Barnaby Rudge · Character

Simon Tappertit

A five-foot locksmith's apprentice with an enormous opinion of himself, who drills secret 'prentice armies and dreams of toppling the state.

major

Also known as Sim, Mr. Simon Tappertit, Mr. Tappertit, Sim Tappertit

First appearance: chapter 1

As a major figure in Barnaby Rudge, Simon Tappertit is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The apprentice, vain and ambitious, practices his 'eye' and admires his own legs, dreaming of leading the 'prentices.

In the storyChapter 4: The Locksmith's HouseholdOpen this moment free

See Simon Tappertit in Chapter 4: The Locksmith's Household Book page

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Simon Tappertit is Gabriel Varden's apprentice, a thin-faced, sharp-nosed little fellow who styles himself Mr. Tappertit out of doors and is convinced he is above the middle size. His soul, as he puts it, is forever getting into his head, and it has filled him with majestic notions about the power of his eye and the dignity of his order. He drills a band of fellow apprentices in secret, and his absurd, combustible ambition makes him one of the novel's funniest figures and one of its most dangerous, since men like him are exactly what a riot needs.

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The fuller portrait of Simon Tappertit sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Simon Tappertit in chapter 1

Character Web

21 connections

A slice of how Simon Tappertit sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Professional
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Main Riot Participants
Protagonist

+16 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak here is the collective dread and anticipation of an execution, as the city’s silence and th…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Miss Miggs
psychological · negative
Miggs is obsessively infatuated with Simon, who treats her with contempt and uses her for… How this plays out →
Sir John Chester
professional · negative
Hugh
friendship · negative
Sir John Chester
professional · negative
Miss Miggs
psychological · negative
Miggs is obsessively infatuated with Simon, who treats her with contempt and uses her for… How this plays out →
Hugh
friendship · negative
Miss Miggs
psychological · negative
Miggs is obsessively infatuated with Simon, who treats her with contempt and uses her for… How this plays out →
Sir John Chester
professional · negative
Hugh
friendship · negative

Miss Miggs
Miggs is obsessively infatuated with Simon, who treats her with contempt and uses her for his own schemes.
Sir John Chester
Simon is a servant of Chester's household, but he is also a rebellious apprentice who secretly plots against him.
Hugh
Hugh and Simon are fellow conspirators in the riot, sharing a rough camaraderie and mutual disdain for authority.
Sir John Chester
Simon is a servant of Chester's household, but he is also a rebellious apprentice who secretly plots against him.
Miss Miggs
Miggs is obsessively infatuated with Simon, who treats her with contempt and uses her for his own schemes.
Hugh
Hugh and Simon are fellow conspirators in the riot, sharing a rough camaraderie and mutual disdain for authority.
Miss Miggs
Miggs is obsessively infatuated with Simon, who treats her with contempt and uses her for his own schemes.
Sir John Chester
Simon is a servant of Chester's household, but he is also a rebellious apprentice who secretly plots against him.
Hugh
Hugh and Simon are fellow conspirators in the riot, sharing a rough camaraderie and mutual disdain for authority.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Simon Tappertit in chapter 1

In the story

Simon Tappertit appears across 21 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter 4: The Locksmith's Household
The apprentice, vain and ambitious, practices his 'eye' and admires his own legs, dreaming of leading the 'prentices.
Chapter 7
Secretly uses a forged key to leave the house at night, revealing his rebellious intentions.
Chapter 8
Assumes a swaggering, authoritative demeanor as the 'captain' of the secret society, leading the meeting with theatrical gravity.
Chapter 9
Sneaks out at night, returns to find the lock jammed, and pleads with Miggs for entry.
Chapter 18
Simon Tappertit is seen leaving the blind man's cellar, addressed as 'noble captain' by Stagg, and displays his usual self-importance.
Chapter 19
Reluctantly opens the door for Edward and later considers poisoning his master.
Chapter 22
Hears of Joe's heroics and vows that Joe's days are numbered.
Chapter 24
Visits Mr. Chester in disguise, revealing his grievances and plotting against Joe Willet.
Chapter 27
Working in the workshop when Mr. Chester arrives; he expresses his scorn for the Lord Mayor and his desire for vengeance.
Chapter 31
Secretly watches Joe and Dolly's parting, rejoicing that Dolly might now be his.
Chapter 36
Mentioned as president of the United Bulldogs, noted for his earnestness and oratory.
Chapter 39
Now a captain of the United Bulldogs, swelled with self-importance; attempts to recognize Hugh.
Chapter 50
Present at the tavern; leaves in a lofty manner after Dennis's complaints.
Chapter 51
Returns home in a battered state, defiant and drunk, having been involved in the riots, and later flees from Varden.
Chapter 52
Lies coiled upon a truss of hay, snoring profoundly, having been drunk the previous night.
Chapter 53
Mentioned as being in the front of the fourth party of rioters.
Chapter 54
Present among the rioters, kicks John Willet in a drunken assertion of authority.
Chapter 59
Commands the group guarding the carriage, challenges Hugh.
Chapter 60
Accompanies Hugh and Dennis, enduring Hugh's mocking laughter as they make their way to Fleet Market.
Chapter 63
Leads the mob with Hugh and Dennis, and is accosted by Miss Miggs.
Chapter 71
Found lying in hiding, burnt, bruised, and with a gunshot wound, his legs crushed into shapeless ugliness. He feels a keen pang as Dolly passes out with Joe as her preserver.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Simon Tappertit unlock in the free preview.

See Simon Tappertit in chapter 1

See Simon Tappertit in Chapter 4: The Locksmith's Household