Samuel Pickwick

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Samuel Pickwick
The Pickwick Papers character
Pickwick by Kyd 1889.jpg
Mr.Pickwick illustrated by 'Kyd' (1889)
Created by Charles Dickens
In-universe information
GenderMale
OccupationChairman of the Pickwick Club
Nationality English

Samuel Pickwick is a fictional character and the main protagonist in The Pickwick Papers (1836), the first novel by author Charles Dickens. One of the author's most famous and loved creations, [1] Pickwick is a retired successful businessman and is the founder and chairman of the Pickwick Club, [2] a club formed to explore places remote from London and investigate the quaint and curious phenomena of life found there.

Contents

Character

Mr Pickwick as illustrated by Harold Copping in 1924 Copping-Pickwick.jpg
Mr Pickwick as illustrated by Harold Copping in 1924

Mr Pickwick is believed to have been named after the British businessman Eleazer Pickwick (c.17491837). Although he is the main character in The Pickwick Papers, Samuel Pickwick is mostly a passive and innocent figure in the story around whom the other more active characters operate. Having an almost childlike simplicity, Pickwick is loyal and protective toward his friends but is often hoodwinked by conmen and poseurs; he can be quick to anger when confronted by the actions of tricksters such as Alfred Jingle. He is always gallant towards women, young and old, but can also be indecisive in his dealings with them. Dicken's develops Pickwick's character as the novel evolved from the original concept of the Pickwick Club, a series of comic "cockney sporting plates" by illustrator Robert Seymour. The subsequent suicide of Seymour early in the publication afforded Dickens the opportunity to change both the course of the novel and the character of Pickwick. [3]

In Chapter One of The Pickwick Papers Dickens describes Pickwick:

A casual observer might possibly have remarked nothing extraordinary in the bald head, and circular spectacles, which were intently turned towards his (the secretary’s) face, during the reading of the above resolutions: to those who knew that the gigantic brain of Pickwick was working beneath that forehead, and that the beaming eyes of Pickwick were twinkling behind those glasses, the sight was indeed an interesting one. There sat the man who had traced to their source the mighty ponds of Hampstead, and agitated the scientific world with his Theory of Tittlebats ... The eloquent Pickwick, with one hand gracefully concealed behind his coat tails, and the other waving in air to assist his glowing declamation; his elevated position revealing those tights and gaiters, which, had they clothed an ordinary man, might have passed without observation, but which, when Pickwick clothed them—if we may use the expression—inspired involuntary awe and respect. [4]

The Pickwick Club

Robert Seymour illustration depicting Pickwick addressing the Pickwick Club (1836) The Writings of Charles Dickens v1 p4 (engraving).jpg
Robert Seymour illustration depicting Pickwick addressing the Pickwick Club (1836)

To extend his researches into the quaint and curious phenomena of life, Pickwick creates the Pickwick Club and suggests that he and three other "Pickwickians" (Mr Nathaniel Winkle, Mr Augustus Snodgrass and Mr Tracy Tupman) should make journeys to places remote from London and report on their findings to the other members of the club. [5]

Pickwick careens from one comic disaster to another in pursuit of adventure or honour attended by the other members of the Pickwick Club. Pickwick becomes involved in several sub-plots in the novel, including thwarting Jingle's various money-making matrimonial schemes, and assisting his friend Winkle in eloping with Arabella Allen.

Pickwick encounters troubles during his adventures because, as one of nature's innocents, he is unaware of the presence of deception and tricksters such as Jingle in the real world. By the end of the novel he has received an education in morality and is filled with goodness and Christian charity towards his fellow man - and woman. Always on hand to save the day is his able manservant Sam Weller; the relationship between the idealistic and unworldly Pickwick and the astute cockney Weller has been likened to that between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. [6] By the end of the novel Pickwick looks upon Sam Weller almost as a son, [1] a feeling which is reciprocated by Sam. [5]

Bardell v. Pickwick

Mrs Bardell faints into the arms of Mr Pickwick - illustration by Frank Reynolds (1910) Mrs Bardell Mr Pickwick Reynolds 1910.jpg
Mrs Bardell faints into the arms of Mr Pickwick - illustration by Frank Reynolds (1910)
The Trial of Bardell v. Pickwick - illustration by Hablot Knight Browne (1867) Pickwick Papers Trial 1837.jpg
The Trial of Bardell v. Pickwick - illustration by Hablot Knight Browne (1867)

Another sub-plot in the novel is the romantic misunderstanding between Pickwick and his landlady Mrs Bardell that results in one of the most famous legal cases in English literature, the breach of promise to marry suit Bardell v. Pickwick . [7] [8] [9] When Pickwick discusses with Mrs Bardell his idea of taking a servant (Sam Weller), expressing the view that three may eat as cheaply as two, she mistakes this for a marriage proposal and accepting his 'offer', much to his dismay, faints into his arms, possibly deliberately, as his three friends Winkle, Snodgrass and Tupman walk through the door and witness the scene: [10]

