The Old Curiosity Shop · Chapter
XIX explained
Nell and her grandfather continue traveling with the showmen Codlin and Short.
What happens
Nell and her grandfather continue traveling with the showmen Codlin and Short. At the Jolly Sandboys inn, they meet other performers including Vuffin and Sweet William, who discuss the economics of exhibiting giants and dwarfs. Codlin privately warns Nell to trust him over Short, while Short also seeks her confidence. The group travels toward a race town, passing through increasingly crowded and chaotic scenes. Nell grows uneasy about her companions' intentions as they draw nearer to the town.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence vs. Corruption
Nell's innocence is contrasted with the manipulative and self-serving behavior of Codlin and Short, who seek to control her and her grandfather.
Poverty and Suffering
The itinerant performers and travelers, including Nell and her grandfather, endure hardship and uncertainty as they journey toward the race town.
Greed and Exploitation
Codlin and Short's interest in Nell and her grandfather appears driven by potential gain, reflecting the exploitative nature of the showman trade.
Characters to notice
- Nell Trent
Nell is weary and uneasy, suspicious of Codlin and Short's intentions as they travel toward the race town.
- Tommy Codlin
Codlin privately warns Nell to trust him over Short, showing jealousy and a possessive interest in her and her grandfather.
- Short
Short acts cheerfully but also shows a desire to keep Nell and her grandfather in custody, increasing Nell's unease.
- Vuffin
Vuffin, a showman with a giant, discusses the trade of exhibiting giants and dwarfs, emphasizing the importance of keeping used-up giants hidden.
- Mr. Trent
Nell's grandfather is weary and retires early at the inn, later walking with the group toward the race town.
Key passages
“Codlin's the friend, not Short. Short's very well as far as he goes, but the real friend is Codlin—not Short.”
Codlin insists to Nell that he is her true friend, unlike Short, whom he dismisses as merely adequate.
Codlin's manipulative attempt to gain Nell's trust by undermining Short.
“Once get a giant shaky on his legs, and the public care no more about him than they do for a dead cabbage stalk.”
Vuffin explains that once a giant becomes weak, the public loses all interest in him.
Reflects the harsh economics of the exhibition trade, where performers are valued only for their utility.