# Harry Maylie — Oliver Twist character guide

> Harry Maylie in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Harry

**First appearance:** 0033-xxxiv-contains-some-introductory-particulars-relative-to-a-young-gentleman-who-now-arrives-upon-the-scene-and-a-new-adventure-which-happened-to-oliver

## Snapshot

A young gentleman of warm feeling and firm resolve, whose love for Rose Maylie forces him to weigh ambition against a name shadowed by scandal.

## Who they are

Harry arrives at his mother's cottage in a fever of anxiety over Rose's illness, and his urgent questions reveal a heart wholly given to her. His mother warns that marrying a woman with a stain on her name could cost him his worldly prospects, but Harry insists his devotion is no boyish impulse and will not be shaken. His stand turns private affection into a public test of principle, pressing the novel to ask whether love can survive the cruelties of reputation.

## Relationships

### [Rose Maylie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/rose_maylie)

_romantic_

Harry is Rose's devoted suitor, and they eventually marry after overcoming social obstacles.

### [Rose Maylie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/rose_maylie)

_romantic_

Harry is Rose's devoted suitor, and they eventually marry after overcoming social obstacles.

### [Rose Maylie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/rose_maylie)

_romantic_

Harry is Rose's devoted suitor, and they eventually marry after overcoming social obstacles.

## In the story

### [Wherein the Happiness of Oliver and His Friends Experiences a Sudden Check](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxxiii-wherein-the-happiness-of-oliver-and-his-friends-experiences-a-sudden-check)

A letter is prepared for Harry Maylie but is held back until the next day.

### [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)

Arrives at the cottage in a post-chaise, eager for news of Rose. He expresses his deep love for Rose to his mother, arguing against her concerns about social stigma.

### [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)

Harry leads the pursuit of the strangers and later confesses his love to Rose, vowing to wait a year for her answer.

### [Chapter XXXVI: Is a Very Short One, and May Appear of No Great Importance in Its Place, but It Should Be Read Notwithstanding, as a Sequel to the Last, and a Key to One That Will Follow When Its Time Arrives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxxvi-is-a-very-short-one-and-may-appear-of-no-great-importance-in-its-place-but-it-should-be-read-notwithstanding-as-a-sequel-to-the-last-and-a-key-to-one-that-will-follow-when-its-time-arrives)

Shows sudden resolve to leave, asks Oliver to secretly report on Rose's happiness.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/harry_maylie
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters