Bumble's Rise and Fall

Follows Mr. Bumble's career from pompous beadle to henpecked workhouse master and eventual pauper.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Bumble the Beadle

Bumble the Beadle The Pompous Official Mr. Bumble is the parish beadle, a self-important figure who rules over the workhouse with a cane. He names the foundlings alphabetically, inventing the name Twist. Interactions with Mrs. Mann Bumble visits Mrs. Mann's farm, where he accepts gin and displays his authority. He takes Oliver back to the workhouse. The Board's Enforcer Bumble carries out the board's decisions, including apprenticing Oliver to Sowerberry. He is a cog in the oppressive Poor Law system.

Courtship of Mrs. Corney

Courtship of Mrs. Corney The Tea Visit Bumble visits Mrs. Corney, the workhouse matron, in her room. They flirt over tea and peppermint. Bumble proposes marriage. The Proposal Bumble sees the advantages of marrying the matron: a comfortable home and the prospect of becoming workhouse master. Mrs. Corney accepts. The Wedding They marry, and Bumble becomes master of the workhouse. He believes he has secured his position and happiness.

The Henpecked Husband

The Henpecked Husband Loss of Authority Mrs. Bumble quickly dominates her husband. She contradicts him, orders him about, and even physically assaults him when he tries to assert his prerogative. Public Humiliation Bumble is humiliated in front of the paupers. His dignity is shattered. He realizes he has traded his independence for a domineering wife. The Downward Spiral Bumble's life becomes miserable. He regrets his marriage and his lost beadleship. His authority is gone.

Deal with Monks

Deal with Monks The Meeting at the Inn Bumble, drinking alone, is approached by Monks. Monks offers money for information about Old Sally and the locket. The Bribes Bumble, tempted by gold, agrees to bring his wife to meet Monks. He acts as a go-between, hoping to profit. The Night Interview Bumble and his wife meet Monks in a ruined building. Mrs. Bumble sells the locket and ring for twenty-five pounds. Bumble is complicit in suppressing evidence.

Exposure and Ruin

Exposure and Ruin The Pawnbroker's Evidence When Mr. Brownlow investigates, the pawnbroker and the old women testify that Mrs. Bumble sold the locket. The Bumbles are exposed. Loss of Positions Mr. Brownlow ensures they are dismissed from their posts. They lose their income and status. Final Pauperdom Reduced to poverty, the Bumbles end up as paupers in the same workhouse where they once ruled. Bumble bitterly reflects on the law being an ass.

Early in the story

During Oliver's time with Fagin

After marriage, mid-story

After the marriage, mid-story

Near the end of the story