V explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Greed and Exploitation

  Quilp's tyrannical treatment of his wife and the boy, and his ruthless demeanor at the wharf, exemplify exploitation for personal gratification.

• Innocence vs. Corruption

  Nell's innocent visit contrasts sharply with Quilp's grotesque and corrupt behavior, highlighting the clash between purity and moral decay.

Characters to notice

• Daniel Quilp

  Stays awake all night smoking and drinking, torments his wife, then goes to the wharf where he abuses the boy and falls asleep on the desk.

• Mrs. Quilp

  Forced to sit up all night by Quilp, she is exhausted and unpardoned until morning.

• Mrs. Jiniwin

  Arrives in the morning to confront Quilp about his treatment of her daughter, but is outmaneuvered and forced to help with breakfast.

• Tom Scott

  Quilp's boy at the wharf, who stands on his head and is physically abused by Quilp, yet shares a strange mutual liking with him.

• Nell Trent

  Arrives at the wharf with a letter for Quilp, hesitating to enter due to his fearsome appearance.

Key passages

• “Whether Mr. Quilp took any sleep by snatches of a few winks at a time, or whether he sat with his eyes wide open all night long, certain it is that he kept his cigar alight, and kindled every fresh one from the ashes of that which was nearly consumed, without requiring the assistance of a candle.”

  Quilp stayed awake all night, continuously smoking cigars by lighting new ones from the old stubs, needing no candle.

  Establishes Quilp's unnatural energy and malevolent vigilance.

• “Now Mrs. Jiniwin bounced into the room with great impetuosity, for supposing her son-in-law to be still abed, she had come to relieve her feelings by pronouncing a strong opinion upon his general conduct and character.”

  Mrs. Jiniwin burst in expecting Quilp to be asleep, ready to criticize him, but was caught off guard.

  Shows the family tension and Quilp's manipulative advantage.

• “Daniel Quilp pulled his hat over his brows, climbed on to the desk (which had a flat top), and stretching his short length upon it went to sleep with the ease of an old practitioner; intending, no doubt, to compensate himself for the deprivation of last night's rest, by a long and sound nap.”

  Quilp climbed onto the flat desk and fell asleep easily, planning to make up for the lost sleep.

  Highlights Quilp's adaptability and his disregard for normal sleeping arrangements.

• “What, Nelly! cried Quilp. Yes,—said the child, hesitating whether to enter or retreat, for the dwarf just roused, with his dishevelled hair hanging all about him and a yellow handkerchief over his head, was something fearful to behold; it's only me sir.”

  Quilp called out to Nell, who was afraid to enter because of his frightening appearance with messy hair and a yellow scarf.

  Introduces Nell's visit and her fear of Quilp.