# LXIX explained — The Old Curiosity Shop

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

## What happens

The single gentleman reveals to Mr. Garland the tragic backstory of Nell's family: her mother's suffering and death, her grandfather's descent into poverty and obsessive fear of want, and the narrator's own long search for them. Meanwhile, Kit prepares eagerly for the journey to find Nell, shares a tender moment with Barbara, and the carriage arrives for departure.

## Themes in this chapter

### Poverty and Suffering

The grandfather's 'gloomy dread of poverty and want' and the family's descent into precarious subsistence dominate the backstory.

### Sacrifice and Devotion

The single gentleman's long search, Kit's unwavering loyalty to Nell, and Barbara's emotional reconciliation all underscore selfless devotion.

### Family and Community

The intertwined fates of the Trent family, the single gentleman's brotherly love, and the supportive household preparing for the journey emphasize familial bonds.

## Character check-ins

### Christopher Nubbles

Kit rises early, eagerly prepares for the journey to find Nell, and has a heartfelt conversation with Barbara about his devotion to Nell.

### Barbara

Barbara initially seems downcast about Kit's excitement but later reconciles with him, moved by his honest affection and loyalty to Nell.

### Abel Garland

Mr. Garland listens to the single gentleman's story and reassures him; later he oversees the departure arrangements.

### Nell Trent

Nell is the object of the search and Kit's devoted memories; her mother's tragic story and her own childhood are recounted.

### Mr. Chuckster

Chuckster arrives with papers and money, makes a sarcastic comment about Snobby, and admires Barbara.

## Key lines

> Patient, and upheld by strong affection to the last, she died a widow of some three weeks' date, leaving to her father's care two orphans

She remained patient and loving until her death, which occurred about three weeks after becoming a widow, and left her father to raise her two children.

_Recounts the mother's death and the origin of Nell and her brother's orphanhood._

> it was then that there began to beset him, and to be ever in his mind, a gloomy dread of poverty and want. He had no thought for himself in this. His fear was for the child.

At that time, a persistent and dark fear of poverty began to haunt him, but he was not afraid for himself—only for the child.

_Explains the grandfather's obsessive fear driving the plot._

> I think of seeing her happy, and with friends about her, and brought up as she deserves, and as she ought to be. When I think of myself, it's as her old servant; and one that loved her dearly, as his kind, good, gentle mistress

I imagine her happy and well cared for, and I see myself as her faithful former servant who loved her deeply.

_Kit expresses his selfless love and hope for Nell's future._

## Links

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