Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of Eighty

Content Warning: This section discusses addiction to alcohol.

Barnaby’s intelligent raven, Grip, is not only an extension of Barnaby but also a symbol for sincerity and truth within the novel. Many characters describe Grip as the smartest person in the room, yet others are either entertained or unnerved by his loquaciousness. Like Barnaby, who is known to pay attention to things he pretends not to notice or listen to conversations while he fakes sleeping, Grip is hypervigilant and always aware of what is going on in a room, even when Barnaby is unaware, such as when Barnaby Rudge Sr. hides in Mary’s closet. In this way, Grip seems to be able to judge the true character of everyone immediately. Just as he only performs for those he deems worthwhile, he stays away from people he knows will cause him trouble.

Like Barnaby and his “silly” musings, much of what Grip says appears to be nonsense, but has symbolic meaning upon closer inspection. His repeating phrases of “never say die” and “I’m a devil” ring especially true when Barnaby is defending himself against the militia during the riots, or when he comes across wicked characters like Gashford and the country justice. Grip is tempered by his experience in prison and learns the truth of Barnaby’s involvement in the riots along with Barnaby.