Rose Maylie


Rose Fleming Maylie is a character in Charles Dickens' 1838 novel Oliver Twist, who is eventually discovered to be Oliver's maternal aunt. Though she plays a significant role in the novel, she is often omitted from dramatisations of the story.

Role

Rose is portrayed as pure, innocent and beautiful. Seventeen years old at the time of the novel's events, she is set up as a dramatic foil to Nancy, who is around the same age and sees her own degradation in contrast to Rose.

Biography

Rose is an orphan whose original surname was Fleming. She is raised from childhood by Mrs. Maylie, who adopted her from a poor family who were looking after her. She refers to Rose as her niece. Rose is haunted by the thought that she may be illegitimate, and so she rejects the suit of Mrs. Maylie's son Harry for fear that marriage to her may harm his career in the church.
Bill Sikes and Toby Crackit, two thieves, break into the Maylies' house, accompanied by Oliver, who they use to get access, as he is small enough to climb through a window. Oliver is shot and wounded by Giles, the butler of the Maylies.
Later, Rose learns about Oliver's plight from Nancy. She offers to help Nancy escape from Sikes, but Nancy refuses to leave him. Rose teams up with Mr. Brownlow to rescue Oliver. It is later revealed that she is Oliver's aunt. Her sister Agnes Fleming was Oliver's mother. Like Oliver, she was a victim of Monks' plotting.
Towards the end of the novel Rose becomes seriously ill and is apparently on the point of death. Harry hastens to her side and declares his love for her. She recovers and the couple are married.

Notable portrayals

Rose Maylie is completely omitted from the musical Oliver! and the film thereof. She is also missing from the 1948 and 2005 film versions of the novel.
Often Rose's familial relationships differ from those of the original novel, with Mr. Brownlow occasionally appearing as her uncle or adopted guardian.
In the 1922 film she is portrayed by Esther Ralston.
In the 1933 film she is played by Barbara Kent.
In the 1982 television film she is played by Eleanor David.
In the 1985 miniseries she is played by Lysette Anthony, who also plays her sister Agnes.
In the 1997 Disney television film, she is played by Olivia Caffery. Her relationship to Oliver is different to most versions. In this version, she is Oliver's first cousin once removed.
In the 1999 miniseries of Oliver Twist, Rose is played by English actress Keira Knightley.
In the 2007 miniseries, Rose is played by Scottish actress Morven Christie.