Character Analysis - Nancy

The portrayal of Nancy in the novel Oliver Twist is actually quite positive despite being in cohorts with the main antagonist Fagin. Nancy unlike the other members of the pickpocket gang, actually feels remorseful and repentant for the actions shes done. This shows that her conscience has been at dispute with herself. She knows what shes doing is wrong, but its the only way for her to survive. However, she can relate herself with Oliver because she too joined Fagin's group when she was young. She thus tries to help him so that he won't deviate to wrong criminal path that she has taken. Even though she pretends to be Oliver's sister in public, she is actually indeed a sisterly figure to Oliver having always watching him and making sure Fagin doesn't hurt him too much. She was the only one in the gang who defended Oliver when everyone was beating him and locking him up. On the night of the planned robbery at the house, Nancy hopes that Oliver is dead because then she wouldn't have to live with the tortures of working of Fagin. I personally believe Nancy is a very good ethical person who has made bad choices and associated herself to the wrong group of people.