Marriage and Courtship Theme Analysis

It was a remarkable coincidence perhaps, but it was nevertheless a fact, that Mr Jingle within five minutes after his arrival at Manor Farm on the preceding night, had inwardly resolved to lay siege to the heart of the spinster aunt, without delay. He had observation enough to see, that his off-hand manner was by no means disagreeable to the fair object of his attack; and he had more than a strong suspicion that she possessed that most desirable of all requisites, a small independence. The imperative necessity of ousting his rival by some means or other, flashed quickly upon him, and he immediately resolved to adopt certain proceedings tending to that end and object, without a moment’s delay. Fielding tells us that man is fire, and woman tow, and the Prince of Darkness sets a light to ’em. Mr Jingle knew that young men, to spinster aunts, are as lighted gas to gunpowder, and he determined to essay the effect of an explosion without loss of time.

‘That depends – ’ said Mrs Bardell, approaching the duster very near to Mr Pickwick’s elbow, which was planted on the table; ‘that depends a good deal upon the person, you know, Mr Pickwick; and whether it’s a saving and careful person, Sir.’

‘That’s very true,’ said Mr Pickwick, ‘but the person I have in my eye (here he looked very hard at Mrs Bardell) I think possesses these qualities; and has, moreover, a considerable knowledge of the world, and a great deal of sharpness, Mrs Bardell; which may be of material use to me.’

‘La, Mr Pickwick,’ said Mrs Bardell; the crimson rising to her cap-border again.

‘I do,’ said Mr Pickwick, growing energetic, as was his wont in speaking of a subject which interested him, ‘I do, indeed; and to tell you the truth, Mrs Bardell, I have made up my mind.’

‘Dear me, Sir,’ exclaimed Mrs Bardell.’

‘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.

‘She’s a very charming and delightful creature,’ quoth Mr Robert Sawyer, in reply; ‘and has only one fault that I know of, Ben. It happens unfortunately, that that single blemish is a want of taste. She don’t like me.’

‘It’s my opinion that she don’t know what she does like,’ said Mr Ben Allen, contemptuously.

‘Perhaps not,’ remarked Mr Bob Sawyer. ‘But it’s my opinion that she does know what she doesn’t like, and that’s of even more importance.’

‘I wish,’ said Mr Ben Allen, setting his teeth together, and speaking more like a savage warrior who fed upon raw wolf’s flesh which he carved with his fingers, than a peaceable young gentleman who eat minced veal with a knife and fork – ‘I wish I knew whether any rascal really has been tampering with her, and attempting to engage her affections. I think I should assassinate him, Bob.’

‘The fact is, Mr Pickwick, that when I gave my son a roving license for a year or so to see something of men and manners (which he has done under your auspices), so that he might not enter into life a mere boarding-school milksop to be gulled by every body, I never bargained for this. He knows that very well, so if I withdraw my countenance from him on this account, he has no call to be surprised. He shall hear from me, Mr Pickwick. Good night, Sir. Margaret, open the door.’