The Pickwick Papers: Chapter 47 Summary & Analysis

Benjamin and Bob sit in Bob’s surgery, eating and discussing Bob’s future as a doctor. Bob complains that while he has plenty of patients, most of them are poor, so his income remains small. Benjamin, seeing Bob’s frustration, suggests that he should marry Arabella, who has a thousand pounds waiting for her upon marriage or when she comes of age. He urges Bob to propose immediately, but Bob points out that Arabella doesn’t like him. Benjamin dismisses this, claiming she doesn’t know her own mind. Once again, he threatens violence against any man who might have stolen her affections. Bob agrees, promising to act if such a man exists.

Meanwhile, a carriage driven by a man named Martin arrives at Bob’s house, carrying Arabella’s aunt. Arabella’s aunt nervously asks Martin to stay by her side, then she enters the house, where Ben and Bob greet her warmly. After asking for a private moment with Bob, she confesses that Arabella has left home and gotten married. Bob, stunned, runs to tell Benjamin. Benjamin, who is half-asleep and only half understands what Bob says, reacts by attacking Martin. Martin remains calm and knocks Benjamin down just as Pickwick and Sam arrive. Sam watches the chaos with amusement. Pickwick, however, intervenes and separates the men. Upset, Benjamin, grabs Pickwick’s hand and tells him that Arabella is married.

As Benjamin calms down, Sam notices that Arabella’s aunt fainted during the commotion. Bob and Benjamin help revive her while Pickwick explains that Arabella has married Winkle. Benjamin and Bob react angrily, with Bob vowing to challenge Winkle to a duel. The aunt, equally outraged, accuses Sam of helping Arabella sneak away, but Sam defends himself, insisting he only followed orders. Pickwick calms everyone down and explains that Arabella’s marriage was her choice, which he urges Benjamin to respect. Arabella’s aunt steps in and says that what’s done is done, suggesting that Benjamin should move on and accept Arabella’s decision. Benjamin, still upset, swears he’ll never forgive his sister, though Arabella’s aunt suggests that he will with time.

Bob and Pickwick retreat to another room, where Bob drinks himself into a more cheerful mood. Returning to the group, he apologizes for his earlier behavior and proposes a toast to Arabella and Winkle’s happiness. Though reluctant, Benjamin joins in the toast, and the mood lightens. Pickwick then prepares to leave. Before he goes, he makes plans for Benjamin to accompany him on his trip to see Winkle Sr. the next morning. Afterward, Pickwick and Sam leave and head for the Bush Inn. At the inn, Pickwick runs into the same bagman that he met back in Eatanswill. The bagman offers to tell Pickwick another story about Tom Smart, and Pickwick excitedly agrees to listen.