The Pickwick Papers - chapters 3-5

Installment 2 of 20, in The Pickwick Papers 180th anniversary readalong, hosted by On Bookes, and commencing in April, just as Dickens’ second installment was published.

 

Chapter 3: The morning after the ridiculous case of mistaken identity that almost led to an unnecessary duel. The four Pickwickians, are joined by a colleague of the unnamed stranger identified as Dismal Jemmy. Dismal Jemmy tells a dismal tale of a dying clown. Once he is finished, the Pickwickians are about to comment when the group meets the offended parties of the previous day’s misunderstanding. Discovering the true offending party, The Stranger, the quarrel is renewed and nearly leads to another challenge of honor, but again truly disastrous results are avoided, though Mr. Pickwick must be physically restrained by his mates.

Chapter 4: The dignified gentlemen are enthused with patriotic zeal to witness military exercise maneuvers, but somehow find themselves caught between the “warring” forces. During this fiasco, Mr. Picwick loses his hat.

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 precipitate, or he runs over it; he must not rush into the opposite extreme, or he loses it altogether.

Chapter 5: The Pickwickians begin the next leg of their adventure. Mr. Pickwick is compelled to drive the carriage, which cannot accommodate all the gentlemen, so Mr. Winkle, the sportsman, is forced to ride horseback. Both the carriage horse and Mr. Winkle’s prove  uncooperative, leading to more absurd situations.

The Pickwickians are rather dignified gentlemen, perhaps even a bit bombastic, but good gents at heart. Thus far, their adventures tend to bring them into circumstances that severely compromise their dignity. It is something out of Charlie Chaplin or the Three Stooges. My apologies to CD for the comparison as he predates those slapstick comic geniuses – perhaps it would be fair to say THEY borrowed from Mr. Dickens.

All very amusing so far.

Pickwick Papers Introduction

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-5

Chapters 6-8

Chapters 9-11

Chapters 12-14

Chapters 15-17

Chapters 18-20

Chapters 21-23

Chapters 24-26

Chapters 27-29

Chapters 30-32

Chapters 33-34

Chapters 35-37

Chapters 38-40

Chapters 41-43

Chapters 44-46
Chapters 47-49
Chapters 50-52
Chapters 53-55
Chapters 56-57
Wrap Up