Victorians! discussion
Archived Group Reads 2024
>
Barnaby Rudge: Week 7: Chapters 49-56
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
This segment leaves another mystery as to what happened to Emma and Dolly. A witness account states of seeing women being carried off. Could they have been made captives?
Exciting, frightening, shocking and sad! The last four chapters in particular were unputdownable!I am so worried for Barnaby. Could Dickens have intended him to be a symbol for all those rioters that followed the leaders and didn't really know what they were getting into? Maybe that's why he is the title character and not Gabriel Varden. Anyway, he'll have to suffer the consequences while slime like Chester and Gordon will get away and brutes like Hugh and Dennis won't mind death. Not sure about the latter and Gashford, though. It will be interesting to see who will have to pay and who will get away and how.
For the attack on the Maypole and the Warren, you just have to recall some pictures from the news and movies to understand the horror. I can understand Mr Willet's stunned reaction! And I keep my fingers crossed for Emma and Dolly. This is Dickens after all! 🫣 Strangely enough, I found these riots less disgusting than Mr Chester's and Gashford's actions in the past chapters. Maybe it is because they feel "honest"? Honest anger, honest frustration, ignorance and stupidity and even an honest lust for violence in the rioters. I don't know what is (and I may not be describing this well), but I was more invested in these chapters than in those describing the cunning and secretive scheming of Sir John and the secretary.
As for Mr Rudge: quite a turn of events. Now we need to know why he came back now (or rather 5 years ago) and if he has something to do with the current events. Currently it seems a separate story, which is weird.
Mod
A fitting description of this section!
Lindenblatt, I felt exactly the same when reading these chapters.So much is happening that is bad, but as you stated, these chapters are somehow easier to read than those with the slimy villains like Chester and Gashford.
I don't feel all that sorry for Willet after the way he treated his son, but Poor Barnaby! He has no idea that he's involved with hooligans.
I also hope that the two young women are safe after the fire.
I had a feeling that the mysterious stranger might be Rudge. Did Barnaby witness the murder as a child and had a shock which affected his mind?
Mod
This is indeed food for thought, Lindenblatt. I was so puzzled as to why titular character had to be Barnaby instead of Varden.
Mod
I also had the same feeling from the reaction of Mrs. Rudge to the mysterious stranger, Rosemarie. Dickens does describe about Barnaby's dark dreams which may have worked to affect his mind. But I'm puzzled whether they are connected with the murder. My impression was that Barnaby was not born when the murder was committed.
Another savage section, showing up the worst traits of human nature when whipped up into a mindless frenzy.Clueless Gordon going round praising his follower thugs whilst the butcher Gashford cleverly directs the worst of men to destroy, damage and defile anything remotely connected to the Catholics.
It surprised me that the army have done so little to quell the violence. They always seemed to be either late to the party, or too reticent to attack the rioters. This seems in stark contrast to the hussars at the Peterloo massacre (in 1819) when they charged at the peaceful crowd and cut down men women and children indiscriminately.
I was also surprised that we seemed to find out that Haredale had known who the murderer was all along, and must have had some sort of secret pact with Mrs. Rudge to keep it quiet. My question is…..Why?
When the Warren was burned to the ground we heard about shrieks of women and shredded women's clothes. But were the women in the shredded clothes? If so Dolly and Emma might already be past saving. I hope not, and I don’t think Dickens would do that to the reader. But with Hugh and Tappertit so hungry to get at those two, my stomach turned after reading those sentences.
Mrs. Varden has been stunned into silence by Tappertit's behaviour, even if he did give them a scruffy ‘thug’s pardon.’ The ceremonial squashing of the ‘collection house’ and tearing up of the pardon seems to have created a different atmosphere in the Varden household. Will it last? Well, I think it might, especially if Dolly really is in such dire straits as we think she is.
Mod
Mod
I was amused reading this section. I get a feeling it will be a changed Varden household hereafter. I'm curious to know what would happen to Miggs in the changed circumstances.
I have to confess that while I did think that the stranger might be Barnaby's father (due to his interest in him in ch. 17), I was still convinced it was the gardener and not Mr Rudge and that there was some sort of love triangle between the gardener, the steward and the latter's wife. Oh well, guess not 😂Skimming again through ch. 17, it seems correct that Barnaby was born after the murder and is not a witness. The stranger/Mr Rudge obviously didn't know about Barnaby's existence.
