The Artful Dodger

:For the bands called The Artful Dodger, see The Artful Dodger (band).

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The Artful Dodger is a character in the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. The Dodger (whose real name is Jack Dawkins) is so called because of his success in avoiding arrest, being a skillful pickpocket. As a result he has become the leader of the gang of child criminals, trained by the elderly Fagin.

Related Topics:
Charles Dickens - Novel - Oliver Twist - Arrest - Pickpocket - Child - Criminal - Fagin

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The nickname, "Artful Dodger", is still commonly used to refer to someone who is good at avoiding responsibility or the consequences of his/her actions. "Artful Dodger" is also Cockney rhyming slang for "lodger".

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The role of the Artful Dodger was amplified in the musical Oliver!, and launched the careers of Davy Jones and Jack Wild, among others. Another to have played the role (in an amateur production) was Ben Elton.

Related Topics:
Musical - Oliver! - Davy Jones - Jack Wild - Ben Elton

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