When Pickwick refuses to marry her Mrs Bardell is persuaded by the unscrupulous lawyers Dodson and Fogg into bringing a legal suit against Pickwick. During the trial at the Guildhall Sittings in London before Mr. Justice Stareleigh, Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz prosecutes Pickwick and bullies the witnesses into giving incriminating testimony, leading to Pickwick being falsely convicted. The height of Pickwick's moral and spiritual development occurs at the Fleet Prison where he is imprisoned for refusing to pay Mrs Bardell's damages and costs. Here Pickwick encounters his nemesis Alfred Jingle as a fellow resident. Moved with compassion, Pickwick forgives him and charitably bails him out and later arranges for Jingle and his servant Job Trotter to pursue their fortune in the West Indies. [1]

When Mrs. Bardell herself is sent to the Fleet Prison Pickwick learns that the only way he can relieve her suffering is by paying her costs in the action against himself, thus at the same time releasing himself from the prison. [11] [12]

Media portrayals

Portrayals in adaptations

John Bunny as Mr Pickwick in The Pickwick Papers (1913) Pickwick 1913.jpg
John Bunny as Mr Pickwick in The Pickwick Papers (1913)

In film, television and on stage Mr Pickwick has been portrayed by: [13]

Other media

Legacy

The French composer Claude Debussy dedicated to this character a humorous piano piece: Hommage à S. Pickwick Esq. P.P.M.P.C. (n. 9 of Préludes, 2ème Livre, published 1913).

Pickwick Island is the largest of the Pitt Islands, in the Biscoe Islands, Antarctica. It was named by the United Kingdom Antarctic Place-Names Committee (UK-APC) in 1959 after Samuel Pickwick, founder of the Pickwick Club. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Weller (character)</span> Fictional cockney bootblack character in The Pickwick Papers

Sam Weller is a fictional character in The Pickwick Papers (1836), the first novel by Charles Dickens, and the character that made Dickens famous. A humorous Cockney bootblack, Sam Weller first appeared in the fourth serialised episode. Previously the monthly parts of the book had been doing badly, selling only about 1,000 copies a month — but the humour of the character transformed the book into a publishing phenomenon, raising the sales by late autumn of 1837 to 40,000 a month.

<i>The Pickwick Papers</i> 1836–1837 novel by Charles Dickens

The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club was the first novel by English author Charles Dickens. Because of his success with Sketches by Boz published in 1836, Dickens was asked by the publisher Chapman & Hall to supply descriptions to explain a series of comic "cockney sporting plates" by illustrator Robert Seymour, and to connect them into a novel. The book became a publishing phenomenon, with bootleg copies, theatrical performances, Sam Weller joke books, and other merchandise. On its cultural impact, Nicholas Dames in The Atlantic writes, "'Literature' is not a big enough category for Pickwick. It defined its own, a new one that we have learned to call "entertainment". Published in 19 issues over 20 months, the success of The Pickwick Papers popularised serialised fiction and cliffhanger endings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Augustus Snodgrass</span> Fictional character in The Pickwick Papers

Augustus Snodgrass is a fictional character in Charles Dickens's first novel, The Pickwick Papers (1836). He considers himself a Romantic poet, though there is no mention of any of his own poetry in the novel.

Pickwick may refer to:

<i>Pickwick</i> (musical)

Pickwick is a musical with a book by Wolf Mankowitz, music by Cyril Ornadel, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. Based on the 1837 novel The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, it is set in and around London and Rochester in 1828.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathaniel Winkle</span> Fictional character in The Pickwick Papers

Nathaniel Winkle is a fictional character in Charles Dickens's first novel, The Pickwick Papers (1836).

<i>The Pickwick Papers</i> (1952 film) 1952 British film

The Pickwick Papers is a 1952 British historical comedy drama film written and directed by Noel Langley and starring James Hayter, James Donald, Nigel Patrick and Joyce Grenfell. It is based on the Charles Dickens’s 1837 novel of the same name. It was made by Renown Pictures who had successfully released another Dickens adaptation Scrooge the previous year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Seymour (illustrator)</span> British illustrator

Robert Seymour was a British illustrator known for his illustrations for The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens and for his caricatures. He committed suicide after arguing with Dickens over the illustrations for Pickwick.

<i>The Pickwick Papers</i> (TV series) 1985 British television drama series

The Pickwick Papers is a twelve-part BBC adaptation of the 1837 novel The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, first broadcast in 1985. It starred Nigel Stock, Alan Parnaby, Clive Swift and Patrick Malahide, with narration by Ray Brooks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfred Jingle</span> Fictional character in The Pickwick Papers

Alfred Jingle is a fictional character who appears in the 1837 novel The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens. He is a strolling actor and an engaging charlatan and trickster noted for his bizarre anecdotes and distinctive mangling of English syntax.