I also read again about the murder of Reuben Haredale in ch. 1 and indeed "...for poor Mr Rudge the steward, whose body—scarcely to be recognised by his clothes and the watch and ring he wore—was found, months afterwards, at the bottom of a piece of water in the grounds, with a deep gash in the breast where he had been stabbed with a knife. He was only partly dressed..." Sly Dickens, every word counts.
I can see why Mr Geoffrey Haredale might have been suspicious about Mr Rudge being dead, but it seems that he actually knew for certain that he was the murderer. This is still very puzzling.
“It was probably this circumstance which gave him an interest beyond any that his companion could boast of, and attracted Barnaby’s attention. There was something soldierly in his bearing, and he wore a jaunty cap and jacket. Perhaps he had been in the service at one time or other. If he had, it could not have been very long ago, for he was but a young fellow now.”— Ch. LVIII, p. 445, (The Oxford Illustrated Dickens)
I just read this passage. Could it be…has Joe re-entered the storyline, right in the nick of time?
We shall see … we shall see 🤨
Wait…what?!? The mysterious young man is missing his left arm!?!
Do-oh! I just realized I’ve read ahead of the group! Yikes! Sorry for the possible spoiler. Mea culpa! 🫣🫥
But maybe I'm wrong...right?!?
James wrote: "“It was probably this circumstance which gave him an interest beyond any that his companion could boast of, and attracted Barnaby’s attention. There was something soldierly in his bearing, and he w..."If I read this correctly as ch. 58 (LVIII), then you are sharing this a week early 😉
Mod
Barnaby Rudge as the title makes more sense, now that we know there are two of them and there has been a Barnaby around for more scenes than we suspected.
Renee wrote: "Oh my! What a cliffhanger! (Actually several) Barnaby Rudge as the title makes more sense, now that we know there are two of them and there has been a Barnaby around for more scenes than we suspe..."
I am lost, Renee...are you sure that this refers to this week's segment? I don't remember this at all. Did I miss something?
Mod
Barnaby Rudge as the title makes more sense, now that we know there are two of them and there has been a Barnaby around for more scenes..."
It’s right at the very end of this week’s section. From the end of Chapter 56:
“… 'The ghost! The ghost!'
Long before the echo of his cry had died away, another form rushed out into the light, flung itself upon the foremost one, knelt down upon its breast, and clutched its throat with both hands.
'Villain!' cried Mr Haredale, in a terrible voice--for it was he. 'Dead and buried, as all men supposed through your infernal arts, but reserved by Heaven for this--at last--at last I have you. You, whose hands are red with my brother's blood, and that of his faithful servant, shed to conceal your own atrocious guilt--You, Rudge, double murderer and monster, I arrest you in the name of God, who has delivered you into my hands. No. Though you had the strength of twenty men,' he added, as the murderer writhed and struggled, you could not escape me or loosen my grasp to-night!'”
If the “ghost” is Rudge, then he’s been haunting the area since the beginning. So tricky!
Renee wrote: "Lindenblatt wrote: "Renee wrote: "Oh my! What a cliffhanger! (Actually several) Barnaby Rudge as the title makes more sense, now that we know there are two of them and there has been a Barnaby ar..."
Ah, that is assuming that Mr Rudge's first name is also Barnaby and that the book is titled for the father rather than the son? In view of past naming conventions, this is not unlikely, but has it been confirmed?
I am very surprised that Mrs. Rudge would shield her husband from arrest after he had murdered two people. Instead she has just tried to keep away from him and stay silent. That is taking ‘loyalty’ too far or is it the sacred vows she spoke in church that had prevented her? It was obvious she no longer had any feelings for him, except those of revulsion.As for Haredale, he has such a lot on his plate. He may have caught a murderer, but still out there is/arethe possible abductor(s) of his niece, not to mention Gashford and Chester who would both like to see him dead.
Wow! Well this was a very lively section! Rioting in full swing, and Hugh and Dennis at the fore. Also, Emma is missing, and Hugh is probably behind that too. What a horrible person he is! I hope Dolly is at the Varden house, but who knows?
