Question

Who was Uncle Podger?
Why does the narrator mentions this particular character, though he is not connected to the boat trip? (10 marks)

Answer 1

the author is a day dreamer and slips into flashbacks or some poetical things whenever he sees somethings relatable or scenic. the author mentions about uncle podger as he is the only one he finds familiar to harris's character. he is always so ready to take the burden of everything himself, and put it on the backs of other people. He reminds the narrator of his poor Uncle Podger. a person would never saw such a commotion up and down a house, in all your life, as when Uncle Podger undertook to do a job. A picture would have come home from the frame-makers, and be standing in the dining-room, waiting to be put up; and Aunt Podger would ask what was to be done with it, and Uncle Podger would say: Oh, you leave that to me. Don’t you, any of you, worry yourselves about that. Ill do all that. And then he would take off his coat, and begin. 

(extra)- we would all be lying if we dont see a character like uncle podger or harris in our daily life. maybe someone from our family or friends recognize with either of the characters. this is one of the points that makes the novel, "three men in a boat" so humorous and the people can identify with the characters. 

thus, the poet mentions uncle podger even though he isnt related to the boat trip.

Answer 2

uncle podger was the late relative of narrator. he is a very confused man who involves the whole family for just hanging a picture. he forgets often and blames others for not working properly. the narrator feels that harris is very much like uncle podger and in his later age would resemble him completely. therefore he relates this incident indirectly to throw light on the nature of harris. moreover it adds up to the humour in the story. it amuses the reader and shows him a different shade of human nature. this is one of the most humorous incident of the story