The Pickwick Papers
Founder of the Pickwick Club and central protagonist, whose benevolent nature and adventures drive the narrative.
The Pickwickians
Founder of the Pickwick Club, delivers an oration on fame and philanthropy, and is appointed to lead the Corresponding Society.
The First Day's Journey, and the First Evening's Adventures; with Their Consequences
Wakes early, reflects on the narrow views of philosophers, hails a cab, and notes the driver's claims about his horse. Meets his friends at the Golden Cross and is rescued from a quarrel by the stranger.
A New Acquaintance—The Stroller's Tale—A Disagreeable Interruption, and an Unpleasant Encounter
Hosts the gathering, becomes enraged during the confrontation with Doctor Slammer, and is restrained by his friends.
A Field Day and Bivouac—More New Friends—An Invitation to the Country
Leads the group to the review, chases his hat after being knocked down, and accepts the invitation to Dingley Dell.
A Short One — Showing How Mr. Pickwick Undertook to Drive, and Mr. Winkle to Ride, and How They Both Did It
Drives the chaise and later assists Mr. Winkle with the horse, showing kindness and humanity.
An Old-Fashioned Card-Party—The Clergyman's Verses—The Story of the Convict's Return
Arrives at Dingley Dell and is introduced to the company; engages in conversation and enjoys the evening.
How Mr. Winkle, instead of shooting at the pigeon and killing the crow, shot at the crow and wounded the pigeon; how the Dingley Dell cricket club played All-Muggleton, and how All-Muggleton dined at the Dingley Dell expense; with other interesting and instructive matters.
Wakes early, enjoys the countryside, and accompanies the shooting party.
Chapter IX
Accompanies Wardle in the chase, remains calm despite the upset and Jingle's insults.
The Rescue of Rachael Wardle
Present during the confrontation; becomes enraged when Jingle taunts him, throwing an inkstand, but quickly regains composure.
Involving another journey, and an antiquarian discovery; recording Mr. Pickwick's determination to be present at an election; and containing a manuscript of the old clergyman's.
Reunites with his friends, persuades Tupman to return, and discovers an ancient inscribed stone.
Descriptive of a very important proceeding on the part of Mr. Pickwick; no less an epoch in his life, than in this history
Nervously paces his room, inadvertently leads Mrs. Bardell to misunderstand his intentions, and hires Sam Weller as his manservant.
Some Account of Eatanswill; of the State of Parties Therein; and of the Election of a Member to Serve in Parliament for that Ancient, Loyal, and Patriotic Borough
Arrives in Eatanswill with his companions, observes the election fervor, and becomes a guest of Mr. Pott.
Comprising a brief description of the company at the Peacock assembled; and a tale told by a bagman
Devotes his time to election proceedings, absent from the Peacock socializing.
Chapter XV
Receives an invitation from Mr. Leo Hunter, argues with Mr. Tupman over his costume, and ultimately reconciles.
Chapter XVI
Gullibly agrees to Job Trotter's plan to thwart Jingle's elopement, ends up trapped in a closet at Westgate House.
XVII
Laid up with rheumatism but retains his good humour; spends his convalescence writing down Sam Weller's tale.
Chapter XVIII
Recovers from his adventure with Jingle, plans to return to London, and laments the trouble his followers cause.
A Pleasant Day with an Unpleasant Termination
Lame but eager to join the shooting party; rides in a barrow pushed by Sam Weller; insists on safe gun handling.
Chapter XX
Resolves to pursue Jingle to Ipswich after learning his whereabouts from Tony Weller; later confronts Dodson and Fogg over the breach of promise writ.
XXII
Mr. Pickwick accidentally enters the wrong bedroom and encounters a middle-aged lady in curl-papers; later he converses with Mr. Peter Magnus about his romantic plans.
Wherein Mr. Peter Magnus grows jealous, and the middle-aged lady apprehensive, which brings the Pickwickians within the grasp of the law
Provides romantic advice to Mr. Peter Magnus, then is arrested by Mr. Grummer and escorted to the mayor's residence.
Chapter XXV
Confronts Jingle and exposes him to Mr. Nupkins, then bids farewell to the family.
Chapter XXVI
Returns to London and sends Sam to Mrs. Bardell's to arrange removal of his belongings.
Samuel Weller makes a pilgrimage to Dorking, and beholds his mother-in-law
Grants Sam leave to visit his father, pleased with Sam's filial feelings.
