Martin Chuzzlewit

Charles Dickens

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9780486831633
• eBook ISBN: 9780486839547
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Classics
• Index: Literature

Martin Chuzzlewit is suspicious — and with good reason. His relatives think he's dying and they're flocking to his side from near and far in eager anticipation of inheriting his vast wealth. Their greed and selfishness has made him a misanthrope, and when he finds his namesake grandson romancing his ward, the old man's wrath drives young Martin off to America to seek his fortune.
Already famous as the author of The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens declared this, his sixth novel, as "immeasurably the best of my stories." The scheming Mr. Pecksniff, the corrupt Mrs. Gamp, the criminal Jonas Chuzzlewit, and other vividly realized characters populate this powerful black comedy, which features a parody of American mores and manners inspired by the author's 1842 visit to the United States. A captivating tale of hypocrisy and redemption, the novel is distinctive among Dickens' work for its combination of antic humor, searing satire, and lively melodrama.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Preface
• Contents
• 1. Introductory, concerning the Pedigree of the Chuzzlewit Family
• 2. Wherein certain Persons are presented to the Reader, with whom he may, if he please, become better acquainted
• 3. In which certain other Persons are introduced; on the same Terms as in the last Chapter
• 4. From which it will appear that if Union be Strength, and Family Affection be pleasant to contemplate, the Chuzzlewits were the strongest and most agreeable Family in the World
• 5. Containing a full Account of the Installation of Mr. Pecksniff’s new Pupil into the Bosom of Mr. Pecksniff’s Family. With all the Festivities held on that Occasion, and the great Enjoyment of Mr. Pinch
• 6. Comprises, among other important Matters, Pecksniffian and Architectural, an exact Relation of the Progress made by Mr. Pinch in the Confidence and Friendship of the New Pupil
• 7. In which Mr. Chevy Slyme asserts the Independence of his Spirit; and the Blue Dragon loses a Limb
• 8. Accompanies Mr. Pecksniff and his charming Daughters to the City of London; and relates what fell out, upon their way thither
• 9. Town and Todgers’s
• 10. Containing strange Matter; on which many Events in this History, may, for their good or evil Influence, chiefly depend
• 11. Wherein a certain Gentleman becomes particular in his Attentions to a certain Lady; and more Coming Events than one, cast their Shadows before
• 12. Will be seen in the Long Run, if not in the Short One, to concern Mr. Pinch and Others, nearly. Mr. Pecksniff asserts the Dignity of outraged Virtue; and Young Martin Chuzzlewit forms a desperate Resolution
• 13. Showing, what became of Martin and his desperate Resolve, after he left Mr. Pecksniff’s House; what Persons he Encountered; what Anxieties he Suffered; and what News he Heard
• 14. In which Martin bids Adieu to the Lady of his Love; and Honors an obscure Individual whose Fortune he intends to make, by commending her to his Protection
• 15. The Burden whereof, is Hail Columbia!
• 16. Martin Disembarks from that noble and fast-sailing Line of Packet Ship, The Screw, at the Port of New York, in the United States of America. He makes some Acquaintances, and Dines at a Boarding-house. The Particulars of those Transactions
• 17. Martin enlarges his Circle of Acquaintance; increases his Stock of Wisdom; and has an excellent Opportunity of comparing his own Experiences with those of Lummy Ned of the Light Salisbury, as related by his Friend Mr. William Simmons
• 18. Does Business with the House of Anthony Chuzzlewit and Son, from which One of the Partners retires unexpectedly
• 19. The Reader is brought into Communication with some Professional Persons, and sheds a Tear over the Filial Piety of good Mr. Jonas
• 20. Is a Chapter of Love
• 21. More American Experiences. Martin takes a Partner, and makes a Purchase. Some Account of Eden, as it appeared on Paper. Also of the British Lion. Also of the kind of Sympathy professed and entertained, by the Watertoast Association of United Sympathizers
• 22. From which it will be seen that Martin became a Lion on his own Account. Together with the Reason why
• 23. Martin and his Partner take Possession of their Estate. The Joyful Occasion involves some further Account of Eden
• 24. Reports Progress in certain homely Matters of Love, Hatred, Jealousy, and Revenge
• 25. Is in part Professional; and furnishes the Reader with some Valuable Hints in relation to the Management of a Sick Chamber
• 26. An Unexpected Meeting, and a Promising Prospect
• 27. Showing that Old Friends may not only appear with New Faces, but in False Colours. That People are prone to Bite; and that Biters may sometimes be Bitten
• 28. Mr. Montague at Home. And Mr. Jonas Chuzzlewit at Home
• 29. In which some People are Precocious, others Professional, and others Mysterious: all in their several Ways
• 30. Proves that Changes may be rung in the best-regulated Families, and that Mr. Pecksniff was a special hand at a Triple-Bob-Major
• 31. Mr. Pinch is discharged of a Duty which he never owed to Anybody; and Mr. Pecksniff discharges a Duty which he owes to Society
• 32.Treats of Todgers’s again; and of another Blighted Plant besides the Plants upon the Leads
• 34. In which the Travellers move Homeward, and Encounter some Distinguished Characters upon the Way
• 35. Arriving in England, Martin witnesses a Ceremony, from which he derives the cheering Information that he has not been Forgotten in his Absence
• 36. Tom Pinch departs to seek his Fortune. What he finds at starting
• 37. Tom Pinch, going Astray, finds that he is not the only Person in that Predicament. He Retaliates upon a fallen Foe
• 38. Secret Service
• 39. Containing some further Particulars of the Domestic Economy of the Pinches; with strange News from the City, narrowly concerning Tom
• 40. The Pinches make a New Acquaintance, and have fresh occasion for Surprise and Wonder
• 41. Mr. Jonas and his Friend, arriving at a Pleasant Understanding, set forth upon an Enterprise
• 42. Continuation of the Enterprise of Mr. Jonas and his Friend
• 43. Has an Influence on the Fortunes of several People. Mr. Pecksniff is exhibited in the Plenitude of Power; and wields the same with Fortitude and Magnanimity
• 44. Further Continuation of the Enterprise of Mr. Jonas and his Friend
• 45. In which Tom Pinch and his Sister take a little Pleasure; but quite in a Domestic Way, and with no Ceremony about it
• 46. In which Miss Pecksniff makes Love, Mr. Jonas makes Wrath, Mrs. Gamp makes Tea, and Mr. Chuffey makes Business
• 47. Conclusion of the Enterprise of Mr. Jonas and his Friend
• 48. Bears Tidings of Martin, and of Mark, as well as of a Third Person not quite unknown to the Reader. Exhibits Filial Piety in an Ugly Aspect; and casts a doubtful Ray of Light upon a very Dark Place
• 49. In which Mrs. Harris, assisted by a Teapot, is the cause of a Division between Friends
• 50. Surprises Tom Pinch very much, and shows how certain Confidences passed between Him and his Sister
• 51. Sheds New and Brighter Light upon the very Dark Place; and contains the Sequel of the Enterprise of Mr. Jonas and his Friend
• 52. In which the Tables are Turned, completely Upside Down
• 53. What John Westlock said to Tom Pinch’s Sister; what Tom Pinch’s Sister said to John Westlock; what Tom Pinch said to both of them; and how they all passed the Remainder of the Day
• 54. Gives the Author great Concern. For it is the Last in the Book