Rose Maylie

Rose Fleming Maylie is a character in Charles Dickens's novel Oliver Twist. She is Oliver's maternal aunt. Rose is an orphan raised from young childhood by Mrs. Maylie. Bill Sikes and Toby Crackit, two thieves, break into the Maylies' house, accompanied by Oliver. Oliver is shot by the Maylies' butler, Giles, and is abandoned during the flight by Toby and Bill. When Oliver staggers back to the house and collapses on the doorstep, Rose is moved to... more

Rose Fleming Maylie is a character in Charles Dickens's novel Oliver Twist. She is Oliver's maternal aunt. Rose is an orphan raised from young childhood by Mrs. Maylie. Bill Sikes and Toby Crackit, two thieves, break into the Maylies' house, accompanied by Oliver. Oliver is shot by the Maylies' butler, Giles, and is abandoned during the flight by Toby and Bill. When Oliver staggers back to the house and collapses on the doorstep, Rose is moved to help him. Upon hearing Oliver's history, Mrs. Maylie, Rose, and their family friend, Dr. Losberne, nurse him back to health while covering up his role in the attempted burglary. When Rose becomes very ill and nearly dies, she is visited by Harry Maylie, Mrs. Maylie's son. Upon her recovery, he asks her to marry him, but she refuses because of the uncertainty about her birth. Harry aspires to a political career, and Rose feels that if her history was known, his success would be jeopardized. She sends Harry away, but agrees that he might,... less