# XLVII explained — The Pickwick Papers

> Chapter companion for The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Mr. Pickwick is released from Fleet Prison, and Sam Weller expresses his joy. Job Trotter delivers news that Dodson and Fogg have taken Mrs. Bardell in execution for her costs. Mr. Perker and Lowten admire the sharpness of the lawyers. Mr. Pickwick is persuaded by Perker, Arabella, and the others to go to Birmingham to inform Mr. Winkle Sr. of his son's marriage. Sam Weller arranges for his father's formal discharge and celebrates with porter. Mr. Pickwick bids farewell to the prisoners, including Mr. Jingle, and leaves the prison.

## Themes in this chapter

### Charity and Benevolence

Mr. Pickwick's generosity and sympathy for the prisoners, and his willingness to help the young couple despite his earlier obstinacy.

### Justice and Injustice

Dodson and Fogg's sharp practices and the exploitation of Mrs. Bardell highlight the injustices of the legal system.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pickwick

Released from Fleet Prison; shows benevolence to prisoners and agrees to visit Mr. Winkle Sr.

### Sam Weller

Expresses joy at Pickwick's release; delivers parcel to old landlord; arranges father's discharge and celebrates.

### Mr. Perker

Receives news from Job Trotter; admires Dodson and Fogg's cunning; persuades Pickwick to go to Birmingham.

### Job Trotter

Delivers message about Mrs. Bardell's execution; sent to Mr. Pell for the formal discharge.

### Arabella Allen

Pleads with Mr. Pickwick to help reconcile with Mr. Winkle Sr.; weeps and coaxes him.

### Alfred Jingle

Bids farewell to Mr. Pickwick at the prison; receives a promise of communication from Perker.

## Key lines

> He bust out a-cryin’, Sir, and said you wos wery gen’rous and thoughtful, and he only wished you could have him innockilated for a gallopin’ consumption, for his old friend as had lived here so long wos dead, and he’d noweres to look for another.

He burst into tears and said you were very generous and thoughtful, and he only wished you could have him inoculated for a galloping consumption, because his old friend who had lived here so long was dead, and he had nowhere to look for another.

_Sam reports the old landlord's emotional gratitude and darkly humorous wish._

> I wish them horses had been three months and better in the Fleet, Sir.

I wish those horses had been in Fleet Prison for three months or more, sir.

_Sam humorously suggests that prison would make the horses run faster from eagerness to leave._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xlvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters