雾都孤儿 赏析

Inner Conflict of Nancy in Oliver Twist

Introduction

Charles Dickens is a famous novelist in nineteenth century, and he is of great influence and importance in English literature. Oliver Twist is one of the most famous representative novels written by him, which characterized by critical realism. It reveals the darkness of the capitalistic society.

Nancy, a figure in Oliver Twist, is filled with conflicts and complexities. She has a rich inner world. Nancy was forced to steal since twelve years ago, and later become the mistress of Bill Sikes, the second head of the gang. It was Nancy who brings little Oliver back to the gang with tricks. But out of the goodness and sympathy in her deep heart, she tried her best to protect Oliver from beating of Fagin. And it was also Nancy who helped Oliver get rid of the gang and find his family. Disappointingly, giving up the chance to begin a new life, Nancy chose to come back to the dirty place out of love for Sikes and loyalty to the gang. The essay analyzes the inner conflicts of Nancy when she came across one after another event.

I.Inner conflicts of Nancy

People who read Oliver Twists would always be impressed by Nancy in her struggle between her humble birth and noble sprints and between the inner goodness and outer darkness. The contradictoriness of Nancy makes her much close to life and true to life.

A.Conflicts between good and evil

No doubt Nancy has an evil aspect, as she lives with gang for twelve years. She must have committed a number of crimes and have gotten used to theft life. Nevertheless, the good aspect of Nancy showed when she saves Oliver, commands attention.

Nancy is one of the conspirators who kidnap Oliver and keep him in gang. Her evil aspect is obviously showed in her professional conspiracy. Under the threat and coaxing of Fagin and Sikes, Nancy accepted the mission of bringing Oliver back. She dressed as a gentlewoman who was worriedly looking for little brother, and easily get the information about Oliver from a police. Again, when Oliver was walking on the street, Nancy seized him and took Oliver back to gang as the identity of his sister in front of the crowd. Her performance is natural, and makes no one suspicious. To some extent, Nancy is exactly the one that sends Oliver to hell. From then on, Oliver’s miserable life begins.

“They were not exactly pretty, perhaps; but they had a great deal of color in their faces, and

looked quite stout and hearty. Being remarkably free and agreeable in their manners, Oliver thought them ve ry nice girls indeed.” (Dickens 94) It is the first impression of Nancy in Oliver’s mind, which determines her positive influence in the story.

Nancy sees the shadow of herself in Oliver. In order to prevent Oliver from a tragic life like her, she does her best, even at the cost of her life. When Fagin inflicted blows on Oliver with the club, Nancy stopped Fagin without considering herself. When Bill Sikes sent out dogs to catch Oliver, Nancy again came out boldly. She said: “the child shan’t be torn down b y the dog, unless you kill me first.” (Dickens 165) Besides, Nancy took great risks in tapping the conversation of Fagin with Monks, and in delivering information to Rose. She died for the happiness of Oliver, the poor little boy.

Though the most part of Nancy’s life is evil and sinful, her action to save Oliver is respectful. Her death also symbolizes the fall of gang. She has atoned for her crimes through her life and bloods. Nancy has a pure soul.

B.Conflicts between humble birth and noble virtues

Nancy has no choice about her birth. Since a very young age, she begins a theft life with Fagin, and lives in dirty and messy environments. As she grows up, Nancy becomes a prostitute and mistress of Sikes. The tragic life is forced on her, which makes self-esteem and self-abased coexists in her heart. And the conflict continues to influent her in decision time.

Dickens does n’t tell the story of Nancy particularly, but it still leaks out. When she protected Oliver from good beating of Fagin, Nancy cried, pointing to Oliver: “I thieved for you when I was a child not half as old as this!” She shouted at Fagin with anger: “I have been in the same trade, and in the same service, for twelve years since.” Nancy poured out the words in one continuous and vehement scream: “It is my living; and the cold, wet, dirty streets are my home; and you’re the wretch that drove me to them long ago, and that’ll keep me there, day and night, day and night, till I die!”（Dickens 169）Nancy has a more miserable life than Oliver. It can be indicated that she must have been beat and abused by Fagin since a young age. Forcibly occupying by Sikes increases her sense of resignation.

However, different from other members in the gang, Nancy is not manipulated by sheer evil. From the remarks, it is clear that Nancy hates the dirty surroundings and wrenched way of life. Nancy has no alternative about her life, but she makes effort to change the life of Oliver. Even though she has a humble birth as thieve, outcast and ruffian, Nancy still has a feeling of pride and self-assured.

When she meets Rose, who has a noble birth, Nancy tossed her head with affected carelessness as she said: “It’s a hard matter to get to see you, lady. If I had taken offence, and gone away, as