The Pickwick Papers · Chapter
XLIV explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Pickwick is deeply moved by Sam Weller's loyalty in voluntarily entering the Fleet prison, but Sam refuses to reveal his detaining creditor, insisting on principle. Sam tells a humorous story about a man who killed himself over crumpets. He settles into a room rented from a bald-headed cobbler. Mr. Winkle visits mysteriously with Mr. Lowten. The turnkey Roker informs Mr. Pickwick that the Chancery prisoner is dying, and Mr. Pickwick visits him in the infirmary, where the prisoner laments the polluted air of the prison.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Sam Weller's voluntary imprisonment to stay with Mr. Pickwick exemplifies deep loyalty and friendship.
Prison and Suffering
The chapter highlights the physical and emotional toll of imprisonment, especially through the dying Chancery prisoner.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pickwick
Moved by Sam's attachment, he reluctantly accepts Sam's imprisonment and later visits the dying Chancery prisoner.
- Sam Weller
Voluntarily enters the Fleet, refuses to name his creditor, tells a story about a man who died on principle, and settles into a room with a cobbler.
- Nathaniel Winkle
Visits Mr. Pickwick in the Fleet with Mr. Lowten, behaving mysteriously.
- Mr. Lowten
Accompanies Mr. Winkle to visit Mr. Pickwick in the Fleet.
- Tom Roker
Brings Mr. Pickwick a softer pillow, informs him of the Chancery prisoner's condition, and leads him to the infirmary.
- Jack Bamber
The dying Chancery prisoner in the infirmary, attended by the old cobbler, who reads the Bible to him.
Key passages
“It ain’t o’ no use, sir; he’s a malicious, bad-disposed, vorldly-minded, spiteful, windictive creetur, with a hard heart as there ain’t no soft’nin’”
It's no use, sir; he's a malicious, bad-tempered, worldly, spiteful, vindictive creature with a heart that cannot be softened.
Sam refuses to reveal his creditor's name, describing him as irredeemably cruel.
“I takes my determination on principle, Sir, and you takes yours on the same ground; wich puts me in mind o’ the man as killed his-self on principle”
I make my decisions based on principle, sir, just as you do, which reminds me of the man who killed himself on principle.
Sam justifies his stubbornness by comparing it to Mr. Pickwick's own principled stance, then tells a story about a man who died for his principles.
“There is no air here. The place pollutes it. It was fresh round about, when I walked there, years ago; but it grows hot and heavy in passing these walls. I cannot breathe it.”
There is no fresh air here; the prison contaminates it. It used to be fresh outside when I walked there years ago, but it becomes hot and heavy as it passes through these walls. I cannot breathe it.
The dying Chancery prisoner laments the suffocating atmosphere of the prison, contrasting it with the outside world.