Oliver Twist · Character
Mrs. Maylie
A gentle, steel-spined old lady whose quiet authority shelters Oliver and Rose, and whose grief never once loosens her grip on duty.
supporting
Also known as the old lady
First appearance: XXIX: Has an Introductory Account of the Inmates of the House, to Which Oliver Resorted
As a supporting figure in Oliver Twist, Mrs. Maylie is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
The elder lady, stately and precise, seated at breakfast with her young companion.
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Mrs. Maylie presides over the rural household at Chertsey that takes Oliver in after the burglary, and her tenderness toward Rose reveals a woman whose love runs deeper than her reserve. When Rose falls dangerously ill,…
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The fuller portrait of Mrs. Maylie sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Mrs. Maylie in XXIX: Has an Introductory Account of the Inmates of the House, to Which Oliver ResortedCharacter Web
31 connectionsA slice of how Mrs. Maylie sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Rivalry
- Family
- Other
Character groups
- Fagin's criminal gang
- Workhouse and parish officials
- Protagonist
+26 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- 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
- Mr. Bumble
rivalry · negative
- Oliver Twist
family · positive
- Rose Maylie
family · positive
- Mr. Bumble
rivalry · negative
- Oliver Twist
family · positive
- Mr. Bumble
rivalry · negative
- Rose Maylie
family · positive
- Oliver Twist
family · positive
- Rose Maylie
family · positive
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Mrs. Maylie in XXIX: Has an Introductory Account of the Inmates of the House, to Which Oliver ResortedIn the story
Mrs. Maylie appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- XXIX: Has an Introductory Account of the Inmates of the House, to Which Oliver Resorted
- XXX: Relates What Oliver's New Visitors Thought of Him
- Of the Happy Life Oliver Began to Lead with His Kind Friends
- Wherein the Happiness of Oliver and His Friends Experiences a Sudden Check
- XXXIV: Contains Some Introductory Particulars Relative to a Young Gentleman Who Now Arrives Upon the Scene; and a New Adventure Which Happened to Oliver
- Affording an Explanation of More Mysteries Than One, and Comprehending a Proposal of Marriage with No Word of Settlement or Pin-Money
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Maylie unlock in the free preview.
See Mrs. Maylie in XXIX: Has an Introductory Account of the Inmates of the House, to Which Oliver Resorted