《雾都孤儿》是狄更斯于1838年出版的写实小说，是他的第一部重要的社会问题小说。这部小说以雾都伦敦为背景，讲述一个孤儿悲惨的身世及遭遇：主人公奥利佛是个孤儿，从小在济贫院长大，不知父母是谁。他在济贫院中受了九年的折磨后被送到一个承办丧事的店里当学徒，在那里受到虐待。他忍无可忍，独自逃往伦敦，不幸刚到便被骗误入贼窟，这是一个专事盗窃抢劫的团伙，为首的是老犹太人费金，除了少数头目外，都是些被引入邪路的少年儿童。费金一伙用威胁、利诱、灌输等手段，要把奥利佛变成他们的作案工具。奥利佛历尽无数辛酸，几经波折，最终被他父亲生前的朋友从贼窟中救出，找到了亲人，得到了遗产，过上了幸福的生活。

奥利佛是上流社会一个有钱人家的私生子。他年轻的母亲在教区济贫院里生下他后就辞世了。他在济贫院里过着地狱般的生活。九岁时，他被卖到棺材店做学徒。在遭受了一次毒打后，奥利佛逃往伦敦，在去伦敦的途中又误入贼窝。经历了一系列磨难之后，他身世大白，终于回到了亲人的怀抱。

Chapter 1　Treats of the place where Oliver Twistwas born;and of the circumstances attending his birthChapter 2　Treats of Oliver Twists growth， education， and boardChapter 3　Relates how Oliver Twist was very near gettinga place， which would not have been a sinecureChapter 4　Oliver， being offered another place， makes hisfirst entry into public lifeChapter 5　Oliver mingles with new associates. Going toa funeral for the first time， he forms anunfavourable notion of his masters businessChapter 6　Oliver， being goaded by the taunts of Noah，rouses into action and rather astonishes himChapter 7　Oliver continues refractoryChapter 8　Oliver walks to London. He encounters on theroad， a strange sort of young gentlemanChapter 9　Containing further particulars concerning thepleasant old gentleman and his hopeful pupilsChapter l0　Oliver becomes better acquainted with thecharacters of his new associates; and purchasesexperience at a high price. Being a short butvery important chapter in this historyChapter 11　Treats of Mr. Fang， the police magistrate; andfurnishes a slight specimen of his mode ofadministering justiceChapter 12　In which Oliver is taken better care of thanhe ever was before. And in which the narrativereverts to the merry old gentleman and hisyouthful friendsChapter 13　Some new acquaintances are introduced to theintelligent reader; connected with whomvarious pleasant matters are related appertainingto this historyChapter 14　Comprising further particulars of Olivers stay atMr. Brownlows， with the remarkable predictionwhich one Mr. Grimwig uttered concerning himwhen he went out on an errandChapter 15　Showing how very fond of Oliver Twist themerry old Jew and Miss Nancy wereChapter 16　Relates what became of Oliver Twist， after hehad been claimed by NancyChapter 17　Olivers destiny， continuing unpropitious，brings a great man to London to injure his reputationChapter 18　How Oliver passed his time in the improvingsociety of his reputable friendsChapter 19　In which a notable plan is discussed anddetermined onChapter 20　Wherein Oliver is delivered over to Mr. William SikesChapter 21　The expeditionChapter 22　The burglaryChapter 23　Which contains the substance of a pleasantconversation between Mr. Bumble and a lady;and shows that even a beadle may be susceptibleon some pointsChapter 24　Treats of a very poor subject. But is a short one;and may be found of some importance in thishistoryChapter 25　Wherein this history refers to Mr. Fagin andcompanyChapter 26　In which a mysterious character appears uponthe scene; and many things， inseparable fromthis history， are done and performedChapter 27　Atones for the unpoliteness of a former chapter;which deserted a lady most unceremoniouslyChapter 28　Looks after Oliver， and proceeds with his adventuresChapter 29　Has an introductory account of the inmates ofthe house to which Oliver resortedChapter 30　Relates what Olivers new visitors thought of himChapter 31　Involves a critical positionChapter 32　Of the happy life Oliver began to lead withhis kind friendsChapter 33　Wherein the happiness of Oliver and his friendsexperiences a sudden checkChapter 34　Contains some introductory particulars relative toa young gentleman who now arrives upon thescene; and a new adventure which happened to OliverChapter 35　Containing the unsatisfactory result of Oliversadventure; and a conversation of someimportance between Harry Maylie and RoseChapter 36　Is a very short one， and may appear of no greatimportance in its place. But it should be read，notwithstanding， as a sequel to the last， and akey to one that will follow when its time arrivesChapter 37　In which the reader may perceive a contrast，not uncommon in matrimonial casesChapter 38　Containing an account of what passed betweenMr. and Mrs. Bumble， and Monks， at theirnocturnal interviewChapter 39　Introduces some respectable characters withwhom the reader is already acquainted， andshows how Monks and the Jew laid theirworthy heads togetherChapter 40　A strange interview， which is a sequel to thelast chapterChapter 41　Containing fresh discoveries， and showing thatsurprises， like misfortunes， seldom come aloneChapter 42　An old acquaintance of Olivers， exhibitingdecided marks of genius， becomes a publiccharacter in the metropolisChapter 43　Wherein is shown how the Artful Dodgergot into troubleChapter 44　The time arrives for Nancy to redeem herpledge to Rose Maylie. She failsChapter 45　Noah Claypole is employed by Fagin on asecret missionChapter 46　The appointment keptChapter 47　Fatal consequencesChapter 48　The flight of SikesChapter 49　Monks and Mr. Browniow at length meet. Theirconversation， and the intelligence that interrupt，itChapter 50　The pursuit and escapeChapter 51　Affording an explanation of more mysteriesthan one， and comprehending a proposal ofmarriage， with no word of settlement or pin-moneyChapter 52　The Jews last night aliveChapter 53　And last