The central conflict emerges as the simple-minded Barnaby Rudge becomes ensnared in the volatile atmosphere of the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots, where personal secrets and public chaos collide. Barnaby, a young man with a developmental disability, finds his life threatened by the convergence of a long-buried murder mystery and the explosive, mindless violence of a London mob. The narrative follows various individuals attempting to navigate these turbulent social forces, with the protagonist's father serving as a dark link between private crime and public insurrection. Dickens employs a third-person omniscient perspective to examine how systemic repression in Victorian society manifests as destructive liberation during moments of civil unrest.

Readers and critics often identify this work as a pivotal transition point in the author's bibliography, marking a shift toward the darker, more complex themes found in his later novels. Discussion frequently centers on the effectiveness of the riot sequences, which are noted for their visceral intensity and scale. While some readers find the pacing uneven compared to his more famous works, many highlight the depth of the character studies and the intricate weaving of the mystery plot. The novel is widely recognized for its examination of how individuals are swept away by collective madness, providing a somber reflection on the fragility of social order.