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Chapter 38
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
Pickwick and his friends return to London after their stay in Bath. Three days later, Sam sees a strange-looking man arrive at the George and Vulture. The man tries to push his way past Sam to get to Pickwick, but Sam refuses to let him through, resulting in a small scuffle. The man explains that his name is Mr. Namby and that he is a sheriff’s officer, who has come to arrest Pickwick for failing to pay Mrs. Bardell. Then, Namby goes to Pickwick’s room and serves him with the arrest warrant. Sam once again tries to interfere, but Pickwick tells him to stand down. Namby calls for a coach to take Pickwick to Coleman Street, where he will be held until he can pay the damages. Sam, Pickwick, and Smouch (Namby’s assistant) all ride together in the coach to the holding place.
Sam’s attempt to block Mr. Namby from arresting Pickwick shows he is willing to protect his employer at all costs, even if he ends up in prison himself. The scuffle adds humor to an otherwise grim situation, as Sam’s defiance contrasts with Namby’s bureaucratic determination to carry out his duty. Pickwick’s decision to stop Sam from intervening shows his acceptance of responsibility. He has made his bed, and now he feels he must lie in it without getting other people he cares about, such as Sam, in further trouble.
Themes
At Coleman Street, Pickwick is taken to a grimy coffee room where he waits with a group of disreputable characters. One is a young boy boasting about his wild behavior, and another is a man who has been waiting a week, still thinking he’ll be released soon. Pickwick observes these men with some discomfort. Perker arrives and suggests he pay the damages to avoid going to prison. Still, Pickwick refuses, saying he would rather be imprisoned than give in. They discuss where he should be taken, and Pickwick decides to go to Fleet Prison.
Pickwick’s discomfort in the coffee room indicates his unfamiliarity with this side of society. Perker’s practical advice speaks to the reality of the situation, but Pickwick’s stubborn refusal to pay emphasizes his strong moral stance, even when the easier option lies before him. His insistence on going to Fleet Prison signals his readiness to confront hardship directly and to stand firm on his principles.
Themes
After some delays, they head to Fleet Prison, with Pickwick and the tipstaff (a prison official) in a coach. When they arrive, Pickwick goes through the process known as “sitting for your portrait,” where the prison guards inspect him to remember his face as a new prisoner. Finally, Pickwick is told that he can rent a bed for the night from one of the prison guards, as proper arrangements for his stay will be made the next day. Once all of this is settled, Pickwick finds himself alone in the debtor’s prison.
The surreal nature of Pickwick’s arrival at Fleet Prison turns a grim experience into something strangely theatrical. The guards’ offer to rent him a bed underscores the transactional nature of prison life, where even basic comforts are not freely given. Pickwick’s new surroundings force him to confront the harsh consequences of standing by his principles, setting the stage for the challenges that lie ahead.
Themes
