Oliver Twist is born in a workhouse and spends his early childhood in orphanages. He is apprenticed to an undertaker but runs away to London, where he meets Fagin, a criminal who trains orphan boys as pickpockets. Oliver is horrified when he sees the boys pickpocket and runs off. He is rescued by the gentleman they robbed, Mr. Brownlow, but is later recaptured by Fagin's gang. It is eventually revealed that Oliver has a family and inheritance from which he was separated. Fagin is hanged for his crimes, and Oliver finds family and happiness with Mr. Brownlow and the Maylies.