The Pickwick Papers - chapters 56 - 57
Installment 20 of 20, in The Pickwick Papers 180th Anniversary Read Along hosted by On Bookes. This installment comes in November, just as Dickens’ twentieth and final installment was published.
Last month, as I anticipated the
final two chapters, I wondered if Dickens would contrive some poetic justice
for the scoundrel lawyers Dodson and Fogg, how he would sew up the remaining
loose end – the rift between Winkle’s father and Winkle over the younger Winkle’s
marriage, and if perhaps Tupman might not also find a wife.
The final two chapters are both quite
brief.
Chapter 56 – Pickwick’s valet, Sam
Weller and his father Tony Weller call on Pickwick to request Pickwick, act as
steward of Tony’s small fortune that he inherited with the passing of his wife.
Pickwick is at first reluctant, but eventually agrees, presumably upon hearing
of the inept plans of Tony Weller. Pickwick and Tony also discuss Pickwick’s
plans to see Sam and Mary married. The two elder gentlemen agree to the union
but Sam resolutely confirms he will not submit, such is his loyalty and
intention to serve as Mr. Pickwick’s valet to the end of time. The chapter
concludes with the happy event of Mr. Winkle’s father arriving to question
young Arabella and eventually give his blessing to the marriage that has
already taken place.
Chapter 57 – In which Dickens ties up
the few remaining loose ends. Winkle and father, and wife/daughter-in-law are
happily reconciled. Snodgrass and Emily are married, with the blessing of Mr.
Wardle, which was not much in question last month. The Pickwick club is
dissolved. Pickwick moves to a new house, with Sam as Valet, of course, an
elderly woman as housekeeper, with Mary in service as well. The elderly woman
eventually passes away, and Pickwick promotes Mary to the vacant post, with the
one provision that she and Sam be wed immediately. They willingly agree and
have two children. Tupman remains a confirmed bachelor.
Dickens does his readers the favor of
describing the fate of some of the other principals as well. Mr. Jingles and
Job Trotter become “worthy members of society” having been given a good start
by Pickwick. Ben Allen and Bob Sawyer serve in India, and Mrs. Bardell
continues her livelihood as a landlady, but never again brings a breach of
promise suit.
Everything is nice and tidy. I was
mistaken thinking that Dickens would visit some justice upon the heads of Messrs.
Dodson and Fogg. It seems their come uppance was the dressing down delivered by
Mr. Pickwick last month.
The dear Mr. Pickwick settles into a quiet
and leisurely life and is respected and adored by the humble people of his
neighborhood. The reader has always known that Pickwick is a good and
charitable soul. He is the implied benefactor of any unfortunates in his
neighborhood.
The End.
No comments:
Post a Comment