# Charley Bates — Oliver Twist character guide > Charley Bates in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Master Bates, Charley, young Bates, Mr. Charles Bates **First appearance:** 0008-ix-containing-further-particulars-concerning-the-pleasant-old-gentleman-and-his-hopeful-pupils ## Snapshot 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. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Oliver Twist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/oliver_twist) _friendship_ Charley is a fellow child thief who initially befriends Oliver but later feels remorse for his fate. ### [The Artful Dodger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/the_artful_dodger) _friendship_ They are close companions and partners in crime within Fagin's gang. ### [Fagin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/fagin) _professional_ Charley is one of Fagin's young thieves, trained and exploited by him. ### [Fagin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/fagin) _professional_ Charley is one of Fagin's young thieves, trained and exploited by him. ### [The Artful Dodger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/the_artful_dodger) _friendship_ They are close companions and partners in crime within Fagin's gang. ### [Oliver Twist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/oliver_twist) _friendship_ Charley is a fellow child thief who initially befriends Oliver but later feels remorse for his fate. ### [Fagin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/fagin) _professional_ Charley is one of Fagin's young thieves, trained and exploited by him. ### [The Artful Dodger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/the_artful_dodger) _friendship_ They are close companions and partners in crime within Fagin's gang. ## In the story ### [Oliver Walks to London. He Encounters on the Road a Strange Sort of Young Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/viii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/x-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xviii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xliii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/l-the-pursuit-and-escape) Horrified by Sikes's crime, he denounces him and tries to alert the crowd, even physically attacking Sikes. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/charley_bates - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters