# Chapter XI explained — The Old Curiosity Shop

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

## What happens

The old man falls into a raging fever and lies near death for weeks. Quilp takes legal possession of the house and installs himself and his attorney, Sampson Brass, in the back parlor, forcing them to smoke constantly. Kit pleads with Nell to bring her grandfather to his mother's humble home, but their conversation is interrupted by Quilp and Brass. Nell, feeling more alone than ever, retrieves her few belongings from her room and declares she will never return.

## Themes in this chapter

### Innocence vs. Corruption

Nell's innocent devotion contrasts with Quilp's corrupt seizure of the home and his cruel, exploitative behavior.

### Greed and Exploitation

Quilp and Brass exploit the old man's illness for financial gain, turning the sickroom into a site of mercenary trade.

### Poverty and Suffering

Nell and her grandfather face destitution; Kit's offer of a poor but clean home highlights their impending poverty.

## Character check-ins

### Nell Trent

Devotedly nurses her grandfather; is deeply touched by Kit's offer; retrieves her belongings and vows never to return to her room.

### Christopher Nubbles

Waits to see Nell and offers his family's home as a refuge for her and her grandfather, asking only for a kind word.

### Daniel Quilp

Takes legal possession of the house, installs himself and Brass, forces them to smoke, and claims Nell's little room for himself.

### Sampson Brass

Quilp's obsequious attorney, forced to smoke constantly and endure Quilp's abuse while feigning enjoyment.

### Tom Scott

The tumbling boy, ordered to sit and smoke continuously under threat of punishment.

## Key lines

> He’ll be sure to get better now, if you don’t give way to low spirits and turn ill yourself, which would make him worse and throw him back just as he was recovering.

Kit urges Nell not to succumb to despair, warning that her own illness could set back her grandfather's recovery.

_Kit's anxious plea shows his concern for both Nell and her grandfather._

> This home is gone from you and him. Mother and I have got a poor one, but that’s better than this with all these people here, and why not come there, till he’s had time to look about and find a better!

Kit offers his family's humble home as a temporary refuge for Nell and her grandfather, emphasizing its cleanliness and peace.

_Kit's selfless proposal contrasts with the greed of Quilp and Brass._

> We must stop, I suppose, till the old gentleman upstairs is dead, returned Quilp.

Quilp coldly states that he will remain in the house until the old man dies.

_Quilp's callousness reveals his anticipation of the grandfather's death for his own gain._

## Links

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