Dickens' Mr. Pickwick captures the joy of an energetic post-career phase
'I shall never regret,' said Mr. Pickwick in a low voice, 'I shall never regret having devoted the greater part of two years to mixing with different varieties and shades of human character, frivolous as my pursuit of novelty may have appeared to many. Nearly the whole of my previous life having been devoted to business and the pursuit of wealth, numerous scenes of which I had no previous conception have dawned upon me — I hope to the enlargement of my mind, and the improvement of my understanding. If I have done but little good, I trust I have done less harm, and that none of my adventures will be other than a source of amusing and pleasant recollection to me in the decline of life. God bless you all!'
I reread The Pickwick Papers, Dickens’ second book and first major success, over the Christmas holiday. It contains a fair bit of the author’s social commentary, but the bulk of the book is a good old picaresque tale. Mr. Pickwick serves as the leader of a club that travels around England, meeting various characters and getting into and out of situations. In other words, living moment to moment.
Mr. Pickwick serves as mentor to his younger followers and their romantic interests, all the while keeping a little distance (with some notable exceptions) from their comic misadventures.
And in the last chapter, as things are summing up, comes the above quote. It struck me as particularly appropriate for this site. Mr. Pickwick has disbanded his club. He is ready to really retire now. But before he does, he takes stock of what he has been able to experience by setting aside money-making (fortunate to be well enough off to do that) and exploring the country with his friends.
The folks I’ve talked to are all thinking about, or have embarked upon, their Pickwickian next stage. Here’s to similarly enriching adventures!