Barnaby Rudge · Chapter
Chapter 71 explained
Emma Haredale, Dolly, and Miggs remain imprisoned, noting a change in their captors' behavior from boisterous to subdued.
What happens
Emma Haredale, Dolly, and Miggs remain imprisoned, noting a change in their captors' behavior from boisterous to subdued. Dolly, the object of Hugh and Tappertit's desire, begins to fade and droop like a flower, while Emma bears herself with calm fortitude. A stranger arrives, claiming to have saved Mr. Haredale and offering to rescue Emma, but Dolly distrusts him. Emma is torn between accepting his help and staying with Dolly. The chapter ends with the rescue of the women by Gabriel Varden, Mrs. Varden, Edward Chester, and Joe, who take them to safety, leaving the injured Simon Tappertit behind.
Themes in this chapter
Freedom and Imprisonment
The chapter focuses on the physical imprisonment of Emma, Dolly, and Miggs, and the psychological effect it has on them, particularly Dolly, who 'pined slowly away, like a poor bird in its cage.'
Innocence and Corruption
Dolly's innocence is highlighted as she fades and droops in captivity, contrasted with the corruption and violence of the mob and the sinister motives of the stranger who offers rescue.
Characters to notice
- Emma Haredale
Imprisoned with Dolly and Miggs, Emma shows fortitude and calmness, bearing herself with a secret conviction that the ruffians dare not harm her. She is offered rescue by a stranger but is torn between accepting and staying with Dolly.
- Dolly Varden
The object of Hugh and Tappertit's desire, Dolly begins to fade and droop like a beautiful flower, her courage forsaking her. She clings to Emma and is later rescued by her father, mother, Edward, and Joe.
- Miss Miggs
Also taken prisoner, Miggs claims she was captured because of her charms and details feats of resistance, providing some comfort to Emma and Dolly.
- Simon Tappertit
Found lying in hiding, burnt, bruised, and with a gunshot wound, his legs crushed into shapeless ugliness. He feels a keen pang as Dolly passes out with Joe as her preserver.
- Joe Willet
Participates in the rescue of Dolly and Emma, and is the one who escorts Dolly out, causing Simon Tappertit pain.
- Gabriel Varden
The locksmith, who along with his wife, participates in the rescue of the imprisoned women.
Key passages
“Poor Dolly's heart—a little, gentle, idle, fickle thing; giddy, restless, fluttering; constant to nothing but bright looks, and smiles and laughter—Dolly's heart was breaking.”
Dolly's light and carefree spirit was being crushed by her imprisonment, and her heart was breaking.
This illustrates the theme of innocence and corruption, showing how the violence of the riots is destroying Dolly's gentle nature.
“Before the ruffians, in whose power they were, she bore herself so calmly, and with such an appearance, in the midst of all her terror, of a secret conviction that they dared not harm her, that there was not a man among them but held her in some degree of dread.”
Emma's calm demeanor and apparent fearlessness made her captors uneasy and even fearful of her.
This highlights Emma's strength and fortitude in contrast to Dolly's fragility.
“Wondering no longer at the moans they had heard, Dolly kept closer to her father, and shuddered at the sight; but neither bruises, burns, nor gunshot wound, nor all the torture of his shattered limbs, sent half so keen a pang to Simon's breast, as Dolly passing out, with Joe for her preserver.”
Simon Tappertit's physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional agony of seeing Dolly leave with Joe as her rescuer.
This shows the personal cost of the riots on individuals and highlights the theme of unrequited love and jealousy.