Ministry of higher education, science and innovations of the republic of uzbekistan

particularly vulnerable to these beauty standards, which reinforced the social 
hierarchy and perpetuated discrimination. 
In literature, appearance plays a crucial role in characterizing a person. An 
individual’s physical appearance can provide insight into their personality, social 
status, and personal struggles. The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, written 
by Charles Dickens, is no exception. The novel’s characters are described in detail, 
and their appearance is used to convey important information about their personality 
and role in the story.
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One of the most notable characters in the novel is Mr. Pickwick, who is 
described as a stout man with a benevolent face. His physical appearance is 
consistent with his personality, as he is a kind-hearted and generous person who is 
5
Nipperdey, Thomas. Germany from Napoleon to Bismarck, 1800-1866. - United States: Princeton 
University Press. 1996. - 560 p. 

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always willing to help others. Mr. Pickwick’s appearance also reflects his social 
status as a wealthy and respected member of society. 
In contrast, the character of Joe is described as a young boy with a thin and pale 
face. His appearance reflects his difficult life, as he is an orphan who has been 
mistreated by his caretakers. Joe’s physical appearance is used to elicit sympathy 
from the reader and to highlight the struggles faced by the lower classes during the 
Victorian era. 
The character of Jingle is described as a well-dressed and charming man with 
a handsome face. However, his appearance is deceiving, as he is a manipulative and 
dishonest person who uses his charm to deceive others. Jingle’s appearance is used 
to contrast his true nature, highlighting the importance of looking beyond physical 
appearance when judging a person’s character.
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Appearance is also used to distinguish between the upper and lower classes in 
the novel. The upper-class characters are described as well-dressed and elegant, with 
a refined appearance that reflects their social status. In contrast, the lower-class 
characters are often described as poorly dressed and unkempt, with a rough 
appearance that reflects their struggles. Appearance plays a crucial role in 
characterizing individuals in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. Physical 
appearance is used to provide insight into a person’s personality, social status, and 
struggles. The use of appearance to distinguish between the upper and lower classes 
highlights the social hierarchy of the Victorian era and its impact on individual lives. 
Dickens masterfully uses appearance to create vivid and memorable characters, 
highlighting the importance of this literary device in character development. 
While appearance is a crucial element in characterizing individuals in The 
Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, there is also a great deal of irony in the 
use of appearance-based characterization. This is because characters are often 
judged based on their appearance, leading to misunderstandings and 
misinterpretations. 
6
Miller, D. A. The Novel and the Police. - United States: University of California Press. 1988. - 250 p. 

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One example of this is Mr. Winkle, who is described as a timid and nervous 
young man. However, his appearance is misleading, as he is a skilled marksman and 
capable of standing up for himself. Mr. Winkle’s appearance leads others to 
underestimate his abilities, highlighting the irony of appearance-based 
characterization. 
Another example is the character of Sam Weller, who is initially judged based 
on his rough appearance and Cockney accent. However, he proves to be a loyal and 
intelligent servant to Mr. Pickwick, defying the stereotypes associated with his 
appearance. 
The character of Jingle also highlights the irony of appearance-based 
characterization. Despite his charming and handsome appearance, Jingle is a 
manipulative and dishonest person who uses his appearance to deceive others. 
Jingle’s appearance is used to contrast his true nature, highlighting the importance 
of looking beyond physical appearance when judging a person’s character. 
The use of appearance-based characterization also highlights the class 
differences in Victorian society. The upper-class characters are often judged based 
on their refined appearance, while the lower-class characters are judged based on 
their rough appearance. However, this leads to misunderstandings, as characters like 
Sam Weller defy the stereotypes associated with their appearance. The use of 
appearance-based characterization in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club 
highlights the irony of judging individuals based solely on their physical appearance. 
The misleading appearances of characters like Mr. Winkle and Jingle highlight the 
importance of looking beyond physical appearance when judging a person’s 
character. The use of appearance-based characterization also highlights the class 
differences in Victorian society and the stereotypes associated with different social 
classes. Dickens masterfully uses irony to challenge these stereotypes, highlighting 
the complexity of human nature and the dangers of judging individuals based solely 
on their physical appearance. 
One of the most common the system of characters used by Charles Dickens in 
«The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club» is the description of physical 

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appearance. Through detailed descriptions of a character’s physical features, 
Dickens provides the reader with a clear picture of the character’s personality, social 
status, and moral values. 
For instance, Mr. Pickwick, the main character of the novel, is described as a 
«portly gentleman with a bald head and a double chin, who wore spectacles and a 
coat with a velvet collar». This description immediately tells the reader that Mr. 
Pickwick is a man of wealth and status, as his clothing is of a high quality and his 
appearance is well-groomed. Additionally, the fact that he wears spectacles suggests 
that he is intelligent and well-educated.
7
Similarly, other characters in the novel are also described in great detail, with 
their physical features reflecting their personalities and social status. For example, 
Mr. Jingle, a minor character in the novel, is described as a «tall, thin man, with 
sharp features and a keen, cunning expression». This description immediately tells 
the reader that Mr. Jingle is not to be trusted and is likely up to no good. On the other 
hand, Joe, a simple but good-hearted servant, is described as «a fat-faced, round-
eyed boy, with a wide mouth and short legs». This description reflects his innocent 
and naive nature. 
Through these physical descriptions, Dickens is able to bring his characters to 
life, allowing the reader to imagine them in great detail. Moreover, these descriptions 
provide important insights into the characters’ personalities and motivations, which 
help to drive the plot of the novel forward. The use of physical description as a 
method of characterization is a powerful tool employed by Charles Dickens in «The 
Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club». Through vivid and detailed descriptions 
of his characters’ physical features, Dickens is able to convey important information 
about their personalities and social status, providing the reader with a rich and 
immersive reading experience.