Oliver Twist: Nancy's Moral Ambiguity

What is implied about Nancy's profession based on Dickens's description?

Why do 'good' characters in the novel tend to be good?

What is Nancy's role in the novel's exploration of redemption?

Why do some critics interpret Nancy's speech as suggesting the boys might be involved in prostitution?

What is true about Nancy's character compared to the other 'good' characters?

Why does Dickens avoid explicit references to sexuality in the novel?

What is implied by Dickens's description of Nancy's manner as 'remarkably free and agreeable'

What does Nancy's outburst against Sikes and Fagin demonstrate?

What is true about the novel's portrayal of Nancy's identity as a prostitute?

What does Nancy's character represent in the novel?

Nancy's Character in Oliver Twist

Nancy's behavior in the novel spans moral extremes, unlike other major characters who are either purely good or evil.
Dickens's description of Nancy's manner as "remarkably free and agreeable" implies that she is a prostitute, which would have elicited little sympathy from Victorian readers.
Nancy's position as a young, unmarried female pauper further supports the implication that she is a prostitute.
Dickens confirms Nancy's profession as a prostitute in the preface to the 1841 edition of the novel.
Nancy spearheads the scheme to bring Oliver back into Fagin's fold, demonstrating her involvement in the criminal world.

Nancy's Moral Sense

Despite her profession, Nancy demonstrates a deep and passionate sense of morality, particularly in her outburst against Sikes and Fagin for mistreating Oliver.
Her character serves as a forum for the novel to explore whether an individual can be redeemed from the effects of a bad environment.

Implications of Nancy's Speech

Nancy's speech, in which she expresses regret for returning Oliver to Fagin's care, hints that the boys might also be involved in prostitution.
The fact that Nancy points to Oliver while speaking about herself implies an absolute identification between the two characters.
The narrative is deliberately vague about Nancy's identity as a prostitute and the boys' potential involvement in prostitution due to Victorian sensibilities.

Explore the complexities of Nancy's character in Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist. How does Dickens portray her moral ambiguity through her actions and description?