Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

The Sweep dies before the main events of the plot take place; he is retrospectively characterized through Nan’s memories of him; she often dreams of her childhood with the Sweep, as do the children who sleep near her. It is later revealed that these dreams are really memories that are conferred through Charlie, a magical creation of the Sweep who remains with Nan in the form of an enchanted piece of char. The Sweep is established as a loving and caring character who gives freely of his time, energy, and scant resources to care for Nan as his adoptive daughter. He first discovers her as a baby when he is in the midst of contemplating death by suicide, and her need for his protection gives him a new enthusiasm for life. Her safety and well-being become his top priority, as well as his primary motivation for continuing to live as long as he can. As he raises her, he proves himself to be a consummate provider within his limited means; for example, he insists on giving Nan the majority of their food, saves up all his meager earnings to buy her a doll, and even takes thread from his own coat to repair hers.

Through all their many hardships together, the Sweep always teaches Nan to be kind to others—even enduring a freezing night in order to spare baby birds who have made their home in a flue. Along with his determination to shield Nan from the world’s cruelties, he also displays a tendency to recontextualize unfortunate occurrences in a more positive light using a combination of Imagination and Magic. Knowing that he is dying, the Sweep gathers a collection of items that he and Nan have accumulated throughout their time together. Using these objects, he creates the magical golem, Charlie, which he leaves with Nan to protect her. The Sweep’s kindness and love for Nan therefore live on through Charlie, who is devoted to protecting Nan and eventually gives his life for hers.

Charlie is born from a piece of enchanted char that the Sweep leaves for Nan shortly before his own death. At first, Nan does not burn the piece of char to keep warm, as the Sweep no doubt expected her to do; instead, she carries it with her like a talisman, and so Charlie does not come to life until Nan is almost burned to death in a chimney fire many years later (when Nan is 11). Charlie starts off as a tiny, round blob but soon grows into a massive boulder. He later creates a more substantial body for himself using soot that Nan brings home.

Charlie is a kind and gentle creature despite his intimidating appearance. He is upset and hurt when people scream at the sight of him and call him a monster. He weeps when he accidentally kills the baby bird, and then sacrifices a part of himself to bring the bird, Dent, back to life. Finally, Charlie fulfills his life’s purpose to keep Nan safe by sacrificing himself to heal her broken body and save her life.

Toby is a young Jewish boy who makes a living by foraging for discarded items on the banks of the Thames, which he repairs or repurposes and sells. Before the Sweep’s sudden disappearance, he asks Toby to look out for Nan. Years later, Toby explains to Nan that the Sweep’s disappearance was caused by the man’s death; his failing health was obvious to everyone but the young Nan. Before he goes, the Sweep gives Toby the gift of his soot bag, which becomes Toby’s “emporium” of treasures. Toby is an entrepreneurial character who is skilled with repairs and with creating tools; he constructs the mechanical broom from the prototype Nan shows him despite having few resources and very little money.

Toby is an open and loving character despite his life of hardship; he is also affectionate and kind toward Nan despite her constant rebuffs. He often brings Nan thoughtful gifts and does useful favors such as rigging up a pulley system to the captain’s house, bringing gloves so that Charlie can play in the snow, and adding his own money to Shilling-Tom’s shilling to buy Newt a coffin. Toby teaches the independent and headstrong Nan that, “We save ourselves by saving others” (333). The success of Toby’s message to Nan about the importance of friendship, love, and connection is illustrated in the implied romance that grows between the two characters at the end of the novel.

Miss Bloom is a teacher at Miss Mayhew’s Seminary for Young Ladies. She grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family whose rules and traditions she found to be stifling. She moves away and is raised in a charitable seminary. As an adult, she befriends Nan, the ambitious and plucky chimney sweep who almost dies in the school’s chimney. This occurrence makes Miss Bloom reflect that there are worse things than growing up in a rich family. Nan’s predicament also causes Miss Bloom to reflect on the injustices and inherent cruelty in forcing children to work as chimney sweeps. She brings this issue to the attention of the mothers of the school, the Friendly Society, who help to coordinate the May Day protest and then buy the captain’s house to educate retired chimney sweeps after laws are passed preventing children under the age of 13 from working in this trade.