# Fagin — Oliver Twist character guide > Fagin in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** old Fagin, Mr. Fagin, the merry old gentleman **First appearance:** 0008-ix-containing-further-particulars-concerning-the-pleasant-old-gentleman-and-his-hopeful-pupils ## Snapshot A merry old receiver of stolen goods who runs a school for young pickpockets, bowing low while he calculates exactly what each boy is worth. ## Who they are Fagin presides over a den of handkerchiefs, trinkets, and boys, lecturing Oliver on the crying sin of ingratitude while keeping his own accounts strictly. He is genuinely fond of his trade and his pupils in the way a man is fond of tools, and his charm is the most unsettling thing about him. He matters because he is the middleman between Oliver and the shadowy figure paying to make the boy a thief — a bargain that turns the novel's comedy of rogues into something colder. ## Relationships ### [Oliver Twist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/oliver_twist) _psychological_ Fagin manipulates and grooms Oliver for a life of crime, acting as a predatory mentor. ### [Bill Sikes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/bill_sikes) _professional_ They are criminal associates, with Sikes being a violent enforcer and Fagin a fence and recruiter. ### [Noah Claypole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/noah_claypole) _professional_ Fagin employs Noah as a spy and junior criminal, exploiting his cowardly and greedy nature. ### [Nancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/nancy) _psychological_ Fagin exerts a manipulative, paternalistic control over Nancy, exploiting her loyalty and fear. ### [Charley Bates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/charley_bates) _professional_ Charley is one of Fagin's young thieves, trained and exploited by him. ### [Oliver Twist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/oliver_twist) _psychological_ Fagin manipulates and grooms Oliver for a life of crime, acting as a predatory mentor. ### [Bill Sikes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/bill_sikes) _professional_ They are criminal associates, with Sikes being a violent enforcer and Fagin a fence and recruiter. ### [Nancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/nancy) _psychological_ Fagin exerts a manipulative, paternalistic control over Nancy, exploiting her loyalty and fear. ### [Noah Claypole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/noah_claypole) _professional_ Fagin employs Noah as a spy and junior criminal, exploiting his cowardly and greedy nature. ### [Bill Sikes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/bill_sikes) _professional_ They are criminal associates, with Sikes being a violent enforcer and Fagin a fence and recruiter. ### [Charley Bates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/charley_bates) _professional_ Charley is one of Fagin's young thieves, trained and exploited by him. ### [Oliver Twist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/oliver_twist) _psychological_ Fagin manipulates and grooms Oliver for a life of crime, acting as a predatory mentor. ## 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) Fagin welcomes Oliver to his den, grins obsequiously, and offers him sausages and gin-and-water while his young pupils pretend to help Oliver. ### [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) Fagin examines his hidden treasure, threatens Oliver when caught, then resumes a playful demeanor and begins teaching Oliver to pick pockets. ### [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) Fagin keeps Oliver in his room picking marks out of handkerchiefs and playing the game. He eventually allows Oliver to go out with the Dodger and Charley Bates. ### [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) Fagin is agitated and threatening when he learns Oliver has been taken by the authorities; he dispatches his gang to find Oliver and plans to silence him if he reveals their secrets. ### [XV: Showing How Very Fond of Oliver Twist the Merry Old Jew and Miss Nancy Were](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xv-showing-how-very-fond-of-oliver-twist-the-merry-old-jew-and-miss-nancy-were) Fagin enters the public-house during Sikes's fight with his dog, humbly apologizes, and discusses mutual interests with Sikes, though he is ill at ease. ### [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) Fagin receives the stolen books and money, argues with Sikes over the proceeds, and beats Oliver with a club until Nancy intervenes. ### [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) Fagin lectures Oliver on ingratitude, threatens him with hanging, and leaves him locked in the house to brood. ### [XIX: In Which a Notable Plan Is Discussed and Determined On](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xix-in-which-a-notable-plan-is-discussed-and-determined-on) Craftily orchestrates the plan to use Oliver in a burglary, manipulating both Nancy and Sikes. ### [XX: Wherein Oliver Is Delivered Over to Mr. William Sikes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xx-wherein-oliver-is-delivered-over-to-mr-william-sikes) Tells Oliver he will be taken to Sikes; warns him to obey. ### [The Burglary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxii-the-burglary) Implied as the one who sent Oliver on this errand, cursed by Sikes. ### [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) Brooding by the fire, then agitated by Toby Crackit's news about the failed burglary and Oliver's fate. ### [Chapter XXVI: In Which a Mysterious Character Appears Upon the Scene; and Many Things, Inseparable from This History, Are Done and Performed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxvi-in-which-a-mysterious-character-appears-upon-the-scene-and-many-things-inseparable-from-this-history-are-done-and-performed) Fagin moves through the criminal district, meets with Monks, and later threatens Nancy about Oliver's return. ### [XXXIV: Contains Some Introductory Particulars Relative to a Young Gentleman Who Now Arrives Upon the Scene; and a New Adventure Which Happened to Oliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxxiv-contains-some-introductory-particulars-relative-to-a-young-gentleman-who-now-arrives-upon-the-scene-and-a-new-adventure-which-happened-to-oliver) Appears at Oliver's window with another man, peering into the room. Oliver recognizes him with terror, and Fagin seems to identify Oliver to his companion. ### [XXXV: Containing the Unsatisfactory Result of Oliver’s Adventure; and a Conversation of Some Importance Between Harry Maylie and Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxxv-containing-the-unsatisfactory-result-of-oliver-s-adventure-and-a-conversation-of-some-importance-between-harry-maylie-and-rose) Fagin is seen by Oliver near the cottage but evades capture. ### [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) Arrives with food and drink for Sikes, sends the boys out, and warns Nancy not to speak of money when Monks enters. ### [A Strange Interview, Which Is a Sequel to the Last Chapter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xl-a-strange-interview-which-is-a-sequel-to-the-last-chapter) Mentioned as Monks' co-conspirator in the plot against Oliver. ### [An Old Acquaintance of Oliver’s, Exhibiting Decided Marks of Genius, Becomes a Public Character in the Metropolis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xlii-an-old-acquaintance-of-oliver-s-exhibiting-decided-marks-of-genius-becomes-a-public-character-in-the-metropolis) Observes Noah and Charlotte from a hidden vantage point at the Three Cripples. Recruits Noah into his criminal network. ### [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) Explains his philosophy of 'number one' to Noah, blending truth and fiction to secure loyalty and fear. ### [The Time Arrives for Nancy to Redeem Her Pledge to Rose Maylie. She Fails](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xliv-the-time-arrives-for-nancy-to-redeem-her-pledge-to-rose-maylie-she-fails) Observes Nancy's altered manner and plots to discover her new attachment, considering using it to coerce her into poisoning Sikes. ### [Noah Claypole Is Employed by Fagin on a Secret Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xlv-noah-claypole-is-employed-by-fagin-on-a-secret-mission) Fagin hires Noah Claypole to spy on Nancy, showing his manipulative and suspicious nature. ### [XLVI: The Appointment Kept](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xlvi-the-appointment-kept) Mentioned as the man Nancy refuses to betray despite his evil influence over her. ### [Fatal Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xlvii-fatal-consequences) Sits in his lair, consumed by rage and fear after Nancy's betrayal, manipulates Sikes by revealing Nancy's secret meetings. ### [Monks and Mr. Brownlow at Length Meet. Their Conversation, and the Intelligence That Interrupts It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xlix-monks-and-mr-brownlow-at-length-meet-their-conversation-and-the-intelligence-that-interrupts-it) Mentioned as Monks' accomplice in the plot against Oliver. ### [Fagin's Last Night Alive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/lii-fagin-s-last-night-alive) Condemned to death, Fagin is shown in a state of madness and terror, muttering incoherently and desperately trying to use Oliver to escape. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/fagin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters