# In which Mr. Pickwick thinks he had better go to Bath; and goes accordingly. explained — The Pickwick Papers

> Chapter companion for The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Mr. Pickwick firmly refuses to pay the costs and damages from the trial, despite Perker's advice, and resolves to yield himself up if arrested. To change his spirits, the group decides to travel to Bath. They endure a damp, dreary journey and upon arrival are introduced to the fashionable society of Bath by Mr. Dowler and the Master of Ceremonies, Angelo Cyrus Bantam, who mistakes Mr. Pickwick for a famous invalid. Sam Weller is sent to deliver a card to Bantam's house, where he engages in banter with a powdered footman.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Manners

The chapter satirizes Bath's social hierarchy, with the M.C. Angelo Bantam's fawning behavior and the emphasis on fashion, etiquette, and exclusion of tradespeople.

### Deception and Appearance

Bantam mistakes Mr. Pickwick for a famous invalid based on newspaper reports, highlighting how appearances and rumors can mislead.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pickwick

Resolves not to pay the damages and costs from the trial, and decides to travel to Bath with his friends.

### Mr. Perker

Advises Mr. Pickwick to pay the costs and damages, but supports the Bath trip as a way to change his mind.

### Sam Weller

Books the coach seats, packs the luggage, and later delivers a card to Angelo Cyrus Bantam's house, exchanging banter with the footman.

### Tracy Tupman

Accompanies Mr. Pickwick to Bath, too affected by his friend's heroism to speak at first.

### Augustus Snodgrass

Travels with the group to Bath, similarly moved by Mr. Pickwick's stance.

### Nathaniel Winkle

Still recovering from his trial testimony, but joins the journey to Bath.

### Dowler

Travels with his wife on the same coach to Bath, introduces Mr. Pickwick to Angelo Cyrus Bantam.

### Angelo Cyrus Bantam

The Master of Ceremonies in Bath, greets Mr. Pickwick effusively and mistakes him for a famous invalid.

## Key lines

> Not one halfpenny, said Mr. Pickwick firmly; not one halfpenny.

Mr. Pickwick adamantly refuses to pay any part of the costs or damages.

_Demonstrates Pickwick's stubborn adherence to principle despite legal consequences._

> Welcome to Ba⁠—ath, Sir. This is indeed an acquisition. Most welcome to Ba⁠—ath, sir.

Angelo Bantam greets Mr. Pickwick with exaggerated warmth, treating his arrival as a great social gain.

_Highlights the pompous and flattering manners of Bath's social elite._

## Links

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