The Pickwick Papers - chapters 21-23


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.


1 comment:

  1. I agree - I think we'll see the lady again.

    I loved to October ghost stories. I think Pickwick was published towards the end of the month, so it would have been seasonable :)

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