Super Short Summary

The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by Tobias Smollett is an 18th-century epistolary picaresque novel chronicling the travels of the Bramble-Melford family through England and Scotland. Prompted by Matthew Bramble’s quest to alleviate his gout, the family's journey introduces them to a young man named Humphry Clinker, who joins their party, leading to adventures and evolving relationships. The novel explores themes of social class, vanity, and the contrast between urban and rural life, ultimately culminating in multiple weddings and the elevation of Humphry’s social status. The story includes outdated terms referring to Indigenous people.