was nancy a prostitute

Yes she was, though it's glossed over in the musical, there are some references to it.

1. When Bill looks at her after she defends Oliver and says, "do you know who you are and WHAT you are"?

2. Before Nancy is introduced in the film, Bet runs up the stairs of the pub to alert her of Bills arrival. The rooms are lit in red light with men standing at the doors giving the indication that prostitution is going on.

3. There are also several indications to it in the number IT'S A FINE LIFE, both in the dancing and lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWLs1JxHAKo&feature=share

NO! Nancy worked hard; she put her heart into her work but she probably did not have time to turn tricks or dilly-dally with john's.

She was the 'Mother Hubbard' or 'Den Mother' to Fagin's Boys. She was the one who smoothed ruffled feathers, who made sure the youngest boys were ready to be turned out on the streets for 'training'. She was the glue that kept the parts together and the oil that kept the parts running smoothly.

Bill Sykes may have been the engine, Dodger the recruiter, and Fagin the Head Master, but Nancy was what kept the parts together. She was the common denominator and nurse maid when ever there was a tear to wipe away or illness to cure.

Also, do not forget that Nancy was in love with Bill Sykes ("As Long As He Needs Me").

Just because the gang lives in an undesirable part of town does not mean that every woman who lives there is a prostitute. How many john's would frequent a brothel with a single prostitute and a gang of young street urchins? Her life is the boys, Fagin and Bill Sykes.

I think she lives in this area because she blends in with the demographics there without drawing attention to herself. She and her boys can organize from their home base and then move out to the markets to find unwary marks.

In his preface to the 1841 edition of the novel, Dickens plainly writes, “the boys are pickpockets, and the girl is a prostitute.”

If we accept that as fact (and why would we not?), then there is also evidence in the book that the boys are being prostituted by Fagin as well. (Nancy points to Oliver and says, “I have been in the same trade, and in the same service for twelve years since.”)

Dickens would have not been able to do much more in his era to make this meaning clearer.


"You must sing him your prettiest songs, then perhaps he will want to marry you."

In the song It's a Fine Life, she sings "fine airs and fine graces don't have to sin to eat," which would imply prostitution.

Yeah, but she also slept w/ Bill as they lived together.

No. i think it is indicated that she was a thief, not a prostitute. She lives with Bill, he's her lover, not a customer.