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Mrs. Corney - Characters, Oliver Twist | Oliver Twist - Summary, Themes & Characters - Novels PDF Download

Mrs. Corney is cautious, distrustful, cruel, and power-hungry. We first meet her when she’s fixing herself tea in her snug little room on a blustery winter’s day. The snugness of her little room is in sharp contrast to the bitterness of the rest of the workhouse, where the paupers have to live. She feels sorry for herself, though, despite the snugness, because she’s a widow, and kind of lonely.

When Mr. Bumble arrives to flirt with her and then to propose, Dickens keeps us from feeling at all sympathetic by satirizing her—he repeatedly refers to her as a "discreet matron," meaning that she won’t allow anything improper to happen with Mr. Bumble. But "discreet" also means that she won’t commit to anything without knowing what she’s getting into. She’s certainly "discreet" in that sense. Dickens uses her to satirize the workhouse system that was run by people more interested in taking care of themselves than of the poor.

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FAQs on Mrs. Corney - Characters, Oliver Twist - Oliver Twist - Summary, Themes & Characters - Novels

1. Who is Mrs. Corney in Oliver Twist?
Ans. Mrs. Corney is a character in Charles Dickens' novel, Oliver Twist. She is the matron of the workhouse where Oliver resides and later becomes his stepmother after marrying Mr. Bumble, the beadle.
2. What role does Mrs. Corney play in the story?
Ans. Mrs. Corney plays a significant role in the story as she is responsible for the care of the orphans in the workhouse. She is portrayed as a manipulative and greedy character who takes advantage of her position to benefit herself. She also plays a pivotal role in Oliver's journey as she introduces him to the corrupt world of Fagin and his gang.
3. How does Mrs. Corney's character change throughout the novel?
Ans. Initially, Mrs. Corney is depicted as a strict and authoritative figure in the workhouse. However, as the story progresses, she reveals her true nature of being deceitful and power-hungry. After marrying Mr. Bumble, she becomes even more conniving and uses her influence to manipulate him for personal gain. Eventually, she meets a tragic end when her secrets are exposed.
4. What are some key moments involving Mrs. Corney in Oliver Twist?
Ans. One key moment involving Mrs. Corney is when she meets Oliver's half-brother, Monks, and discovers the truth about his inheritance. This revelation sets in motion a series of events that unravel Mrs. Corney's schemes. Another significant moment is her marriage to Mr. Bumble, which leads to her eventual downfall when their corrupt actions are revealed to the authorities.
5. How does Mrs. Corney's relationship with Oliver evolve in the novel?
Ans. Initially, Mrs. Corney does not pay much attention to Oliver and sees him merely as another orphan in her care. However, as the story progresses, she becomes more involved in Oliver's life, particularly after discovering his true identity and potential inheritance. This leads to her attempting to control and manipulate him for her own benefit, ultimately impacting Oliver's journey and the overall plot of the novel.
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