# Chapter 27 explained — Barnaby Rudge

> Chapter companion for Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Mr. Haredale remains in the widow's parlour after Mr. Chester departs, intending to speak with Gabriel Varden. Mr. Chester, walking away, reflects on his self-control and his plan to wound his enemies more deeply through politeness than through violence. He then visits the Varden household, where he charms Mrs. Varden, Dolly, and Miss Miggs with his eloquent and seemingly virtuous conversation. He takes Mrs. Varden aside and secures her secret alliance to oppose Edward's suit to Miss Haredale, leaving her feeling improved and important. Dolly, however, suspects he was making game of them, which angers her mother.

## Themes in this chapter

### Manipulation and Exploitation

Sir John Chester's entire visit to the Varden household is a calculated act of manipulation, using flattery and feigned virtue to secure Mrs. Varden's alliance for his own ends.

### Social Injustice and Class

Mr. Chester's condescending treatment of Gabriel Varden and Simon Tappertit, and his use of social status to influence Mrs. Varden, highlight class-based power dynamics.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Geoffrey Haredale

Remains in the widow's parlour, determined to speak with Gabriel Varden after Mr. Chester's departure.

### Sir John Chester

Leaves the widow's house, reflecting on his manipulative tactics, then visits the Varden household to charm and secure Mrs. Varden's alliance.

### Gabriel Varden

Asked by Mr. Haredale to remain for a private conversation after Mr. Chester leaves.

### Simon Tappertit

Working in the workshop when Mr. Chester arrives; he expresses his scorn for the Lord Mayor and his desire for vengeance.

### Mrs. Varden

Charmed by Mr. Chester's conversation and agrees to a secret alliance with him to oppose Edward's suit to Miss Haredale.

### Dolly Varden

Present during Mr. Chester's visit; she suspects he was making game of them, which angers her mother.

## Key lines

> Feigning to be wholly unconscious of the abrupt wave of the hand which rendered this farewell tantamount to a dismissal, Mr. Chester retorted with a bland and heartfelt benediction

Pretending not to notice that Mr. Haredale was dismissing him, Mr. Chester responded with a polite and seemingly sincere blessing.

_Highlights Mr. Chester's deliberate and manipulative politeness._

> You are the wise man's very last resource, he said, tapping the hilt of his weapon; we can but appeal to you when all else is said and done.

He mused that a sword is the final resort of a wise man, to be used only after all other means have failed.

_Reveals Mr. Chester's philosophy of using manipulation before resorting to violence._

> for as hollow vessels produce a far more musical sound in falling than those which are substantial, so it will oftentimes be found that sentiments which have nothing in them make the loudest ringing in the world, and are the most relished.

Just as empty vessels make more noise when they fall, so do empty sentiments often sound the most impressive and are most appreciated.

_The narrator's ironic commentary on the effectiveness of Mr. Chester's hollow moralizing._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-27
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters