Pickwick Papers

“‘Such,’ thought Mr. Pickwick, ‘are the narrow views of those philosophers who, content with examining the things that lie before them, look not to the truths which are hidden beyond. As well might I be content to gaze on Goswell Street for ever, without one effort to penetrate to the hidden countries which on every side surround it.’”

This thought occurs to Pickwick before he takes off on the novel’s first voyage and encompasses the Pickwickian philosophy, revealing Pickwick’s eagerness to expand his mind through travel yet also highlighting the somewhat ironic nature of this desire given that he and his companions will travel only to the surrounding countryside.

“‘Evidently a traveller in many countries, and a close observer of men and things,’ said Mr. Pickwick.”

Pickwick’s observation about his new traveling partner, Jingle, indicates just how well Jingle is able to fit in with the Pickwickians, even if it’s just for show. It establishes that the Pickwickian mindset is universally attainable and not limited to certain classes or social standings. This observation is ironic too, given that the friendship between Jingle and the Pickwickians won’t last long.

“Many authors entertain, not only a foolish, but a really dishonest objection to acknowledge the sources whence they derive much valuable information. We have no such feeling.”

This comment from the editor highlights his narrating style and use of free indirect discourse. In addition, it shows the editor’s shifting view of his role in writing and curating the book as he calls himself an “author” yet also calls himself “we,” complicating the question of who is truly telling the story of the Pickwickians and aligning himself with the Pickwickians.

“There are very few moments in a man’s existence when he experiences so much ludicrous distress, or meets with so little charitable commiseration, as when he is in pursuit of his own hat. A vast deal of coolness, and a peculiar degree of judgment, are requisite in catching a hat. A man must not be precipitate, or he runs over it; he must not rush into the opposite extreme, or he loses it altogether. The best way is to keep gently up with the object of pursuit, to be wary and cautious, to watch your opportunity well, get gradually before it, then make a rapid dive, seize it by the crown, and stick it firmly on your head; smiling pleasantly all the time, as if you thought it as good a joke as anybody else.”

This excerpt from the scene in which the wind takes Pickwick’s hat and he must chase after it exemplifies the tone of the comedy throughout the novel. As with the most serious proceedings of the Pickwick Club, embarrassing moments like this are recounted in a way that still focuses on the dignity and grace of the great Samuel Pickwick. The juxtaposition of tone and plot in instances such as these heighten the novel’s sardonic humor.

“And to this day the stone remains, an illegible monument of Mr. Pickwick’s greatness, and a lasting trophy to the littleness of his enemies.”

This quote refers to the antique stone Pickwick brings back to London. It highlights how, despite no one’s being able to verify the stone’s age or what it says, Pickwick is revered for whatever he does. Even though the monument is “illegible,” it nonetheless bolsters Pickwick’s reputation among other academics, showing how baseless his scholarly reputation is.

“‘Hush. Don’t ask any questions. It’s always best on these occasions to do what the mob do.’ ‘But suppose there are two mobs?’ suggested Mr. Snodgrass. ‘Shout with the largest,’ replied Mr. Pickwick. Volumes could not have said more.”

This exchange between Pickwick and Snodgrass comes during the Pickwickians’ trip to the politically turbulent Eatanswill. The text generally mocks Eatanswill for its unnecessary politicization of all aspects of life and the great prejudice shown by both the Blue and Buff parties. This political commentary is undercut by the humor in Pickwick’s reply but nevertheless reveals what Pickwick thinks of mob mentality and the political tumult of Victorian-era England.

“We have in vain pored over the leaves of Mr. Pickwick’s note-book, in the hope of meeting with a general summary of these beautiful compositions. We have every reason to believe that he was perfectly enraptured with the vigour and freshness of the style; indeed Mr. Winkle has recorded the fact that his eyes were closed, as if with excess of pleasure, during the whole time of their perusal.”

