# Chapter 59 explained — Barnaby Rudge

> Chapter companion for Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Hugh returns to his companions after the attack on the Warren, and they celebrate with stolen wine and food. Meanwhile, Dolly Varden and Emma Haredale are held captive in a carriage, terrified and hoping for rescue. Hugh enters the carriage and threatens them, and they are taken to a miserable cottage where Dennis makes lewd remarks. The chapter highlights the brutality and lawlessness of the rioters and the vulnerability of the two women.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mob Violence and Chaos

The rioters' lawlessness and brutality are shown in their celebration and abduction of innocents.

### Manipulation and Exploitation

Hugh and Dennis exploit their power over the captive women, using threats and intimidation.

## Character check-ins

### Hugh

Leads the rioters, celebrates with plunder, and terrorizes Dolly and Emma.

### Mr. Dennis

Assists in the abduction, makes crude jokes, and leers at the captives.

### Dolly Varden

Captive, terrified, and thinking of Joe Willet; struggles against Hugh.

### Emma Haredale

Captive, faints from fear, and tries to maintain composure.

### Simon Tappertit

Commands the group guarding the carriage, challenges Hugh.

## Key lines

> It is necessary at this juncture to return to Hugh, who, having, as we have seen, called to the rioters to disperse from about the Warren, and meet again as usual, glided back into the darkness from which he had emerged, and reappeared no more that night.

The narrative now shifts back to Hugh, who, after ordering the rioters to leave the Warren, slipped away into the darkness and was not seen again that night.

_Hugh's strategic withdrawal highlights his role as a leader and his cunning nature._

> She neither cried nor spoke, for terror and disgust deprived her of the power; but she plucked at his hand as though she would die in the effort to disengage herself; and crouching on the ground, with her head averted and held down, repelled him with a strength she wondered at as much as he.

Dolly was so terrified and repulsed that she couldn't cry or speak, but she fought against Hugh's grip with all her might, surprising both him and herself.

_Dolly's resistance shows her courage even in the face of overwhelming fear._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-59
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters