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Barnaby Rudge: Week 9: Chapters 65-72
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Dennis is showing his true colours to his fellow rioters, but we already knew what type of villain he was-the lowest of the low!It's to see John Grueby helping the "good guys". He was probably disgusted by the way Gashford was influencing Gordon.
Barnaby shows his loyalty to Hugh by rescuing him. I wonder if Hugh appreciates that Barnaby has risked his freedom, and most likely life, by helping him.
The description of the burning prison was harrowing.
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It's to see John Grueby helping the "good guys". He was probably dis..."
I truly admire the character of John Grueby. He is as steadfast as Gabriel Varden in his principles. I'm glad he decided to stand up with the good ones.
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I'm sure it did, Renee! It wasn't an easy segment to read.
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Piyangie wrote: "Anyone figured what the peraonal grudge Hugh has against Mr. Haredale? Or isn't there one, and it's his vile nature and a general hatred?"Is it maybe because he is ‘working for’ Sir John Chester in secret and Gashford too, and both men are Haredale’s sworn enemy? So both of them have encouraged Hugh’s natural dislike of Haredale and turned it to violence, making him swear to destroy Haredale and everything he has. He’s being used by them I think, but is happy to have a target for his viciousness.
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Is it maybe because he is ‘working for’ ..."
It is what I thought, too, Pamela. But I remember Hugh saying something to the effect (I thought I highlighted that part but now can't find it!) that he'll be glad to do injury to Heardale implying he already had a grudge before he was influenced by Chester and Gashford. Maybe I misinterpreted it.
I started this section falling further and further into a pit of despair, wondering if the pit was bottomless, but ended it with a lump in my throat.The worst parts for me were the descriptions of the dead and dying people lying in the pools of the Vintner’s despoiled barrels of alcohol. It was just sickening. That last night of the Riots was the bloodiest, with Hugh and Tappertit finally having to endure injuries they more than deserved for all the mayhem they had orchestrated.
The excitement of Joe’s and Edward’s daring rescue of Haredale helped me out of the pit even though the violence was continuing. They provided that glimmer of hope, especially when they mentioned that they had ideas about the location of Dolly and Emma.
How disgusting it was to see Dennis and Stagg still plotting and plundering amidst so much death and destruction. Gashford’s arrival to tempt the bewildered and unsuspecting Emma after his supposed battle with her captors put the crown of evil on his head. It was so great to see him felled by Edward in the nick of time.
Joe’s greater maturity together with his mutilating battle injury finally loosened his tongue when he spoke with Dolly. He was both humble and heroic regarding the loss of his arm, but it was the way he explained why he couldn’t ask her to be his wife that brought that lump into my throat.
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It was one of the most emotional parts in the book. I was very much moved as well.
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A violent, dark section! The description of the burning of the prison and of the agony of the prisoners was impressive. The events in the vintner's cellars as well. What a horrible scene!I know that the Victorians liked coincidences, but I would have preferred if both good and bad deeds had been distributed more realistically. As it is, Hugh seems to be a bullet-proof, omnipresent uber-villain, while Edward and Joe are there to the rescue of every man and maiden in distress.
I had hoped for a more heartwarming reunion between Joe and his father, which did not seem to have happened. Well, at least, there is Dolly...
As for Hugh's grudge against Haredale, there is still only the encounter in chapter 34 when Haredale expresses his distrust of Hugh and accuses him of having "the evil eye". Hugh then mutters something inaudibly and the story moves on. If there is more to that accusation or interaction, I guess we'll learn that in the final section.
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As for Hugh's grudge against Haredale, there is still only the encounter in chapter 34 when Haredale expresses his distrust of Hugh and accuses him of having "the evil eye". Hugh then mutters something inaudibly and the story moves on. If there is more to that accusation or interaction, I guess we'll learn that in the final section..."
I think John Willet is too stunned by the Maypole incident. He was both a victim and witness of the full extent of violence done to it. Perhpas that may be the reason of his poor reaction to his son's return.
As to Hugh, the only description of any direct encounter between Hugh and Haredale is the one you've described. It seems like Dickens has kept somethings to himself without disclosure and let only the character’s sentiment felt.
Hummm…starting to get the idea that everyone is done with this book but me. I come on Tuesday and I’m like the last one. 😂Well we are almost done anyway. I’ll stop holding myself back.
Don’t really have much to add past what others have said. Although I seem to be enjoying the darker tone more than others. Not because I love violent books, but because I was pretty much expecting this. I figured that if these riots were bad enough for Dickens to incorporate into a book, they must be pretty violent. So I was pretty much expecting scenes like the sacking of Newgate, including burning it to the ground.
The events of this section did finally settle for me my least favorite character tho. And the winner is Dennis. For a long time I thought it would be Hugh, but I was pleased that at least Hugh had enough decency not to abandon his friends. Hugh never forgot Barnaby, even tho he could have very easily.
But Dennis….Dennis is a turncoat who changes sides and turns on his friends in hopes of saving himself. The lowest of the low, IMO. A truly wicked and wholly selfish person with no loyalty.
For those who find this book violent but who have read A Tale of Two Cities: doesn’t that book have scenes similar to this? I mean, the French Revolution was pretty violent too, after all.
Piyangie wrote: "I think John Willet is too stunned by the Maypole incident. He was both a victim and witness of the full extent of violence done to it. Perhpas that may be the reason of his poor reaction to his son's return.As to Hugh, ..."
True, John Willet seemed even more slow than usual. Poor guy.
It was never clear to me, why Hugh would take such a grudge against Haredale during that single encounter when Willet had insulted him much stronger and repeatedly and in front of people. Weird, but sometimes these things are inexplicable.
Beda wrote: "Hummm…starting to get the idea that everyone is done with this book but me. I come on Tuesday and I’m like the last one. 😂Well we are almost done anyway. I’ll stop holding myself back.
Don’t re..."
I had the same feeling! 😂 I am not done either, but have continued into the next section and expect to be finished before the weekend.
I have read A Tale of Two Cities, which had one mob scene that was comparable to the ones in Barnaby Rudge. I think that it is the "victim's" perspective that makes it so difficult to read. The prisoners that feel the heat of the fire coming closer with no way of escape. The drunken rioters drowning in wine. Somehow that's different than being struck done by a sword or a bullet. I find that Dickens was a master at enabling the reader to imagine the chaos, the horrible sight and the wild masses of these mobs. The final chapters of AToTC were incredibly gripping! And, yes, violent.
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Well we are almost done anyway. I’ll stop holding myself back.
Don’t re..."
Beda, A Tale Of Two Cities is also dark and has violent scenes, but somehow they were easier to read than the violent scenes here. As Lindenblatt said, it could be because violent events in Barnaby Rudge are portrayed through victim perspective.
I've read A Tale of Two Cities only once. The final chapters were so
heartbreaking. I don't think that I can read it again. And it's not the violence that keeps me away but the weight of emotions it arouses in me.
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Beda-I agree with you. Dennis is the lowest of the low!
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I second. Dennis takes the crown for villainy from Hugh and Gashford.
Piyangie wrote: "Rosemarie wrote: "Beda-I agree with you. Dennis is the lowest of the low!"I second. Dennis takes the crown for villainy from Hugh and Gashford."
Both Dennis and Stagg were slimy, selfish opportunists, making money and gaining favour on the backs of other people’s misery.
Although I agree that Dennis was a despicable villain, I still put the evil crown on Gashford’s head. Not only was he deceitful to Lord George, he directed the treacherous Dennis, Hugh and Tappertit like a puppet master, making sure that they fired up the rioters, burnt down Haredale’s house and abducted his daughter.
Had he not been stopped he would have enslaved Emma as his wife or mistress and probably tried to concoct another vicious conspiracy elsewhere whilst lurking in the background.
(Harry Furniss. 1910)
Emma and Dolly rescued
‘In an instant Gashford was felled like an ox in the butcher’s shambles — struck down as though a block of marble had fallen from the roof and crushed him — and cheerful light, and beaming faces came pouring in — and Emma clasped in her uncle’s embrace; and Dolly, with a shriek that pierced the air, fell into the arms of her father and mother.’
Hooray!
By the way, what has happened to that other villain, Chester?
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I second. Dennis takes the crown for villainy from Hugh and Gashford."
Both Dennis and Stagg were slimy..."
Love the illustration of Gashford being knocked down. I was so pleased. He should have been knocked dead for all I care (even though that sounds mean). The idea that the villain had thought to make Emma his wife or mistress nauseated me. So glad she and Dolly were rescued in time.
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Interestingly, Sir John Chester wasn't playing a part in this segment. We'll surely learn what happened to him in the final one.
Finally finished this week’s reading, bit behind from you guys haha! I’ve mentioned how reading the violence from the riots had exhausted me so it slowed me down but it has finally ended and I can feel my energy coming back 😆.Highlights for me was Mr Dennis’ betrayal, it was unexpected and made it even more exciting for me. And the reunion for the girls came at the right time, so thankful for that!!
The quote regarding Simon Tappertit “his legs - his perfect legs, the pride and glory of his life, the comfort of his whole existence - crushed into shapeless ugliness” made me chuckled.
Lastly, can someone help me. I don’t know if im interpreting this wrongly but in chapter 69, at the beginning with the conversation between Barnaby and his father, he says he hasn’t seen his mother “not for a long time..a whole year, I think” ?? Has it really been that long since they separated during the riots, I thought the riots went on for like a week?
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I may be wrong but I feel that the expression meant what Barnaby feels and not literally a year, Daryl. Barnaby was always with his mother and the separation must have felt too keenly for him.
Piyangie wrote: "Daryl wrote: "Lastly, can someone help me. I don’t know if im interpreting this wrongly but in chapter 69, at the beginning with the conversation between Barnaby and his father, he says he hasn’t s..."Ah, yes I can see it that way! Thank you.
We see the darker side of Dennis as he locks up the condemned prisoners from escaping the burning prison. If not for Hugh and others they would have perished.
Mr. Haredale searches for his niece in vain. Having heard of the burning of the Newgate, he goes to the prison alarmed at the prospect that the prisoner he handed over would escape again. By the time he reached the prison, it was on fire. And he was exhausted with poor rest. He meets one Mr. Vintner, a Catholic merchant (whom Haredale previously met at the Lord Mayor's) and John Grueby (the former servant of Lord Gordon). They bring Haredale to Vintner's house to rest.
Meanwhile the rioters keep up their rampage burning many Catholic homes. Finally, the government takes active action against the rioters by giving them authority to quench the riots with the use of force. But not withstanding this, the rioters keep on their rampage.
Hugh leads the mob towards Mr. Vintner's house to burn it down. There he spots Mr. Haredale and vows to end his life. (I'm puzzled as to what personal grudge Hugh has with Haredale). Mr. Haredale and Vintner seek to escape and is met by two strangers in rioters' clothes. To their utmost suprise, the two strange men are Joe and Edward. Joe has now lost an arm (So,he us who we thought he is). It was revealed that the two has mingled with the crowd to save them and that Hugh has been knocked out by Edward. (Now we are certain that the two strangers who saved Varden are these two).
Meanwhile Barnaby and Rudge find a relatively safe place to hide. Rudge instructs Barnaby to go and find the blind man, Stagg. Barnaby, going in search of Stagg, sees the atrocious conduct of the riots and is appalled. Failing to find Stagg, he returns through the way of Vintner's house and there encounters the mob led by Hugh. Before he reaches Hugh, Hugh was knocked down from his horse (we now know it was Edward who knocked Hugh down). And Barnaby takes the now injured Hugh away with him.
Dennis finds Hugh, Barnaby, Rudge and Stagg. Few minutes later, the soldiers surround their safety place. Dennis had betrayed them. Now that he has changed sides, Dennis contemplates about the chances of his getting pardoned for his late activities. His worry is the detention of Emma and Dolly in a house nearby to his. He also fears that Emma and Dolly may betray him. So he schemes with the help of Miggs to remove the ladies. Dennis learns from Miggs that Emma will be taken away by somebody which will leave Dolly alone. And he schemes to remove Dolly.
Dennis's plan doesn't work, however, for Emma and Dolly are rescued by Mr. Haredale, Mr. Edward, Joe, and Mr. Varden but not before Gashford plays a trick on Emma with a view of abducting her.