# Mr. Samuel Weller, being entrusted with a mission of love, proceeds to execute it; with what success will hereinafter appear. explained — The Pickwick Papers

> Chapter companion for The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Sam Weller is tasked with keeping watch on Mr. Winkle to ensure his serious intentions toward Arabella Allen. Mr. Pickwick arrives in Bath to personally assess Winkle's sincerity. A plan is devised for Sam to search for Arabella's whereabouts. Sam's quest leads him to a secluded area near Clifton, where he discovers a likely location. That evening, Mr. Pickwick, Sam, and Mr. Winkle execute a clandestine garden rendezvous, with Mr. Pickwick using a dark lantern that inadvertently attracts the attention of a nearby scientific gentleman. Mr. Pickwick speaks to Arabella over the wall to reassure her, then Mr. Winkle climbs over to plead his love. The chapter ends with the scientific gentleman observing the mysterious lights and beginning to document them for a treatise.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

The chapter centers on Mr. Winkle's romantic pursuit of Arabella Allen, involving clandestine meetings and declarations of love, with Mr. Pickwick's moral oversight.

### Deception and Appearance

The secret garden rendezvous and use of a dark lantern highlight the deceptive and covert nature of the romantic endeavor, contrasted with the scientific gentleman's misinterpretation of the lights.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pickwick

Arrives in Bath to oversee Winkle's romantic pursuit; uses a dark lantern during the nighttime garden expedition; speaks reassuringly to Arabella over the wall.

### Sam Weller

Entrusted with a mission of love; keeps close watch on Mr. Winkle; conducts a search for Arabella Allen; assists Mr. Pickwick in climbing the wall; comments humorously on the proceedings.

### Nathaniel Winkle

Under Sam's surveillance; declares his serious intentions toward Arabella Allen; climbs the wall to meet her and pleads his passion.

### Arabella Allen

The object of Mr. Winkle's affections; is frightened by the clandestine meeting but reassured by Mr. Pickwick; receives Mr. Winkle's declaration of love.

### Dowler

Mentioned as having undertaken to deliver a note from Mr. Pickwick.

## Key lines

> I should have been the better for something of this kind, in my last garden expedition, at night; eh, Sam?

Mr. Pickwick remarks that a dark lantern would have been useful during his previous nighttime garden adventure.

_Mr. Pickwick refers to an earlier incident, showing his characteristic good humor and tendency to learn from experience._

> That ’ere blessed lantern ’ull be the death on us all

Sam complains that the lantern's bright light is endangering their secret mission.

_Sam's practical concern contrasts with Mr. Pickwick's fascination with the lantern's mechanical beauty._

> Bless his old gaiters... I never see such a fine creetur in my days. Blessed if I don't think his heart must ha' been born five-and-twenty year arter his body, at least!

Sam affectionately praises Mr. Pickwick's youthful spirit and enthusiasm despite his age.

_Sam's admiration for Mr. Pickwick's vitality is expressed with characteristic Cockney humor._

## Links

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