The Old Curiosity Shop · Character

Short

A cheerful showman who operates the Punch and Judy show with Codlin.

minor

Also known as Mr. Short, Even Short

First appearance: Chapter XVII

Short's tie to Tommy Codlin is one of the pressures that moves The Old Curiosity Shop—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

A merry, cheerful showman who greets the strangers and suggests they stay at the same public-house.

In the storyXVIOpen this moment free

See Short in XVI Book page

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With Tommy Codlin (professional): Short and Tommy Codlin are traveling showmen and business partners, though they often bicker and distrust each other. With Tommy Codlin (professional): Short and Tommy Codlin are traveling showmen and business partners, though they often bicker and distrust each other. With Tommy Codlin (professional): Short and Tommy Codlin are traveling showmen and business partners, though they often bicker and distrust each other.

Continue beside the text

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

See Short in Chapter XVII

Character Web

9 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Traveling showmen and performers
Kit's circle and antagonists
Minor characters and background figures
Protagonist

+4 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

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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Relationships

Tommy Codlin
professional · ambivalent
Short and Tommy Codlin are traveling showmen and business partners, though they often… How this plays out →
Tommy Codlin
professional · ambivalent
Short and Tommy Codlin are traveling showmen and business partners, though they often… How this plays out →
Tommy Codlin
professional · ambivalent
Short and Tommy Codlin are traveling showmen and business partners, though they often… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Short in Chapter XVII

In the story

Short appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XVI
A merry, cheerful showman who greets the strangers and suggests they stay at the same public-house.
Chapter XVII
Invites Nell and her grandfather to join them; is popular with loungers for his association with Punch.
XVIII
Arrives with Nell and the grandfather, defends them as harmless, and voices his plan to prevent them from leaving.
XIX
Short acts cheerfully but also shows a desire to keep Nell and her grandfather in custody, increasing Nell's unease.
XXXVII
Codlin's partner; more practical, he tells the single gentleman about Jerry who saw the old man with a waxwork.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Short in Chapter XVII

See Short in XVI