The Pickwick Papers · Character
Benjamin Allen
A mildewy, cigar-scented medical student who appoints himself his sister Arabella's guardian and plots to marry her off to his friend Bob Sawyer.
supporting
Also known as Mr. Benjamin Allen, Ben, Mr. Allen, Allen, Benjamin, Benjamin Allen
First appearance: ii
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Ben Allen is a coarse, stout young man with spectacles, a white neckerchief, and a taste for brandy and Cubas, whose friendship with Bob Sawyer is sealed by shared meals and shared mischief. His self-appointed authority…
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See Benjamin Allen in iiCharacter Web
35 connectionsA slice of how Benjamin Allen sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Friendship
- Other
Character groups
- Pickwickians and associates
- Ipswich and Bath characters
- Servants and landladies
- Minor characters and witnesses
- Protagonist
+30 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it delivers the emotional and psychological peak of Sam Weller’…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Bob Sawyer
friendship · positive
- Samuel Pickwick
friendship · positive
- Samuel Pickwick
friendship · positive
- Samuel Pickwick
friendship · positive
- Bob Sawyer
friendship · positive
- Bob Sawyer
friendship · positive
Relationship notes
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See Benjamin Allen in iiIn the story
Benjamin Allen appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- How the Pickwickians made and cultivated the acquaintance of a couple of nice young men belonging to one of the liberal professions; how they disported themselves on the ice; and how their visit came to a conclusion.
- A Bachelor's Party at Mr. Bob Sawyer's
- How Mr. Winkle, when he stepped out of the frying-pan, walked gently and comfortably into the fire
- 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
- Chapter L
- In which Mr. Pickwick encounters an old acquaintance—to which fortunate circumstance the reader is mainly indebted for matter of thrilling interest herein set down, concerning two great public men of might and power.
- LIV
Chapter companion notes
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See Benjamin Allen in ii