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Chapter 48
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 Sam prepare for their journey to see Winkle Sr. early the next morning. Their coach arrives promptly at a quarter before nine, and they stop first at Bob’s house to collect Benjamin. Bob emerges from the house, along with Benjamin and informs Pickwick that he plans to join them. Pickwick, taken aback, suggests that Bob should not abandon his medical practice for the day. However, Bob brushes off Pickwick’s concern, joking that none of his patients pay anyway.
Right away, Bob shows that he’s more interested in tagging along for the ride than taking his career seriously. His flippant response about unpaid patients shows a general lack of responsibility. Pickwick’s surprise at Bob’s eagerness to come along signals his growing awareness that this trip might spiral out of control if he is not careful.
Themes
Despite Pickwick’s reservations, Bob cheerfully joins the trip. As they leave the city, Bob’s behavior grows increasingly exuberant. He tosses aside his spectacles, throws off any sense of professional decorum, and begins entertaining passersby with loud imitations of a. Pickwick, while trying to talk seriously with Benjamin about Winkle’s good qualities, grows irritated with Bob’s antics, especially when he notices the attention they are drawing from onlookers. Benjamin dismisses Pickwick’s concerns, assuring him that Bob won’t go too far unless he’s had too much to drink. However, moments later, Bob is sitting up on the roof of the carriage with a sandwich and a drink in his hand.
Bob’s carefree behavior on the journey makes it clear that he isn’t taking anything seriously, especially his supposed role in supporting Pickwick’s mission. Pickwick’s frustration builds as he realizes his companions aren’t on the same page. What makes this worse is Benjamin’s casual acceptance of Bob’s antics, which further undermines Pickwick’s hope for a smooth encounter with Winkle Sr. Whether or not it is intentional, Bob and Benjamin seem to be ensuring that Arabella will not marry Winkle, after all.
Themes
After some freshening up, Pickwick, Bob, and Benjamin head out to Winkle Sr.’s residence. Inside, Bob attempts to flirt with the servant girl, but she responds by slapping him and storming off. Winkle Sr., a small, balding man who looks much like his son, greets Pickwick with polite formality. Pickwick introduces Bob and Benjamin, the latter of whom is still in a drunken daze. Bob pinches Benjamin to alert him, and Benjamin proceeds to greet Winkle Sr. with an overly enthusiastic handshake. He then proceeds to offer Winkle Sr. refreshments, clearly not realizing where he is. Winkle Sr. is obviously unimpressed, so Pickwick quickly presents the letter from Winkle. He asks Winkle Sr. to read it carefully, hoping for a favorable response to the news of Winkle’s marriage to Arabella.
The encounter at Winkle Sr.’s house takes a nosedive almost immediately. Bob’s misguided flirtation with the servant sets the tone, signaling that professionalism and good behavior won’t be part of this visit. Benjamin’s awkward greeting makes matters worse, demonstrating how far out of their depth the two companions are. For Pickwick, this scene highlights the consequences of bringing along two companions who lack self-awareness, especially at a time when first impressions matter most. Pickwick’s decision to introduce the letter feels like a last-ditch effort to salvage the visit, but by this point, it does not seem like things will improve.
Themes
Winkle Sr. reads the letter, showing no emotion as he turns the pages. Bob, attempting to lighten the mood, makes a clownish face, but Winkle Sr. catches him and glares at him with stern disapproval. After finishing the letter, Winkle Sr. quietly asks for Winkle’s address, which Pickwick provides. Pickwick tries to get Winkle Sr. to say something positive about the marriage, but Winkle Sr. refuses, saying instead that he needs to think things over. Instead, he expresses displeasure with Winkle’s behavior due to the financial implications of the marriage.
Winkle Sr.’s neutral expression while reading the letter makes it hard for Pickwick to gauge his response, leaving him in an awkward state of limbo. Bob’s inappropriate attempt to lift the mood backfires spectacularly, reinforcing the group’s lack of decorum. Unfortunately, Winkle Sr.’s focus on the financial side of the marriage reveals where his priorities lie: he's less concerned with Winkle’s personal choices and more worried about how those choices might affect his wallet.
Themes
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Benjamin awkwardly stammers out that Winkle Sr. should be ashamed of himself, but Benjamin’s clumsy effort only reinforces Winkle’s belief that the marriage is ill-advised. He dismisses the group, showing them to the door without further discussion. Pickwick can do nothing but leave with his companions. As they walk back to their hotel, Pickwick reflects on how poorly the meeting went and laments that he ever agreed to bring Bob and Benjamin along. The group retires for the night feeling defeated, with the situation unresolved.
Benjamin’s impulsive outburst is the final nail in the coffin, solidifying Winkle Sr.’s disapproval and making it impossible for Pickwick to salvage the visit. Pickwick’s regret about bringing Bob and Benjamin captures his growing frustration with how the day has unfolded. In the end, the group departs with a feeling of resignation, disappointed in themselves for failing to achieve their mission.
Themes
