The Pickwick Papers features a cast of characters from diverse social backgrounds, allowing Dickens to critique the rigid class structures that shape people’s lives and interactions. Mr. Pickwick, though wealthy and well-meaning himself, often moves in spaces that expose him to the struggles of those less fortunate than himself. His visits to the Fleet Prison, where debtors are held, reveal the harsh realities of class inequality. Inmates are trapped not only due to their debts but also because the system never allows them a chance to get back on their feet. Pickwick is lucky enough to have the money to pay his way out of the prison, but other prisoners spend their entire lives in the Fleet Prison simply because they lack the money to get themselves out. Dickens emphasizes that these individuals are often victims of circumstance rather than moral failings, challenging the notion that poverty results from laziness or lack of virtue.
Sam Weller, as Pickwick’s servant, represents the working class. Sam navigates a world where his intelligence and wit are frequently underestimated due to his social status. Despite his resourcefulness, Sam faces limitations as a result of his low status in a rigid class hierarchy. The interactions between Pickwick and Sam, while largely amicable, illustrate the disparities between master and servant, showing how even good-natured people like Pickwick can be blind to the deeper struggles of those in subordinate positions. For instance, when Pickwick is having a meeting with an “important”—meaning wealthy or politically influential—person, he sends Sam away, as if he is not worthy of taking part in the conversation. This happens several times throughout the novel, perhaps most explicitly in the chapter where Pickwick confronts Nupkins about Jingle. Through these interactions, Dickens exposes the rigid social hierarchy of Victorian England, where systemic barriers limit the opportunities of the lower classes and shape how characters engage with people who are above or below their class.
Social Class and Inequality ThemeTracker
Social Class and Inequality Quotes in The Pickwick Papers
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.)
‘Can I view thee panting, lying
On thy stomach, without sighing;
Can I unmoved see thee dying
On a log
Expiring frog!’
‘Beautiful!’ said Mr Pickwick.
‘Fine,’ said Mr Leo Hunter; ‘so simple.’
‘Very,’ said Mr Pickwick.
‘He is a vagabond, Mr. Jinks,’ said the magistrate. ‘He is a vagabond on his own statement,—is he not, Mr. Jinks?’
‘Certainly, Sir.’
‘Then I’ll commit him—I’ll commit him as such,’ said Mr. Nupkins.
‘This is a wery impartial country for justice, ‘said Sam.’ There ain’t a magistrate goin’ as don’t commit himself twice as he commits other people.’
Although this custom has been abolished, and the cage is now boarded up, the miserable and destitute condition of these unhappy persons remains the same. We no longer suffer them to appeal at the prison gates to the charity and compassion of the passers by; but we still leave unblotted in the leaves of our statute book, for the reverence and admiration of succeeding ages, the just and wholesome law which declares that the sturdy felon shall be fed and clothed, and that the penniless debtor shall be left to die of starvation and nakedness. This is no fiction. Not a week passes over our heads but, in every one of our prisons for debt, some of these men must inevitably expire in the slow agonies of want, if they were not relieved by their fellow-prisoners.
Mr Pickwick felt a great deal too much touched by the warmth of Sam’s attachment, to be able to exhibit any manifestation of anger or displeasure at the precipitate course he had adopted, in voluntarily consigning himself to a debtors’ prison for an indefinite period. The only point on which he persevered in demanding any explanation, was, the name of Sam’s detaining creditor, but this Mr Weller as perseveringly withheld.
Mr Pickwick is somewhat infirm now; but he retains all his former juvenility of spirit, and may still be frequently seen, contemplating the pictures in the Dulwich Gallery, or enjoying a walk about the pleasant neighbourhood on a fine day. He is known by all the poor people about, who never fail to take their hats off, as he passes, with great respect. The children idolise him, and so indeed does the whole neighbourhood. Every year he repairs to a large family merry-making at Mr Wardle’s; on this, as on all other occasions, he is invariably attended by the faithful Sam, between whom and his master there exists a steady and reciprocal attachment which nothing but death will sever.