The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

At the start of the novel, Chowder is Tabitha’s pet dog; he is unruly, ill-behaved, and causes lots of problems. While the family is in London, Tabitha eventually gives Chowder to an acquaintance, Lady Griskin. Chowder symbolizes Tabitha’s obstinate and assertive nature, along with her unruly pursuit of a male partner. In the 18th century, women were typically celebrated for being modest, delicate, and passive; Lydia embodies many of these feminine ideals. By contrast, Tabitha openly speaks her mind, takes an active hand in managing the Bramble estate, and makes no effort to disguise her desire to find a husband. Chowder is expected to be domesticated, and thus to be passive, obedient, and easy to control; however, he rejects the idea of obedience to follow his own instincts and impulses.

As an unmarried woman, Tabitha is expected to behave in a similar way to a domestic animal: quietly existing within a household while causing as little trouble as possible. Tabitha is past the age where it would be common for a woman to marry, and could therefore be easily interpreted as a burden on her brother’s livelihood and household. However, she refuses to passively accept her fate and continues to assert her own desires.