Barnaby Rudge

Abstract

Composition An indication of the complex origins of this novel is provided by Kathleen Tillotson ’s observation that it ‘was the fifth of Dickens ’ novels to be published, but had nothing interfered with his original plan it would have been the first ’. That original plan goes back to May 1836, when Dickens contracted to write for John Macrone, the publisher of Sketches by Boz, ‘a work of Fiction (in Three Volumes of the usual size) … to be entitled Gabriel Vardon, the Locksmith of London’. A few months later, he seems to have considered himself released from this contract, for on 22 August he agreed to write a three-volume novel for Richard Bentley; in an earlier letter he had referred to this work as Barnaby Rudge. Meanwhile, Pickwick had achieved its resounding success; it was quickly followed by Nickleby and Oliver Twist, and for the next couple of years Dickens did nothing about his promise. In September 1838 it was agreed that Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Great Riots should succeed Oliver Twist as a monthly serial in Bentley ’s Miscellany, of which Dickens was now editor; and in January 1839 he began work on the new novel. It was, however, quickly abandoned: Dickens obviously found the longstanding commitment irksome (a letter of 21 January speaks of ‘slavery and drudgery ’), and he was irritated at having agreed long ago to supply Bentley with a novel on terms (£500 for the outright copyright) that his new fame made appear very disadvantageous. It was not until October 1839 that he took up the novel once more.