The Pickwick Papers

by

Charles Dickens

Augustus Snodgrass Character Analysis

Augustus Snodgrass is a member of the Pickwick Club, known primarily for his supposed devotion to poetry, though he rarely, if ever, demonstrates any actual talent for it. Often described as dreamy and introspective, Snodgrass fashions himself a poet and romantic, though his literary aspirations remain more of a self-imposed label than a real pursuit. His role within the group is passive, as he tends to follow along with the others rather than take initiative. Snodgrass’s most significant plot involvement occurs when he falls in love with Emily Wardle, the sister of Mr. Wardle. Snodgrass shows genuine affection for Emily, and their relationship stands in contrast to the more farcical romantic pursuits of his companions.

Augustus Snodgrass Quotes in The Pickwick Papers

The The Pickwick Papers quotes below are all either spoken by Augustus Snodgrass or refer to Augustus Snodgrass. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Male Friendship Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1 Quotes

Mr Pickwick observed (says the Secretary) that fame was dear to the heart of every man. Poetic fame was dear to the heart of his friend Snodgrass, the fame of conquest was equally dear to his friend Tupman; and the desire of earning fame, in the sports of the field, the air, and the water, was uppermost in the breast of his friend Winkle. He (Mr Pickwick) would not deny, that he was influenced by human passions, and human feelings, (cheers) – possibly by human weaknesses – (loud cries of “No”); but this he would say, that if ever the fire of self-importance broke out in his bosom the desire to benefit the human race in preference, effectually quenched it. The praise of mankind was his Swing; philanthropy was his insurance office. (Vehement cheering.)

Related Characters: Samuel Pickwick (speaker), Nathaniel Winkle, Tracy Tupman, Augustus Snodgrass
Related Symbols: The Pickwick Club
Page Number: 17
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 30 Quotes

‘It’s only a subpœna in Bardell and Pickwick on behalf of the plaintiff,’ replied Jackson, singling out one of the slips of paper, and producing a shilling from his waistcoat-pocket. ‘It’ll come on, in the settens after Term; fourteenth of Febooary, we expect; we’ve marked it a special jury cause, and it’s only ten down the paper. That’s yours, Mr Snodgrass.’ As Jackson said this, he presented the parchment before the eyes of Mr Snodgrass, and slipped the paper and the shilling into his hand.

Related Characters: Mr. Jackson (speaker), Samuel Pickwick, Augustus Snodgrass, Dodson, Fogg, Mrs. Bardell
Page Number: 404
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 33 Quotes

‘I wonder what the foreman of the jury, whoever he’ll be, has got for breakfast,’ said Mr Snodgrass, by way of keeping up a conversation on the eventful morning of the fourteenth of February.

‘Ah!’ said Perker, ‘I hope he’s got a good one.’

‘Why so?’ inquired Mr Pickwick.

‘Highly important – very important, my dear Sir,’ replied Perker. ‘A good, contented, well-breakfasted juryman, is a capital thing to get hold of. Discontented or hungry jurymen, my dear Sir, always find for the plaintiff.’

Related Characters: Samuel Pickwick (speaker), Augustus Snodgrass (speaker), Mr. Perker (speaker)
Related Symbols: Food and Drink
Page Number: 445
Explanation and Analysis:
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Augustus Snodgrass Quotes in The Pickwick Papers

The The Pickwick Papers quotes below are all either spoken by Augustus Snodgrass or refer to Augustus Snodgrass. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Male Friendship Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1 Quotes

Mr Pickwick observed (says the Secretary) that fame was dear to the heart of every man. Poetic fame was dear to the heart of his friend Snodgrass, the fame of conquest was equally dear to his friend Tupman; and the desire of earning fame, in the sports of the field, the air, and the water, was uppermost in the breast of his friend Winkle. He (Mr Pickwick) would not deny, that he was influenced by human passions, and human feelings, (cheers) – possibly by human weaknesses – (loud cries of “No”); but this he would say, that if ever the fire of self-importance broke out in his bosom the desire to benefit the human race in preference, effectually quenched it. The praise of mankind was his Swing; philanthropy was his insurance office. (Vehement cheering.)

Related Characters: Samuel Pickwick (speaker), Nathaniel Winkle, Tracy Tupman, Augustus Snodgrass
Related Symbols: The Pickwick Club
Page Number: 17
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 30 Quotes

‘It’s only a subpœna in Bardell and Pickwick on behalf of the plaintiff,’ replied Jackson, singling out one of the slips of paper, and producing a shilling from his waistcoat-pocket. ‘It’ll come on, in the settens after Term; fourteenth of Febooary, we expect; we’ve marked it a special jury cause, and it’s only ten down the paper. That’s yours, Mr Snodgrass.’ As Jackson said this, he presented the parchment before the eyes of Mr Snodgrass, and slipped the paper and the shilling into his hand.

Related Characters: Mr. Jackson (speaker), Samuel Pickwick, Augustus Snodgrass, Dodson, Fogg, Mrs. Bardell
Page Number: 404
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 33 Quotes

‘I wonder what the foreman of the jury, whoever he’ll be, has got for breakfast,’ said Mr Snodgrass, by way of keeping up a conversation on the eventful morning of the fourteenth of February.

‘Ah!’ said Perker, ‘I hope he’s got a good one.’

‘Why so?’ inquired Mr Pickwick.

‘Highly important – very important, my dear Sir,’ replied Perker. ‘A good, contented, well-breakfasted juryman, is a capital thing to get hold of. Discontented or hungry jurymen, my dear Sir, always find for the plaintiff.’

Related Characters: Samuel Pickwick (speaker), Augustus Snodgrass (speaker), Mr. Perker (speaker)
Related Symbols: Food and Drink
Page Number: 445
Explanation and Analysis: