The Pickwick Papers · Character

Job Trotter

Jingle's soft-spoken, tearful manservant, whose meek demeanor is a mask for sly complicity in his master's theatrical swindles.

supporting

Also known as Job, Trotter, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Job Trotter, Job Trotter

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in The Pickwick Papers, Job Trotter is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Deceptively weeps and persuades Mr.

In the storyChapter XVIOpen this moment free

See Job Trotter in Chapter XVI Book page

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Job Trotter moves through the novel as the quiet shadow to Alfred Jingle's loud, staccato schemer, forever weeping, bowing, and slipping free of blame. His genius is for performance: he can weep on cue, feign loyalty, and turn a servant's humility into a weapon, which makes him indispensable to Jingle and dangerous to the Pickwickians. His double act with his master gives the early misadventures at Rochester and Bury St. Edmunds their comic menace.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Job Trotter sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Job Trotter in i

Character Web

24 connections

A slice of how Job Trotter sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Pickwickians and associates
Ipswich and Bath characters
Jingle and romantic interests
Pickwick Club and Weller family
Protagonist

+19 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative 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’…

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Relationships

Samuel Pickwick
rivalry · negative
Job Trotter is a cunning and deceitful servant of Alfred Jingle who repeatedly schemes… How this plays out →
Samuel Pickwick
rivalry · negative
Job Trotter is a cunning and deceitful servant of Alfred Jingle who repeatedly schemes… How this plays out →
Samuel Pickwick
rivalry · negative
Job Trotter is a cunning and deceitful servant of Alfred Jingle who repeatedly schemes… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Job Trotter in i

In the story

Job Trotter appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

A New Acquaintance—The Stroller's Tale—A Disagreeable Interruption, and an Unpleasant Encounter
Not present in this chapter.
Chapter XVI
Deceptively weeps and persuades Mr. Pickwick to enter the garden alone, setting up the trap.
Chapter XX
Identified by Tony Weller as the black-haired man in mulberry livery traveling to Ipswich with Jingle.
In which Mr. Samuel Weller begins to devote his energies to the return match between himself and Mr. Trotter.
Attempts to disguise himself with grimaces but is recognized by Sam.
Chapter XXV
Accompanies Jingle and is also expelled, displaying sly amusement.
XLII
Enters the poor side room carrying a small piece of mutton, recognized by Mr. Pickwick despite his rags and dirt.
Chapter XLV
Job guides Mr. Pickwick and Sam to a 'whistling-shop' within the prison and shows deference to Sam's role as Mr. Pickwick's servant.
XLVI
Sent by Sam to run to Mr. Perker's office.
XLVII
Delivers message about Mrs. Bardell's execution; sent to Mr. Pell for the formal discharge.
LIII
Job Trotter accompanies Jingle in their departure, showing gratitude to Mr. Pickwick.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Job Trotter unlock in the free preview.

See Job Trotter in i

See Job Trotter in Chapter XVI