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Oliver Twist Oliver Twist Quotes

"[…] wouldn’t they, Tom White, -- eh?"

"My name is Oliver, sir," replied the little invalid with a look of great astonishment.

"Oliver!" said Mr. Brownlow; "Oliver what? Oliver White,-- eh?"

"No, sir, Twist,-- Oliver Twist."

"Queer name," said the old gentleman. (12.53-56)

This is the exchange between Oliver and Mr. Brownlow when Brownlow learns Oliver’s real name. It’s a turning point in their relationship, because it’s the first time that Oliver is able to tell Mr. Brownlow a portion of his own story (what his name is) instead of having someone else tell it for him (all the crowd calling him a thief; the police officer calling him "young gallows" and "fogle-hunter," the man in the striped waistcoat making up a name because Oliver’s incapable of talking for himself, etc).

And here’s the amazing part: Mr. Brownlow believes him, even though it "sounded so like a falsehood" (12.58). Oliver just has something in his face that seems truthful.