The Old Curiosity Shop · Chapter
XXXI explained
Nell, having discovered her grandfather's secret gambling and theft from her room, is consumed by horror and sorrow.
What happens
Nell, having discovered her grandfather's secret gambling and theft from her room, is consumed by horror and sorrow. She watches him sleep, recognizing the gentle figure she loves, and resolves to protect him from being discovered and separated from her. The next morning, she finds her money gone and confronts him, but he deflects with a promise to regain it, while she pleads for them to abandon their pursuit of fortune.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence vs. Corruption
Nell's innocence is contrasted with her grandfather's secret gambling and theft, corrupting their bond.
Poverty and Suffering
Nell's loss of money and her grandfather's obsession with gain highlight the suffering caused by poverty and the desperate measures it inspires.
Greed and Exploitation
The grandfather's greed drives him to steal from Nell, exploiting her trust for his gambling addiction.
Characters to notice
- Nell Trent
Nell is the central figure, experiencing terror at her grandfather's secret gambling and theft, then sorrow as she resolves to protect him.
- Mr. Trent
Nell's grandfather is revealed as the secret gambler who stole her money; he shows both cunning and genuine affection for Nell.
- Miss Monflathers
Miss Monflathers appears in a flashback or parallel scene, scolding Nell for being a waxwork child and emphasizing work for the poor.
- Miss Edwards
Miss Edwards shows kindness to Nell by returning her handkerchief, but is reprimanded by Miss Monflathers for her sympathy toward the lower classes.
Key passages
“The grey-headed old man gliding like a ghost into her room and acting the thief while he supposed her fast asleep, then bearing off his prize and hanging over it with the ghastly exultation she had witnessed, was worse—immeasurably worse, and far more dreadful, for the moment, to reflect upon—than anything her wildest fancy could have suggested.”
Nell finds the image of her grandfather sneaking into her room to steal her money while she slept far more terrifying than any imagined robber or murderer.
This passage captures Nell's horror at discovering her grandfather's secret gambling and theft.
“‘In work, work, work. In work alway Let my first years be past, That I may give for ev’ry day Some good account at last.’”
Miss Monflathers improvises a poem insisting that poor children should spend their early years constantly working to justify their existence.
This reflects the harsh Victorian attitudes toward child labor and class distinctions.