Oliver Twist · Character

Noah Claypole

A charity-boy bully who torments Oliver with sneers about his dead mother, then crumples the moment his victim finally strikes back.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Noah Claypole, Claypole, Mister Noah, Mr. Bolter

First appearance: Oliver Mingles with New Associates. Going to a Funeral for the First Time, He Forms an Unfavourable Notion of His Master’s Business

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

Noah, a charity-boy, asserts dominance over Oliver with kicks and insults, relishing his newfound superiority.

In the storyOliver Mingles with New Associates. Going to a Funeral for the First Time, He Forms an Unfavourable Notion of His Master’s BusinessOpen this moment free

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Noah occupies the lowest rung of the undertaker's household yet claws for status by persecuting the newest apprentice, needling Oliver about his mother's death until the quiet boy erupts. His cowardice is laid bare when he blubbers for help the instant Oliver seizes him, exposing the gap between his cruelty and his courage. That outburst of Oliver's is the first sign of the fire beneath the orphan's meekness, and Noah's later drift toward Fagin's circle shows how meanness finds its natural home.

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See Noah Claypole in Oliver Mingles with New Associates. Going to a Funeral for the First Time, He Forms an Unfavourable Notion of His Master’s Business

Character Web

19 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Romantic
Other

Character groups

Fagin's criminal gang
Protagonist
Workhouse and parish officials

+14 more in the full Character Web

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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…

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Relationships

Fagin
professional · negative
Fagin employs Noah as a spy and junior criminal, exploiting his cowardly and greedy… How this plays out →
Charlotte
romantic · ambivalent
Fagin
professional · negative
Fagin employs Noah as a spy and junior criminal, exploiting his cowardly and greedy… How this plays out →
Charlotte
romantic · ambivalent
Charlotte
romantic · ambivalent
Fagin
professional · negative
Fagin employs Noah as a spy and junior criminal, exploiting his cowardly and greedy… How this plays out →

Fagin
Fagin employs Noah as a spy and junior criminal, exploiting his cowardly and greedy nature.
Charlotte
Charlotte is Noah's lover and accomplice, blindly following his schemes.
Fagin
Fagin employs Noah as a spy and junior criminal, exploiting his cowardly and greedy nature.
Charlotte
Charlotte is Noah's lover and accomplice, blindly following his schemes.
Charlotte
Charlotte is Noah's lover and accomplice, blindly following his schemes.
Fagin
Fagin employs Noah as a spy and junior criminal, exploiting his cowardly and greedy nature.

Relationship notes

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

See Noah Claypole in Oliver Mingles with New Associates. Going to a Funeral for the First Time, He Forms an Unfavourable Notion of His Master’s Business

In the story

Noah Claypole appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Oliver Mingles with New Associates. Going to a Funeral for the First Time, He Forms an Unfavourable Notion of His Master’s Business
Noah, a charity-boy, asserts dominance over Oliver with kicks and insults, relishing his newfound superiority.
Oliver, Being Goaded by the Taunts of Noah, Rouses Into Action, and Rather Astonishes Him
Noah cruelly taunts Oliver about his mother, provoking a violent reaction, then runs to fetch Mr. Bumble.
VII: Oliver Continues Refractory
Noah falsely reports to Mr. Bumble that Oliver tried to murder him, exaggerating his injuries to incite punishment.
Chapter XXVII: Atones for the Unpoliteness of a Former Chapter; Which Deserted a Lady, Most Unceremoniously
Found drunk at Sowerberry's, flirting with Charlotte and eating oysters; scolded by Mr. Bumble.
An Old Acquaintance of Oliver’s, Exhibiting Decided Marks of Genius, Becomes a Public Character in the Metropolis
Arrives in London with Charlotte, having stolen money from Sowerberry. Displays cunning and cowardice, and is recruited by Fagin.
Wherein Is Shown How the Artful Dodger Got Into Trouble
Now called Morris Bolter, he moves into Fagin's house and is sent in disguise to observe the Dodger's trial.
Noah Claypole Is Employed by Fagin on a Secret Mission
Noah, now calling himself Morris Bolter, eagerly accepts Fagin's offer to spy on a young woman for a pound.
XLVI: The Appointment Kept
Disguised as a countryman, secretly follows Nancy and spies on her meeting with Mr. Brownlow and Rose Maylie.
Fatal Consequences
Sleeps on the floor in Fagin's lair, wakes to reveal details of Nancy's meetings with Rose Maylie and Mr. Brownlow.

Chapter companion notes

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See Noah Claypole in Oliver Mingles with New Associates. Going to a Funeral for the First Time, He Forms an Unfavourable Notion of His Master’s Business