# Noah Claypole — Oliver Twist character guide

> Noah Claypole in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0004-v-oliver-mingles-with-new-associates-going-to-a-funeral-for-the-first-time-he-forms-an-unfavourable-notion-of-his-master-s-business

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Fagin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/fagin)

_professional_

Fagin employs Noah as a spy and junior criminal, exploiting his cowardly and greedy nature.

### [Charlotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/charlotte)

_romantic_

Charlotte is Noah's lover and accomplice, blindly following his schemes.

### [Fagin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/fagin)

_professional_

Fagin employs Noah as a spy and junior criminal, exploiting his cowardly and greedy nature.

### [Charlotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/charlotte)

_romantic_

Charlotte is Noah's lover and accomplice, blindly following his schemes.

### [Charlotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/charlotte)

_romantic_

Charlotte is Noah's lover and accomplice, blindly following his schemes.

### [Fagin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/fagin)

_professional_

Fagin employs Noah as a spy and junior criminal, exploiting his cowardly and greedy nature.

## In the story

### [Oliver Mingles with New Associates. Going to a Funeral for the First Time, He Forms an Unfavourable Notion of His Master’s Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/v-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/vi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/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](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)

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xliii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xlv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xlvi-the-appointment-kept)

Disguised as a countryman, secretly follows Nancy and spies on her meeting with Mr. Brownlow and Rose Maylie.

### [Fatal Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xlvii-fatal-consequences)

Sleeps on the floor in Fagin's lair, wakes to reveal details of Nancy's meetings with Rose Maylie and Mr. Brownlow.

## Links

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