Harding’s Luck · Chapter
I: Tinkler and the Moonflower explained
Dickie Harding, a lame orphan boy living in poverty with his aunt, treasures a family heirloom rattle called Tinkler.
What happens
Dickie Harding, a lame orphan boy living in poverty with his aunt, treasures a family heirloom rattle called Tinkler. After a hospital stay for a foot injury, he returns to find Tinkler pawned. He discovers a magnificent moonflower in his neglected garden and decides to sell some of its flowers to raise a shilling to reclaim his beloved rattle.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Poverty
Dickie's life in a dirty, comfortless home, his aunt's pawnbroking of his only treasure, and his reliance on charity highlight the harsh realities of poverty.
Magic and Escapism
Dickie's imaginative language, his love of books, and the moonflower as a symbol of beauty and hope provide an escape from his grim circumstances.
Characters to notice
- Dickie Harding
A lame orphan boy who speaks in a book-learned language and treasures his rattle Tinkler, which has been pawned by his aunt.
- Mr. Beale
A man who meets Dickie at the hospital and claims to be his father's friend, taking Dickie to a lodging house and instructing him to call him 'farver'.
- Father
Dickie's deceased father, who gave him the rattle Tinkler in the hospital before dying from a fall.
Key passages
“You stick to that; it's yourn, your very own. My dad give it to me, and it belonged to his dad. Don't you let anyone take it away.”
Keep this safe; it's yours. My father gave it to me, and it was his father's before that. Don't let anyone take it.
Dickie's father gives him the rattle Tinkler as a family heirloom.
“My name is far from being Tommy, and I am in Lux Ury and Af Fluence, I thank you, gracious lady.”
My name is not Tommy, and I am in luxury and affluence, thank you, kind lady.
Dickie responds to a nurse using his book-learned language.