# XLII explained — The Old Curiosity Shop

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

## What happens

Nell, wandering alone at twilight, reflects on her growing separation from her grandfather. She discovers him in a secret meeting with two men, Jowl and Isaac List, who tempt him into a plan to steal money from Mrs. Jarley's cash box to fund his gambling. Despite her horror, Nell overhears their plot and resolves to save him, fleeing back home in distress.

## Themes in this chapter

### Innocence vs. Corruption

Nell's innocence is contrasted with the corrupting influence of gambling and the manipulative schemes of Jowl and List.

### Greed and Exploitation

Jowl and List exploit the old man's gambling addiction, encouraging him to steal for their own gain.

### Poverty and Suffering

Nell's poverty and emotional suffering are highlighted as she struggles to protect her grandfather from his own vices.

## Character check-ins

### Nell Trent

Nell is the focal point of the chapter, wandering alone and discovering her grandfather's secret meeting with gamblers.

### Mr. Trent

Nell's grandfather is tempted by Jowl and List to steal money for gambling, showing his desperation and moral decline.

### Jowl

Jowl is one of the two men who tempt Nell's grandfather into a scheme to steal Mrs. Jarley's money.

### Isaac List

Isaac List is the other man who conspires with Jowl to exploit Nell's grandfather's gambling addiction.

## Key lines

> She raised her eyes to the bright stars, looking down so mildly from the wide worlds of air, and gazing on them, found new stars burst upon her view, and more beyond, and more beyond again, until the whole great expanse sparkled with shining spheres, rising higher and higher in immeasurable space, eternal in their numbers as in their changeless and incorruptible existence.

Nell looks up at the stars, feeling a sense of peace and eternity as she contemplates the vastness of the universe.

_This moment of reflection contrasts with the turmoil Nell later experiences upon discovering her grandfather's plot._

> I'll do it, said the old man, who had risen and taken two or three hurried steps away, and now returned as hurriedly. I'll have it, every penny.

Nell's grandfather agrees to steal the money, driven by his gambling obsession.

_This decision marks a critical turning point in the old man's moral decline._

> The first idea that flashed upon her mind was flight, instant flight; dragging him from that place, and rather dying of want upon the roadside, than ever exposing him again to such terrible temptations.

Nell's immediate reaction is to flee with her grandfather to protect him from further temptation.

_Nell's instinct to escape reflects her desperation and love for her grandfather._

## Links

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