The Pickwick Papers: Chapter 13 Summary & Analysis

The narrator provides an account of the town of Eatanswill, known for its deeply divided political scene, where everyone aligns themselves with one of the two main factions: the Blues and the Buffs. The citizens of Eatanswill take great pride in their town’s importance, and each man considers his political stance a matter of utmost significance. As a result, the Blues and Buffs find themselves constantly at odds, even over trivial matters. If the Buffs propose a new skylight in the market, the Blues vehemently oppose it, and if the Blues suggest a new pump for the High Street, the Buffs react with outrage. The rivalry runs so deep that shops, inns, and even the church itself have Blue and Buff affiliations.

Two newspapers fuel the political fervor: The Eatanswill Gazette and The Eatanswill Independent. The former champions the Blues, while the latter staunchly supports the Buffs. Both publications fill their pages with scathing articles, calling each other disgraceful and untrustworthy, which keeps the townspeople riled up. Amidst this charged atmosphere, Samuel Slumkey, the Blue candidate, faces off against Horatio Fizkin, the Buff candidate, in a highly contested election. Each candidate’s supporters claim that the eyes of all England are on Eatanswill, urging the town to choose the true defender of their values.

Pickwick and his friends arrive in the town during this period of intense excitement. They find the streets bustling with activity, as large blue flags fly from the Town Arms Inn, Slumkey’s headquarters. A crowd gathers below a man on a balcony who is loudly praising Slumkey. The man has difficulty making sure his praise heard because Fizkin has hired drummers to play nearby and drown him out. As Pickwick and his companions dismount from their coach, they are greeted by enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, even though the mob has little idea of who they are supporting. In the spirit of the moment, Pickwick joins the cheers for Slumkey.

Seeking accommodations, Pickwick learns that Slumkey’s supporters dominate the available lodging. While looking for a place to stay, Pickwick and his friends meet Mr. Pott, the editor of The Eatanswill Gazette, who takes great pride in his influence over local opinion. Pott attributes the heated political atmosphere in town to his efforts, believing he has stirred the passions of the public through his articles.

Pott invites Pickwick and Winkle to stay at his home, while Tupman and Snodgrass find beds at the Peacock Inn. At Pott’s house, they encounter Mrs. Pott, who expresses her frustration with her husband’s obsession with politics. At the Pott household, Pickwick endures a lengthy recitation of Pott’s past articles, while Mrs. Pott and Winkle talk. 

The next morning, the town prepares for the election, with the sound of drums, trumpets, and the shouts of party supporters filling the air. Sam tells Pickwick about the tactics used to rouse voters, which include reviving drunks under the town pump. As the candidates prepare for the procession to the hustings, Perker, an old friend of Pickwick’s and Slumkey’s advisor, tells Slumkey about the importance of connecting with the public, including shaking hands with voters and kissing babies to win favor. Reluctantly, Slumkey agrees to Perker’s suggestions, knowing that public displays like this could sway undecided voters.

With great fanfare, Slumkey’s procession moves through the town, complete with flags, bands, and enthusiastic supporters. Slumkey, coached by Perker, takes every opportunity to interact with voters, even managing to kiss several babies, much to the delight of the crowd. However, the Buffs and the Blues soon find themselves clashing as their processions converge, leading to chaos. Pickwick, caught in the crowd, struggles to maintain his footing and ends up being pushed to the hustings, where he finds himself surrounded by angry supporters from both sides.

On the hustings, Fizkin and Slumkey deliver speeches filled with promises to support the town’s prosperity and dedication to their voters. Both candidates claim to be champions of Eatanswill, each criticizing the other’s supporters as unfit for the duties of citizenship. Slumkey’s band plays loudly to drown out Fizkin’s speech, leading to physical scuffles between the two factions. The mayor struggles to restore order, threatening to take legal action against the candidates for their behavior. After much back and forth, eventually everyone calms down enough for the speeches to continue.

After the speeches, a show of hands indicates support for Slumkey, but Fizkin demands a poll, prolonging the election process. Throughout the polling days, the town remains in a state of uproar, with voters indulging in the free drinks provided by both sides. The town’s streets become a stage for brawls and rowdy behavior, as party agents continue their efforts to sway the remaining unpolled voters. In the final hours, Perker manages to convince a group of undecided electors to cast their votes for Slumkey, securing his victory. The election ends with Slumkey declared the winner, much to his supporters’ delight. His triumph signals the end of the intense political battle, and the town’s celebratory cheers echo through the streets.