The Pickwick Papers · Chapter
Chapter XL: Mr. Pickwick is Arrested and Taken to the Fleet Prison explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Pickwick is arrested by Sheriff's Officer Namby for the debt owed to Mrs. Bardell. Despite Perker's advice to settle, Pickwick insists on going to prison. After legal formalities, he is taken to the Fleet Prison, accompanied by Sam Weller and the tipstaff.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Injustice
Mr. Pickwick's arrest and imprisonment highlight the harshness and absurdity of the debtors' prison system.
Prison and Suffering
Pickwick's determination to go to prison rather than pay the unjust claim underscores the theme of suffering for principle.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pickwick
Arrested and taken to Fleet Prison for the Bardell debt.
- Sam Weller
Assists Mr. Pickwick and confronts the sheriff's officer.
- Mr. Perker
Attempts to persuade Pickwick to settle the debt, but accompanies him to the legal proceedings.
- Namby
Sheriff's officer who arrests Mr. Pickwick.
- Smouch
Assistant to Namby, accompanies Pickwick to the office.
- Mr. Lowten
Perker's clerk, comments on Pickwick's character.
Key passages
“I've got an execution against you, at the suit of Bardell.—Here's the warrant.—Common Pleas.—Here's my card. I suppose you'll come over to my house.”
Namby informs Mr. Pickwick that he has a warrant for his arrest due to the Bardell lawsuit and expects him to comply.
The arrest scene.
“I would rather go to some other place of confinement if I can. If not, I must make the best I can of that.”
Mr. Pickwick expresses a preference for a different prison but accepts whatever is available.
Pickwick's stoic acceptance of imprisonment.
“And that will be a very long time.”
Mr. Pickwick remarks that it will take a long time to pay off the damages and costs.
Pickwick's comment on the debt.