"You’ve been brought up bad,” said the Dodger, surveying his boots with much satisfaction when Oliver had polished them. “Fagin will make something of you, though, or you’ll be the first he ever had that turned out unprofitable." ― Chapter 18
Jack Dawkins, a.k.a. The Artful Dodger is a major character in Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist.
The Artful Dodger is a young pickpocket who behaves and dresses like an adult, and even introduces Oliver to the gang after rescuing him from the streets. He is Fagin’s most intelligent and cunning gang member.
Description[]
Storyline[]
Meeting Oliver Twist[]
On an early morning in the town of Barnet, The Dodger spots a young boy named Oliver Twist staggering alone and then sitting down on a step.[1] After surveying him for several minutes, he becomes interested and approaches him. He greets Oliver, calls him, “covey”, and asks what’s wrong. Oliver replies that he has been walking for 7 days, and he’a hungry and tired. The Dodger is astonishes that he has travelled on foot for this long and thinks he did it by the “Beak’s order”. He explains that the “beak” is a magistrate and the “beak’s order”, refers to a treadmill-device that could fit inside a prison and some people are forced to run in it. Afterwards, he decides Oliver must have something to eat and he will pay for the food.
The Dodger demands Oliver to come with him, and after helping him get up, takes him to a local shop and buys some ham and a loaf of bread. They head to a tavern and into the bar where they’re served beer. The Dodger watches Oliver eat his meal and then asks if he’s going to London. Oliver replies yes but doesn’t have money or lodgings. The Dodger whistles and Oliver asks if he lives in London. He replies yes and assumes Oliver needs a place to stay. Oliver replies yes, as he didn’t had a shelter to sleep in since he left the countryside. The Dodger says he needs to return to London tonight, and knows an old gentleman who will offer him free lodgings. Oliver is delighted by this offer and has a friendly conversation with the Dodger. Oliver learns his real name is Jack Dawkins, but his friends call him the Artful Dodger. He is also a personal protege to the old gentleman.
Personality/Appearance[]
Relationships[]
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Portrayals[]
References[]
- ↑ Chapter 8