Episode 1
Synopsis
Oliver is born in a workhouse and his mother - who has been carried there in labour - dies giving birth to him. Oliver remains at the workhouse and his early years there in the care of Mr Bumble are very unhappy.
When he is nine years old a decision is taken by the workhouse boys that Oliver should ask the master for a second bowl of gruel at mealtime鈥nd Oliver finds himself hauled before the workhouse Board.
The Board decides that the rebellious Oliver should be offered to more or less anyone who will have him for the sum of 拢5. So it is that Oliver arrives to work for the undertaker Mr Sowerberry.
Oliver is roughly treated by Noah Claypole - another of Mr Sowerberry's employees - who also teases Oliver about his deceased mother and her reputation. When Oliver can take it no more he strikes Noah to the ground.
Oliver is locked in the cellar. When he escapes he determines to run away. Pausing in his flight he notices that a milestone indicates that it is only 70 miles to London. So Oliver makes London his destination.
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Ideas for use in the classroom
Understanding, interpreting and responding to texts:
Dodger is described as 鈥渙ne of the queerest looking boys that Oliver had ever seen鈥. What makes him look so odd? (He is unusually short, but wears a coat that is too big for him, and a hat which seems ready to fall off at any time).
For what reason does Dodger assume that Oliver has been walking for so long? (A 鈥渂eak鈥檚 order鈥, i.e. an order from a magistrate).
Why do you think Dodger takes Oliver to Fagin? (He thinks that Oliver might be trained to become a pickpocket).
Why does the Dodger need to give a password to be let into Fagin鈥檚 house? (They are a criminal gang and do not want to be discovered).
Why does Fagin say that he has so many handkerchiefs? Why does he really have them? (To get them ready for washing 鈥 in reality they are stolen).
Why is Fagin angry, to begin with, when Oliver wakes up? (He thinks Oliver has seen the hiding place for his treasure).
Why do Fagin, Dodger and Charley play a game together? (They are practising the skills they need as pickpockets).
What does Fagin mean when, referring to Dodger and Charley, he advises Oliver to 鈥渕ake 鈥榚m your models鈥? (To be like them, and as good as they are at picking pockets).
For what reason is Oliver set to work unpicking the letters from the handkerchiefs? (So that they can be re-sold to make money).
What does Charley mean when he calls the old gentleman a 鈥減rime plant鈥 (An ideal person of whom to pick the pocket).
Activities
Write a diary entry for the old gentleman, describing how you are robbed, and your feelings when the apparent robber is caught.
Write a newspaper report describing the capture of a young pickpocket.
Act out how you imagine the scene when Dodger and Charley are on their way back to Fagin without Oliver. How do they think he willreact, and why?
Information on each episode and follow-up activities
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More from this series
Episode 2. audio
Oliver meets the Artful Dodger and joins Fagin's gang in London.
Episode 3. audio
Oliver is cared for by Mr Brownlow but Fagin and his gang are planning to capture him.
Episode 4. audio
Oliver is compelled by Sikes and Fagin to take part in a robbery and is wounded.
