Bill Sikes Mistakes

“Lie down, you stupid brute! Don’t you know the devil when he’s got a greatcoat on?” (Dickens 147. All future references to this edition). Bill Sikes is an evil man who cannot control his anger in a reasonable manner and it is portrayed throughout this novel by the actions he takes and the words he uses. Many times Sikes uses his words to hurt someone including children and his dog, Bullseye. Other times he uses physical actions to hurt individuals. In the novel Bill Sikes unable ability to control his anger is shown multiple times including when Nancy found Oliver and they kidnapped him, the time Sikes used Oliver to rob a house, and at the end of the novel when he murdered Nancy. At the time the novel Oliver Twist was written animal abuse

Brownlow. Hearing Nancy outside the beer shop, Sikes rushed out to see what the commotion was all about. Realizing what was occurring he began to help Nancy drag Oliver back to Fagin’s residence. Upon arriving at Fagin’s, the Artful Dodger found the five pound note and books Oliver had on him. ““Hallo! What’s that?” inquired Sikes, stepping forward as the Jew seized the note. “That’s mine, Fagin.”” (122). No matter what kind of work Sikes put into anything he does he always assumes he ought to get something in return, the five pounds for example when he helped kidnap Oliver. In this scenario of the novel Bill Sikes shows his inability to control his anger when he tells Oliver he will let Bullseye on him if he continues to fight. It is also shown when Sikes argues with Fagin over the five pound note found on Oliver. Again, he is verbally and physically abusing the people around him showing his true colors; the evil man he really is. “”Now, first: do you know wot this is?” inquired Sikes, taking up a pocket pistol which lay on the

Sikes proceed to load the pistol, with great nicety and deliberation.

“Now it’s loaded,” said Mr. Sikes, when he finished.

“Yes, I see it is, sir,” replied Oliver.

“Well,” said the robber, grasping Oliver’s wrist, ad putting the barrel so close to his temple that they touched; at which moment the boy could not repress a start; “if you speak a word when you’re out o’ doors with me, except when I speak to you, that loading will be in your head without notice. So, if you do make up your mind to speak without leave, say your prayers first.”” (162)(163). Bill Sikes also uses threats to get his point across when he wants something done his way without any problems. When it came to the robbery of Mrs. Maylie and Miss Rose house Sikes used a gun to keep Oliver quiet, the way Bill Sikes wanted him. The tone of voice and words Sikes used while informing Oliver of the gun is another way the novel portrays the evil within Bill Sikes. After Bill Sikes heard from Fagin that Nancy had told Miss Rose about Oliver he was furious. Unable to control his anger he went back to his home to find Nancy. ““Bill,” said the girl, in a low voice of alarm, “why do you look like that at me!””