Oliver Twist · Character

Charley Bates

A laughing young pickpocket whose delight in mischief and mockery makes him Fagin's most cheerful pupil, even as Oliver's anguish plays out beside him.

supporting

Also known as Master Bates, Charley, young Bates, Mr. Charles Bates

First appearance: IX: Containing Further Particulars Concerning the Pleasant Old Gentleman, and His Hopeful Pupils

As a supporting figure in Oliver Twist, Charley Bates is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Charley Bates is one of the young gentlemen in Fagin's den who shakes Oliver's hand and participates in the mock civilities.

In the storyOliver Walks to London. He Encounters on the Road a Strange Sort of Young GentlemanOpen this moment free

See Charley Bates in Oliver Walks to London. He Encounters on the Road a Strange Sort of Young Gentleman Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Charley treats theft as sport, mimicking reading from stolen books and dissolving into ecstasies of laughter at Oliver's horror when the gang's plunder is revealed. His lively sense of the ludicrous keeps him buoyant in a world of cruelty, and his loyalty to Fagin and Sikes is unthinking rather than malicious. He embodies the gang's seductive surface of camaraderie, the grinning face of a trade that ruins children, and his presence sharpens the contrast with Oliver's stubborn conscience.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Charley Bates sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Charley Bates in IX: Containing Further Particulars Concerning the Pleasant Old Gentleman, and His Hopeful Pupils

Character Web

24 connections

A slice of how Charley Bates sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Professional
Other

Character groups

Fagin's criminal gang
Protagonist

+19 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative 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 reading

Relationships

Oliver Twist
friendship · ambivalent
Charley is a fellow child thief who initially befriends Oliver but later feels remorse… How this plays out →
The Artful Dodger
friendship · ambivalent
Fagin
professional · negative
Fagin
professional · negative
The Artful Dodger
friendship · ambivalent
Oliver Twist
friendship · ambivalent
Charley is a fellow child thief who initially befriends Oliver but later feels remorse… How this plays out →
Fagin
professional · negative
The Artful Dodger
friendship · ambivalent

Oliver Twist
Charley is a fellow child thief who initially befriends Oliver but later feels remorse for his fate.
The Artful Dodger
They are close companions and partners in crime within Fagin's gang.
Fagin
Charley is one of Fagin's young thieves, trained and exploited by him.
Fagin
Charley is one of Fagin's young thieves, trained and exploited by him.
The Artful Dodger
They are close companions and partners in crime within Fagin's gang.
Oliver Twist
Charley is a fellow child thief who initially befriends Oliver but later feels remorse for his fate.
Fagin
Charley is one of Fagin's young thieves, trained and exploited by him.
The Artful Dodger
They are close companions and partners in crime within Fagin's gang.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Charley Bates in IX: Containing Further Particulars Concerning the Pleasant Old Gentleman, and His Hopeful Pupils

In the story

Charley Bates appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Oliver Walks to London. He Encounters on the Road a Strange Sort of Young Gentleman
Charley Bates is one of the young gentlemen in Fagin's den who shakes Oliver's hand and participates in the mock civilities.
IX: Containing Further Particulars Concerning the Pleasant Old Gentleman, and His Hopeful Pupils
Returns with stolen handkerchiefs, laughs at Oliver's naivety, and participates in the pickpocket training.
Oliver Becomes Better Acquainted with the Characters of His New Associates; and Purchases Experience at a High Price. Being a Short, but Very Important Chapter, in This History
Charley Bates accompanies the Dodger and Oliver, pilfering from stalls and later receiving the stolen handkerchief. He joins the pursuit of Oliver to avoid detection.
XII: In Which Oliver Is Taken Better Care of Than He Ever Was Before. And in Which the Narrative Reverts to the Merry Old Gentleman and His Youthful Friends
Charley Bates joins the Dodger in the hue-and-cry and subsequent escape, laughing at their successful evasion.
XIII: Some New Acquaintances Are Introduced to the Intelligent Reader, Connected with Whom Various Pleasant Matters Are Related, Appertaining to This History
Charley Bates is present during Fagin's interrogation and reacts with a loud roar when he fears being throttled.
XVI: Relates What Became of Oliver Twist, After He Had Been Claimed by Nancy
Charley Bates mocks Oliver by pretending to read one of the stolen books, laughing at Oliver's distress.
How Oliver Passed His Time in the Improving Society of His Reputable Friends
Charley Bates joins the Dodger in smoking and praising the life of a thief, calling Sikes's dog an 'out-and-out Christian'.
Wherein This History Reverts to Mr. Fagin and Company
Laughing and joking during the card game, then scuffling with Tom Chitling.
Chapter XXXIX: Introduces Some Respectable Characters with Whom the Reader Is Already Acquainted, and Shows How Monks and the Jew Laid Their Worthy Heads Together
Amused by the proceedings, slaps Nancy's hands and jokes about the dog.
Wherein Is Shown How the Artful Dodger Got Into Trouble
Guides Noah to Bow Street and waits for his return to report on the Dodger's trial.
The Pursuit and Escape
Horrified by Sikes's crime, he denounces him and tries to alert the crowd, even physically attacking Sikes.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Charley Bates unlock in the free preview.

See Charley Bates in IX: Containing Further Particulars Concerning the Pleasant Old Gentleman, and His Hopeful Pupils

See Charley Bates in Oliver Walks to London. He Encounters on the Road a Strange Sort of Young Gentleman