The Pickwick Papers - chapters 33-34

Installment 12 of 20, in The Pickwick Papers 180th anniversary readalong, hosted by On Bookes, and commencing in February, just as Dickens’ twelfth installment was published.




Chapter 33: Sam, upon strolling about town, is reminded that the next day is St. Valentine’s Day, by the display in a stationer’s window. Sam immediately buys a blank card and begins composing a letter – presumably a love letter – to persons unknown. Sam’s father shows up and expresses dismay at Sam’s undertaking, due to his own unhappy situation. The two exchange amusing dialogue regarding the follies of love, and the qualities of Sam’s letter. Sam eventually, and inexplicably, signs the letter “Your love-sick Pickwick.

Father and son then attend, also inexplicable to this reader’s understanding of these two characters, attend a temperance meeting. There are several testimonials, a terrific row, and Sam and father retreat. 

Chapter 34: An account of Mr. Pickwick’s breach of promise trial – begins with Pickwick’s counsel, Mr. Perker opining that the matter will most likely hang on whether the jury foreman has had a good breakfast. Well fed – favors the accused, poorly fed – the plaintiff. Pickwick is not comforted.

The prosecution produces letters from Pickwick to his landlady, the plaintiff, the widow Mrs. Bardell.  The letters are brief instructions regarding dinner and advising of a late arrival. The prosecution though, asserts they are code and portend every sort of dishonorable intention in Pickwick.

Pickwick’s friends, Winkle, Tupman, and Snodgrass take the stand in his defense and bungle the affair. The jury rules in favor of Mrs. Bardell and awards her £750 – no small sum (approximately £45,000 - £50,000 or $55,000 - $61,000 in 2017).

The chapter concludes with Pickwick swearing that he will never pay a farthing.  Messrs. Dodson and Fogg seem not the least concerned.


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