive at Sikes’s residence, and Sikes shows Oliver a pistol.
He warns Oliver that if he causes any trouble, he will kill him.
At five in the morning, they prepare to leave for the job.
Summary: Chapter 21
Sikes takes Oliver on a long journey to the town of Shepperton. They
arrive after dark.
Summary: Chapter 22
Sikes leads Oliver to a ruinous house where his partners
in crime, Toby Crackit and Barney, are waiting. At half past one,
Sikes and Crackit set out with Oliver. They arrive at the targeted
house and climb over the wall surrounding it. Only then does Oliver
realize that he will be made to participate in a robbery. Horrified,
he begs Sikes to let him go. Sikes curses and prepares to shoot
him, but Crackit knocks the pistol away, saying that gunfire will
draw attention.
