# I: Tinkler and the Moonflower explained — Harding’s Luck

> Chapter companion for Harding’s Luck by E. Nesbit.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/i-tinkler-and-the-moonflower
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/harding_s_luck_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters