“The Shop of Antiquities” is a novel by Charles Dickens, telling about the fate of a young girl Nell, on whose shoulders unbearable trials fell.
about the author
Charles Dickens is one of the best British writers. He was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England on February 7, 1812. His happy childhood ended when his father was exiled to a debt prison. Young Dickens had to go to work at the factory. Then he was twelve years old.
Later, he got a job as a messenger and at the same time began to work as a reporter. From the moment of the appearance of his first works, Dickens managed to arouse interest and be remembered by readers.
However, real fame and popularity came to the writer at the age of 25 after the first part of the novel “Posthumous Notes of the Pickwick Club” was published. Subsequent works of Dickens were published in series in various periodicals. They consolidated his reputation not only as a master, who knows how to colorfully characterize the characters of his works, but who comes out with harsh criticism of social evils and corrupt institutions. Among his most notable works are The Adventures of Oliver Twist, The Life of David Copperfield, Told by Himself, The Cold House, Little Dorrit, Great Expectations, Christmas Carol and The Tale of Two Cities.
Charles Dickens was interesting to his readers not only as a writer, but also as a bright personality. In 1836, he married Katherine Hogarth.
In this marriage, which lasted until 1858, the couple had nine children. The reason for the separation of Dickens and Hogarth was the novel of the writer with a young actress Ellen Ternan. Despite the scandal that was caused by changes in the personal life of the writer, he remained a public figure. Dickens continued to appear frequently in society, giving rise to conversations and presenting his new works to the court of readers. Dickens died in 1870 without completing his last novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drud.
The story of the creation of the novel
The Antiquities Bench is a novel by Charles Dickens, published between 1840 and 1841 in the weekly magazine The Clock of Humphrey's Master. This work became one of two novels (the second is Barnaby Raj), which the writer published in his weekly. The "Shop of Antiquities" was so popular that when a ship arrived at the pier with the last part of this novel, New York readers literally stormed it impatiently to find out the final. In 1841, this work of Dickens was also printed in the form of a book, and when Queen Victoria read it, she found the novel "very interesting and cleverly written."
The highlight of the novel, which caused a sensation and such a violent reaction, was the plot where the main character Nell eventually dies. This was contrary to the public taste of the time, which favored happy endings. This ending provoked public protests against the author and his decision to kill his character.
Main characters
Nell Trent (often called Nellie or "Little Nell") is a sweet, gentle, kind girl. She accompanies her grandfather during his forced wanderings in England. Nell shows incredible tolerance and love for him.
Grandfather is a character whose name is never mentioned in the novel. He is an old antiquarian and grandfather of Nell. Grandfather spends most of his money on gambling, wanting to ensure his granddaughter a comfortable life, but is not too lucky.
Christopher (Keith) Nobles is a faithful friend and servant of Nell, always ready to help.
Daniel Quilp, the novel's antagonist, is the evil and cruel humpback dwarf who led Nell and grandfather to ruin.
Frederick Trent is Nell's treacherous brother. Assuming that grandfather still managed to accumulate a fortune, he uses his friend to implement a cunning plan to seize the alleged wealth.
Richard "Dick" Swivel is a manipulated friend who is an ally of Quilp and Frederick Trent.
Mr. Sampson Brass is a vile and corrupt lawyer. He works for Mr. Quilp.
Miss Sarah (Sally) Brass is the sister and clerk of Mr. Brass, a powerful woman who is often called the "dragon."
Mrs. Jarley is the owner of a traveling wax exhibition.
The little Marquise maid is Miss Brass's maid. She does not know her real age, name and parents. The original manuscript suggests that she is the illegitimate daughter of Quilp and Miss Brass, but this link was removed in the publication.
The Lone Gentleman is a nameless character in the book who is Grandfather Nell's younger brother. In the next installment of Master Humphrey’s Watch, which followed the Antiquities Bench, Master Humphrey reveals to his friends that he is the character referred to in this story as the “lone gentleman.”
