The Pickwick Papers · Chapter
The Trial of Bardell vs. Pickwick explained
The chapter is devoted entirely to the trial of Bardell versus Pickwick for breach of promise of marriage.
What happens
The chapter is devoted entirely to the trial of Bardell versus Pickwick for breach of promise of marriage. Mr. Pickwick and his friends arrive at court with Mr. Perker. Serjeant Buzfuz delivers a dramatic opening speech, misinterpreting innocent notes about chops, tomato sauce, and a warming-pan as evidence of a romantic proposal. Mrs. Cluppins testifies about overhearing a conversation between Mr. Pickwick and Mrs. Bardell, and the jury appears suspicious.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Injustice
The trial highlights the gap between legal rhetoric and truth, as Serjeant Buzfuz manipulates trivial evidence to create a false narrative.
Deception and Appearance
Buzfuz's speech deliberately misrepresents innocent notes and actions as proof of romantic intent, showing how appearances can be twisted in court.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pickwick
The defendant in the trial; appears agitated and anxious as the proceedings unfold.
- Mr. Perker
Mr. Pickwick's attorney, who guides him through the court and offers cynical advice about jurymen.
- Serjeant Buzfuz
The plaintiff's counsel; delivers a bombastic and manipulative opening speech, twisting mundane details into evidence of a broken promise.
- Mrs. Cluppins
A witness for the plaintiff; testifies about overhearing Mr. Pickwick's conversation with Mrs. Bardell.
- Augustus Snodgrass
Present in court as a friend of Mr. Pickwick, making an early remark about the foreman's breakfast.
- Justice Stareleigh
The judge presiding over the trial; wakes up after Buzfuz's speech and makes pedantic remarks about testimony.
Key passages
“A good, contented, well-breakfasted juryman is a capital thing to get hold of. Discontented or hungry jurymen, my dear sir, always find for the plaintiff.”
A well-fed juror is more likely to rule in your favor, while a hungry one tends to side with the person bringing the lawsuit.
Perker's cynical advice about juror psychology and the influence of mealtime on verdicts.
“Chops and tomato sauce. Yours, Pickwick! Chops! Gracious heavens! and tomato sauce! Gentlemen, is the happiness of a sensitive and confiding female to be trifled away, by such shallow artifices as these?”
Buzfuz dramatically interprets a trivial note about food as evidence of a romantic betrayal, mocking Pickwick's supposed insensitivity.
Buzfuz's rhetorical flourish to inflame the jury against Pickwick over a mundane message.
“Don't trouble yourself about the warming-pan. The warming-pan! Why, gentlemen, who does trouble himself about a warming-pan?”
Buzfuz questions why Pickwick would mention a household item unless it was a coded reference to something more intimate.
Buzfuz's attempt to turn an innocent domestic object into a symbol of hidden intentions.