# Chapter 54 explained — Barnaby Rudge

> Chapter companion for Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Rumors of the riots spread through the countryside, but old John Willet stubbornly refuses to believe them. His cronies, Solomon Daisy, Mr. Cobb, and Mr. Parkes, decide to walk to London to see for themselves, but John dismisses them. After they leave, John falls asleep and wakes to the sound of an approaching mob. The rioters, led by Hugh, descend upon the Maypole, ransacking the bar and destroying property. Hugh protects John from harm, but ultimately the mob decides to tie him up to keep him quiet while they continue their work.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mob Violence and Chaos

The mob's destruction of the Maypole Inn illustrates the chaotic and destructive nature of the riots.

### Innocence and Corruption

John Willet's naive disbelief contrasts with the brutal reality of the mob's violence.

## Character check-ins

### John Willet

Stubbornly denies the riots, then is overwhelmed as the mob destroys his inn.

### Hugh

Leads the rioters into the Maypole, protecting old John while participating in the destruction.

### Solomon Daisy

One of the cronies who decides to go to London to verify the rumors.

### Simon Tappertit

Present among the rioters, kicks John Willet in a drunken assertion of authority.

### Mr. Dennis

Called upon to help bind John Willet as the mob decides his fate.

## Key lines

> Mr. Willet—not so much, perhaps, on account of his having argued and settled the matter with himself, but by reason of his constitutional obstinacy—was one of those who positively refused to entertain the current topic for a moment.

John Willet, due to his stubborn nature, refused to believe the rumors of the riots.

_Highlights John's obstinacy._

> Here was the bar—the bar that the boldest never entered without special invitation—the sanctuary, the mystery, the hallowed ground: here it was, crammed with men, clubs, sticks, torches, pistols; filled with a deafening noise, oaths, shouts, screams, hootings; changed all at once into a bear-garden, a madhouse, an infernal temple.

The once-sacred bar of the Maypole is transformed into a chaotic, hellish scene of destruction.

_Describes the desecration of the inn._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-54
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters