Why is Nancy such an important character in the novel Oliver Twist?

Why is Nancy such an important character in the novel Oliver Twist?

{1837-1839} Oliver Twist was probably one of the most popular novels

of its time. Within Oliver Twist the characters were the central main

focus of the novel. Oliver: the main c...

Why is Nancy such an important character in the novel ‘Oliver Twist’?

{1837-1839}

Oliver Twist was probably one of the most popular novels of its time.

Within ‘Oliver Twist’ the characters were the central main focus of

the novel.

Oliver: the main character is made to appeal to the reader’s sense of

sympathy. Meanwhile Fagin is loathed by the reader. Nancy is seen as

not so important by the reader but actually is the most important

character after Oliver. So just why is Nancy such an important

character in the novel ‘Oliver Twist’?

The first mention of Nancy is when she comes to see Fagin, along with

Bet, and she is described from Oliver’s point of view as not so

pretty, with a great deal of hair but it wasn’t very neatly.

They were untidy and dirty below the waist. Their stockings and shoes

were also very dirty.

“Oliver thought them very nice girls indeed.” This shows that Oliver’s

first impression of Nancy is quite a good one which then shows that

she might be influential to him later on in the novel. This is because

he is easily led by Fagin and his gang because he thinks they are nice

people. And he will be easily led by Nancy who he thinks is also a

very nice person too.

A long time afterwards they left when Master Bates said, that it was

time to pad the hoof.

Next Nancy is mentioned when she has to go and find out what happened

to Oliver! At first when Fagin asks Bet, she declines and when he asks

Nancy, she also declines! But the...

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...) who tried to rob them which shows Nancy is on the same side

as them( the side of good).

So why is Nancy such an important character in the novel Oliver

Twist? The main reason Nancy is such an important character is because

she risks her life to save Oliver and goes through many hardships and

brutalities to ensure that Oliver stays alive and doesn’t get dragged

into the criminal underworld that she hates and doesn’t wish to be

part of!

It is a typical ‘good VS evil’ scenario and when good prevails the

reader really enjoys this. This is what is happening with Nancy, she

represents good in a struggle with Fagin and Sikes who represent evil.

She dies but for a just cause, when she frees Oliver from the criminal

underworld and lets him know about his undiscovered riches.

So that is why Nancy is such an important character in the novel

‘Oliver Twist’.