Barnaby Rudge · Chapter
Chapter 48 explained
Barnaby and his mother, having arrived in London, find themselves caught in the swell of a massive crowd heading to St.
What happens
Barnaby and his mother, having arrived in London, find themselves caught in the swell of a massive crowd heading to St. George's Fields for Lord George Gordon's Protestant petition. Despite his mother's desperate pleas, Barnaby is drawn to the excitement and is given a blue cockade by a stranger, then personally recruited by Lord George Gordon and Gashford, who dismiss the mother's warnings as female depravity. Barnaby joins the immense assembly, leaving his mother in anguish.
Themes in this chapter
Manipulation and Exploitation
Gashford and Lord George exploit Barnaby's innocence and the mother's fears, using rhetoric to recruit him.
Madness and Perception
Lord George and Gashford dismiss the mother's claim that Barnaby is mad, turning the accusation of madness back on her.
Mob Violence and Chaos
The immense crowd gathering at St. George's Fields, with its blue cockades and hymns, foreshadows the violent riots to come.
Characters to notice
- Barnaby Rudge
Eagerly joins the crowd and accepts a blue cockade, ignoring his mother's pleas; recruited by Lord George Gordon.
- Mrs. Rudge
Desperately tries to prevent Barnaby from joining the rioters, fearing for his safety.
- Lord George Gordon
Leads the Protestant association, recruits Barnaby, and dismisses the mother's concerns as madness.
- Gashford
Secretary to Lord George, manipulates the situation, accusing the mother of female depravity.
Key passages
“Have you the heart to say this of your own son, unnatural mother!”
Lord George accuses the mother of being unnatural for calling her son mad, implying that true believers are often labeled insane.
Highlights the theme of madness and perception.
“I am astonished at you! This is a very sad picture of female depravity.”
Gashford feigns shock at the mother's pleas, labeling her concern as depraved.
Shows Gashford's manipulative and condescending attitude.
“If they summoned me at this moment with one voice to lead them on to death, I'd do it—Yes, and fall first myself!”
Lord George expresses his fervent commitment to the cause, willing to die for it.
Illustrates his fanaticism and the emotional power of the mob.