Previous
Chapter 21
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
Back in the present, Sam arrives at the Bull Inn, Whitechapel, carrying Pickwick’s luggage, where he finds his father, Tony, waiting for him. The two begin discussing how Mrs. Weller, Sam’s stepmother, has become deeply religious and joined a Methodist group. Mr. Weller shares a comical story about attending one of her religious gatherings. At a tea party, the women fawn over “the shepherd”—the male leader of the group—who gives “the kiss of peace” to each of them. At one point, while the shepherd is sermonizing at the party, he gestures to Mr. Weller and accuses him of being a “sinner” and a “vessel of wrath,” prompting Mr. Weller to angrily respond. A scuffle ensues, which ends with Mr. Weller knocking over the shepherd. The party ends in chaos, much to Mr. Weller’s delight.
This scene presents Mr. Weller’s encounter with religious zealotry as a humorous critique of certain aspects of organized religion, particularly the hypocrisy and performative nature of some gatherings. The women’s admiration for the “shepherd” exposes how spiritual leaders can command both social and personal influence, Dickens uses this moment to highlight how religion, when wielded as a social tool, can become just another source of human folly and manipulation. Mr. Weller sees right through the shepherd and has no respect for him, as his actions clearly demonstrate.
Themes
As Mr. Weller finishes his story, Pickwick arrives at the inn. A red-haired man named Peter Magnus arrives at the same time and strikes up a conversation with Pickwick. Magnus reveals that he is also traveling to Ipswich and insists on traveling together. Magnus talks in an overly familiar manner, sharing odd details about himself and emphasizing how “extraordinary” it is that they are both headed to the same destination. Despite his eccentricities, Pickwick agrees to Magnus’s company.
Magnus is another example of Dickens’s penchant for eccentric characters who disrupt the ordinary flow of events. His tendency to overshare reflects a type of social awkwardness that contrasts with Pickwick’s polite demeanor. Pickwick’s agreement to travel with Magnus, despite the latter’s peculiar behavior, reinforces his characteristic openness to companionship, even when it is inconvenient.
Themes
They all board the coach, and Magnus grows increasingly nervous about his luggage, which he repeatedly asks the hostler to check. His constant worrying about his belongings causes delays, but eventually, the coach departs. After a long journey, they arrive at Ipswich and stop at the Great White Horse Inn. As they disembark, Magnus continues fretting about his luggage and asks Pickwick if they can dine together. Pickwick agrees, though he first inquires with the inn’s staff about whether the other Pickwickians have arrived. When the innkeeper confirms that none of his friends are there, Pickwick settles in for dinner with Magnus.
Clearly, there is something important about Magnus’s luggage that he has not yet disclosed to Pickwick. Because Pickwick does not know the reason for their many stops, Magnus quickly becomes an annoying figure. As such, when Pickwick reaches the Great White Horse Inn, he hopes he will be able to dine with his companions rather than spending more time with Magnus. However, because they have not, Pickwick refuses to be rude and sits down with the strange man anyway.
Themes
During dinner, Magnus reveals that he has come to Ipswich to propose marriage to a woman staying at the inn. He hints that his special suit and hat, packed with great care, will help him make a lasting impression on the woman. Magnus becomes increasingly animated as he talks about his impending proposal, confident that his attire will guarantee success. Pickwick listens politely but remains focused on his own errand in Ipswich: confronting Jingle.
In speaking with Pickwick about the proposal, Magnus builds up a layer of protection for his ego in case the woman to whom he is proposing refuses him. By displacing the success of the proposal onto the suit, Magnus ensures that he will be able to face rejection, should it come. Pickwick, who cares little about Magnus’s ego, instead focuses on his own mission.
Themes
Get the entire The Pickwick Papers LitChart as a printable PDF.
After dinner, Pickwick retires to his room but soon realizes that he left his watch downstairs. Unwilling to ring for the staff so late at night, he decides to retrieve it himself. However, the inn’s confusing layout leads him to get lost as he navigates endless staircases and corridors. After what feels like an eternity, he finally finds the room where he dined and retrieves his watch.
Pickwick’s reluctance to disturb the staff is indicative of his politeness, but it also leads him into avoidable trouble. By trying not to disturb anyone, he is once again setting himself up for a farcical moment, though of course he does not realize it.
Themes
On his way back, Pickwick inadvertently enters the wrong bedroom. He sits down to remove his shoes and nightcap, only to hear someone enter the room. To his horror, a middle-aged woman walks in, completely unaware of his presence. She begins brushing her hair, preparing for bed, while Pickwick hides behind the bedroom curtains in a state of panic. Not wanting to frighten her, he awkwardly calls out, “Ahem!” which only causes her to scream in terror. Pickwick tries to calm her down, but the woman locks him out of the room before he can do so.
Pickwick’s accidental intrusion into the wrong room is a breakdown in the order he tries so hard to maintain. His attempt to defuse the situation with a polite “Ahem!” showcases his naivety, as good intentions are no match for the panic his presence causes. Although Pickwick has made a minor, understandable mistake, its consequences are relatively significant in the context of a society that is excessively concerned with upholding propriety between men and women.
Themes
Now stranded in the dark hallway, Pickwick gropes his way through the inn’s corridors, tripping over boots left outside doors. Just when he is about to give up, he spots Sam coming down the passage. Sam, having stayed up late, leads his master back to the correct room. Relieved, Pickwick tells Sam about the ridiculous mistake he made, vowing never to wander the inn alone again. Sam finds the situation humorous but wisely keeps his comments to himself. Then, they both retire for the night.
Sam is both the literal and figurative guide in Pickwick’s adventures, often rescuing his master from uncomfortable situations. Although the incident deeply upsets Pickwick because he has made himself look foolish, Sam finds the moment funny. For Sam, propriety is largely a concern of upper-class people. He knows that, in the long run, the incident is unlikely to affect Pickwick’s life and reputation.
Themes