The Adventures of Mr. Pickwick is a 1921 British silent comedy film directed by Thomas Bentley based on the 1837 novel The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens. As of August 2010, the film is missing from the BFI National Archive, and is listed as one of the British Film Institute's "75 Most Wanted" lost films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Clayton Clark</span>

Joseph Clayton Clark, who worked under the pseudonym "Kyd", was a British artist best known for his illustrations of characters from the novels of Charles Dickens. The artwork was published in magazines or sold as watercolor paintings, rather than included in an edition of the novels.

<i>Pickwick</i> (film) 1969 television film

Pickwick is a British television musical made by the BBC in 1969 and based on the 1963 stage musical Pickwick, which in turn was based on the 1837 novel The Pickwick Papers written by Charles Dickens. It stars Harry Secombe as Samuel Pickwick and Roy Castle as Sam Weller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Weller</span> Fictional character in The Pickwick Papers

Tony Weller is a fictional character in Charles Dickens's first novel, The Pickwick Papers (1836). The irresponsible and care-free Tony Weller is Sam Weller's father. A loquacious coachman, the character never became as popular as his famous son but readers have always enjoyed his quaint humour and his even quainter philosophy.

<i>The Pickwick Papers</i> (1913 film) 1913 film produced by Vitagraph Studios

The Pickwick Papers is a 1913 three-reel silent film based on the 1837 novel of the same name by Charles Dickens. The film was produced by Vitagraph Studios and features John Bunny in the title role of Samuel Pickwick.

<i>Pickwick</i> (operetta) 1889 operetta by Solomon and Burnand

Pickwick is an 1889 operetta in one act based on an episode in the 1836 novel The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens. The score was by Edward Solomon to lyrics by F. C. Burnand. It was one of three works written by the duo in collaboration, the others being Domestic Economy and The Tiger, both in 1890.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracy Tupman</span> Fictional character in The Pickwick Papers

Tracy Tupman is a fictional character in Charles Dickens's first novel, The Pickwick Papers (1836). Although fat and middle-aged he considers himself a young lover and has an unfortunate amorous entanglement with the spinster Rachael Wardle.

<i>Samuel Weller, or, The Pickwickians</i> 1837 stage comedy by Moncrieff

Samuel Weller, or, The Pickwickians is an 1837 comedy in three acts adapted from Dickens's novel The Pickwick Papers by William Thomas Moncrieff. It was first performed at the Royal Strand Theatre in London on 17 July 1837.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mrs Bardell (Pickwick Papers)</span> Fictional character in The Pickwick Papers

Mrs Martha Bardell is a fictional character in The Pickwick Papers (1836), the first novel by Charles Dickens. A widow and the landlady of Mr Pickwick, a romantic misunderstanding between the two results in one of the most famous fictional legal cases in English literature, Bardell v. Pickwick, leading to them both being incarcerated in the Fleet Prison for debt.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Character analysis: Samuel Pickwick, The Pickwick Papers - Cliff'sNotes Study Guides online
  2. Pickwick on David Perdue's Charles Dickens Characters page
  3. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain :  Cross, Wilbur L. (1920). "Pickwick Papers"  . In Rines, George Edwin (ed.). Encyclopedia Americana .
  4. Dickens, Charles. The Pickwick Papers (1836), Project Gutenberg
  5. 1 2 Michael Pointer, Who's Who in Dickens - Grange Books (1995) - pgs 112-113
  6. Mark Womald, introduction to Dickens, Charles (29 January 2004). The Pickwick Papers. Penguin Classics. ISBN   9780140436112.
  7. Bander, Edward J. Bardell v. Pickwick Transnational Publishers (2004), ISBN   9781571053251
  8. Fitzgerald, Percy Hetherington. Full text of Bardell v. Pickwick, (1902) Project Gutenberg eBook
  9. Characters In The Pickwick Papers: Mrs Bardell, Charles Dickens Info website
  10. 'Mrs. Bardell faints in Mr. Pickwick's arms', Victorian Web
  11. Mark Wormald (2003) "Introduction" to The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens. London, Penguin.
  12. 'Pickwick Papers Characters' - enotes.com
  13. Samuel Pickwick on the Internet Movie Database
  14. Playbill for St James's Theatre, advertising 'Mr Pickwick' - the British Library Collection
  15. Dramatis Personæ: Mr Pickwick (1903), The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive
  16. Mr. Pickwick - The University of Kent Theatre Collection
  17. Mr. Pickwick on the Theatricalia website
  18. Quirk, David. "Record Review". New York Daily News. November 12, 1944. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  19. - Mr. Pickwickk on the Internet Broadway Database
  20. Bardell V. Pickwick (1955), British Film Institute Database
  21. Pickwick Island. SCAR Composite Antarctic Gazetteer.