# Mr. Wardle — The Pickwick Papers character guide > Mr. Wardle in The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Wardle, Old Mr. Wardle, old Wardle **First appearance:** 0002-i ## Snapshot A hearty, hospitable country squire whose Dingley Dell Christmas cheer and bristling paternal pride pull the Pickwickians into real domestic life. ## Who they are Mr. Wardle is the novel's warm center of gravity away from London: a bluff, generous farmer who welcomes Pickwick's club to his Kentish estate and treats their investigations as an excuse for feasting and games. His fierce protectiveness of his daughters, especially when the smooth-talking Jingle circles them, turns hospitality into a running test of honor. Through him the picaresque wanderings acquire a home, a hearth, and stakes that feel genuinely personal. ## In the story ### [A Field Day and Bivouac—More New Friends—An Invitation to the Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/iv) The stout old gentleman in blue coat and top-boots who invites the Pickwickians to Dingley Dell. ### [A Short One — Showing How Mr. Pickwick Undertook to Drive, and Mr. Winkle to Ride, and How They Both Did It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/v) Welcomes the Pickwickians to Manor Farm and helps them recover from their journey. ### [An Old-Fashioned Card-Party—The Clergyman's Verses—The Story of the Convict's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/vi) Hosts the party, introduces Mr. Pickwick to his mother, and shares fond memories of the old fireside. ### [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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/vii) Hosts the rook-shooting and cricket match, good-humored and energetic. ### [Chapter VIII: Strongly illustrative of the position, that the course of true love is not a railway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/viii) Initially suspicious of Tupman but later satisfied there is no ground for the charge against him. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/ix) Leads the pursuit in a fury, shouting and urging the horses on. ### [The Rescue of Rachael Wardle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/x) Leads the rescue party; angrily confronts Jingle and his sister, and reluctantly agrees to the financial settlement. ### [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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xi) Hosts the Pickwickians at Dingley Dell; his letter informs them of Pickwick's return. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xvi) Arrives with Trundle to vouch for Mr. Pickwick and resolve the misunderstanding. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xvii) Visits Mr. Pickwick in his sickroom and shares laughter over the recent adventure. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xviii) Meets the Pickwickians at the Angel, invites them to a Christmas wedding for Trundle and Isabella. ### [A Pleasant Day with an Unpleasant Termination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xix) Leads the shooting party; jokes about the morning's events; arranges the snack at One-tree Hill. ### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xxviii) Hosts the Christmas festivities, hangs the mistletoe, and participates in the toasts and celebrations. ### [The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xxix) The narrator of the goblin story, sharing it with the Pickwickians during their Christmas festivities. ### [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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xxx) Hosts the Christmas festivities, encourages ice skating and sliding, participates energetically. ### [Containing the story of the bagman's uncle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xlix) Not directly present; the chapter is a story told by the bagman, but Mr. Wardle is likely part of the audience within the frame narrative. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/liv) Discovers Snodgrass and Emily's secret romance; initially angry but now seeks advice from Pickwick and Perker. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/lvi) Mr. Wardle is referenced indirectly through the note from Emily Wardle. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/lvii) Hosts the dinner at the Adelphi where Mr. Pickwick explains his plans; continues to hold family merrymakings attended by Mr. Pickwick. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/wardle - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters