Fagin from Oliver Twist. Was he all bad?

Question

I mean he gave them a roof over their head and food. Was there any love for the boys?

Answer 1

The novel 'Oliver Twist' is a social protest against the new poor law which was introduced a couple of years before the novel was originally published.

If you look at the first chapters from the baby farm until Oliver joins the undertakers he receives some of the harshest treatment and starvation than he receives anywhere in the rest of the story.

With this view it can be argued that Fagin, although a criminal, at least understood the need to provide to the children's basic needs.

Fagin also provides advice for the children before they go out. For example he advises Oliver how to behave before the burglary at Mrs Malie's house.

Fagin can almost be seen as a perverse father figure to the boys.

This apparent compassion led to Oliver Twist being described as an example of 'Newgate Fiction' (a prison in Victorian London) and the sympathty toward the criminals caused some, for example Thackeray (author of 'Vanity Fair') to say that 'Oliver Twist' romanticised crime.

Answer 2

To understand Fagin, first you've got to understand the Jews, because it is widely believed that Fagin was a Jew himself... I believe the Jews are the most compassionate and empathetic and benevolent of all races in the world... So, Fagin was quite philanthropic, as is always observed with Jews... He helped feed, clothe and provide shelter to many of London's impoverished orphans and destitute of the late 19th and early 20th centuries... Something which the English authorities did nothing about... I think his execution was uncalled for, it was a most inhumane conduct of the English jury at that time, which obviously reflected the conclusions of the political systems during that period... However, it's just a story, yet again, authors are not known to demean their country in a most revolting manner...

Answer 3

Fagin was bad for corrupting young boys.
But you must realise that he was only bad until all the Communists changed into liberals.
Fagin is now one of the best things since Sliced-bread because he is Jewish.
Alec Guinness was a Great Actor who was adored by all the "Luvvies" for his brilliant performance as Fagin in the film.
Unfortunately, the lovely Alec,is now cursed up-hill-and-down-dale because he portrayed the caring social-worker Fagin with a Hooked Nose.
Agree about Sykes!
That poor little dog!
What had it ever done?
The Dane has a couple of ideas.
But you are missing the point if you think it was ONLY a story.
Dickens was the first,and probably one of the greatest "Child Psychologists".
First because,before him ,nobody gave a damn about kid's feelings or needs.
But Dickens did!
He certainly understood kids as well,if not better, than any modern Social Worker.
Because he had BEEN THERE!
To any of you others out there:
Not so much of "The Cruel English"!
In the entire history of the World Nobody gave a damn about kids!
I will put this next bit in to humour liberal Social Workers.
Except OF COURSE Native-American!
Who were the best Parents this side of the Pepsi-Colas!
Dickens,unlike present-day carers
Put his money where his mouth is.
He killed himself with over-work by working on weekly episodes in magazines.
So that he could do good works.
People used to queue up outside the newsagents to get the latest episode.
When he killed-off a little tiny girl people ran out int the street: shouting:
"Oh, Little Nell is dead! Oh,Little Nell is dead!"
Dickens wrote the first of "The Soap Operas"
And also made the whole population of England AND the World aware of what was happening.
And the English DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
So, not so much "Slagging-off" the English because we look like a Soft-Touch
By the way:
The Jews have a long and revered tradition of whipping both Boys and Girls!

Answer 4

I think fagin was just misguided,trying to do his best for the boys in those conditions,in the only way he knew how,he wasn't all bad,look how he used to stick up for nancy when bill sykes was on one,she didnt bring him any loot back,i think he did care for them in his own warped way.

Answer 5

Love for my little lads!?

o'course!
I loved 'em comin back wiv pockets full o' loot.

I had the house so why not use it I thought.
It was only when that stupid Oliver kid showed upi that things started to go pear shaped!

He went and got himself caught then slowly each of my boys left me.
Some even turned HONEST and RESPECTABLE!

I used to spend HOURS stealing the food for the table, I taught 'em all I knew and what thanks do i get?

The Dodger goes off and learns to be a Barrister!!

Oi Ve! It's a hard Life where you have to pick a pocket or two!


:~}

Answer 6

Fagin was definitely rotten to the core. He housed and fed those boys only as long as they brought back stolen goodies. that he could turn into cash..

Answer 7

He used them to earn money for him. His box of treasure shows that he didn't care for them. If the boys got caught by the police his only concern was that they may tell on him.

Answer 8

no he kept a lot of kids alive the queen didnt ,my great grandfather survived by joining the gypsies as thousands of others did, thats why uk has the only white gypsies

Answer 9

I don't think so. He is my favourite of the gang. Bill Sikes is the worst. Monks is fine, but not one among the "Three Cripples"

Answer 10

He was no where near as nasty a piece as Bill Sykes.