A beadle in Oliver Twist refers to a minor official or a deputy who has various responsibilities, particularly in maintaining order in a parish or community. In the context of the novel, a beadle plays a significant role in the administration of the workhouse system.
The most notable beadle in Oliver Twist is Mr. Bumble, who is portrayed as a pompous and self-important man. He oversees the workhouse where Oliver is born and raised, and his interactions with the characters often highlight the harsh conditions and moral failings of the workhouse system in Victorian England.
Throughout the story, the beadle’s actions and decisions reflect the societal attitudes of the time towards poverty and the poor. For instance, Mr. Bumble’s character is often more concerned with his own status and the rules of the institution than with the well-being of the children under his care, demonstrating the neglect and inhumanity of the workhouse system.