# Arabella Allen — The Pickwick Papers character guide

> Arabella Allen in The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Arabella Allen, Arabella, Miss Allen, the charming Arabella, Miss Arabella Allen, Bella

**First appearance:** 0003-ii

## Snapshot

A charming young woman with a thousand pounds in the funds, whose refusal to be married off to Bob Sawyer sets a quiet rebellion against her brother's plans.

## Who they are

Arabella Allen is the romantic prize her brother Ben and Bob Sawyer conspire to secure, but she has a mind and a taste of her own, and she does not like Bob. Her independence, and the secret attachment it enables, turns the medical students' bluster into a genuine contest of wills. She matters because her choices quietly redirect the plot's romantic current and expose how little the men around her have bothered to ask what she wants.

## Relationships

### [Samuel Pickwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/samuel_pickwick)

_friendship_

Arabella Allen is a young woman whom Pickwick helps in her romance with Nathaniel Winkle, acting as a benevolent matchmaker.

### [Samuel Pickwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/samuel_pickwick)

_friendship_

Arabella Allen is a young woman whom Pickwick helps in her romance with Nathaniel Winkle, acting as a benevolent matchmaker.

### [Samuel Pickwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/samuel_pickwick)

_friendship_

Arabella Allen is a young woman whom Pickwick helps in her romance with Nathaniel Winkle, acting as a benevolent matchmaker.

## In the story

### [Mr. Samuel Weller, being entrusted with a mission of love, proceeds to execute it; with what success will hereinafter appear.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xxxix)

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.

### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xlvii)

Pleads with Mr. Pickwick to help reconcile with Mr. Winkle Sr.; weeps and coaxes him.

### [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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xlviii)

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

### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/liii)

Arabella is distressed over her father-in-law's disapproval but is comforted by Mr. Pickwick.

### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/liv)

Recently married; receives her brother Ben and Wardle, and is involved in the discussion about Emily's situation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/arabella_allen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters