Charles Dickens

The Old Curiosity Shop Charles Dickens

Nell&rsquo's grandfather is the owner of " The Old Curiosity Shop" which is a magical place and has many invaluable treasures. Nell is a beautiful young girl and her grandfather is too fond of her and wants to bring her good fortunes and secure her future.


He starts playing cards to do this and this focus on procuring a better financial position gradually turns into an addiction to gambling. The grandfather moves out for these activities in the night and keeps it a secret from Nell. Soon he begins to lose all money and borrows heavily from Daniel Quilp who is an evil man in the money lending business.

Quilp, an opportunist decides to take possession of the shop instead of the debt that the grandfather owes to him. He makes Nell and her grandfather's lives horrible. Nell exhibits courage and decides to run away to the country with his grandfather to escape Quilp.
Nell&rsquo's drifter brother, Fred, and his friend Dick Swiveller join them in the chase convinced that Nell and grandfather have run after some inherited property. Swiveller is a good-natured man but helps Fred to tack down Nell as Fred tells him that he can marry his sister and the two can share her inheritance.

Dick also inadvertently joins Quilp in chasing Nell, who is after Nell to obtain every penny of the borrowed money, believing that she actually has some fortune hidden by the grandfather. Nell and grandfather meet many kind and villainous characters in their escape to the countryside but are unfortunately forced to beg to survive.

Reverend Pratchett, a kind gentleman comes to their rescue and takes them to an orphanage but a lot of damage is already done to Nell&rsquo's health because of poor living conditions.