Pickwick - No. I - chs. I-II

[Denise]

In these first two chapters, we become acquainted with the Pickwick Club and attend one of their meetings. It is resolved that Mr. Pickwick and his friends, Tracy Tupman, Nathaniel Winkle, and Augustus Snodgrass, will take a roadtrip into the country and write about their experiences. They begin their journey and make a new acquaintance. This person convinces Mr. Tupman (who fancies himself a ladies' man) to lend him a suit belonging to the sleeping Mr. Winkle and attend a dance. The result is that Mr. Winkle is challenged to a duel!

[Janet]

just finished chapter 2. My dad, who used to say Pickwick was one of his favorite books, always advised people to skip chapter 1. I agree with him. It's a sleeper, but chapter 2 is great fun and the "duel" is priceless.

[Mary]

I've only read up to chapter 2 but am enjoying it so far. It's light and highly amusing, and the characters are very well-described. This 'stranger' is so sure of himself that I half suspect him to be taking advantage of the others in some way (I guess I'll find out soon).

I love the light-hearted description! I feel so bad for that cab horse, and the poor woman who forgot to 'duck her head' when riding in the cab. It's funny but sort of horrifying at the same time. I'm looking forward to reading more!

[Denise]

Mary, their new 'friend' does seem to be a bit of a know-it-all. I was wondering if he really had originally been going to the same place as they, or had decided to attach himself to them just to mooch off of them.

Jane, I love the duel! It's one of my favorite parts of the novel. I especially love how Winkle tries to use reverse psychology to get Snodgrass to prevent it, but Snodgrass takes him at his word:

"'Snodgrass,' he said, stopping suddenly, 'do not let me be balked in this matter—do not give information to the local authorities—do not obtain the assistance of several peace officers, to take either me or Doctor Slammer, of the 97th Regiment, at present quartered in Chatham Barracks, into custody, and thus prevent this duel!—I say, do not.'

Mr. Snodgrass seized his friend's hand warmly, as he enthusiastically replied, 'Not for worlds!'"

And how Payne is so disappointed when there isn't a duel that he tries to come up with any idea for any two of them to duel, anyway!

[Michaela]

I loved the duel too. Especially how Mr. Winkle tries to safeguard his reputation and therefore accepts the challenge, while he absolutely does not wish to fight. He then expects his own fears to be shared by Mr. Snodgrass, not even considering the possibility they might not, and therefore expects Mr. Snodgrass to act upon this fear by preventing the duel. He is surprised to see that Snodgrass actually does have the constitution that he himself only pretends to have. And then, without any possibility to back out without harming is reputation, Mr. Winkle has no choice but to fight. I absolutely love it, how this complicated structure is very clearly played out in the novel, without mentioning much of it, mostly by using dialogues. It made me laugh.

[Michelle]

I'm glad everything worked out for Mr. Winkle, but I was kind of frustrated that he would not ask anyone what he had gotten up to (or didn't get up to) the last night; and how he wouldn't speak plainly with Mr. Snodgrass (and that Snodgrass didn't ask him what the duel was about was rather odd, considering he could be killed over this fued). Alas, Victorian men and their reputations!! ;)

[Yenta]

I have a question about the scene with the cab driver. The driver accuses Pickwick of being an informer. Who would Pickwick be informing? And why? Was spying common or is the cab driver paranoid? TIA.

[Michelle]

He was accusing Pickwick of being a spy and trying to get him in trouble. Though why, in my opinion, a simple cab driver would think he is up for investigation is beyond me; unless he really IS up to something, or just plain delusional. I think the latter ;)

[Michelle]

And this is just the first of 2 duels in the first two chapters over, what I think are, silly things to get physical about. It's all about "honor"...give me a break! LOL ;)

[Lisa]

A comedy of errors.
Also the reason why men need to be supervised by mothers, wives and sisters :-)
Love Mr Snodgrass, I first met these characters via Little Women, Jo was Snodgrass.

[Michelle]

I think you're right, Lisa! LOL ;) Throughout all these blunders, not one woman present! haha ;)

[Denise]

Lisa, I remember Pickwick in Little Women, too, but I didn't remember who played whom! I'm so glad I'm finally reading it!

[Lisa]

Jo was Snodgrass because she was literary
Meg was Pickwick because she was the eldest
Beth was Tupman, because she was round and rosy
Amy was Winkle, always trying to do things she couldn't
Laurie was Sam Weller

[Denise]

Thanks, Lisa!

[Ruth]

Now I am going to have to reread Little Women, since I read it when I was 10 years old and don't remember! LOL