Previous
Chapter 35
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
The morning before Winkle and Dowler’s confrontation, Sam receives an unexpected letter from John Smauker, a footman Sam had met earlier, inviting him to a footmen’s gathering. The invitation humorously describes a boiled leg of mutton as the main attraction. Sam seeks permission from Pickwick to attend the event, which Pickwick grants, and sets off to meet Smauker. Upon arriving, Sam encounters Smauker leaning nonchalantly against a lamppost. They exchange pleasantries and discuss the waters of Bath, which Sam says taste like “warm flat irons,” much to Smauker’s disapproval. As they approach the gathering, Smauker warns Sam that some of the footmen may be initially standoffish but reassures him that they will come around.
This section gives Dickens the chance to further explore Sam’s adaptability in social situations. His easy-going banter with Smauker, like the remark about the waters tasting like “warm flat irons,” captures Sam’s quick wit and ability to mock social pretensions while staying likable. Smauker’s warning that the footmen might be aloof initially hints at the class-conscious nature of even minor social groups, but Sam’s confidence shows that this dynamic does not intimidate him.
Themes
At the gathering, Sam notices that the footmen treat the dinner with exaggerated formality. Sam interacts confidently, making jokes about the food and the extravagant behavior of the footmen, earning him approval from the group. The evening progresses with speeches, compliments, and humor. A coachman who has recently resigned from his post, delivers a speech about the indignity of being asked to eat cold meat. Additionally, Sam is toasted and responds with a witty speech, mocking the affected airs of the footmen but doing so in a way that keeps him in their good graces.
The gathering emphasizes Sam’s charm and sharp tongue, allowing him to navigate even the most pretentious environments with ease. His speech pokes fun at the footmen’s pomp while still endearing Sam to the footmen. This shows how Sam can move through different social spheres without compromising his personality. As always, the food and drink help greatly with the sense of social cohesion.
Themes
The night concludes with Sam humorously helping a footman who is too drunk to stand by propping him against his door. The next morning, Pickwick informs Sam that Winkle has fled after the confrontation with Dowler. Sam is tasked with finding Winkle and bringing him back, even if it requires using force. Sam accepts the mission, setting off to Bristol in pursuit of the runaway Winkle.
The episode with the drunken footman adds a slapstick element, reinforcing the comic nature of the gatherings. Meanwhile, the transition from the lighthearted dinner to the serious mission to track down Winkle demonstrates Sam’s versatility, as he is able to shift from playful camaraderie to dutiful servant whenever it is needed.
Themes
