Previous
Chapter 1
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Pickwick Papers, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Male Friendship
Predatory Social Institutions
Social Class and Inequality
Marriage and Courtship
Generosity and Forgiveness
Summary
Analysis
As the sun rises the following day, Pickwick awakens with excitement for the journey ahead. He takes a moment to reflect on the mundane view from his window on Goswell Street, pondering how much more the world has to offer beyond such limited sights. Resolving to explore those hidden corners, he dresses quickly, packs his portmanteau, and, armed with his telescope and notebook for documenting his observations, and heads off to St. Martin’s-le-Grand, with the goal of eventually traveling to Rochester.
Pickwick’s excitement at the start of his journey reflects both his eagerness to escape the monotony of Goswell Street and his sincere thirst for discovery. His brief reflection on the limited view from his window suggests an almost childlike wonder at the vastness of the world that lies beyond. Although Dickens pokes fun at the Pickwickians throughout the novel, he also admires their genuine sense of adventure and their desire to understand more about the world around them.
Themes
At the coach stand, Pickwick encounters a rather peculiar cab driver. When Pickwick inquires about the driver’s horse, the driver claims the creature is 42 years old, a statement Pickwick dutifully records in his notebook. During the ride, the cab driver makes several other strange remarks, all of which Pickwick records. Eventually, they arrive at the Golden Cross, where Tupman, Snodgrass, and Winkle eagerly await Pickwick. However, when Pickwick attempts to pay his cab fare, the driver hurls Pickwick’s money back at him and tries to fight him. Pickwick is confused at the sudden act of aggression, but he eventually realizes that the driver thinks he is some sort of informer.
The driver’s ridiculous claims, amuse Pickwick, who takes each statement seriously, demonstrating his tendency to see value in even the most absurd details. This encounter sets the stage for the misunderstandings that often accompany Pickwick’s interactions. The cab driver is not used to someone like Pickwick who writes down his every word and assumes that the only reason an upper class person would care about him is to get him in trouble. From his perspective, Pickwick would never have thought of such a thing, which creates the misunderstanding.
Themes
Confusion mounts, and the situation escalates until a mysterious young man in a green coat intervenes, diffusing the confrontation and escorting Pickwick and his friends to safety. The stranger, who speaks rapidly and in fragmented phrases, leads the group into a nearby tavern. Though clearly eccentric, the stranger has a charm about him that captivates the Pickwickians. As the group prepares to head out to Rochester, the stranger suggests that they ride there together, as he is going there as well. The Pickwickians agree, and everyone climbs into a coach together. On the way to Rochester, the stranger maintains a constant stream of conversation, regaling the group with bizarre tales of his life. One such story involves a pointer dog so intelligent it refused to pass a sign warning that all dogs found in the area would be shot. Pickwick, ever the observer, dutifully makes notes of the stranger’s anecdotes.
The arrival of the stranger in the green coat injects unpredictability into Pickwick’s journey. His erratic speech and disjointed stories contrast with Pickwick’s methodical approach to observing the world. This moment shows how Pickwick attracts not only adventure but also colorful personalities, which has both its benefits and its drawbacks. Pickwick’s openness to these encounters demonstrates a spirit of acceptance that values companionship over judgment. Although Pickwick’s class status is sometimes apparent, he generally tries to take everyone at face value and assumes that everyone has something of note to contribute to the world.
Themes
Once they arrive in Rochester, the group makes their way to an inn, where they plan to spend the night. Over dinner, the chatty stranger continues to entertain with more outlandish stories. Throughout the dinner, the stranger becomes increasingly infatuated with the idea of attending a local ball. However, there is a problem: the stranger lacks the proper attire. Tupman suggests that the stranger wear Winkle’s dress suit, which the stranger ultimately decides to do. However, he does not ask Winkle for permission, nor does he tell him that he is borrowing the outfit.
The Pickwick Papers often functions as a comedy of errors, where slight misunderstandings turn into disproportionately major conflicts. A character wearing another character’s clothes is a classic setup in the genre. The fact that Winkle does not know that the stranger will be wearing his clothes lays the groundwork for such a misunderstanding. The fact that the stranger does not have clothes appropriate for the ball suggests that he does not have the money to afford such attire and is lower on the social hierarchy than Pickwick and his friends.
Themes
Get the entire The Pickwick Papers LitChart as a printable PDF.
Later, at the ball, the stranger boldly approaches Mrs. Budger, a wealthy widow, and quickly wins her favor—much to the dismay of Dr. Slammer, a military surgeon who had been interested in her. As the evening progresses, the stranger’s charm proves too much for Slammer, who grows increasingly angry that Mrs. Budger prefers the stranger over him. Enraged, Slammer challenges the stranger to a duel. However, when the ball ends, the stranger vanishes without a trace.
Here, the stranger proves too charming for his own good, as his ways with women immediately put him in danger. The stranger does not respect Dr. Slammer or his request to duel whatsoever. The stranger thinks it unlikely that he will ever see these people again, so he is fine to simply cause problems and then leave. However, he does so while wearing Winkle’s clothing, which is sure to cause a problem for the Pickwickians.
Themes
The next morning, Slammer sends a steward to issue Winkle an invitation to a duel. The steward identifies Winkle by his jacket, not realizing that Winkle is not the one responsible for insulting Slammer. Winkle, bewildered and having no memory of any confrontation, is shocked but feels he must defend his honor. He agrees to the duel, hoping to avoid disgrace in front of his companions. With Snodgrass as his second, the two friends set out, neither particularly experienced in the art of dueling. When they arrive at the appointed location, it quickly becomes clear that something is amiss.
The duel serves as a parody of honor culture, with Winkle thrust into a situation he neither caused nor understands. His bewilderment at the challenge shows the absurdity of adhering to rituals of male pride and conflict. Yet, beneath the comedy lies a genuine concern for reputation—Winkle feels compelled to participate to avoid losing face. Meanwhile, Snodgrass demonstrates that he is a true friend, as he potentially puts his life in danger to aid Winkle.
Themes
As Winkle takes his place, preparing for the worst, Slammer calls off the duel, realizing that Winkle is not the man who insulted him. Slammer apologizes profusely for the mix-up. Winkle, relieved, accepts his apology. The two men part on good terms, with Slammer even inviting Winkle and his friends to join him for drinks that evening to make amends for the misunderstanding.
Luckily, although Dr. Slammer is ill-tempered, he is not unreasonable. Just as his sense of honor incensed him to fight, it also implores him to apologize. Slammer’s apology includes an invitation to drinks, which is a constant activity that encourages male friendship and bonding throughout the novel.
Themes
