The Old Curiosity Shop · Chapter
XXIX explained
Nell becomes the star attraction of Mrs.
What happens
Nell becomes the star attraction of Mrs. Jarley's waxwork, riding through town in a decorated cart to distribute handbills. Her beauty and gentle manner captivate the locals, especially schoolgirls. Mrs. Jarley alters wax figures to appeal to local tastes, including Miss Monflathers. Nell sleeps among the wax figures, haunted by fear of Quilp and memories of Kit. One evening, she and her grandfather are caught in a storm and take shelter in a house where two men, Isaac List and Jemmy Groves, are gambling. Her grandfather, in a sudden frenzy, demands Nell's money and joins the game, alarming Nell deeply.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence vs. Corruption
Nell's innocent beauty and gentle nature are exploited by Mrs. Jarley for commercial gain, while her grandfather's sudden turn to gambling threatens to corrupt their fragile new life.
Poverty and Suffering
Nell's constant fear of Quilp, her sleepless nights among the wax figures, and her anxiety about her grandfather's mental state highlight the ongoing suffering and precariousness of their existence.
Greed and Exploitation
Mrs. Jarley uses Nell as a promotional tool to attract visitors, and the gamblers Isaac List and Jemmy Groves represent the predatory greed that lures Nell's grandfather into risking their meager funds.
Characters to notice
- Nell Trent
Nell becomes the main attraction of Mrs. Jarley's waxwork, riding through town and distributing handbills. She sleeps among the wax figures, haunted by fear of Quilp and memories of Kit. She is deeply distressed by her grandfather's sudden gambling frenzy.
- Mrs. Jarley
Mrs. Jarley uses Nell as a promotional tool for her waxwork, altering figures to appeal to local tastes and conciliate Miss Monflathers. She is kind and considerate to Nell.
- Miss Monflathers
Miss Monflathers, head of a boarding school, takes a Private View of the waxwork and rebukes Mrs. Jarley for including a figure of Lord Byron, citing his free opinions.
- Mr. Trent
Nell's grandfather is in a listless state, but when he sees men gambling, he becomes fiercely eager, demands Nell's money, and joins the game, alarming Nell.
- Isaac List
Isaac List is one of the gamblers Nell and her grandfather encounter. He is described as stooping, high-shouldered, with an ill-favored face and a sinister squint.
- Jem Groves
Jemmy Groves is the other gambler, a burly man with large black whiskers, a coarse mouth, and a bull neck. He is more accommodating than Isaac List.
Key passages
“The beauty of the child, coupled with her gentle and timid bearing, produced quite a sensation in the little country place.”
Nell's lovely appearance and shy manner caused a stir in the small town.
Describes Nell's impact as the new attraction in Mrs. Jarley's waxwork.
“Quilp indeed was a perpetual nightmare to the child, who was constantly haunted by a vision of his ugly face and stunted figure.”
Nell was always terrified by thoughts of Quilp's ugly face and short body.
Highlights Nell's persistent fear of Quilp even in her new surroundings.
“His face was flushed and eager, his eyes were strained, his teeth set, his breath came short and thick, and the hand he laid upon her arm trembled so violently that she shook beneath its grasp.”
The old man's face turned red and excited, his eyes were intense, his teeth clenched, he breathed heavily, and his hand shook so much that Nell trembled.
Describes the grandfather's sudden transformation upon seeing the gamblers.
