Oliver Twist is the innocent and pure-hearted protagonist of Charles Dickens's novel. Born into a workhouse and left an orphan, he endures a childhood of extreme hardship, starvation, and cruelty. Despite the harsh environments he experiences—from the workhouse to an undertaker's apprenticeship and eventually a gang of pickpockets in London—Oliver maintains a remarkable sense of goodness and moral integrity. He is often portrayed as pious and gentle, a stark contrast to the corrupt world around him. His journey is a quest for belonging and identity, as he navigates a society that largely disregards the poor and vulnerable, ultimately leading him to discover his true lineage and find a loving home.