# Descriptive of a very important proceeding on the part of Mr. Pickwick; no less an epoch in his life, than in this history explained — The Pickwick Papers

> Chapter companion for The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Mr. Pickwick, in his Goswell Street lodgings, nervously paces and consults his watch, leading Mrs. Bardell to believe he is about to propose marriage. When he instead announces his intention to hire a manservant, Mrs. Bardell faints in his arms, and his friends Tupman, Winkle, and Snodgrass arrive to find him holding her. After the confusion, Mr. Pickwick interviews and hires Sam Weller as his servant, outfitting him in new clothes before they depart for Eatanswill.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

Mrs. Bardell's misinterpretation of Mr. Pickwick's words creates a comedic scene of mistaken intentions, highlighting how appearances can deceive.

### Social Class and Manners

The hiring of Sam Weller and the formalities of domestic service underscore the class structure and manners of Victorian society.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pickwick

Nervously paces his room, inadvertently leads Mrs. Bardell to misunderstand his intentions, and hires Sam Weller as his manservant.

### Mrs. Bardell

Misinterprets Mr. Pickwick's words as a marriage proposal, faints in his arms, and is led downstairs by Mr. Tupman.

### Sam Weller

Interviews with Mr. Pickwick, accepts the position of manservant at twelve pounds a year, and is outfitted with new clothes.

### Tracy Tupman

Arrives with Winkle and Snodgrass to find Mr. Pickwick holding Mrs. Bardell, and later leads her downstairs.

### Nathaniel Winkle

Carries the screaming Master Bardell to the far end of the room during the commotion.

### Augustus Snodgrass

Calls Sam Weller up from the passage as instructed by Mr. Pickwick.

## Key lines

> Mr. Pickwick was going to propose—a deliberate plan, too—sent her little boy to the Borough, to get him out of the way—how thoughtful—how considerate!

Mrs. Bardell mistakenly believes Mr. Pickwick intends to propose marriage, thinking he sent her son away to create privacy.

_Highlights the comedic misunderstanding that drives the chapter._

> Take the bill down,” said Sam emphatically. “I’m let to a single gentleman, and the terms is agreed upon.

Sam Weller enthusiastically accepts Mr. Pickwick's offer of employment, agreeing to the terms.

_Marks the formal hiring of Sam Weller as Mr. Pickwick's servant._

## Links

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