Edward "Monks" Leeford

Edward "Monks" Leeford is a complex and fascinating character in Charles Dickens' 1838 novel Oliver Twist. He is the criminally-inclined half-brother of Oliver Twist, but he hides his identity from his younger sibling. Monks' parents separated when he was a child, and his father had a relationship with a young woman, Agnes Fleming. This resulted in Agnes' pregnancy. She died in childbirth after giving birth to the baby that would be named Oliver Twist. Monks is a deeply troubled individual. He is driven by a desire for revenge against his father, who he believes abandoned him. He also harbors a deep hatred for Oliver, whom he sees as a threat to his inheritance. Monks is willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants, even if it means hurting innocent people. Despite his villainous nature, Monks is also a sympathetic character. He is a victim of his own circumstances, and he is ultimately destroyed by his own hatred and greed. His story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting anger and resentment consume you.