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Nancy’s murder is an insult to love.’ Discuss.

Nancy belongs to the fagin-group. She is stout and hearty though not much pretty. She is much fascinating as a crime character She is not essentially bad though she has to earn her living through dubious ways. Nancy is a public woman. She is selfless. She is sincere in her love. Nancy is a drab belonging to the world of the alley and the gutter which serve as her home. She has potentiality of goodness. She is sentimental but true character.

Nancy is a pathetic character. She is a courageous woman. She experiences cold and hunger, riot and drunkenness. She is delicate and tender hearted girl. She is stout and strong. She is an unselfish girl. She is courageous. She is sentimental. She blames Fagin for having forced her into a life of crime. She is true and sincere in her love for Sikes. In spite of his ill-treatment, she loves him seriously. She bears much but remains sincere to him.

In spite of being a clever woman Nancy was hardly able to have a peaceful day ever since she had promised Rose Malie all the help for Oliver’s sake. It all weighed heavily upon her mind. It was Sunday night Sikes and the Jew were busy talking when the church clock struck eleven. Nancy put on her bonnet and was about to move out to meet Rose when Sikes stopped her. He asked her where was she going at this late hour of night. Nancy replied that she was not well and wanted some fresh air. Sikes did not allow her to move out. He could not conclude anything but obstinacy from this type of behaviour, but something else was cooking in Fagin’s mind; when he was leaving Nancy went down with a candle to see him off. Fagin took the liberty of asking Nancy to come to him because the thought of ‘Sikes’ brutal behaviour must be really too much to bear. Nancy however wished him ‘Good Night’ in a stern voice and returned. Fagin decided to take advantage of Sikes and Nancy’s strained relationship. He became desperate to find out the secret of Nancy’s behaviour, if at all he could do so Nancy would never to able to refuse him.

Fagin persuaded Noah to do a little job. He entrusted the duty of following Nancy and finding out where she went and whom she met and also the purpose of the meeting. Nancy went out and reached the London bridge before midnight. Noah Cla pole followed her. Rose and Mr. Brownlow reached there soon after midnight. Mr. Brownlow asked Nancy to tell him all that she knew about Oliver. Nancy refused to part with any information unless Mr. Brownlow promised not to bring Fagin and the other to justice, secondly Fagin would never know who had given the details to Mr. Brownlow. When Mr. Brownlow promised her all she wanted him to, Nancy furnished him with all the details she had about Oliver. She also told him about monks. As soon as she had finished talking about the details she had, Rose offered her some money while Brownlow offered to help her get a good and peaceful place but she refused them very politely. She accepted a handkerchief given by Rose and departed.

When Fagin was told about Nancy’s betrayal he was furious. His feelings were a mixture of fear and rage. He was afraid of the exposure and punishment. In spite of the lingering fear and anger he patiently waited for Sikes and planned quietly how he would deal with Sikes in order to teach Nancy a lesson. Fagin was satisfied provoked Sikes to the highest pitch. Sikes was impulsive in his actions, he rushed out, reached the room, where Nancy was sleeping He entered the room quietly but Nancy got up and was pleased to see Sikes back, but his expression revealed the entire situation.

Sikes began the conversation to the point. He told her that she had been followed when she went to meet Mr. Brownlow and Rose. Her conversation with them was no more a secret because it was overheard, Nancy tried to pacify him by saying Mr. Brownlow would help and they could begin life afresh in some distant; for away land. Sikes paid no heed to any of her pleadings. He held her with one hand, took out and gave her two severe blows. With great difficulty Nancy took out the handkerchief which Rose had given her, and holding it up with folded hands prayed for mercy but Sikes could see nothing he was blind with fury He picked up & heavy club and struck hard. Sikes did kill Nancy but her death had left him lonely. His life held nothing in store for him. The repercussions of Nancy’s death were too much for Sikes to bear.