# Chapter 57 explained — Barnaby Rudge

> Chapter companion for Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Barnaby Rudge stands guard alone at the stable, finding peace and joy in solitude after the riots. He dreams of his mother's happiness and pride in him. His raven Grip entertains him with cries of 'No Popery!' and other phrases. Lord George Gordon and his servant John Grueby approach; Lord George questions Barnaby, who shows devotion and innocence. Grueby bluntly calls Barnaby mad, leading to a heated exchange where Lord George dismisses Grueby from his service. Later, soldiers arrive, and despite Barnaby's brave resistance, he is overpowered and captured.

## Themes in this chapter

### Innocence and Corruption

Barnaby's innocent joy and devotion contrast with the corrupt and violent world of the riots, and his naive trust in Lord George is met with suspicion.

### Madness and Perception

John Grueby's blunt assessment of Barnaby as 'mad' highlights the theme of how society perceives those who are different, while Lord George's own fanaticism is questioned.

## Character check-ins

### Barnaby Rudge

Standing guard alone, dreaming of his mother's pride, and fiercely resisting the soldiers until captured.

### Grip

Barnaby's raven companion, repeating 'No Popery!' and other phrases, and busily hiding things in the straw.

### Lord George Gordon

Visits Barnaby at the stable, questions his sanity, and dismisses John Grueby from his service.

### John Grueby

Bluntly tells Lord George that Barnaby is 'stark, staring, raving, roaring mad,' leading to his dismissal.

## Key lines

> He felt quite happy; and as he leaned upon his staff and mused, a bright smile overspread his face, and none but cheerful visions floated into his brain.

Barnaby was content and smiled as he leaned on his staff, thinking only happy thoughts.

_Highlights Barnaby's innocent joy despite the chaos around him._

> The raven, placing his head upon the ground, looked at his master sideways, as though he would have said, 'Say that again!'

Grip tilted his head and looked at Barnaby as if asking him to repeat the phrase.

_Shows the raven's intelligence and the bond between Barnaby and Grip._

> Stark, staring, raving, roaring mad, my lord.

Completely and obviously insane, my lord.

_John Grueby's blunt diagnosis of Barnaby's mental state._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-57
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters