Question

Describe Oliver's journey to London. Who did he meet there? (Write a
brief description of that person.)

Answer 1

Answer:

At the beginning of Chapter 8, Oliver Twist runs away from Mr Bumble's and decides that he will head to London. In his mind, this city offers an exciting opportunity. As he says:

London!--that great place!--nobody--not even Mr. Bumble--could ever find him there!...It was the very place for a homeless boy, who must die in the streets unless some one helped him."

In reality, the journey to London is arduous and full of potential dangers. Oliver has only one penny, a crust of bread, and a few clothes to his name. Even worse, the road to London is sixty-five miles long and Oliver must walk it in the dead of winter. But Oliver is determined to make it to this exciting city and he survives by begging for food despite many threats to set the dogs on him, and by walking until he is so tired that he falls into a deep sleep that helps him to "forget his troubles."  

As the days wear on, his feet and legs become so sore that he can barely walk, and the cold, damp weather makes him ache even more. On the seventh day, he reaches Barnet and the town seems to mirror his own sense of "lonesomeness and desolation". The window-shutters are all closed and the streets are empty, but a chance meeting with the Artful Dodger restores Oliver's sense of hope and adventure and, unknowingly, will change his life forever.