# Endnotes explained — Sybil

> Chapter companion for Sybil by Benjamin Disraeli.

## What happens

This section provides editorial annotations and definitions for terms used in the main text, including explanations of the 'tommy' or 'truck' system of wages, the role of a 'butty' in mining districts, the People's Charter of 1838, and other historical and cultural references.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Inequality

The 'tommy' system and the role of the 'butty' illustrate the exploitation and poverty faced by working-class laborers.

### Political Reform and Revolution

References to the People's Charter and Paixhans rockets highlight the push for democratic reform and the potential for revolutionary change.

## Key lines

> Tommied to death

Subjected to the 'tommy' or 'truck' system of wages.

_Explains the exploitative wage system._

> Tommy

The iniquitous system of paying workers with vouchers rather than money.

_Defines the truck system._

> Butty

A middleman in mining districts who often pays wages in goods from a tommy shop.

_Describes the role of a butty._

> At play

On strike.

_Colloquial term for striking._

> Charter

The People's Charter of 1838, demanding universal manhood suffrage and other democratic reforms.

_Key political document of the Chartist movement._

> Paixhans rockets

Artillery guns developed by French general Paixhans that fired explosive shells.

_Symbol of modern military technology._

> Five Points

The demands of the People's Charter.

_Refers to the five key reforms sought by Chartists._

> Congo

Black tea imported from China.

_Clarifies the origin of the tea._

> Biggin

A kind of coffee-pot with a strainer, named for its inventor.

_Defines a historical coffee-making device._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sybil_se/chapters/endnotes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sybil_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sybil_se/chapters