The Pickwick Papers - chapters 30-32

Installment 11 of 20, in The Pickwick Papers 180th anniversary readalong, hosted by On Bookes, and commencing in January, just as Dickens’ eleventh installment was published.

Chapter 30 – Last month the Pickwickians spending their Christmas Holiday at the home of Mr. Wardle. On Christmas morning, a pair of new visitors are introduced, two young medical students, surgeons to be precise, or sawbones as Mr. Weller calls them. Mr. Ben Allen is brother to Arabella, and his companion Mr. Bob Sawyer is an apparent challenger to Mr. Winkle for Arabella’s affection. The group goes skating after church, and Winkle embarrasses himself. However, the climax to the chapter comes when the ever dignified, or at least ever striving for dignity, Mr. Pickwick falls through the ice. He disappears below the water, and a brief panic ensues, until Pickwick gains his footing in the chest deep pond. He is safely transported to warm fire and warm punch and all is well. Before everyone disperses, Bob Sawyer invites Pickwick and company to his home, back in environs of London.

Chapter 31 – After the farcical romp of the last chapter, things turn serious, as the Pickwick’s companions, and his valet Sam Weller are subpoenaed for the plaintiff in the breach of promise suit against Mr. Pickwick. Somewhat disconcerted by this visits his own legal counsel, who in turn introduces Pickwick to Serjeant Snubbin. I’m a bit unclear on Snubbin’s role, but he is some critical part of Pickwick’s defense team, and an austere character of supreme confidence.

Chapter 32 – Returns again to lighthearted fun again. Mr. Pickwick seems quite able to set his legal woes aside, for an evening – a day – a weekend – of revelry. The Pickwickians pay their visit to the home of Bob Sawyer, as planned from chapter 30. Before the party arrives though, the reader learns that Mr. Sawyer is in arrears with his landlady, and that the situation is nearing a crisis. Mr. Sawyer and his friends are a fairly common Dickens’ motif – young dandies, living beyond their means, and aloof to the discomfort it causes their creditors. The Pickwickians arrive, the party ensues, and at a moment of great joviality – in song – in the early morning hours, the landlady throws the party out, not without an insult to the dignity of Mr. Pickwick.

Another motif – of this particular tale. One feels for dear Mr. Pickwick. He is really quite a decent chap, a bit pompous, nothing worse, but so often mistaken for a shameless scoundrel. The reader – this reader at least – worries about his upcoming trial.

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