Who Alfred Jingle is
Alfred Jingle meets Samuel Pickwick and his companions on their first journey to Rochester in Kent. He speaks in broken, hurried sentences, and his lively manner helps him win the travellers' confidence. He borrows clothes, accepts dinners and draws others into trouble while living off their goodwill.
What Alfred Jingle wants
Jingle seeks advantage through charm and deception, using other people's trust to support himself. At Dingley Dell, he courts Rachael Wardle, Mr Wardle's unmarried sister, who has some money. His flattery wins her attention, and his plan to carry her off sends Pickwick and Wardle after them.
Alfred Jingle and the others in the story
Pickwick sees a lively man with a hard life, rather than recognising the trickster before him. Jingle also gets Nathaniel Winkle into a quarrel with an army officer during the travellers' early adventures. His pursuit of Rachael crushes Tracy Tupman, who has romantic hopes of his own.
The contrast between Jingle and Pickwick brings the novel's concern with honesty and deception into view. Jingle exploits trust, while Pickwick keeps trying to understand him and pursue what is right.
Questions
Who is Alfred Jingle?
Alfred Jingle is a travelling actor whose fast talk conceals his habit of deceiving people.
How does Alfred Jingle treat Pickwick?
He takes advantage of Pickwick's kindness, accepting his trust while causing trouble for the travelling party.
Why does Alfred Jingle court Rachael Wardle?
Rachael has money, and Jingle targets her with flattering talk and plans to carry her off.