# Grip — Barnaby Rudge character guide

> Grip in Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** dear old Grip, old Grip

**First appearance:** 0002-chapter-1

## Snapshot

Barnaby's croaking raven, a scrappy, half-comic companion whose strange utterances shadow the boy's fate.

## Who they are

Grip perches on Barnaby's shoulder through the tumult of the riots and the quieter dread of the prison yard, croaking encouragement or remonstrance as the moment demands. He is a creature of odd, almost human sympathy, and his feeble croak beside the condemned is one of the novel's most affecting small gestures. More than a pet, he is the visible thread tying Barnaby's innocence to the violence closing around him.

## Relationships

### [Barnaby Rudge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/barnaby_rudge)

_friendship_

Grip is Barnaby's pet raven and constant companion, a source of comfort and a symbol of Barnaby's unique mind.

### [Barnaby Rudge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/barnaby_rudge)

_friendship_

Grip is Barnaby's pet raven and constant companion, a source of comfort and a symbol of Barnaby's unique mind.

## In the story

### [Chapter 6](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-6)

The raven, displaying remarkable intelligence and a mischievous personality.

### [Chapter 10](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-10)

Barnaby's raven, who speaks in cryptic phrases and adds to the eccentric atmosphere.

### [Chapter 17](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-17)

Barnaby's raven, who accompanies him on his adventures and shows a keen awareness of the stranger's presence, watching him intently.

### [Chapter 25](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-25)

The raven accompanies Barnaby and his mother, showing sly attentiveness during the interview and reflective behavior in the churchyard.

### [Chapter 42](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-42)

The raven's ghostly perch on the high-backed chair is among the haunting memories in the deserted home.

### [Chapter 45](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-45)

Barnaby's constant companion on his rambles, carried in a basket.

### [Chapter 46](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-46)

Mentioned as Barnaby's companion, who loves the noise and rattle of crowds.

### [Chapter 47](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-47)

The raven, whose antics and speech both entertain and cause trouble, drawing attention and money.

### [Chapter 57](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-57)

Barnaby's raven companion, repeating 'No Popery!' and other phrases, and busily hiding things in the straw.

### [Chapter 58](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-58)

Barnaby's pet raven, mentioned as being held by the soldiers and the subject of Barnaby's plea.

### [Chapter 60](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-60)

Not mentioned in this chapter.

### [Chapter 62](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-62)

Not directly present, but the prisoner's thoughts of freedom and nature contrast with his imprisonment, and the raven's earlier presence is implied in the narrative.

### [Chapter 68](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-68)

Carried by Barnaby from the jail and left with his father.

### [Chapter 77](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-77)

Mentioned as Barnaby's parting with him shocks the minister, highlighting Barnaby's innocence.

### [Chapter the Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-the-last)

Recovers his looks and speech after a year of silence, eventually crying 'I'm a devil' again.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/grip
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters