# Chapter 8 explained — Barnaby Rudge

> Chapter companion for Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Simon Tappertit, having left the locksmith's house, makes his way through dark and unsavory streets to a cellar where he meets with a blind man named Stagg and other apprentices. He presides over a secret meeting of the 'Prentice Knights, where a new member, Mark Gilbert, is initiated and grievances against his master, Thomas Curzon, are recorded with black crosses, symbolizing vengeance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Manipulation and Exploitation

Tappertit manipulates the apprentices' grievances for his own aggrandizement, while Stagg flatters and exploits the captain's vanity.

### Social Injustice and Class

The apprentices' complaints against their masters highlight the class tensions and perceived injustices of the apprentice system.

## Character check-ins

### Simon Tappertit

Assumes a swaggering, authoritative demeanor as the 'captain' of the secret society, leading the meeting with theatrical gravity.

### The Blind Man (Stagg)

Hosts the meeting in his cellar, flattering Tappertit and serving as a sycophantic follower.

### Thomas Curzon

Mentioned as the master of the new initiate, Mark Gilbert, and denounced by the society for his treatment of his apprentice.

### Mark Gilbert

A new member initiated into the 'Prentice Knights, presenting grievances against his master, Thomas Curzon.

## Key lines

> Clear of the locksmith’s house, Sim Tappertit laid aside his cautious manner, and assuming in its stead that of a ruffling, swaggering, roving blade, who would rather kill a man than otherwise, and eat him too if needful, made the best of his way along the darkened streets.

Once away from the locksmith's home, Simon Tappertit dropped his cautious attitude and adopted a bold, swaggering persona, as if he were a violent rogue, and hurried through the dark streets.

_Highlights Tappertit's theatrical self-image and his shift in demeanor._

> “Welcome, noble captain!” cried a lanky figure, rising as from a nap. The captain nodded. Then, throwing off his outer coat, he stood composed in all his dignity, and eyed his follower over.

A tall man greeted Tappertit as 'noble captain,' and Tappertit, after removing his coat, stood with an air of authority and scrutinized his subordinate.

_Shows the hierarchical relationship within the secret society._

> “Write Curzon down, Denounced,” said the captain. “Put a black cross against the name of Curzon.”

Tappertit ordered that Curzon be formally denounced and marked with a black cross in the society's records.

_Demonstrates the society's method of recording grievances and issuing symbolic punishments._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-8
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters