The Pickwick Papers · Chapter
LVII explained
The Pickwick Club is dissolved as Mr.
What happens
The Pickwick Club is dissolved as Mr. Pickwick announces his retirement to a house in Dulwich. He reveals his plans to live quietly with Sam Weller, and arranges for Emily Wardle's wedding to take place at his new home. The chapter concludes with a summary of the future lives of the main characters, including marriages, careers, and Mr. Pickwick's peaceful old age.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
The chapter emphasizes the enduring bonds among the Pickwickians, with Mr. Pickwick's retirement plans centered on maintaining the society of his friends and the faithful attachment between him and Sam Weller.
Love and Marriage
Multiple marriages are concluded or anticipated: Snodgrass and Emily, Winkle and Arabella, and eventually Sam and Mary, underscoring marriage as a source of happiness and resolution.
Charity and Benevolence
Mr. Pickwick's bounty to Mr. Jingle and Job Trotter, who become worthy members of society, and his kindness to the poor and children in his neighbourhood exemplify his benevolent character.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pickwick
Announces his retirement to Dulwich and the dissolution of the Pickwick Club; later lives peacefully, known and loved by the neighbourhood.
- Sam Weller
Remains unmarried for two years, then marries Mary after she is promoted to housekeeper; continues as Mr. Pickwick's faithful servant and companion.
- Augustus Snodgrass
Marries Emily Wardle; later makes applications for Mr. Pickwick to be godfather to his children.
- Tracy Tupman
Takes lodgings at Richmond after his friends marry, walks on the terrace, and never proposes again.
- Mr. Wardle
Hosts the dinner at the Adelphi where Mr. Pickwick explains his plans; continues to hold family merrymakings attended by Mr. Pickwick.
- Emily Wardle
Marries Augustus Snodgrass at Mr. Pickwick's new house; sobs audibly during Mr. Pickwick's speech.
Key passages
“If I have done but little good, I trust I have done less harm, and that none of my adventures will be other than a source of amusing and pleasant recollection to me in the decline of life.”
Mr. Pickwick hopes that his travels have caused more amusement than harm, and that they will provide happy memories in his old age.
Mr. Pickwick reflects on his adventures with humility and contentment.
“The happiness of young people has ever been the chief pleasure of my life. It will warm my heart to witness the happiness of those friends who are dearest to me, beneath my own roof.”
Mr. Pickwick finds his greatest joy in the happiness of the young, and looks forward to hosting his friends' wedding in his new home.
Mr. Pickwick expresses his benevolent and fatherly nature.
“The Pickwick Club exists no longer.”
The Pickwick Club has been formally dissolved.
Mr. Pickwick announces the end of the club that gave the book its title.