Installment 8 of 20, in The Pickwick Papers 180th anniversary readalong, hosted by On Bookes, and commencing in October, just as Dickens’ eighth installment was published.
The august Mr. Pickwick
himself is the only member of the five Pickwickians who appears in chapters
21-23.
Chapter 21: Let us remember, The Pickwick Papers was
initially published serially in newspapers, and the readers were left often
with a cliffhanger and had to wait a full month before their curiosity was
satisfied. Last month ended with Mr. Pickwick about to leave a pub when he was
nearly accosted by a curios denizen of the pub, Jack Bamber, who it turns out,
simply wants to spin a few yarns – all true of course.
Jack tells two quite short
stories. I found the second amusing. It recounts a haunting, wherein the
haunted merely asks the ghost why he – the ghost – does not quit his former
abode for more cheery and comfortable locations. The ghost is a bit embarrassed
why the simple but excellent idea has not occurred to him before and prepares
to follow the advice. He also agrees to pass on the idea to his fellow spirits.
Jack’s third tale is much
longer and involves revenge. It is left a bit unfinished where Jack’s knowledge
ends, so the reader is uncertain if it may come to bear later in our tale.
I’ve realized The Pickwick
Papers is a vehicle for Dickens to tell short stories, as told by persons the
Pickwickians encounter – presumably unrelated to the greater tale – vignettes
if you will.
Chapter 22: Is another recurring theme: The dignity and
virtue of Mr. Pickwick, or sometimes his colleagues, suffers repeated comical
blows. Mr. Pickwick is a pompous gent, clearly a decent fellow, though a bit
imperious. He has already suffered several unjust blows to his dignity, and
must alas be given another lesson in humility in this chapter. He meets another pompous gentleman on the
road and they take lodging at the same inn. The gentleman, Mr. Magnus, reveals
to Pickwick that he intends to propose marriage to a worthy lady the next day.
Later that evening, Pickwick mistakenly enters the wrong room to settle in for
the night. Just as he is in an unpresentable condition, the rightful occupant
arrives. Instead of immediately making himself known, Pickwick waits,
presumably to surmise the situation, but the wait proves disastrous as the
middle aged LADY, who imagines herself quite alone, also naturally begins to
make herself comfortable for the night. The situation is unbearable, Pickwick
is eventually revealed, he asserts his innocence, but the lady is clearly
rather dubious. I was left with the distinct feeling the lady may be Mr. Magnus’
intended and this situation may return to defame Pickwick again.
Chapter 23:
Involves another chance encounter between Pickwick’s valet, Sam Weller, and Mr.
Trotter, the valet of the infamous scoundrel Mr. Jingle, whom Pickwick has been
pursuing since chapter nine in order to avenge several indignities and bring
the rascal to justice. Thus far, Trotter and Jingle always get the better of
Weller and Pickwick. But we shall have to wait until next month to judge the
contest this time.
I agree - I think we'll see the lady again.
ReplyDeleteI loved to October ghost stories. I think Pickwick was published towards the end of the month, so it would have been seasonable :)