Nancy Protects Oliver | Oliver Twist

Examine how Nancy, who serves as a mother figure to Oliver, contradicts 19th-century England’s conventional thinking that the poor are morally corrupt, in this excerpt from Oliver Twist | MASTERPIECE. Dickens created a complex character in Nancy, who is a victim of circumstance. She cannot escape criminal ways and an abusive partner, yet her care and concern for Oliver reveal the complexities of her character.

(Note: If you plan to show the entire film in class, be aware that it contains mature themes and scenes, including violence and implied sex. Preview the film before showing it.)