Oliver Twist: Nancy's Moral Ambiguity

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.