In contrast with the previous quote, this excerpt shows another comical view of politics. This excerpt shows the Pickwickians’ little care for the unnecessary politics of Eatanswill when Mr. Pott tries to show the men his writing. In addition, it highlights how Pickwick’s followers regard everything he does as heightened and important, even though in this instance the implication is that instead of being “perfectly enraptured with the vigour and freshness of the style” he was merely asleep.

“‘Is it not a wonderful circumstance,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘that we seem destined to enter no man’s house without involving him in some degree of trouble?’”

Pickwick’s self-awareness in this quote points to the episodic and sometimes repetitive format of the serialized novel. Like characters in sitcoms who continually get into the same kinds of trouble, these Pickwickian characters have a penchant for causing trouble at every house they visit, and these misadventures are resolved quickly and repetitively to suit the episodic format. Just like sitcom audiences tune in to see what happens next, readers of these serial publications would keep purchasing issues of the serial to see what the characters did next.

“Whatever grounds of self-congratulation Mr. Pickwick might have for having escaped so quietly from his late awkward situation, his present position was by no means enviable […] He had no resource but to remain where he was until daylight appeared. So after groping his way a few paces down the passage, and, to his infinite alarm, stumbling over several pairs of boots in so doing, Mr. Pickwick crouched into a little recess in the wall, to wait for morning, as philosophically as he might.”

Although Pickwick is highly revered by his friends and the editor, this excerpt shows that he can be just as awkward and illogical as anyone else. After he escapes from the stranger’s bedroom he accidentally entered, Pickwick’s sense of propriety is so high that he considers it less embarrassing to spend the night in the hall than to look for his room and possibly experience additional embarrassment. However, despite Pickwick’s foibles, the narrator takes care to describe Pickwick doing this “as philosophically as he might,” continuing to show the esteem in which Pickwick is held.

“Many of the hearts that throbbed so gaily then, have ceased to beat; many of the looks that shone so brightly then, have ceased to glow; the hands we grasped, have grown cold; the eyes we sought, have hid their lustre in the grave; and yet the old house, the room, the merry voices and smiling faces, the jest, the laugh, the most minute and trivial circumstances connected with those happy meetings, crowd upon our mind at each recurrence of the season, as if the last assemblage had been but yesterday!”

The narrator makes this remark during the Christmas chapters at Manor Farm. As in the rest of these chapters, the tone in this excerpt is more sentimental than in other chapters, contrasting the Christmas chapters from many of the novel’s more comic episodes. Additionally, this remark reflects Pickwick’s view of Christmas at Manor Farm, when he’s more emotional than ever and surrounded by his loving friends.

“It was the sort of afternoon that might induce a couple of elderly gentlemen, in a lonely field, to take off their greatcoats and play at leap-frog in pure lightness of heart and gaiety; and we firmly believe that had Mr. Tupman at that moment proffered ‘a back,’ Mr. Pickwick would have accepted his offer with the utmost avidity. However, Mr. Tupman did not volunteer any such accommodation, and the friends walked on, conversing merrily.”

This quote further establishes the anachronous whimsy of much of The Pickwick Papers and how these seemingly serious characters are often caught in the most ridiculous of situations or in the grip of frivolity. The excerpt also shows how the editor adds to and enhances the papers he has curated, commenting on the thoughts and feelings of the characters even though they’re unknown to him.

“But bless our editorial heart, what a long chapter we have been betrayed into! We had quite forgotten all such petty restrictions as chapters, we solemnly declare. So here goes, to give the goblin a fair start in a new one. A clear stage and no favour for the goblins, ladies and gentlemen, if you please.”

This excerpt includes another instance of the editor’s use of “we” to describe himself, suggesting that it may be a group of editors working together despite earlier indicating a single editor. In addition, the quote shows the narrator’s habit of occasionally addressing the audience directly, especially at the end of chapters.

“‘You are wery obligin’, sir,’ replied Sam. ‘Now, don’t allow yourself to be fatigued beyond your powers; there’s a amiable bein’. Consider what you owe to society, and don’t let yourself be injured by too much work. For the sake o’ your feller-creeturs, keep yourself as quiet as you can; only think what a loss you would be!’ With these pathetic words, Sam Weller departed.”

Sam makes this remark to a footman he meets in Bath, exhibiting the novel’s use of written dialect for his character. Although Sam is a loyal employee, this quote shows how he feels about his position and those of the other working people around him. While he advises the footman not to overwork himself, Sam goes above and beyond at his job because he does it for Pickwick.

“‘It strikes me, Sam, that imprisonment for debt is scarcely any punishment at all […] You see how these fellows drink, and smoke, and roar […] It’s quite impossible that they can mind it much.’ ‘Ah, that’s just the wery thing, Sir,’ rejoined Sam, ‘they don’t mind it; it’s a reg’lar holiday to them—all porter and skittles. It’s the t’other vuns as gets done over vith this sort o’ thing.’”

This exchange between Pickwick and Sam in Fleet Street Prison highlights the inequity of imprisoning people for debt. Although Pickwick, being a fairly wealthy man, can rent his own room and have almost all of the amenities of his normal life in the prison rather than paying a debt he could afford, he and Sam both see the unfair way those who can’t pay are treated in the prison. This is one of many times the novel takes a stance against the inequity of the justice system.

“After this introductory preface, the three chums informed Mr. Pickwick, in a breath, that money was, in the Fleet, just what money was out of it; that it would instantly procure him almost anything he desired; and that, supposing he had it, and had no objection to spend it, if he only signified his wish to have a room to himself, he might take possession of one, furnished and fitted to boot, in half an hour’s time.”

This quote further reveals the inherent inequality in debtors’ prisons. Although Pickwick is legally indebted to Mrs. Bardell and to Dodson and Fogg, he can have almost anything he wants if he pays for it, just like he can outside prison.

“We no longer suffer them to appeal at the prison gates to the charity and compassion of the passersby; but we still leave unblotted the leaves of our statute book, for the reverence and admiration of succeeding ages, the just and wholesome law which declares that the sturdy felon shall be fed and clothed, and that the penniless debtor shall be left to die of starvation and nakedness. This is no fiction. Not a week passes over our head, but, in every one of our prisons for debt, some of these men must inevitably expire in the slow agonies of want, if they were not relieved by their fellow-prisoners.”

This quote follows the editor’s mention of some of the crueler practices of Fleet Street Prison before Pickwick’s arrest. Although the prison’s practices have become less cruel, the narrator highlights how the entire act of imprisoning people for debt while requiring them to pay for their own upkeep is unjust.

“Everything—Job’s too—all shirts gone—never mind—saves washing. Nothing soon—lie in bed—starve—die—inquest—little bone-house—poor prisoner—common necessaries—hush it up—gentlemen of the jury—warden’s tradesmen—keep it snug—natural death—coroner’s order—workhouse funeral—serve him right—all over—drop the curtain.”

This is an example of Jingle’s unique manner of speaking in quick fragments of sentences typically meant to mislead his listeners. Here, he discusses what he and Job have been through in prison and what he expects to happen to them. Not only does this highlight the typical experiences of those on the “poor side” of the prison, but it also shows how hopeless even the conniving Jingle is when it comes to stopping these inevitabilities.

“‘Great Heaven!’ exclaimed Mr. Pickwick; ‘has this man been slowly murdered by the law for six months?’”

Pickwick makes this exclamation when he learns that his landlord in the prison has been sick for months and that his doctors have told him only a change of air could cure him. Pickwick blames the prison and the law for killing this man as he knows he has been imprisoned unjustly. Through this declaration, the novel shows the consequences that many face directly at the hands of the reckless justice system.

“All was noise and tumult—save in a little miserable shed a few yards off, where lay, all quiet and ghastly, the body of the Chancery prisoner who had died the night before, awaiting the mockery of an inquest. The body! It is the lawyer’s term for the restless, whirling mass of cares and anxieties, affections, hopes, and griefs, that make up the living man. The law had his body; and there it lay, clothed in grave-clothes, an awful witness to its tender mercy.”

Here, the editor contrasts the prison’s tumult with the stillness of death now experienced by Pickwick’s landlord, the Chancery prisoner. As in the previous quote, the mocking of the inquest to discover the cause of the man’s death emphasizes how uncaring and inhumane the legal system is. In addition, the juxtaposition of the noise and the quiet in this scene highlights the ways in which deaths like that of the Chancery prisoner are largely ignored.

“Can you hesitate to avail yourself of it, when it restores you to your friends, your old pursuits, your health and amusements; when it liberates your faithful and attached servant, whom you otherwise doom to imprisonment for the whole of your life; and above all, when it enables you to take the very magnanimous revenge—which I know, my dear sir, is one after your own heart—of releasing this woman from a scene of misery and debauchery, to which no man should ever be consigned, if I had my will, but the infliction of which on any woman, is even more frightful and barbarous.”

Perker asks this of Pickwick after the men discover that Bardell was wrongfully imprisoned by Dodson and Fogg. The question highlights some of the inequality that Pickwick and the editor address in the previous several chapters, but this quote emphasizes how Pickwick benefits from it. By asking Pickwick to pay his debt, Perker shows how little money matters in his circumstances and suggests that Pickwick should choose forgiveness and freedom instead.

“When Mr. Pickwick drew in his head again, his countenance was smiling and placid; and, walking quietly back into the office, he declared that he had now removed a great weight from his mind, and that he felt perfectly comfortable and happy.”

Although Pickwick pays his debt to Dodson and Fogg, he feels the relief mentioned here once he gives them a piece of his mind because he knows he’s right in principle. Throughout the novel, Pickwick’s friends often hold him back from speaking his mind or even attacking those he knows are in the wrong, yet at the end of the novel he’s finally able to say what he wants to and feels “perfectly comfortable and happy” with it.

“‘New scenes have closed upon me; my rambles are at an end.’ ‘Wery good,’ rejoined Sam. ‘Then, that’s the wery best reason wy you should alvays have somebody by you as understands you, to keep you up and make you comfortable. If you vant a more polished sort o’ feller, vell and good, have him; but vages or no vages, notice or no notice, board or no board, lodgin’ or no lodgin’, Sam Veller, as you took from the old inn in the Borough, sticks by you, come what may; and let ev’rythin’ and ev’rybody do their wery fiercest, nothin’ shall ever perwent it!’”

This exchange highlights Sam’s fierce loyalty toward Pickwick that only increases as the novel continues. Here at the end of the novel, Sam is willing to forgo marriage to the woman he loves to be with Pickwick because of how much Pickwick has done for him and how amiable a man he is. Additionally, Sam makes it incredibly clear that this decision isn’t a financial or social one: He’s willing to do anything to stay by Pickwick’s side.

“‘I shall never regret,’ said Mr. Pickwick in a low voice, ‘I shall never regret having devoted the greater part of two years to mixing with different varieties and shades of human character, frivolous as my pursuit of novelty may have appeared to many. Nearly the whole of my previous life having been devoted to business and the pursuit of wealth, numerous scenes of which I had no previous conception have dawned upon me—I hope to the enlargement of my mind, and the improvement of my understanding. If I have done but little good, I trust I have done less harm, and that none of my adventures will be other than a source of amusing and pleasant recollection to me in the decline of life. God bless you all!’”

Among Pickwick’s final lines in the novel, this excerpt concisely summarizes his goals and purposes in founding the Pickwick Club. As with the Christmas scenes, Pickwick’s final meetings in the novel with his friends are emotional and highlight how friends are more like family and have enriched one another’s lives significantly. Although many of the Pickwickians’ adventures are portrayed as frivolous, as even Pickwick notes here, this speech illustrates how profound an effect even these silly travels have had on Pickwick and how they’ve done more good than harm.