Lesson video

Hello everyone.

Welcome to our next lesson of "Oliver Twist." Now, as you may remember from last time, Oliver is in a lot of danger.

He's fallen into a group of dangerous criminals.

And this is really obvious for the reader, but Oliver thinks everything's fine, but it's obvious that Oliver's surrounded by very unpleasant people.

I mean, in the last lesson, Fagin suddenly pulled out a knife on Oliver because he was caught looking at jewellery.

And remember that game, or game that Dodger and Charley play with Fagin where Fagin pretends to be an old man, and Dodger and Charley try to steal items from his pockets? It's so obvious that Fagin is training these young people to become pickpockets, but Oliver doesn't realise this.

He's naive.

Oliver thinks this is just a funny game.

Well, in this lesson, Oliver is finally going to realise that he's in a lot of danger.

In fact, Oliver's going to be arrested.

Let's begin.

For today's lesson, you will need an exercise book or paper and a pen.

If you do not have this equipment, press the pause button on your video now, go and collect this equipment, and then we will begin our lesson.

Let's begin with a recap from our last lesson.

We previously saw Fagin training Jack and Charley for pick-pocketing.

Oliver thinks that this is what? You have four options.

Evil, dangerous, a fun game, or training for criminal activity? Press the pause button on your video now and tell the screen the right answer.

I will now tell you the right answer, which is of course, option three.

Oliver thinks that this is a fun game.

Now you may have chosen one of the other options.

You may have chosen option one, Oliver thinks that this is evil.

But this is not true.

Oliver actually thinks that this is a very innocent and fun game.

It is only later in our story that Oliver will realise that Fagin is indeed an evil influence in these boys' lives.

Some of you may have also chosen option two, Oliver thinks that this is dangerous, but this isn't quite right either.

Oliver thinks that Fagin is simply playing a fun little game with these kids.

He doesn't understand that Fagin is in fact encouraging the boys to begin a dangerous life of crime.

And others of you may have chosen option four, Oliver thinks that this is training for criminal activity, but this isn't true.

It is only in the extract that we're going to read today that Oliver will finally realise that Fagin has been training these children to become pickpockets.

Well done if you got that right.

I will now tell you our plan for today's lesson.

First of all, we're going to learn about how Charley and Dodger steal the handkerchief.

We will then learn about how Oliver is caught, and then we will learn about Oliver's trial.

Let's begin.

So, first of all, we're going to learn about how Charley and Dodger steal the handkerchief.

We're going to read a part of an extract, but before we begin, you need to understand two things that we've been through in previous lessons.

Charley and Dodger, in the extract that we're going to read, are both pickpocketing.

I'll now explain what a pickpocket is.

A pickpocket is someone who steals items from a person's pockets without them noticing.

In the extract that we're going to read, Charley and Dodger steal a handkerchief from an old man without him noticing.

Or in other words, Charley and Dodger pickpocket a handkerchief from an old man.

Now, as we can see, as we've seen in previous lessons, Oliver is once again naive in this extract.

Someone is naive if they don't have experience of how complicated life can be, and therefore trust people too much.

Now Oliver has been naive the whole way through our story.

Oliver naively asks for more gruel from a workhouse master, Oliver naively follows Jack Dawkins back to London, Oliver naively stays with Fagin and his gang, Oliver naively thinks that Fagin is playing a game when he is actually training Jack and Charley to pickpocket.

I'll now give you some background information about our extract before we begin reading.

In this extract, Oliver's on his first pickpocketing mission with Charley and Jack.

At this point, Oliver has not actually realised what these boys do for their work.

Oliver still thinks that they make their handkerchiefs and pocketbooks.

Well, Oliver is in for a shock.

At the beginning of this extract, Charley and Dodger identify their target.

Their target is an old man who's immersed in his reading at a bookstore.

Oliver is about to witness his first pickpocketing.

Let's see happens: The Dodger made a sudden stop, and, laying his finger on his lip, drew his companions back with the greatest caution.

"What's the matter?" demanded Oliver.

"Hush!" replied the Dodger.

"Do you see that old man at the book-stall?" "The old gentleman over the way?" said Oliver.

"Yes, I see him." "He'll do," said the Dodger.

"A prime plant," observed Master Charley Bates.

Oliver looked from one to the other, with the greatest surprise, but he was not allowed to ask any questions, for the two boys walked stealthily across the road, and slunk close behind the old gentleman towards whom his attention had been directed.

Oliver walked a few paces after them, and not knowing whether to advance or retreat, stood looking on in silent amazement.

The old gentleman was a very respectable-looking person with a powdered head and gold spectacles.

He was dressed in a bottle-green coat with a blue velvet collar, wore white trousers, and carried a smart bamboo cane under his arm.

He had taken up a book from the stall, and there he stood, reading away, as hard as if he were in his armchair in his own study.

It is very possible that he fancied himself there, indeed, for it was plain, from his appearance, that he saw not the book-stall, nor the street, nor the boys, nor, in short, anything but the book itself, which he was reading with great interest and eagerness.

It was to Oliver's horror and alarm as he stood a few paces off, looking on with his eyelids as wide as they would possibly go, to see the Dodger plunge his hand into the old gentleman's pocket, and draw from thence a handkerchief.

To see him hand the handkerchief to Charley Bates, and finally to behold them both running away round the corner at full speed.

In instant, the whole mystery of the handkerchiefs and the watches and the jewels and Fagin rushed upon the boy's mind.

Let's now revise what we've just read.

Question one, what did Dodger and Charley steal from the old man? I'll give you a clue.

It's an object.

It is, of course, a handkerchief.

Dodger and Charley steal the old man's handkerchief.

Question two, what does Oliver now finally realise about Charley and Dodger? I'll give you a clue.

He now finally realises what Charley and Dodger do to make money for Fagin.

Oliver now realises that Charley and Dodger are pickpockets.

We're now going to read about how Oliver is caught for this crime.

I'll explain a little bit before we read.

So Oliver has just watched Charley and Dodger pickpocket the old man's handkerchief, and he is shocked.

Oliver realises that he's fallen into a criminal gang and as Oliver stands there in amazement, Jack and Charley run off.

Oliver is about to be blamed for this crime.

He only has one choice, run: Oliver stood for a moment with the blood so tingling through all his veins from terror, that he felt as if he were in a burning fire.

Then, confused and frightened, he took to his heels, and knowing what he did, made off as fast he could lay his feet to the ground.

This was all done in a minute's space.

In the very instant when Oliver began to run, the old gentleman, putting his hand to his pocket and missing his handkerchief, turned sharply around.

Seeing Oliver scudding away at such a rapid pace, he very naturally concluded Oliver to be the criminal, and shouting "Stop, thief!" with all his might, made off after him, book in hand.

But the old gentleman was not the only person who raised that hue-and-cry.

The Dodger and Master Bates, unwilling to attract public attention by running down the open street, had merely retired into the very first doorway round the corner.

They no sooner heard the cry, and saw Oliver running, than, guessing exactly how the matter stood, they issued forth with great noise, and shouting "Stop, thief!" too, joined in the chase like good citizens.

Oliver was not prepared, so away he went like the wind, with the old gentleman and the two boys roaring and shouting behind him.

"Stop, thief! Stop, thief!" There is a magic in the sound.

The tradesman leaves his counter, and the car-man his waggon, the butcher throws down his tray, the baker his basket, the milkman his pail, the errand-boys his parcels, the school-boy his marbles, the pavior his pickax, and the child his toy.

Away they run, pell-mell, helter-skelter, slap-dash, tearing, yelling, screaming, knocking down a passengers as they turn round the corners, rousing the dogs, and astonishing the fowls, and streets, squares, and courts re-echo with the sound.

"Stop, thief! Stop, thief!" The cry is taken up by a hundred voices, and the crowd accumulate at every turning.

Away they fly, splashing through the mud, and rattling around the pavements.

Up through the windows, out round the people, onward bear the mob, a whole audience joining the rushing throng, swell the shout, and lend fresh vigour to the cry.

Stopped at last! A clever blow.

Oliver is punched in the face by a passerby.

He is down upon the pavement, and the crowd eagerly gather round him, each newcomer jostling and struggling with the others to catch a glimpse.

"Stand aside! Give him a little air!" "Nonsense! he don't deserve it." "Where's the gentleman?" "Here his is, coming down the street." "Make room, this is a gentleman!" "Is this the boy?" "Yes." "Will you stand upon your legs, you young devil?" Oliver was then dragged away by a police officer.

Watching Oliver being dragged away was the old gentleman whose handkerchief had just been stolen.

This old gentleman's name was Mr. Brownlow.

Looking at Oliver's face made Mr. Brownlow pause.

"There is something in that boy's face," said the old gentleman to himself as he walked slowly away, tapping his chin with the cover of the book in a thoughtful manner.

"Something that touches and interests me.

Can he be innocent? He looked like.

By the bye," exclaimed the old gentleman, Mr. Brownlow, halting very abruptly, and staring up into the sky.

Bless my soul, where have I seen someone like him before? "No," said the old gentleman, shaking his head after a long silence.

"It must just be my imagination." Let's now revise what we've just read.

Question one, why does a crowd chase Oliver? I'll give you a clue.

Oliver is accused of a crime that he has not committed.

It is, of course, because they think that Oliver has stolen the handkerchief from Mr. Brownlow.

The crowd chases Oliver because they think he has stolen Mr. Brownlow's handkerchief.

Question two, why does this sighting of Oliver make Mr. Brownlow stop and think? I'll give you a clue.

The sighting of Oliver reminds Mr. Brownlow of something.

The sighting of Oliver makes Mr. Brownlow think that he has seen this boy before.

Well done if you got those right.

In a minute, we're going to read Oliver's trial.

I'll give you some background information before we read.

Oliver has now been arrested for a crime that he did not commit.

He's been taken to court to be tried by a judge called Mr. Fang.

Now Dickens has also introduced us to another character called Mr. Brownlow.

Mr. Brownlow is the man whose handkerchief was stolen by Charley and Jack.

Now Mr. Brownlow is a very kind gentleman, and one of the novel's main characters.

Now, Mr. Brownlow thinks he recognises Oliver from somewhere, but he can't remember.

And Mr. Brownlow is also convinced that Oliver is innocent.

Mr. Brownlow goes to court to defend Oliver's innocence.

Now Oliver is in a terrible condition.

He's standing in court, but he's thirsty, and he's sick and he's tired.

He's about to faint.

And Mr. Fang, the judge, clearly wants to give Oliver a terrible punishment.

Let's see what happens: Mr. Brownlow appeared in court, and tried to persuade the magistrate, Mr. Fang, that Oliver was innocent.

Oliver could hardly listen to the court case.

He was dizzy, sick, exhausted, and felt like he was going to faint.

"We should let him go free! He has been hurt already," said Mr. Brownlow in conclusion, "and I fear," he added with great energy, looking towards the bar, "I really fear that he is ill." "Oh, yes, I dare say!" said Mr. Fang, with a sneer, looking at Oliver.

"Come, none of your tricks here, you young criminal.

They won't do.

Now, what's your name?" Oliver tried to reply, but his tongue failed him.

He was deadly pale, and the whole place seemed turning round and round.

"What's your name, you hardened scoundrel?" demanded Mr. Fang.

"Officer, what's his name?" The police officer bent over Oliver and repeated the question, but Oliver's faint voice was too quiet to hear.

The officer hazarded a guess at his name.

"He says his name's Tom White, your worship," said the kind-hearted officer.

"Oh, he won't speak out, won't he?" said Mr. Fang.

"Very well, very well.

Where does he live?" "Where he can, your worship," replied the officer, again pretending to receive Oliver's answer.

"Has he any parents?" inquired Mr. Fang.

"He said they died in his infancy, your worship," replied the officer, hazarding the usual reply.

