The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

Tristram describes his mother’s desire to watch Toby pursue his romantic interest in Widow Wadman. Toby has been prepared by Trim, who has done his best to make Toby’s old uniform look presentable. Tristram assures the audience that Toby’s good character outshines his scruffy uniform. Toby and Trim launch their carefully crafted plan of attack, but once they reach her house, Trim distracts them both with a long anecdote about his brother. He tells the story of how his brother met a widow in Lisbon. She was a Jewish sausage maker who had been arrested by the Inquisition. As the story continues, Walter and Elizabeth become frustrated by the delay. Tristram reviews what he has written and worries about striking the right balance between “wisdom and folly” (504). He spends several chapters discussing the nature of literature, including his own writing, and pushes back against any accusations of indecency. He proves that his writing is clean by referencing his own laundry bills. Just as he is about to launch into another “Digression,” he realizes that he has already done so. He switches his attention back to Toby.

Widow Wadman and Bridget are waiting inside her house.