# Chapter 51 explained — Barnaby Rudge

> Chapter companion for Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

The riots subside for the night, but the threat remains. Gabriel Varden waits up with his wife and Miss Miggs, who is restless and irritating. Simon Tappertit returns home in a disheveled state, having been involved in the disturbances. Varden confronts him, but Simon is defiant. Later, Varden chases Simon after he flees, but loses him. Varden then destroys the protective paper Simon had brought, refusing to use it, and prepares to face any further trouble with courage.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mob Violence and Chaos

The chapter depicts the aftermath of mob violence, with buildings destroyed and the threat of further unrest, while also showing the mob's temporary retreat.

### Guilt and Retribution

Mrs. Varden feels guilt for her role in encouraging the disturbances, and Varden's destruction of the paper symbolizes a rejection of complicity and a stand for principle.

## Character check-ins

### Gabriel Varden

Waits up anxiously, confronts Simon, destroys the protective paper, and resolves to face the rioters with defiance.

### Mrs. Varden

Sits up with Varden, hides the model house out of guilt, and is crestfallen after the night's events.

### Miss Miggs

Restless and fidgety, keeps everyone awake with her nervous habits, and is loyal to Mrs. Varden.

### Simon Tappertit

Returns home in a battered state, defiant and drunk, having been involved in the riots, and later flees from Varden.

## Key lines

> Promising as these outrages were to Gashford’s view, and much like business as they looked, they extended that night no farther.

Although these riots seemed promising to Gashford and looked like progress, they did not continue that night.

_The riots paused for the night, despite Gashford's hopes._

> The clock was on the stroke of one, when Gabriel Varden, with his lady and Miss Miggs, sat waiting in the little parlour.

At one o'clock, Gabriel Varden, his wife, and Miss Miggs were sitting in the small parlor, waiting.

_The Varden household is awake late, waiting for something._

> Go thy ways, Sim, go thy ways,” said the locksmith, as soon as he could speak. “I have done my best for thee, poor lad, and would have saved thee, but the rope is round thy neck, I fear.

The locksmith says to Simon, 'Go on your way, Sim. I've done what I could to save you, but I fear you're doomed.'

_Varden gives up chasing Simon, fearing Simon's fate is sealed._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-51
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters