# Rose Maylie — Oliver Twist character guide > Rose Maylie in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Rose, Miss Rose, dear Rose, Maylie **First appearance:** 0028-xxix-has-an-introductory-account-of-the-inmates-of-the-house-to-which-oliver-resorted ## Snapshot A gentle, guileless young woman whose compassion draws Oliver into a household of warmth, even as her own heart wrestles with a love she believes she must refuse. ## Who they are Rose belongs to the comfortable Maylie household that shelters Oliver after his fever, and her tenderness toward the boy becomes the emotional counterweight to the workhouse and the den. When Nancy reveals what she knows of Oliver's past, Rose is torn between a sacred promise of confidence and her burning wish to see the outcast girl redeemed. Her sleepless deliberations and reluctance to summon Harry back show a heart pulled between duty, secrecy, and feeling, making her the story's quiet moral center. ## Relationships ### [Oliver Twist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/oliver_twist) _family_ Rose is Oliver's maternal aunt, and she treats him with deep affection and protection. ### [Harry Maylie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/harry_maylie) _romantic_ Harry is Rose's devoted suitor, and they eventually marry after overcoming social obstacles. ### [Mr. Losberne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/mr_losberne) _friendship_ Dr. Losberne is a trusted family friend and physician to Rose and the Maylie household. ### [Mrs. Maylie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/mrs_maylie) _family_ Mrs. Maylie is Rose's adoptive mother, raising her with love and gentility. ### [Harry Maylie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/harry_maylie) _romantic_ Harry is Rose's devoted suitor, and they eventually marry after overcoming social obstacles. ### [Oliver Twist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/oliver_twist) _family_ Rose is Oliver's maternal aunt, and she treats him with deep affection and protection. ### [Mrs. Maylie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/mrs_maylie) _family_ Mrs. Maylie is Rose's adoptive mother, raising her with love and gentility. ### [Mr. Losberne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/mr_losberne) _friendship_ Dr. Losberne is a trusted family friend and physician to Rose and the Maylie household. ### [Harry Maylie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/harry_maylie) _romantic_ Harry is Rose's devoted suitor, and they eventually marry after overcoming social obstacles. ### [Oliver Twist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/oliver_twist) _family_ Rose is Oliver's maternal aunt, and she treats him with deep affection and protection. ### [Mr. Losberne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/mr_losberne) _friendship_ Dr. Losberne is a trusted family friend and physician to Rose and the Maylie household. ### [Mrs. Maylie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/mrs_maylie) _family_ Mrs. Maylie is Rose's adoptive mother, raising her with love and gentility. ## In the story ### [XXVIII: Looks After Oliver, and Proceeds with His Adventures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxviii-looks-after-oliver-and-proceeds-with-his-adventures) The young lady who orders that Oliver be treated kindly and taken upstairs. ### [XXIX: Has an Introductory Account of the Inmates of the House, to Which Oliver Resorted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxix-has-an-introductory-account-of-the-inmates-of-the-house-to-which-oliver-resorted) The young lady, not past seventeen, described as gentle, pure, and beautiful; she is busily engaged at the table. ### [XXX: Relates What Oliver's New Visitors Thought of Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxx-relates-what-oliver-s-new-visitors-thought-of-him) Pleads for Oliver's mercy, weeps over him, and advocates for his protection. ### [Involves a Critical Position](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxxi-involves-a-critical-position) Helps nurse Oliver back to health alongside Mrs. Maylie and Mr. Losberne. ### [Of the Happy Life Oliver Began to Lead with His Kind Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxxii-of-the-happy-life-oliver-began-to-lead-with-his-kind-friends) Kindly reassures Oliver of his future opportunities to serve, and expresses joy in her aunt's rescue of him. ### [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) Rose suddenly falls ill with a dangerous fever, causing deep concern for her aunt and Oliver. ### [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) Though still recovering and not present in the scene, her improving health is the central cause of joy and the subject of the emotional conversation between Harry and Mrs. Maylie. ### [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) Rose recovers from illness but is troubled; she rejects Harry's proposal due to the stigma of her birth. ### [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) Watches Harry's departure from behind a curtain; weeps with sorrow after he leaves. ### [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) Rose listens to Nancy's revelations and pleads with her to escape her criminal life, but is ultimately unable to persuade her. ### [XLI: Containing Fresh Discoveries, and Showing That Surprises, Like Misfortunes, Seldom Come Alone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xli-containing-fresh-discoveries-and-showing-that-surprises-like-misfortunes-seldom-come-alone) Rose is conflicted about how to handle Nancy's secret, ultimately deciding to consult Harry Maylie. She facilitates Oliver's reunion with Mr. Brownlow and shares Nancy's story with him. ### [XLVI: The Appointment Kept](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xlvi-the-appointment-kept) Accompanies Mr. Brownlow to the meeting and pledges her word to Nancy that Fagin will not be prosecuted without her consent. ### [Affording an Explanation of More Mysteries Than One, and Comprehending a Proposal of Marriage with No Word of Settlement or Pin-Money](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/li-affording-an-explanation-of-more-mysteries-than-one-and-comprehending-a-proposal-of-marriage-with-no-word-of-settlement-or-pin-money) Travels with Oliver, comforts him, and is present during the confession. ### [LIII: And Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/liii-and-last) Marries Harry Maylie and lives happily. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/rose_maylie - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters