An orphaned boy navigates the brutal realities of the London underworld after escaping a miserable workhouse existence. Oliver Twist, a young orphan, seeks survival and identity amidst the squalor of 19th-century London. He faces constant opposition from criminal elements, specifically the manipulative Fagin and the violent Bill Sikes, who attempt to exploit his innocence for their own gain. The narrative employs a third-person omniscient perspective to expose the systemic failures of the Poor Laws and the hypocrisy of Victorian social institutions. Oliver's objective remains simple: to find a place of safety and belonging in a world defined by extreme poverty and institutional cruelty.

Readers frequently highlight the stark contrast between the grim, realistic portrayal of poverty and the more sentimental elements of the plot. Discussion often centers on Dickens's effectiveness in using the protagonist as a vessel for social reform rather than a complex psychological study. Critics note the pacing is episodic, reflecting the original serial publication format of the work. The atmosphere is consistently described as oppressive, yet punctuated by moments of dark humor and moral didacticism. Many readers appreciate the vivid characterizations of the supporting cast, which often overshadow the titular character in terms of narrative presence.