At this point of inquiry, Oliver raised his head, and, looking round with imploring eyes, said in a feeble voice, "Please, please can I have some water?" "Stuff and nonsense!" says Mr. Fang.

"Don't try to make a fool of me." "I think he really is ill, your worship," remonstrated the officer.

"I know better," said Mr. Fang.

"Take care of him, officer," said Mr. Brownlow, raising his hands instinctively.

"He's going to faint." "Stand away, officer," cried Fang.

"Let him faint if he likes." Oliver then fell to the floor in a fainting fit.

The men in the office looked at each other, but no one dared to stir.

"I knew he was shamming," said Fang, as if this were incontestable proof of the fact.

"Let him lie there, he'll soon be tired of that." "How do you propose to deal with the case, sir?" inquired the clerk in a low voice.

"In summary," replied Mr. Fang.

"I will now deliver the punishment that needs to be handed down to this little scoundrel, Tom White.

Tom stands committed for three months of hard labour for stealing the handkerchief." Mr. Fang has given Oliver three months of hard labour for a crime he has not committed! That is an absolute joke! The boy is innocent, and now he's going to have to do back-breaking work for three whole months.

But thankfully, a new person now arrives at the court with important news.

The bookstore keeper arrives and explains that Oliver is not the criminal.

Two other boys, in fact, stole the handkerchief, Jack and Charley.

Oliver is now free.

But as Oliver is walking out of the court, he faints upon the ground.

Thankfully, a kind old gentleman is there to help.

Let's read: After the court case was finished, Mr. Brownlow walked into the street only to find little Oliver Twist laying on his back on the pavement with his shirt unbuttoned and his temples bathed with sweat, his face deadly white, and a cold tremble convulsing his whole frame.

"Poor boy, poor boy!" said Mr. Brownlow, bending over him.

"Call a coach, somebody, pray.

Directly!" A coach was called for, and Oliver was carefully laid on the seat.

The old gentleman got in and sat himself on the other.

"Go as fast as you can to my house," said Mr. Brownlow to the driver.

"We need to take care of this poor orphan." And away they went.

Right, let's now revise the key things that happened in that part of our reading.

Question one, why does Mr. Brownlow defend Oliver in court? And here's our answer.

Mr. Brownlow defends Oliver in court because he is convinced that Oliver is innocent.

Question two, why does Mr. Fang decide to drop the charges against Oliver? I'll give you a clue.

The bookstore keeper arrives at the court with some information.

Mr. Fang drops the charges against Oliver because the owner of a bookstore rushes into court and announces that two other boys committed the crime.

Therefore, Oliver does not need to be punished.

Question three, what kind act does Mr. Brownlow do for Oliver at the end of this extract? I'll give you a clue.

Mr. Brownlow finds Oliver has fainted outside the court.

Mr. Brownlow orders a coach, and where does he take Oliver? Mr. Brownlow notices that Oliver has fainted in the street.

He organises a coach to take Oliver back home with him.

Well done if you got that right.

Okay, now it's time to do some writing.

Here's a fill in the gaps exercise.

There is a short paragraph here that summarises the extract that we've just read.

You will need to fill in the blanks in pink using these key words.

You will complete this work in your book or on your page.

Press the pause button on your video now, complete this work, and then we will finish off our lesson.

Let's now take a look at our answers.

I'll read these out.

All the key words are in pink.

Charley and Jack Dawkins take Oliver into London to teach him how to pickpocket from passersby.

Charley and Jack steal a handkerchief from Mr. Brownlow.

The two pickpockets abandon Oliver, who is next arrested for this crime.

Oliver is not punished because the bookseller enters the court and announces that two other boys committed the crime.

Mr. Brownlow next finds Oliver who has fainted in the street outside the court.

Mr. Brownlow takes Oliver home to take care of him.

Well done if you got that right.

So today's lesson ended happily.

Oliver has now been taken under the care of a kind old gentlemen, Mr. Brownlow.

Join us next lesson when Oliver sees a painting that looks very, very familiar.

Well done for all of your amazing work today.

I'll see you next time.

Before you go, make sure that you complete our quiz upon all the learning that you've done today.