Oliver Twist

Chapter 42 tells of Noah Claypole and Charlotte’s walk into London. Charlotte is carrying a large bag and despite carrying nothing at all, Noah keeps telling her to hurry up. Noah calls Charlotte lazy and accuses her of resting. Charlotte complains about the weight of the bag and asks how much longer it is to London. Noah tells her “never mind whether they’re two mile off, or twenty […] but get up and come on, or I’ll kick yer, and so I give yer notice” (494). Noah leads the way and though Charlotte wants to rest at an inn, Noah refuses.

It turns out that Noah and Charlotte stole some money from the Sowerberrys. Noah wants them to hide among the busy streets in London right away, just in case the authorities are chasing them. Noah tries to scare Charlotte by saying that if they rest, Charlotte will undoubtedly be thrown into jail. Charlotte responds by saying that if she’s caught, Noah will be arrested as well. Noah pushes the blame back onto Charlotte by saying that she was the one who actually stole the money. Charlotte protests this, saying that she stole it for him. Charlotte thinks she carries the money because he trusts her, but Noah really only makes her carry it so that she is blamed if they are caught.

The pair continues to trudge into London and eventually end up in The Three Cripples bar, where they meet Barney, and ask to stay the night. They eat while they’re there and as they chat, Fagin hides and spies on them from the backroom. The old man overhears that the pair have stolen money and that they wish to steal more to sustain their life style. Noah says that he wants to be head of a gang of thieves and that they need to get into one to help them break the large £20 note that they’ve stolen.

Upon hearing this, Fagin enters the bar and makes it clear that he eavesdropped on their conversation. Noah immediately begins to cower and makes to let Charlotte take the fall. Fagin speaks to Noah in private and the man tells Noah that he knows someone who can help him in his life of crime. Fagin tells Noah that the cost of joining the gang is £20 but that he would be given room and board, cigarettes, alcohol, and half of what both Noah and Charlotte would steal. Noah realizes that if he says no, Fagin could have him arrested and killed. Noah acquiesces but says that Charlotte will be doing most of the heavy lifting, so he’d “like to take something very light” and easy (504).

Fagin suggests that Noah steal from old women but that is still too dangerous for Noah. Eventually, Fagin says he could steal from children and Noah agrees greedily. Noah tells Fagin that their names are Mr. and Mrs. Morris Bolter, but Charlotte immediately calls him Noah. Fagin is unbothered and leaves. Noah tells her about everything he and Fagin have agreed upon.

Noah joins Fagin’s gang. Fagin explains to Noah, “we are so mixed up together, and identified in our interests” that they must watch out for not only themselves but also each other (508). If one of them gets caught, they will all end up arrested and in trouble. “I’m of the same importance to you, as you are to yourself,” Fagin says angrily to Noah, trying to make him realize that his selfishness could very well result in his own demise (408). Explaining this to Noah, Noah realizes that Fagin is a genius. Fagin tries to cultivate even more respect from Noah and mixes fact and fiction together as he tells the boy about his endeavors.

Fagin tells Noah about how the Dodger was arrested attempting to pickpocket. Having found a silver snuffbox on the Dodger, the authorities arrest him. Fagin is initially convinced that the Dodger will be returned to them in a few weeks, but Charley enters sorrowfully, telling them that the Dodger received “transportation for life” and will be sent to Australia (511). Charley is not sad that the Dodger has been captured, but because he was arrested for only a snuffbox. Charley cries, “Oh, why didn’t he rob some rich old gentleman of all his walables, and go out as a gentleman, and not like a common prig, without no honour nor glory!” (511).

Charley is saddened that the Dodger’s legacy will not grace the ledgers of the Newgate Calendar. Fagin does his best to comfort Charley, telling him that to make it to a courtroom and be transported so young are things to be admired for. Fagin sends Noah to court to hear what the Dodger will have to say. The Dodger pokes fun at all the magistrates and at the whole affair, making the spectators in the court laugh heartily. Noah watches the Dodger get locked up before he and Charley return to Fagin to tell him the news.

Nancy is distraught about the idea of betraying her group. Even Fagin, who is responsible for leading her into a life of crime, stirs emotions of guilt within her. Nancy “grew pale and thin, even within a few days” and the men around her notice the marked change within her (524). The chapter finds Nancy on a Sunday night, just as the clock tolls eleven. Bill and Fagin are in the middle of discussing business when Nancy gets dressed and makes to leave.

Fagin and Sikes question her as to where she’s going. Nancy says that she has been feeling feverish and wants a breath of fresh air. Sikes tells her to stick her head out a window, but Nancy insists that she wants to take a walk. Sikes locks the door and refuses to let Nancy out. Nancy has a violent fit, stamping her feet and trying desperately to get Bill to let her out. Sikes refuses to do so and Nancy struggles violently until the clock strikes twelve. Sikes tells Fagin that Nancy has gone mad but Fagin doesn’t seem to agree. Sikes thinks that the fever has entered her system and says that he’ll “let her a little blood, without troubling the doctor, if she’s took that way again” (527).

As Nancy escorts Fagin out of the door, Fagin tells Nancy that she has a friend in him and that if she needs help dealing with Sikes, that she should have it. Nancy does not respond but simply thanks him. On the way home, Fagin thinks that Nancy has a new boyfriend who is not part of the group, and the old man desperately wants to meet him and draw him into the gang so as to control them both. Fagin also despises Sikes and wishes to get rid of him. As he heads home, Fagin wonders about the easiest way to get Nancy to murder Sikes. 

Chapter 45 begins early the next morning, when Fagin meets with Noah Claypole. Noah is greedily eating his breakfast as Fagin compliments him on the money he’s stolen on the first day. Fagin eventually gets around to telling Noah that he wants Noah to help him on a secret mission. Noah is initially frightened, saying, “don’t yer go shoving me into danger, or sending me any more o’yer police-offices” (533). Fagin assures him that it’s nothing of the sort and that he needs someone to follow a young woman.

Noah tells Fagin that the young woman was a “regular cunning sneak” when he was still at school (534). Fagin tells Noah that he is to follow her and find out what she knows and whom she is meeting. Fagin offers Noah £1 should he do the job well. Next Sunday, past eleven, Fagin points out Nancy to Noah and the boy gets a good look at her. Noah follows Nancy through the London streets as she heads to the bridge.