# LXI explained — The Old Curiosity Shop

> Chapter companion for The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Kit, imprisoned and innocent, endures profound anguish over his perceived guilt and the potential judgment of his loved ones, especially Nell. His mother, Barbara's mother, and little Jacob visit him in jail, offering emotional support and a small meal. Kit receives a kind note and porter from Richard Swiveller, which lifts his spirits.

## Themes in this chapter

### Innocence vs. Corruption

Kit's innocence is contrasted with the world's injustice, highlighting the suffering of the wrongly accused and the corruption of the legal system.

### Family and Community

The visit from Kit's mother, brother, and Barbara's mother underscores the strength of familial bonds and community support in times of crisis.

### Poverty and Suffering

Kit's humble background and the emotional and physical hardships of imprisonment reflect the broader theme of poverty and suffering.

## Character check-ins

### Christopher Nubbles

Imprisoned and innocent, Kit suffers intense grief over his situation and fears the opinions of his friends and family, especially Nell.

### Mrs. Nubbles

Kit's mother visits him in prison, expressing unwavering belief in his innocence and bringing him food.

### Barbara

Mentioned as a source of Kit's anxiety; he fears she will associate him with criminality.

### Jacob

Kit's little brother, who visits with their mother and cries piteously at seeing Kit behind bars.

### Richard Swiveller

Sends Kit a pint of porter and a supportive note, signed 'R. S.', which Kit gratefully acknowledges.

### Abel Garland

Mentioned as having broken the news of Kit's arrest to his mother with kindness, but without expressing an opinion on his guilt.

## Key lines

> Let moralists and philosophers say what they may, it is very questionable whether a guilty man would have felt half as much misery that night, as Kit did, being innocent.

Despite what moralists claim, an innocent person like Kit may suffer more than a guilty one due to the injustice of false accusation.

_Highlights the theme of innocence vs. corruption and the psychological torment of being wrongly accused._

> I believe it of the son that's been a comfort to me from the hour of his birth to this time, and that I never laid down one night in anger with! I believe it of you, Kit!

Kit's mother declares her unwavering faith in his innocence, recalling his lifelong goodness and her pride in him.

_Emphasizes familial loyalty and the emotional core of the scene._

> Drink of this cup. You'll find there's a spell in its every drop 'gainst the ills of mortality. Talk of the cordial that sparkled for Helen! Her cup was a fiction, but this is reality (Barclay and Co.'s).

Richard Swiveller's note encourages Kit to find comfort in the porter, comparing it to a mythical cordial but grounded in real refreshment.

_Shows Swiveller's characteristic wit and kindness, offering a small solace to Kit._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters