A Draught of
Kindness
-
Charles Dickens
Detailed Summary
“A Draught of Kindness” is an
excerpt from the novel “The Old Curiosity Shop” by Charles Dickens.
Little Nell and her grandfather leave London because her grandfather owes a
huge debt to moneylenders. So they move from one place to another. Finally,
they reach an open country where houses can be seen afar. Here and there, they
see a group of cottage houses. As they move, they see a ‘wheelwright’s shed’
and a ‘blacksmith’s forge’. Then they pass through a prosperous farm where cows
are sleeping calmly. Then they meet horses whose freedom is not restrained by a
harness. After that, they see “dull pigs”, “plump pigeons”, ducks, and geese.
After passing the farm, they go through a tradesman’s shop, a lawyer’s firm,
and a parson’s house. There is a beer shop too. In the distance, they partially
see a church which is covered by a dense group of trees.
Little
Nell and her grandfather are very tired. But they keep on moving with their
weary legs in order to avoid the cruel moneylenders. At the end of the day,
they take refuge in a cottage that provides lodgings for travellers. The next
day, they continue their journey.
At
5 o’clock, Little Nell and her grandfather reach a cluster of labourers’ huts.
Little Nell wants to ask permission from one of the households to get a draught
of milk for their meal and to take a short rest. She is eagerly searching for a
family from whom she can seek permission. Fearing that people will drive her
away, she is hesitant to ask. At last, she sees an old man in a cottage whose
sight makes her think that he will understand her pitiful condition. The family
consists of the old man, the cottager, his wife, and three children. When she
asks the old man and his family, they readily accept Little Nell and her
grandfather. To help them, the eldest boy goes to get milk for Little Nell. The
second one brings stools for Little Nell and her grandfather to sit on.
As
Little Nell and her grandfather are resting there, the old man of that house
tells them that he used to go to London with wagons in his youth. When his
health deteriorated, he stopped going there. But he heard from people that
massive changes had happened in London. Then, looking at Little Nell’s
grandfather, he reminisces about his dead son. His son was enlisted in the army
at a young age. When he came back from the army, he had lost one of his legs.
He died and was buried near the sun-dial according to his son’s wish because
his son used to climb on it in his childhood. The old man plunges into sadness.
Then he promises his daughter that he won’t talk about it any longer.
Soon
the milk arrives. Little Nell and her grandfather eat a sumptuous meal. As the
first section ends, Dickens gives a vivid picture of the setting of the home.
There are chairs, crockery, a decorated tea tray, an eight-day clock, a
clothes-press, etc. Seeing these, Little Nell feels warmth and comfort.
The
cottager’s wife asks Little Nell and her grandfather whether they will stay
there or not. Immediately, her grandfather says that they have to continue
their journey. He urges Little Nell to continue their journey. Little Nell
agrees with her grandfather. When they are about to leave, the cottager’s wife
sees blisters and a sore on one of Little Nell’s legs. Out of a motherly
instinct, she washes that area and applies medicine. This incident deeply
touches Little Nell’s heart, and she utters, “God bless you!” As they part with
the family, the family waves to them and cheers them on.
Little
Nell and her grandfather walk further and further. But they are completely
exhausted. At that time, a cart driver stops his cart. He asks them to get in
the cart because he is going to town, like them. He informs them that the
cottager and his family have asked him to help them. He helps the grandfather
get in. Little Nell sits on a heap of straw and falls asleep. The cart driver
stops the cart in a by-lane. He helps Little Nell get down. As the excerpt
ends, he directs them on how to reach the town.
Significance of the Title, “A
Draught of Kindness”
Kindness is a way of showing
love, care, support, compassion, and offering help to others without expecting
anything in return. As the title suggests, the first act of kindness is shown
by the cottager's family. They give permission to Little Nell to get a draught
of milk for their meal and to take a short rest. Out of kindness, the second
child of the cottager brings stools for Little Nell and her grandfather to sit
on. The first one brings a draught of milk for Little Nell. It is because of
the kindness of the cottager’s wife that she washes and applies medicine to the
blisters and the sore on one of Little Nell’s legs. The second act of kindness
is shown by the cart driver. It is because of his kindness that he gives a ride
to Little Nell and her grandfather. He also helps the grandfather get into the
cart and Little Nell get down from the cart. Thus, one can see many acts of
kindness being shown by different characters to Little Nell and her grandfather
in this excerpt. This is the significance of the title.
Character Sketch
Little Nell’s Grandfather
Little
Nell’s grandfather is one of the characters in “A Draught of Kindness,” which
is an excerpt from the novel “The Old Curiosity Shop” by Charles Dickens.
Little Nell’s grandfather is an easily influenced person. That is why he became
a victim of gambling. He lacks money management skills. That is why he owes a
huge debt to the moneylenders. But he is very protective and caring in nature.
That is why he does not abandon Little Nell when he flees from the
moneylenders. This also shows that he never shirks his responsibility. He is
determined in nature. This can be seen when Little Nell and her grandfather
reach the open country. They are very tired and exhausted. But they do not take
a rest until night. He wants to escape from the cruel moneylenders. He is
thoughtful in nature. That is why, when the cottager’s wife asks Little Nell
and her grandfather whether they will stay there or not, immediately, her
grandfather says that they have to continue their journey because he knows that
the cruel moneylenders are after them. He is resilient too. That is why, to
give a better life to Little Nell, he takes her farther away from the city.
Thus, Little Nell’s grandfather is affectionate, humble, and polite in nature.
This is the character sketch of the grandfather.
Little Nell
Little
Nell is one of the characters in “A Draught of Kindness,” which is an excerpt
from the novel “The Old Curiosity Shop” by Charles Dickens. She lives with her
grandfather. She is mature and observant. When she and her grandfather want to
ask permission from one of the households to get a draught of milk for their
meal and to take a short rest, she understands that she will not get help from
a house where there is a noisy wife or a crying child. She is practical. That
is why, when she sees an old man in a cottage whose sight makes her think that
he will understand her pitiful condition, she asks him to have a draught of
milk and have a rest there. This shows that she is courageous. She is emotional
and sensitive. That is why, when the cottager’s wife washes and applies
medicine to the blisters and the sore on one of Little Nell’s legs, Little Nell
is deeply touched, and she utters, “God bless you!” Thus, Little Nell is a
character who is a responsible, disciplined, patient, and diligent girl who
suppresses her feelings in order to look stronger to support her grandfather
during his tough times.
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