The Pickwick Papers · Chapter
Some Account of Eatanswill; of the State of Parties Therein; and of the Election of a Member to Serve in Parliament for that Ancient, Loyal, and Patriotic Borough explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Pickwick and his companions arrive in Eatanswill during a fiercely contested parliamentary election between the Blues (represented by the Honourable Samuel Slumkey) and the Buffs (represented by Horatio Fizkin). The town is divided into two rival parties, each with its own newspaper—the Eatanswill Gazette (Blue) and the Eatanswill Independent (Buff). Mr. Pickwick meets Mr. Pott, the editor of the Gazette, and is invited to stay at his home along with Mr. Winkle, while Tupman and Snodgrass lodge at the Peacock. Mrs. Pott, bored with politics, takes a liking to Mr. Winkle. The chapter describes the electioneering, the partisan atmosphere, and Sam Weller's humorous account of 'pumping' independent voters.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Manners
The chapter contrasts the pretensions of local political figures like Mr. Pott with the boredom of his wife, and highlights the social dynamics of the election.
Deception and Appearance
The election is marked by manipulation, such as 'pumping' voters to appear sober, and the newspapers' exaggerated attacks on each other.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pickwick
Arrives in Eatanswill with his companions, observes the election fervor, and becomes a guest of Mr. Pott.
- Nathaniel Winkle
Accompanies Mr. Pickwick to Mr. Pott's home and catches the attention of Mrs. Pott.
- Mr. Pott
Editor of the Eatanswill Gazette, a Blue partisan, who hosts Mr. Pickwick and Mr. Winkle.
- Mrs. Pott
Mr. Pott's wife, who is weary of politics and shows favor to Mr. Winkle.
- Sam Weller
Mr. Pickwick's valet, who humorously describes 'pumping' independent voters to revive them.
- Mr. Perker
A little man who assists with arrangements for the Pickwickians' stay in Eatanswill.
Key passages
“We will frankly acknowledge that, up to the period of our being first immersed in the voluminous papers of the Pickwick Club, we had never heard of Eatanswill; we will with equal candour admit that we have in vain searched for proof of the actual existence of such a place at the present day.”
The narrator admits that Eatanswill is likely a fictional name invented by Mr. Pickwick to avoid offending the real town.
The narrator's playful disclaimer about the town's existence.
“Never was such a contest known. The Honourable Samuel Slumkey, of Slumkey Hall, was the Blue candidate; and Horatio Fizkin, Esq., of Fizkin Lodge, near Eatanswill, had been prevailed upon by his friends to stand forward on the Buff interest.”
The election between Slumkey (Blue) and Fizkin (Buff) was unprecedented in its intensity.
Introduction of the two candidates and the fierce rivalry.
“I never see men eat and drink so much afore. I wonder they ain't afeer'd o' bustin'.”
Sam Weller comments on the excessive eating and drinking by the voters, implying they might burst.
Sam's humorous observation about electioneering excesses.
“Me and the two waiters at the Peacock has been a-pumpin' over the independent woters as supped there last night.”
Sam and the waiters revived the drunk independent voters by pumping water on them.
Sam's account of the corrupt practice of 'pumping' voters to make them appear sober.
