Barnaby Rudge · Chapter
Chapter the Last explained
The final chapter ties up the fates of the remaining characters.
What happens
The final chapter ties up the fates of the remaining characters. Mr. Haredale flees to a monastery and dies there. Sir John Chester's body is found, and his valet elopes with his possessions but dies of jail fever. Lord George Gordon is tried for high treason but acquitted, later imprisoned for libel, converts to Judaism, and dies in Newgate. John Willet remains mentally impaired, eventually dying after a stroke. Joe inherits his father's wealth and becomes a man of consequence. Barnaby recovers from his ordeal, becomes a happy and contented farmer, but never returns to London. Grip the raven regains his speech after a year of silence.
Themes in this chapter
Guilt and Retribution
Mr. Haredale seeks penance in a monastery, and Lord George Gordon faces imprisonment for his actions.
Madness and Perception
John Willet's mental decline and Barnaby's partial recovery highlight the lasting effects of trauma.
Freedom and Imprisonment
Barnaby's freedom is restored but he remains psychologically imprisoned by his past, never returning to London.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Geoffrey Haredale
Flees to a religious establishment, takes vows, and dies after a few remorseful years.
- Sir John Chester
His body is found two days after his death; his valet steals his possessions.
- Lord George Gordon
Tried for high treason, acquitted, later imprisoned for libel, converts to Judaism, and dies in Newgate.
- John Grueby
Remains loyal to Lord George Gordon until the end, staying by his side in the Tower and prison.
- Joe Willet
Inherits his father's wealth, becomes independent and a man of consequence.
- John Willet
Never recovers from the shock of the riots; dies after a stroke, leaving a large sum of money.
- Barnaby Rudge
Recovers from his ordeal, becomes a happy and contented farmer, but never returns to London.
- Grip
Recovers his looks and speech after a year of silence, eventually crying 'I'm a devil' again.
Key passages
“Mr. Haredale fled that night. Before pursuit could be begun, indeed before Sir John was traced or missed, he had left the kingdom.”
Mr. Haredale escaped immediately, leaving the country before anyone could chase him or even notice Sir John was missing.
Shows Haredale's immediate flight and the lack of pursuit.
“Lord George Gordon, remaining in his prison in the Tower until Monday the fifth of February in the following year, was on that day solemnly tried at Westminster for High Treason.”
Lord George Gordon stayed in the Tower until February 5th of the next year, when he was tried for high treason at Westminster.
Details the timeline of Gordon's trial.
“He never recovered the surprise the Rioters had given him, and remained in the same mental condition down to the last moment of his life.”
John Willet was permanently traumatized by the rioters and stayed in that state until he died.
Highlights the lasting psychological impact on John Willet.
“But he was profoundly silent. Whether he had forgotten the art of Polite Conversation in Newgate, or had made a vow in those troubled times to forego, for a period, the display of his accomplishments, is matter of uncertainty;”
Grip was very quiet for a long time, possibly because he forgot how to talk in prison or because he chose to be silent.
Explains Grip's unusual silence after the riots.