I still feel sorry for Barnaby that he has been hoodwinked into participating. He has no idea what he’s doing. It does surprise me that he doesn’t even know right from wrong enough to know that ransacking homes and setting them ablaze is wrong tho.
Nasty people. Such horrible things being done in the name of religion here. If Haredale had been home, they’d have killed him.
And lastly, we have it confirmed that the stranger has been Mr Rudge all along. I wasn’t surprised tho. It’s the only explanation for his harassment of Mrs Rudge.
Mod
You are referring to Ch. 58, James, which is two chapters ahead of this section 😀. But you are pardoned. I'm sure many of our readers have now reached there. 😉
Mod
Barnaby Rudge as the title makes more sense, now that we know there are two of them and there has been a Barnaby ar..."
Now this is interesting. If the mysterious stranger is Barnaby Rudge Sr., the title makes sense. But would Mrs. Rudge have used a murderer's name for her son, even if the man was her husband?
Mod
Could it be for the fear he'd harm her and her child? For a man who had committed a double murder, commiting another to safeguard him wouldn't be an issue.
Mod
Also, Emma is missing, and Hugh is probably behind that too. What a horrible person he is! I hope..."
Hugh doesn't take Barnaby for the attacks on Maypole and the Warren because he know Barnaby would have stood against him if he knew his friends will be hurt. Hugh is such a nasty and cunning fellow.
I'm worried about Emma and Dolly. Tappertit and Hugh are both interested in Dolly. And Emma is Catholic. I don't trust Gashford. He
is the man behind it all. Lord Gordon is just a puppet. Gashford despises Haredale and I hope he won't direct that hatred towards Emma.
I agree that Barnaby was born after the murders took place. My impression has always been that the bloodlike scar he bears around his wrist is supposed to be a mark that was conferred upon him in the womb, as people used to believe. As for Mrs. Rudge, I believe she is afraid of her husband and what he might do to Barnaby. Also, she might have had a sense of guilt if she knew or suspected that he was the real murderer instead of a victim and did not mention that for all those years.This section is wild, with the violence of the crowds, Mr. Gashford's conniving, the ransacking of the Maypole, and the burning of the Warren. I was impressed by Gabriel Varden's standing up to the drunk Simon and his refusal to take the piece of paper that would safeguard his family because it bore Lord George Gordon's signature.
Barnby and Hugh escape capture and return to their meeting point at Boots. Dennis, Barnaby and Hugh are the only people when Gashford visits the place. He incites them, and after having a drink go to join and rally the scattered mob. Gashford trick succeeds and riots begin with burning of Catholic worship places.
Simon Tappertit visits Varden household drunk and informs them of upcoming riots. He gives them piece of paper signed by Lord Gordon to protect them in case they are mistaken for Catholics.
The riots continue. Maypole Inn feels the damage as well. This I felt was Hugh's doing more than of anyone else's. The property is damaged and the bar is vandalised. John Willet is too shocked at the atrocity that he is momentarily rendered senseless. Following this, the rioters proceeds to the Warren to torch it down. The attack on the Warren is subtly instigated by Gashford by informing Hugh and the gang that Mr. Haredale has turned a witness against them. Thus Gashford settles the score with Mr. Haredale.
When the rioters leave, a man enters the Maypole while John is bound to his chair. This is no other than the mysterious stranger. After appeasing his hunger and thirst as best he could from what remains, he is about to leave when the ringing of a bell affect him strangely.
Mr. Haredale returns in haste and meets the three Maypole cronies on his way. A sudden glow in the horizon confirms to Mr. Haredale what he fears. He takes Solomon Daisy with him and gallops to Maypole Inn. The destruction at Maypole momentarily staggers Mr. Haredale but he recovers. He frees John Willet from his bonds but Mr. Willet continues in his bewildered semiconscious state. Mr. Haredale inquires anxiously about any news on Emma and his servants, but John was unable to answer him. However, in his confused state, Willet manages to impart the news of the visit of the strange man. The news rouses Mr. Haredale to action and he gallops again with Solomon Daisy to the Warren. He finds his former stately home reduced to ashes and no sign of Emma and his servants. A sudden sound was heard and Haredale secrerly follows the sound. A man appears and Solomon Daisy recognises him as the "ghost" he'd seen. At the same moment, Mr. Haredale catches the man. It appears to be our mysterious stranger and he is none other than Mr. Rudge!