# Chapter L explained — The Pickwick Papers

> Chapter companion for The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Mr. Pickwick, accompanied by Bob Sawyer and Ben Allen, visits Mr. Winkle Sr. to discuss Nathaniel Winkle's marriage. Bob Sawyer's antics cause embarrassment, and Mr. Winkle Sr. reacts coldly, refusing to offer support or approval, leaving Mr. Pickwick frustrated.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

The central conflict revolves around Nathaniel Winkle's marriage to Arabella Allen and Mr. Winkle Sr.'s refusal to approve or support the union, highlighting the tension between romantic love and familial duty.

### Social Class and Manners

Bob Sawyer's vulgar behavior and Mr. Winkle Sr.'s rigid, businesslike demeanor underscore class distinctions and the importance of propriety in Victorian society.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pickwick

Leads the visit to Mr. Winkle Sr. to advocate for Nathaniel Winkle's marriage, growing increasingly frustrated by Bob Sawyer's behavior and the old gentleman's refusal to help.

### Bob Sawyer

Acts boisterously during the journey and at Mr. Winkle Sr.'s house, performing practical jokes and making inappropriate advances toward the servant girl, much to Mr. Pickwick's dismay.

### Benjamin Allen

Accompanies Mr. Pickwick and Bob Sawyer; falls asleep during the meeting and later makes a clumsy, impassioned speech defending his sister's marriage.

### Mr. Winkle Sr.

Receives Mr. Pickwick's visit with cold formality, expresses disapproval of his son's marriage, and refuses to offer financial or emotional support, citing his businesslike nature.

### Sam Weller

Present during the chaotic journey, wearing Bob Sawyer's hat and enjoying a sandwich, showing his approval of the high-spirited antics.

## Key lines

> I wonder what all the people we pass, can see in us to make them stare so.

Mr. Pickwick is puzzled by the attention they are receiving from passersby.

_Mr. Pickwick's observation highlights Bob Sawyer's outrageous behavior on the journey._

> I am a man of business, Mr. Pickwick. I never commit myself hastily in any affair, and from what I see of this, I by no means like the appearance of it.

Mr. Winkle Sr. explains that he is cautious and disapproves of the marriage based on what he has seen.

_Mr. Winkle Sr. uses his businesslike nature as a reason to withhold support from his son._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/l
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters