| Summary of Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens |
Chapters Eleven to ThirteenChapter 11The Pecksniffs are nearing the end of their stay in London when The Young Bailey announces that there is a visitor waiting to see Charity. Charity is somewhat disappointed to find that the visitor is the rather unpleasant Jonas Chuzzlewit. He invites the sisters to spend the day and evening with him as he takes them for walks around London ending up at Anthony Chuzzlewit (Jonas' fathers home/office) Jonas comes across as being not only unpleasant but also rather miserly as he is reluctant to spend anything to entertain the girls. They eventually arrive at Jonas' house and we notice that Jonas is abusive to his father and to their elderly clerk Chuffey. We notice also that even though it is Charity that he professes attention with, his manner it is really Mercy whom he cannot take his eyes and hands off. Mercy appears to repelled by his attention. The evening is spent dubiously playing card games and the time is late. Jonas offers to walk the girls back to Todgers, he puts his arm around each girl - talks to Charity but inappropriately squeezes and touches Mercy. When they arrive Mercy dashes away as quickly as she can. The chapter ends with an amusing account of the departure of the girls much to the distress of all the young men (especially The Youngest Gentleman) Chapter 12 The scene in Chapter 12 is the Pecksniff residence a day or so before the return of the family from London. We have very friendly conversations between Martin and Tom though we notice that Tom is more condescending to Tom than the previous pupil John Westlock, nevertheless Martin and Tom are on the best of terms and friendship. Tom mentions that he has just heard from Westlock that he has been granted capital and a reasonable income and would like to pay Tom a brief visit to discuss old times and new times. Tom invites Martin to accompany him to Salisbury where Westlock will be staying for a short time. They both enjoy the long brisk walk into town where they meet Westlock at the Inn where he is staying. Martin and John immediately `hit it off' together and the three have a great time of friendship. We notice that when John is compared with Martin he seems a bit more generous in his relationship with Tom than Martin is. Martin admires John's independent adventurous spirit as he discusses his future plans to journey to the USA. The two men discuss Pecksniff and John confides in Martin some of the hard truths about his unfortunate treatment at his hand. John generously pays for their nights accommodation. The next day Tom and Martin return home soon after arriving they have news that the Pecksniffs are arriving back that evening. On arrival Pecksniff constantly rudely treats Martin as if he is invisible. As the evening progresses what at first was an incredulous shock is quickly turning into anger. Only by standing in front of his face can Martin get Pecksniff to acknowledge him. This close invasion of his personal space causes Pecksniff to pathetically fall over backwards into a corner. Martin is furious, storms out of the house into the rain taking nothing. Tom runs after him pleading with him to at least take a book he hands over to him. Chapter 13 Martin is struggling with his pride being smashed by Pecksniff, as he tramps his way towards London he tries to come to grips with the sudden and deceitful blow of Pecksniffs betrayal. He stops, reads Toms note and with the dawning of the significance of his sacrificial gift of financial help he finds an affordable inn to recover his strength. He bargains with a van driver for transportation to London and they have conversations about the new world across the Atlantic Ocean. Martin starts to feel he, like Westlock should adventure to this new world. He finds temporary lodgings and seeks to see if he can pawn his only item of value his expensive pocket watch. While doing so he comes again in contact with Montague Tigg, Martin accepts a three pounds pawn for the watch but is unimpressed with Tigg's ovations even if he claims to have separated himself from his old friend Slyme. The three pounds is enough to obtain better lodgings but not enough to obtain some sort of passage to America. Weeks go by and his finances are nearly depleted when his landlord says there is a letter for him by name. The letter is anonymous but contains a new 20 pound note, Martin has no idea who is responsible for this huge generosity. There is a knock at his door and the surprising visitor is Mark Tapley who is looking for work and wishes to be of some service to Martin. Mark is enthusiastic that they both could maybe journey together to America. Mark because of his contacts with Tom and Todgers lets Martin know that he has seen Mary and agrees to take a letter to Mary as Mark is sure that he knows how she can be contacted. Now, Martin has new hope that he can share with Mary that there is a future, and a possibility that he can make his fortune in the New Land 7:45 AM - 20/2/2007 - post comment
|
Description Brief Summary of each chapter Home User Profile Archives Friends Recent Entries - Chapters Twenty Six to Twenty Nine - Chapters Twenty Two to Twenty Five - Chapters Eighteen to Twentyone - Chapters Fourteen to Seventeen - Chapters Eleven to Thirteen |