Oliver Twist, Chapter 44 summary

What happens

1. Nancy struggles with guilt and loyalty, but remains determined to keep her secret course despite visible changes in her health and behavior.
2. At eleven on Sunday night, she prepares to leave, but Sikes locks the door and throws her bonnet aside.
3. Nancy begs and struggles for freedom until Sikes forcibly holds her in another room until midnight.
4. As Nancy lights him downstairs, Fagin offers friendship and hints that he can help her take revenge against Sikes.
5. Fagin assumes Nancy has another attachment and imagines recruiting the man while persuading her to poison Sikes.
6. He decides to watch Nancy and use the threat of disclosure to Sikes to force her cooperation.

In this chapter

What to notice

Fagin treats Nancy’s distress as an opportunity to increase his control. His question leads directly to his plan for surveillance and coercion.

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