# Chapter the Nineteenth explained — The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

> Chapter companion for The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne.

## What happens

Tristram reflects on the myriad ways the word 'fiddlestick' can be pronounced, each carrying a different moral implication according to casuists. Mrs. Wadman uses the word to fluster Uncle Toby, who then offers to share the pains and pleasures of matrimony with her. He quickly retreats into reading the biblical account of the siege of Jericho, leaving his proposal to work on its own. However, it has no effect on Mrs. Wadman because something else is already working within her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Uncle Toby's awkward proposal to Mrs. Wadman and the emotional undercurrents of their interaction highlight the complexities of courtship.

### Modesty and Obscenity

The word 'fiddlestick' carries a suggestive double meaning that flusters Uncle Toby, illustrating the interplay of modesty and innuendo.

## Character check-ins

### Uncle Toby

Blushes at Mrs. Wadman's use of 'fiddlestick' and offers to share the pains and pleasures of matrimony, then retreats into reading the siege of Jericho.

### Mrs. Wadman

Hits upon the word 'fiddlestick' to fluster Uncle Toby, but his proposal does not work on her because something else is already working within her.

## Key lines

> Mrs. Wadman hit upon the fiddlestick , which summoned up all my uncle Toby’s modest blood into his cheeks

Mrs. Wadman used the word 'fiddlestick' in a way that made Uncle Toby blush deeply.

_The word's suggestive connotation embarrasses Toby, revealing his modesty._

> he laid his hand upon his heart, and made an offer to take them as they were, and share them along with her

He placed his hand on his heart and proposed to share the pains and pleasures of marriage with her.

_Uncle Toby makes a sincere but awkward marriage proposal._

> he set himself to read it over—leaving his proposal of marriage, as he had done his declaration of love, to work with her after its own way

He began reading the passage, leaving his marriage proposal to take effect on its own, just as he had done with his declaration of love.

_Toby avoids direct engagement with his proposal, hoping it will work without further effort._

## Links

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