Chapter XXVIII
Proposes a toast to the bride and groom, expresses delight at the festivities, and participates in the wedding celebrations.
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.
Hosts the Christmas morning breakfast, exposes Winkle's deception, and joyfully joins the ice sliding.
Chapter XXXI
Visits Serjeant Snubbin with Perker, asserts his innocence, and later declares he will pay no damages to Dodson and Fogg.
A Bachelor's Party at Mr. Bob Sawyer's
Attends the party and is fascinated by the medical stories, but is forced to leave when Mrs. Raddle intervenes.
Mr. Weller the Elder Delivers Some Critical Sentiments Respecting Literary Composition; and, Assisted by His Son Samuel, Pays a Small Instalment of Retaliation to the Account of the Reverend Gentleman with the Red Nose
Anxious about the upcoming trial, sends frequent notes to Mr. Perker.
The Trial of Bardell vs. Pickwick
The defendant in the trial; appears agitated and anxious as the proceedings unfold.
In which Mr. Pickwick thinks he had better go to Bath; and goes accordingly.
Resolves not to pay the damages and costs from the trial, and decides to travel to Bath with his friends.
Chapter XXXVI
Takes lodgings in Bath, drinks the waters systematically, reads the legend of Prince Bladud, and attempts to make peace after the Winkle-Dowler altercation.
Honourably accounts for Mr. Weller's absence, by describing a soiree to which he was invited and went; also relates how he was entrusted by Mr. Pickwick with a private mission of delicacy and importance.
Informs Sam of Mr. Winkle's departure after a quarrel with Dowler, and sends Sam on a mission to bring Winkle back.
Mr. Samuel Weller, being entrusted with a mission of love, proceeds to execute it; with what success will hereinafter appear.
Arrives in Bath to oversee Winkle's romantic pursuit; uses a dark lantern during the nighttime garden expedition; speaks reassuringly to Arabella over the wall.
Chapter XL: Mr. Pickwick is Arrested and Taken to the Fleet Prison
Arrested and taken to Fleet Prison for the Bardell debt.
What befell Mr. Pickwick when he got into the Fleet; what prisoners he saw there, and how he passed the night.
Mr. Pickwick enters the Fleet Prison, observes the wretched conditions, and is assigned to the warder's room. He is roused from sleep by noisy prisoners and reluctantly participates in their socializing, paying for sherry.
XLII
Wakes in Fleet Prison, observes the prison's misery, and arranges a room while planning to assist fellow prisoners.
Showing how Mr. Samuel Weller got into difficulties
Already in Fleet Prison; shocked to learn Sam has been arrested.
XLIV
Moved by Sam's attachment, he reluctantly accepts Sam's imprisonment and later visits the dying Chancery prisoner.
Chapter XLV
Mr. Pickwick tours the Fleet Prison, witnesses its grim reality, and resolves to remain in his room to avoid the turmoil.
XLVI
Present in Fleet Prison, turns indignantly on seeing Mrs. Bardell.
XLVII
Released from Fleet Prison; shows benevolence to prisoners and agrees to visit Mr. Winkle Sr.
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
Visits Bob Sawyer and Ben Allen to mediate the dispute over Arabella's marriage.
Containing the story of the bagman's uncle
Not directly present; the chapter is a story told by the bagman, but Mr. Pickwick is the primary audience within the frame narrative.
Chapter L
Leads the visit to Mr. Winkle Sr. to advocate for Nathaniel Winkle's marriage, growing increasingly frustrated by Bob Sawyer's behavior and the old gentleman's refusal to help.
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.
Mr. Pickwick is depressed by the weather and the outcome of his embassy, but later intervenes in the fight between Pott and Slurk, receiving blows from both.
LII
Arranges for Bob Sawyer and Ben Allen to stay elsewhere to spare Arabella's feelings.
LIII
Mr. Pickwick comforts Arabella, settles his accounts with Perker, and bids farewell to Jingle and Job Trotter.
LIV
Shocked by the revelation of Snodgrass's secret engagement and participates in the discussion about how to proceed.
LVI
Mr. Pickwick is alone, musing on how to provide for the young couple, and later proposes to help Sam marry Mary.
LVII
Announces his retirement to Dulwich and the dissolution of the Pickwick Club; later lives peacefully, known and loved by the neighbourhood.
Endnotes
Referenced as Member Pickwick Club and General Chairman.
