# Relates how Mr. Pickwick, with the assistance of Samuel Weller, essayed to soften the heart of Mr. Benjamin Allen, and to mollify the wrath of Mr. Robert Sawyer explained — The Pickwick Papers

> Chapter companion for The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Mr. Pickwick and Sam Weller visit Bob Sawyer and Ben Allen to reconcile them to Arabella's marriage to Mr. Winkle. After initial hostility and a scuffle with a patient, the old aunt's intervention and Sam's reasoning help calm tempers. A toast is drunk to the Winkles, and Ben Allen agrees to accompany Pickwick to meet Mr. Winkle Sr.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Arabella's marriage to Winkle causes conflict with her brother and Bob Sawyer, but is ultimately accepted.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Mr. Pickwick and Sam Weller act as peacemakers, showing loyalty to their friends.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pickwick

Visits Bob Sawyer and Ben Allen to mediate the dispute over Arabella's marriage.

### Sam Weller

Accompanies Mr. Pickwick and offers witty observations to defuse the situation.

### Benjamin Allen

Angry about his sister Arabella's marriage, but eventually calms down and agrees to accompany Pickwick.

### Bob Sawyer

Initially furious about losing Arabella, but after a drink he toasts the Winkles' happiness.

### Arabella Allen

Mentioned as the newly married sister of Ben Allen and object of Bob Sawyer's affections.

### Nathaniel Winkle

Referred to as the happy bridegroom of Arabella Allen.

## Key lines

> It's wonderful how the poor people patronise me

Bob Sawyer marvels at how many poor patients he gets.

_Bob Sawyer's ironic comment on his struggling practice._

> You must make yourself, with as little delay as possible, master of Arabella's one thousand pounds.

Ben Allen urges Bob Sawyer to marry Arabella for her money.

_Ben Allen's mercenary advice to his friend._

## Links

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