Oliver Twist Oliver Twist Quotes

Oliver Twist

Quote 1

"He said ‘God bless you’ to me when I ran away," cried the boy with a burst of affectionate emotion; "and I will say ‘God bless you’ now, and show him how I love him for it!" (51.9)

Oliver still remembers little Dick’s parting blessing, and everything he’s experienced between then and now has made him appreciate what he didn’t then understand – the difference between institutionalized religion, and individual piety.

Oliver Twist

Quote 2

[…] overpowered by the conviction of the bystanders that he was really the hardened little wretch he was described to be, what could one poor child do? (15.63)

Oliver, once again, is misrepresented, and, once again, everyone around him believes the false story. What’s the deal with all these fake stories floating around? Will Oliver ever get to tell his own story?

Oliver, quite elated and honoured by a sense of his importance, faithfully promised to be secret and explicit in his communications, and Mr. Maylie took leave of him with many warm assurances of his regard and protection. (36.18)

Oliver knows how to write at this point, and his promise to write to Harry and relate to him all that they’ve been up to is a mark of how far he’s come – he’s now not only able to tell his own story, but to tell other peoples’, as well. He’s become a writer of stories, just as Mr. Brownlow predicted.

"[…] wouldn’t they, Tom White, -- eh?"

"My name is Oliver, sir," replied the little invalid with a look of great astonishment.

"Oliver!" said Mr. Brownlow; "Oliver what? Oliver White,-- eh?"

"No, sir, Twist,-- Oliver Twist."

"Queer name," said the old gentleman. (12.53-56)

This is the exchange between Oliver and Mr. Brownlow when Brownlow learns Oliver’s real name. It’s a turning point in their relationship, because it’s the first time that Oliver is able to tell Mr. Brownlow a portion of his own story (what his name is) instead of having someone else tell it for him (all the crowd calling him a thief; the police officer calling him "young gallows" and "fogle-hunter," the man in the striped waistcoat making up a name because Oliver’s incapable of talking for himself, etc).

And here’s the amazing part: Mr. Brownlow believes him, even though it "sounded so like a falsehood" (12.58). Oliver just has something in his face that seems truthful.