The story follows Martin Chuzzlewit, the grandson of a wealthy but suspicious old man, who becomes estranged from his grandfather due to misunderstandings and selfishness on both sides. The old man, having grown distrustful of everyone, including Martin, takes in an orphan named Mary Graham, whom he treats with a harshness that belies his underlying kindness. Martin, in love with Mary, leaves his grandfather's home after a quarrel and seeks apprenticeship with Mr. Pecksniff, an architect known for his hypocrisy and deceit. At Pecksniff's, Martin meets Tom Pinch, a kind-hearted but naive pupil, and Mark Tapley, a jovial inn assistant. As Martin struggles with poverty and betrayal, he learns of Pecksniff's true nature and the manipulations surrounding his grandfather. After a series of misfortunes, including being cast out by Pecksniff at his grandfather's behest, Martin decides to emigrate to America, hoping for a better future. Before leaving, he and Mary exchange tokens of their love, and she warns him of the dangers posed by Pecksniff. The narrative explores themes of greed, familial conflict, and the search for integrity amidst deception, ultimately leading Martin to seek his fortune abroad while maintaining his love for Mary.
By Charles Dickens · First published 1843 · Genre: Fiction, Historical, Satire · 5 chapters