The Old Curiosity Shop · Character

Sally Brass

Sampson's snuff-taking sister and clerk, a dragon in a brown headdress who keeps the office and starves the child below stairs.

supporting

Also known as Miss Sally Brass, Miss Brass, Sally, Sarah

First appearance: v

As a supporting figure in The Old Curiosity Shop, Sally Brass is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Sampson's gaunt, bony, and resolute sister and clerk; she has a deep voice, a green gown, and a brown gauze scarf; she effectively controls the office.

In the storyXXXIIIOpen this moment free

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Sally Brass runs her brother's office with a pen, a tin of snuff, and a total absence of tenderness, treating the hidden servant girl as something less than human. She is sharp, stingy, and utterly without sentiment, yet she takes Dick's coarse flattery in perfect good humor. Her casual cruelty to the Marchioness is one of the novel's quietest horrors, and it is through her basement that Dick stumbles toward the story's hidden victim.

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See Sally Brass in v

Character Web

11 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Kit's circle and antagonists
Protagonist

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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…

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In the story

Sally Brass appears across 16 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XXXIII
Sampson's gaunt, bony, and resolute sister and clerk; she has a deep voice, a green gown, and a brown gauze scarf; she effectively controls the office.
Chapter XXXIV
Finishes her work, takes snuff, and leaves the office, instructing Swiveller to take messages.
Chapter XXXV
Impatient and sharp-tongued, she rings a hand-bell and later dives into her bedroom when the door is flung open.
XXXVI
Shows a cruel and miserly nature, feeding the small servant a tiny portion of meat while beating her, and is amused by Swiveller's antics.
XXXVII
Defends the shows against her brother's complaints and watches the performance from the window.
XLVIII
Mentioned as absent from the office alongside Sampson when Quilp arrived.
LI
Attends the tea, remains composed despite the discomfort, and participates in the plot against Kit.
LVI
Appears briefly, peeping into the office and exchanging a knowing look with her brother after Swiveller leaves.
LVIII
Suspicious of Swiveller, signals him to tell her brother about the theft, and later claims to have 'hit it' regarding the culprit.
LIX
Sally taunts her brother about his trust in Kit and takes snuff while the accusation unfolds. She locks the door after Kit is brought back.
Kit Accused
Physically attacks Kit in court, showing fierce family loyalty.
LXII
Mentioned by Brass as a source of protection and as someone who would feel a blow from the dismissal of Swiveller.
LXIV
Mentioned as an active participant in the plot against Kit.
LXVI
Sally scornfully rebukes her brother for his cowardice, declaring she would never have spoken even under pressure.
LXVII
Writes the warning letter to Quilp, advising him to disappear as she has done.
LXXIII
Sally's fate is uncertain; rumors suggest she may have disguised herself as a sailor or soldier.

Chapter companion notes

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See Sally Brass in v

See Sally Brass in XXXIII