Oliver Twist cried in the white-washed room due to a combination of fear, nervousness, and a physical jolt. His distress stemmed from an unexpected and intimidating encounter, exacerbated by a forceful gesture.
Oliver's tears and trembling were a direct result of several factors experienced within the room:
- Unexpected Sight: He anticipated seeing a simple board, but was instead confronted by eight to ten stout gentlemen seated around a table. This sudden and unforeseen change in his expectations contributed to his fear.
- Intimidation and Nervousness: The presence of these gentlemen made Oliver profoundly nervous and frightened. The unfamiliar setting and the authoritative figures undoubtedly overwhelmed him.
- Physical Startle: Adding to his distress, the beadle delivered a tap on Oliver's back with a cane. This physical action likely startled him and caused him further pain or discomfort, prompting him to cry.
In essence, Oliver's emotional response was a culmination of psychological fright from the unexpected, intimidating assembly and a physical reaction to the beadle's cane.
