The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman · Chapter

Chapter XXXII explained

A brief family dispute over nose length, recalling Pantagruel's island of Ennasin, leads to the signing of a marriage article.

What happens

A brief family dispute over nose length, recalling Pantagruel's island of Ennasin, leads to the signing of a marriage article.

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Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

This passage is the dramatic climax because it depicts the precise moment the corporal’s long-standing resista…

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Family and Heredity
The dispute over nose length touches on family lineage and inherited traits.
The Absurdity of Systems
The absurd focus on nose length as a determinant in a marriage settlement.

“Because, quoth my great-grandmother, repeating the words again—you have little or no nose, Sir.”
My great-grandmother said, 'Because you have a very small nose, sir.'
The great-grandmother's insulting remark about the great-grandfather's nose.
“S'death! cried my great-grandfather, clapping his hand upon his nose,—'tis not so small as that comes to;—'tis a full inch longer than my father's.”
My great-grandfather exclaimed, 'By God's death! It's not that small—it's a full inch longer than my father's nose.'
The great-grandfather's defensive response, comparing his nose to his father's.
“My great-grandfather's nose was for all the world like unto the noses of all the men, women, and children, whom Pantagruel found dwelling upon the island of Ennasin.”
His nose resembled those of the flat-nosed people Pantagruel encountered on the island of Ennasin.
A Rabelaisian allusion comparing the nose to those of a fictional island.
“You must mean your uncle's, replied my great-grandmother.”
My great-grandmother corrected him, 'You must mean your uncle's nose.'
The great-grandmother's correction implies a family secret or confusion about lineage.
“My great-grandfather was convinced.—He untwisted the paper, and signed the article.”
Convinced by her remark, he unrolled the document and signed the marriage settlement.
The resolution of the dispute leads to the signing of the marriage article.