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Excerpt ​

Excerpt from The Old Curiosity Shop, by Charles Dickens

It was a maxim with Mr Brass that the habit of paying compliments kept
a man’s tongue oiled without any expense; and, as that useful member
ought never to grow rusty or creak in turning on its hinges in the case
of a practitioner of the law, in whom it should be always glib and
easy, he lost few opportunities of improving himself by the utterance
of handsome speeches and eulogistic expressions. And this had passed
into such a habit with him, that, if he could not be correctly said to
have his tongue at his fingers’ ends, he might certainly be said to
have it anywhere but in his face: which being, as we have already seen,
of a harsh and repulsive character, was not oiled so easily, but
frowned above all the smooth speeches--one of nature’s beacons, warning
off those who navigated the shoals and breakers of the World, or of
that dangerous strait the Law, and admonishing them to seek less
treacherous harbours and try their fortune elsewhere.

While Mr Brass by turns overwhelmed his clerk with compliments and
inspected the ten-pound note, Miss Sally showed little emotion and that
of no pleasurable kind, for as the tendency of her legal practice had
been to fix her thoughts on small gains and gripings, and to whet and
sharpen her natural wisdom, she was not a little disappointed that the
single gentleman had obtained the lodgings at such an easy rate,
arguing that when he was seen to have set his mind upon them, he should
have been at the least charged double or treble the usual terms, and
that, in exact proportion as he pressed forward, Mr Swiveller should
have hung back. But neither the good opinion of Mr Brass, nor the
dissatisfaction of Miss Sally, wrought any impression upon that young
gentleman, who, throwing the responsibility of this and all other acts
and deeds thereafter to be done by him, upon his unlucky destiny, was
quite resigned and comfortable: fully prepared for the worst, and
philosophically indifferent to the best.

‘Good morning, Mr Richard,’ said Brass, on the second day of Mr
Swiveller’s clerkship. ‘Sally found you a second-hand stool, Sir,
yesterday evening, in Whitechapel. She’s a rare fellow at a bargain, I
can tell you, Mr Richard. You’ll find that a first-rate stool, Sir,
take my word for it.’

Explanation ​

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens ​

This passage from The Old Curiosity Shop (1840–41) introduces two key characters—Mr. Brass, a shady lawyer, and Miss Sally Brass, his equally unscrupulous sister—while also depicting Dick Swiveller, a carefree young clerk, in their employ. The novel, one of Dickens’ earlier works, blends sentimentality with dark humor and social critique, exploring themes of greed, deception, and moral corruption—particularly within the legal profession. This excerpt is a prime example of Dickens’ satirical portrayal of lawyers, his sharp characterizations, and his mastery of ironic and grotesque imagery.

1. Context of the Passage ​

The Old Curiosity Shop follows the misfortunes of Nell Trent, a virtuous young girl, and her grandfather, who is addicted to gambling. The novel contrasts innocence (Nell) with the corrupt world of law, commerce, and exploitation—embodied by figures like the Brass siblings and Quilp, a malevolent dwarf moneylender.

This excerpt occurs early in Dick Swiveller’s employment at the Brass law firm. Swiveller, a feckless but good-natured young man, is hired as a clerk, though he is more interested in drinking and avoiding responsibility than in legal work. The passage highlights the hypocrisy and avarice of the Brass siblings while showcasing Swiveller’s fatalistic indifference.

2. Themes in the Excerpt ​

Dickens frequently satirizes lawyers in his works (Bleak House being the most famous example), portraying them as greedy, manipulative, and morally bankrupt. Here, Mr. Brass is described as a man who oils his tongue with compliments—not out of sincerity, but as a calculated professional tool.

  • His flattery is mechanical, a "maxim" (a rule he lives by) rather than a genuine trait.
  • The metaphor of the "oiled tongue" suggests smooth, slippery speech, reinforcing the idea that lawyers manipulate language to deceive.
  • His face, however, contradicts his words—it is "harsh and repulsive," a natural warning sign ("one of nature’s beacons") against trusting him.

This duality (smooth words vs. ugly reality) underscores the falseness of the legal world, where appearances mask corruption.

