Oliver Twist · Character
Bill Sikes
A housebreaker with a bull terrier and a short fuse, whose casual brutality makes even Fagin's den feel like a refuge by comparison.
major
Also known as Sikes, Mr. Sikes, Mr. Bill Sikes, the brutal Sikes
First appearance: XIII: Some New Acquaintances Are Introduced to the Intelligent Reader, Connected with Whom Various Pleasant Matters Are Related, Appertaining to This History
As a major figure in Oliver Twist, Bill Sikes is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Sikes enters the scene, berates Fagin, and later pressures Nancy into undertaking the mission to find Oliver; he shows his violent nature by kicking his dog.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Sikes seizes Oliver by the collar and drags him through a dark passage into a burglary, treating the boy as equipment and the dog as a companion. He is jealous of his share, quick with his fists, and utterly without…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Bill Sikes sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Bill Sikes in XIII: Some New Acquaintances Are Introduced to the Intelligent Reader, Connected with Whom Various Pleasant Matters Are Related, Appertaining to This HistoryCharacter Web
19 connectionsA slice of how Bill Sikes sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Psychological
- Romantic
- Other
Character groups
- Fagin's criminal gang
- Protagonist
+14 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this passage, the dramatic climax occurs when Rose Maylie, previously depicted as cheerful and in high spir…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Fagin
professional · negative
They are criminal associates, with Sikes being a violent enforcer and Fagin a fence and… How this plays out →
- Oliver Twist
psychological · negative
- Nancy
romantic · negative
- Oliver Twist
psychological · negative
- Fagin
professional · negative
They are criminal associates, with Sikes being a violent enforcer and Fagin a fence and… How this plays out →
- Fagin
professional · negative
They are criminal associates, with Sikes being a violent enforcer and Fagin a fence and… How this plays out →
- Nancy
romantic · negative
- Nancy
romantic · negative
- Oliver Twist
psychological · negative
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Bill Sikes in XIII: Some New Acquaintances Are Introduced to the Intelligent Reader, Connected with Whom Various Pleasant Matters Are Related, Appertaining to This HistoryIn the story
Bill Sikes appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- XIII: Some New Acquaintances Are Introduced to the Intelligent Reader, Connected with Whom Various Pleasant Matters Are Related, Appertaining to This History
- XV: Showing How Very Fond of Oliver Twist the Merry Old Jew and Miss Nancy Were
- XVI: Relates What Became of Oliver Twist, After He Had Been Claimed by Nancy
- XIX: In Which a Notable Plan Is Discussed and Determined On
- XX: Wherein Oliver Is Delivered Over to Mr. William Sikes
- XXI: The Expedition
- The Burglary
- Chapter XXVI: In Which a Mysterious Character Appears Upon the Scene; and Many Things, Inseparable from This History, Are Done and Performed
- +7 more
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Bill Sikes unlock in the free preview.
See Bill Sikes in XIII: Some New Acquaintances Are Introduced to the Intelligent Reader, Connected with Whom Various Pleasant Matters Are Related, Appertaining to This History