# LXIII explained — The Old Curiosity Shop

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

## What happens

Kit Nubbles is tried for stealing a bank note from Sampson Brass. Despite his protestations of innocence, the jury finds him guilty. After the trial, his mother collapses in grief, and Richard Swiveller escorts her home. Swiveller confronts Brass for money to pay the coach, and Brass dismisses him from his employ. Swiveller, overwhelmed by recent events, falls gravely ill with a fever.

## Themes in this chapter

### Innocence vs. Corruption

Kit's steadfast innocence contrasts with Brass's corrupt testimony and the flawed justice system.

### Poverty and Suffering

Kit's mother's collapse and the family's despair highlight the suffering of the poor under injustice.

### Sacrifice and Devotion

Richard Swiveller's selfless act of taking Kit's mother home and his subsequent illness show devotion.

## Character check-ins

### Christopher Nubbles

Tried and found guilty of stealing a bank note; maintains his innocence.

### Sampson Brass

Prosecutes Kit; testifies against him; later dismisses Richard Swiveller from his service.

### Richard Swiveller

Helps Kit's mother after the trial; confronts Brass for coach fare; is dismissed and later falls ill with a fever.

### Mrs. Nubbles

Kit's mother; collapses in grief after the verdict; is taken home by Richard Swiveller.

### Barbara

Barbara's mother is present at the prison, crying and holding the baby.

### Abel Garland

Present at the trial with anxious face; has employed counsel for Kit.

## Key lines

> In eight days’ time, the sessions commenced. In one day afterwards, the Grand Jury found a True Bill against Christopher Nubbles for felony; and in two days from that finding, the aforesaid Christopher Nubbles was called upon to plead Guilty or Not Guilty...

The trial moved quickly: the sessions started in eight days, the Grand Jury indicted Kit the next day, and two days later he was asked to enter a plea.

_Describes the rapid legal process leading to Kit's trial._

> The Jury think so too, and find Kit guilty. He is taken off, humbly protesting his innocence.

The jury agrees with the prosecution and convicts Kit, who continues to declare he is innocent as he is led away.

_Kit's conviction despite his protests._

> Richard Swiveller comes hastily up, elbows the bystanders out of the way, takes her (after some trouble) in one arm after the manner of theatrical ravishers, and nodding to Kit, and commanding Barbara's mother to follow, for he has a coach waiting, bears her swiftly off.

Richard Swiveller rushes in, pushes through the crowd, lifts Kit's mother in his arm like a stage actor, and carries her to a waiting coach.

_Swiveller's dramatic rescue of Kit's mother._

## Links

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