Barnaby Rudge · Chapter
Chapter 68 explained
Barnaby and his father escape from the riots, hiding in a shed near Finchley.
What happens
Barnaby and his father escape from the riots, hiding in a shed near Finchley. Barnaby tends to his father, then goes to find the blind man, but the city is in chaos. He finds Hugh wounded and brings him away from the burning streets, witnessing the horrific deaths from drinking flaming spirits.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence and Corruption
Barnaby's innocent devotion contrasts with the corrupting violence of the mob.
Mob Violence and Chaos
The chapter vividly depicts the mob's destructive frenzy, including the horrific deaths from drinking flaming spirits.
Parental Love and Sacrifice
Barnaby's tender care for his father, despite his own simplicity, highlights the theme of familial devotion.
Characters to notice
- Barnaby Rudge
Frees himself and his father from irons, cares for his father, seeks the blind man, rescues Hugh from the riot.
- Hugh
Wounded and drunk, falls from his horse, drinks burning spirit, is rescued by Barnaby.
- Mrs. Rudge
Mentioned as the mother Barnaby hopes will join them.
- Grip
Carried by Barnaby from the jail and left with his father.
- The Blind Man
Barnaby seeks him but finds his house shut up and tenantless.
Key passages
“While Newgate was burning on the previous night, Barnaby and his father, having been passed among the crowd from hand to hand, stood in Smithfield, on the outskirts of the mob, gazing at the flames like men who had been suddenly roused from sleep.”
As Newgate burned, Barnaby and his father were passed through the crowd and found themselves in Smithfield, staring at the fire as if waking from a dream.
Sets the scene of their escape from the prison.
“He sat beside him all that day; listening for her footsteps in every breath of air, looking for her shadow on the gently-waving grass, twining the hedge flowers for her pleasure when she came, and his when he awoke; and stooping down from time to time to listen to his mutterings, and wonder why he was so restless in that quiet place.”
Barnaby spent the day by his father's side, hoping for his mother's arrival, weaving flowers, and wondering why his father was so agitated in the peaceful setting.
Shows Barnaby's innocent and loving nature.
“The gutters of the street, and every crack and fissure in the stones, ran with scorching spirit, which being dammed up by busy hands, overflowed the road and pavement, and formed a great pool, into which the people dropped down dead by dozens.”
The streets were flooded with burning alcohol, and people died in droves as they drank from the pool.
Describes the horrific deaths caused by the rioters' drinking of flaming spirits.