The Purloined The Purloined HandkerchiefHandkerchief

John O. JordanJohn O. Jordan

By

Ian Palmer

Nick Rowe

Ethan Long

The Handkerchief MotifThe Handkerchief Motif

In the 1820’s and 1830’s handkerchiefs:In the 1820’s and 1830’s handkerchiefs: Determined social statusDetermined social status Common among all peopleCommon among all people Were considered to be an article of luxuryWere considered to be an article of luxury

Can be seen as a 19Can be seen as a 19thth Century Rolex Century Rolex

The Purloined LetterThe Purloined Letter Jordan offers that Dickens was attempting to Jordan offers that Dickens was attempting to

parallel the Purloin Letter by Edgar Allen Poe.parallel the Purloin Letter by Edgar Allen Poe. Oliver’s missing father is marked in the novel by Oliver’s missing father is marked in the novel by

both letters and written documents that were kept both letters and written documents that were kept secret by Monks such as: secret by Monks such as:

The willThe will The letterThe letter And the unnamed proofsAnd the unnamed proofs

The Handkerchief Class SystemThe Handkerchief Class System Lower class Lower class

handkerchiefs were:handkerchiefs were: CottonCotton Worn around the neckWorn around the neck

They were weary of the They were weary of the gallows.gallows.

Used for shielding the Used for shielding the sun and for wiping sweatsun and for wiping sweat

Stole handkerchiefs from Stole handkerchiefs from the wealthythe wealthy

Class System (cont.)Class System (cont.)

Middle class handkerchiefs Middle class handkerchiefs were:were: Cotton Cotton Worn in trouser pockets (we Worn in trouser pockets (we

concluded in modern day they concluded in modern day they could be worn around the head could be worn around the head also)also)

Usually solid coloredUsually solid colored

Class System (cont. again)Class System (cont. again)

Upper class handkerchiefs were:Upper class handkerchiefs were: SilkSilk Worn in lapel pocketsWorn in lapel pockets PatternedPatterned Stitched with the owner’s nameStitched with the owner’s name

Bumble’s ‘KercheifsBumble’s ‘Kercheifs Mr. Bumble had one handkerchief in his hat and one in Mr. Bumble had one handkerchief in his hat and one in

his pocket.his pocket. This can be seen as an attempt to gain a higher social status.This can be seen as an attempt to gain a higher social status.

He removed the ‘kerchief from his hat to wipe his He removed the ‘kerchief from his hat to wipe his brow.brow. Symbolizes povertySymbolizes poverty

He removed the other ‘kerchief from his pocket when He removed the other ‘kerchief from his pocket when having tea.having tea. Symbolizes wealthSymbolizes wealth

Dickens’ Key PointsDickens’ Key Points

““Clothes are a powerful way of marking social Clothes are a powerful way of marking social distinction in a class society…”distinction in a class society…”

““Power itself is often vested in clothing or Power itself is often vested in clothing or social roles rather than the person.”social roles rather than the person.”

““Dress codes function not just as a differential Dress codes function not just as a differential system of classification, but as a means of system of classification, but as a means of social control; whereby institutions like the social control; whereby institutions like the workhouse identify and regulate members of workhouse identify and regulate members of the lower class.”the lower class.”

Handkerchiefs and HangingsHandkerchiefs and Hangings

Neckerchiefs were worn Neckerchiefs were worn by thieves and by thieves and criminals.criminals. They served as a form of They served as a form of

protection for a sensitive protection for a sensitive area.area.

They also served as a They also served as a reminder of the reminder of the “figurative noose” that “figurative noose” that was around their necks.was around their necks.

Examples of Criminal UseExamples of Criminal Use On several instances Sikes attacked people’s throats.On several instances Sikes attacked people’s throats. Sikes attempts to drown his dog by tying a handkerchief Sikes attempts to drown his dog by tying a handkerchief

around its neck.around its neck. The man in the white waistcoat says Oliver was predestined to The man in the white waistcoat says Oliver was predestined to

be hanged.be hanged. As a result Oliver wants to hang himself with a handkerchief; however As a result Oliver wants to hang himself with a handkerchief; however

was too poor to afford one.was too poor to afford one.

Fagin is seen with a bare throat.Fagin is seen with a bare throat. Because of his great vulnerability to the present danger.Because of his great vulnerability to the present danger.

He also ties up his “booty” or jewels with a handkerchief.He also ties up his “booty” or jewels with a handkerchief.

Other ConnectionsOther Connections

The search was marked by woven materials.The search was marked by woven materials. A “patchwork coverlet” was put over a dead A “patchwork coverlet” was put over a dead

woman’s body.woman’s body. There is an “old blanket” that covers the dead There is an “old blanket” that covers the dead

body of the old lady when Mr. Sowerberry body of the old lady when Mr. Sowerberry goes to retrieve the body.goes to retrieve the body.

At the Brownlow’s home Oliver sees Miss At the Brownlow’s home Oliver sees Miss Bedwin appear through the curtains.Bedwin appear through the curtains.

Other Other ConnectionsOther Other Connections Dickens describes a “dusky curtain” that hangs over Dickens describes a “dusky curtain” that hangs over

Brownlow’s memory that prevents him from recognizing Brownlow’s memory that prevents him from recognizing Oliver from the portrait of his mother.Oliver from the portrait of his mother. The portrait itself is painted on canvas.The portrait itself is painted on canvas.

Sikes throws a rug over Nancy’s body after he murders Sikes throws a rug over Nancy’s body after he murders her.her.

NancyNancy Nancy’s handkerchief is white.Nancy’s handkerchief is white.

Suggests purity despite the terrible conditions Suggests purity despite the terrible conditions she lives inshe lives in

Her handkerchief was given to her by Her handkerchief was given to her by Rose.Rose. Signifies the sisterly bond between their Signifies the sisterly bond between their

different social classes.different social classes. They were still equal in their devotion to Oliver.They were still equal in their devotion to Oliver.

Suggests that it has story valueSuggests that it has story value It was traded for information about Oliver.It was traded for information about Oliver.

More NancyMore Nancy

Nancy’s handkerchief contained religious Nancy’s handkerchief contained religious significance.significance. She holds it in front of her face before Sikes kills She holds it in front of her face before Sikes kills

her.her. ““She lifts it towards Heaven and breathes on prayer of She lifts it towards Heaven and breathes on prayer of

mercy to her Maker.”mercy to her Maker.”

OliverOliver

Jordan suggests that Oliver is a purloin Jordan suggests that Oliver is a purloin handkerchief throughout the text, simply handkerchief throughout the text, simply waiting to be claimed.waiting to be claimed.

He is a blank handkerchief however. Others He is a blank handkerchief however. Others like Fagin try to inscribe on him.like Fagin try to inscribe on him.

Fagin starts him by picking the marks out of Fagin starts him by picking the marks out of handkerchiefs.handkerchiefs. This signifies Oliver’s abandonment of himself This signifies Oliver’s abandonment of himself

and his heritage.and his heritage.

BibliographyBibliography

Jordan, John O. “The Purloin Handkerchief” Jordan, John O. “The Purloin Handkerchief” Oliver TwistOliver Twist. Ed. Fred Kaplan. New York: . Ed. Fred Kaplan. New York: Norton, 1993. 580-93.Norton, 1993. 580-93.