The Old Curiosity Shop · Chapter
XXVIII explained
Nell awakens late and helps Mrs.
What happens
Nell awakens late and helps Mrs. Jarley with breakfast and household chores. Mrs. Jarley then goes out to promote her waxwork exhibition, while Nell and her grandfather travel in the caravan to the exhibition hall. They set up the waxwork displays, and Mr. Slum, a poet, arrives to sell Mrs. Jarley an acrostic for advertising. The chapter ends with the preparations complete and Mrs. Jarley planning her promotional campaign.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it captures the emotional and psychological peak of Kit’s despe…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- The Urban vs. Rural World
The chapter contrasts the dull, sleepy town with the bustling activity of setting up the waxwork exhibition, highlighting the different rhythms of life.
- Class and Social Hierarchy
Mrs. Jarley's interactions with Mr. Slum and her workers reflect the social dynamics of commerce and entertainment in a small town.
Characters to notice
- Nell Trent
Awakens late, helps with breakfast and household chores, travels in the caravan, and assists in setting up the waxwork exhibition.
- Mrs. Jarley
Prepares breakfast, goes out to promote the waxwork, oversees the setup, and negotiates with Mr. Slum for an acrostic.
- Mr. Trent
Nell's grandfather, who assists in setting up the waxwork exhibition.
- Mr. Slum
A poet who visits Mrs. Jarley to sell an acrostic for advertising the waxwork.
- George
A worker who helps set up the waxwork exhibition and is surly toward Mr. Slum.
Key passages
“Sleep hung upon the eyelids of the child so long, that, when she awoke, Mrs. Jarley was already decorated with her large bonnet, and actively engaged in preparing breakfast.”
Nell slept very late, and when she finally woke up, Mrs. Jarley was already dressed and making breakfast.
Shows Nell's exhaustion and the beginning of a new day with Mrs. Jarley.
“The streets were very clean, very sunny, very empty, and very dull.”
The streets were clean, sunny, empty, and boring.
Describes the quiet, sleepy town they have arrived in.
“Mrs. Jarley served out the tin tacks from a linen pocket like a toll-collector’s which she wore for the purpose, and encouraged her assistants to renewed exertion.”
Mrs. Jarley handed out tacks from a special pocket and urged her workers to keep working hard.
Illustrates Mrs. Jarley's hands-on role in setting up the exhibition.
