CHAPTER SUMMARY AND NOTES

CHAPTER 27

Summary

This is another chapter which relieves the story of its monotony. The readers are taken back to the scene where Mr. Bumble is shown exploring the assets of Mrs. Corney. After an ironical comment on the status of beadle, this respectable gentleman is shown pursuing an inventory of the matron's possessions. However, his elaborate survey of Mrs. Corney's assets is cut short by the hurried entry of the elderly woman. Reclining on a chair, she gives vent to her feelings. Mr. Bumble chivalrously attends to her, thus wining her favor. Ascertaining the facts about her property, the beadle prepares himself to woo the matron. He flirts with her before he proposes to her. She immediately accepts his proposal. Before the chapter ends, she tells Bumble about Sally's demise. When he questions her further, she promises to disclose the old woman's secret after they are married.

Mr. Bumble proceeds towards the residence of Mr. Sowerberry to inform him about the death of Old Sally. He only finds Noah Claypole fooling around with Charlotte. He reprimands them before instructing Noah to inform Mr. Sowerberry to bring a coffin for the old woman in the house. Thus cursing the young couple for their frivolousness, Mr. Bumbles strides out of the house of the undertaker.

Notes

Dickens mingles irony and humor in this chapter to create a delightful scene. Mr. Bumble is one of Dickens' comic characters whose atrocious vocabulary, pompous manner, and eccentric ways provoke laughter. In this chapter, after assessing her wealth, Mr. Bumble woos the workhouse matron before proposing to her. His words of flattery, endearments of love, and display of affection tickle our senses. Even while proposing to her, he shamelessly exposes his greed by saying "Coals, candles, and house-rent free . . . oh, what an Angel you are!"

However, when he makes a visit to the undertaker's shop and discovers Noah and Charlotte displaying a show of affection, he snubs them. He forgets his own shameless act with the matron a little while ago. The lower, middle-class and the parochial order are the main targets of Dickens' satire.

CHAPTER 28

Summary

The scene opens with Sikes and Toby running for their lives. Much to their disgust, they are followed by men and dogs. Sikes drops Oliver into a ditch when he finds it difficult to carry the boy on his knee. In the meantime the servants of the house become exhausted and decide to return home after chasing the robbers.

Daylight shows Oliver in the ditch crying with pain. Initially his limbs fail him and he swoons. However, he gathers strength after regaining consciousness and walks towards a house in the vicinity. Overpowered by a maze of thoughts and an aching body, Oliver stumbles towards the cottage. Reaching it he recognizes it as the same house they had tried to rob the previous night. Frightened out of his wits, he decides to flee from place but his limbs fail him. Helplessly he knocks at the door before falling against one of the pillars.

The knock interrupts the animated conversation between the housekeeping staff. Mr. Giles is relating the incident of the previous night and the women staff express their wonder at his bravery. When they hear the knock, Mr. Giles asks Brittles to open the door. Outside they find Oliver, drained of energy but seeking their compassion. When they recognize the boy, they look triumphant and carry him inside to show him as a trophy to others. However, when the woman of the house arrives on the scene, she instructs the servants to carry Oliver upstairs to Mr. Giles room and to call the doctor to attend to the child.

Notes

Oliver's entry into the house of the Maylies introduces a new chapter in the life of the boy. Once again Oliver exhibits his instinct for survival.

Bill Sikes carries the wounded Oliver as he runs away from the scene of the crime. However, when he finds it difficult to save himself from his pursuers, he drops Oliver into a ditch and runs away. In the criminal world, self preservation precedes every other motive and Sikes leaves Oliver to his plight to save himself.

When Oliver regains consciousness, he experiences pain and discomfort. However, he manages to get up and walk towards the nearest house. Even though he identifies the house as the one they had entered earlier, he feels incapable of running away from the scene. Instead, he rings the door bell. Oliver thus exhibits courage and a will to live.

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