B. Greed and Exploitation ​

Miss Sally Brass embodies stinginess and ruthless bargaining. Unlike her brother, who flatters to manipulate, she is openly mercenary:

  • She is disappointed that the "single gentleman" (a potential client) was not overcharged for lodgings, believing they should have exploited his eagerness.
  • Her legal practice has "fixed her thoughts on small gains and gripings"—she is obsessed with squeezing every penny, a trait Dickens associates with moral decay.
  • The phrase "whet and sharpen her natural wisdom" is ironic—her "wisdom" is actually cunning greed, not true intelligence.

Dickens here critiques capitalist exploitation, where profit trumps ethics.

C. Fatalism and Indifference (Dick Swiveller’s Attitude) ​

Swiveller, in contrast to the Brass siblings, is passive and resigned:

  • He blames his "unlucky destiny" for his actions, avoiding responsibility.
  • He is "philosophically indifferent to the best"—unlike the greedy Brass siblings, he doesn’t scheme for gain, but neither does he resist corruption.
  • His detachment makes him complicit in the firm’s shady dealings, even if he isn’t as actively malicious as his employers.

Swiveller’s lazy fatalism is a darkly comic element—he is too indifferent to be truly evil, but his lack of moral resistance allows evil to thrive.

3. Literary Devices & Stylistic Analysis ​

A. Metaphor & Imagery ​

  • "Oiled tongue" → Suggests smooth, artificial speech, like a machine part rather than human sincerity.
  • "Nature’s beacons" → Brass’s ugly face is a warning sign, like a lighthouse guiding ships away from danger. The nautical metaphor ("shoals and breakers of the World, or of that dangerous strait the Law") reinforces the idea that law is a treacherous path.
  • "Whet and sharpen her natural wisdom" → Implies Miss Brass’s mind is a weapon, honed for exploitation.

B. Irony & Satire ​

  • Mr. Brass’s compliments are hollow, yet he prides himself on them—Dickens mocks the legal profession’s love of empty rhetoric.
  • Miss Brass’s "wisdom" is actually greed disguised as cleverness—Dickens exposes how capitalism corrupts morality.
  • Swiveller’s indifference is funny but tragic—he is too lazy to be a villain, yet his passivity enables villains.

C. Characterization Through Speech & Behavior ​

  • Mr. Brass → Overly polite, but his words are performative ("a first-rate stool, Sir")—his excessive formality masks his dishonesty.
  • Miss Brass → Silent but calculating—her lack of emotion reveals her cold, transactional nature.
  • Swiveller → Accepts everything with a shrug—his fatalism is both comic and pathetic.

D. Symbolism ​

  • The second-hand stool → Represents cheapness and exploitation—Miss Brass bargain-hunts even for office furniture, symbolizing the firm’s stinginess.
  • The ten-pound note → A temptation, hinting at the financial corruption that drives the Brass siblings.

4. Significance of the Passage ​

This excerpt exemplifies Dickens’ broader attack on the legal profession, which he saw as:

  • Exploitative (charging excessive fees, preying on the vulnerable).
  • Hypocritical (using flowery language to mask injustice).
  • Corrupting (turning people like Miss Brass into ruthless bargainers).

B. Foreshadowing & Character Development ​

  • Mr. Brass’s flattery foreshadows his later manipulations (he will betray Swiveller when convenient).
  • Miss Brass’s greed sets up her role in the novel’s darker plots (including forgery and blackmail).
  • Swiveller’s indifference will lead to his downfall—but also, later, to redemption (he becomes one of Dickens’ most unexpectedly heroic characters).

C. Social Commentary ​

Dickens uses the Brass siblings to critique Victorian society’s obsession with money:

  • Lawyers and businesspeople are seen as predators.
  • Swiveller’s fatalism reflects the powerlessness of the lower classes in a system rigged against them.

5. Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters ​

This excerpt is a microcosm of Dickens’ themes:

  • The corruption of institutions (law, commerce).
  • The contrast between appearance and reality (Brass’s smooth words vs. his ugly face).
  • The moral dangers of greed and passivity (Miss Brass’s avarice vs. Swiveller’s indifference).

Dickens’ sharp wit, grotesque imagery, and moral urgency make this passage both entertaining and damning. It exposes the rot beneath polite society while setting up key character dynamics that will drive the novel’s plot.

Would you like a deeper dive into any particular aspect—such as Dickens’ legal satire, Swiveller’s character arc, or the novel’s historical context?