IV explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Hypocrisy and Self-Deception

  Pecksniff's feigned benevolence and Christian forgiveness toward old Martin, while he secretly eavesdrops and manipulates the family, exemplifies the theme of hypocrisy.

• Family and Dysfunction

  The Chuzzlewit family gathering is marked by mutual dislike, quarrels over status, and suspicion of Mary Graham, highlighting the family's deep dysfunction.

• Greed and Corruption

  The family's obsession with old Martin's property and their accusations against Mary Graham reveal their underlying greed and corrupt motives.

Characters to notice

• Seth Pecksniff

  Pecksniff anxiously waits for old Martin's summons, eavesdrops at the Dragon, collides with Tigg, and later hosts the family gathering where he attempts to position himself as the family's moral leader.

• Old Martin Chuzzlewit

  Old Martin remains shut in his room at the Blue Dragon, feigning sleep when Mrs. Lupin enters, but talking freely with his young companion (Mary Graham).

• Mary Graham

  Mary is the young companion of old Martin, suspected by the family of harboring designs on his property; she is the subject of much of the family's discussion and animosity.

• Chevy Slyme

  Chevy Slyme is present at the family gathering, accompanied by his friend Tigg, and is part of the family circle that dislikes each other but unites in hating Tigg.

• Tigg Montague

  Tigg is the shabby-genteel stranger who collides with Pecksniff at the Dragon; he later attends the family gathering as Chevy Slyme's friend, ogling the ladies and showing a hint of banter.

• Charity Pecksniff

  Charity, along with her sister Mercy, engages in an acrimonious retort during the family quarrel, defending herself against implied slights.

Key passages

• “That worthy man Mr. Pecksniff having taken leave of his cousin in the solemn terms recited in the last chapter, withdrew to his own home, and remained there three whole days; not so much as going out for a walk beyond the boundaries of his own garden, lest he should be hastily summoned to the bedside of his penitent and remorseful relative, whom, in his ample benevolence, he had made up his mind to forgive unconditionally, and to love on any terms.”

  Mr. Pecksniff, after saying goodbye to his cousin, stayed home for three days, not even leaving his garden, in case he was called to the bedside of his supposedly repentant relative, whom he had decided to forgive completely out of his great kindness.

  This passage highlights Pecksniff's self-righteous hypocrisy, as he pretends to be ready to forgive while actually waiting for an opportunity to manipulate.

• “It happened that Mr. Pecksniff, coming softly upon the dark passage into which a spiral ray of light usually darted through the same keyhole, was astonished to find no such ray visible; and it happened that Mr. Pecksniff, when he had felt his way to the chamber-door, stooping hurriedly down to ascertain by personal inspection whether the jealousy of the old man had caused this keyhole to be stopped on the inside, brought his head into such violent contact with another head, that he could not help uttering in an audible voice the monosyllable 'Oh!'”

  Pecksniff crept to the door in the dark, expecting to see light through the keyhole, but found none; when he bent down to check if the old man had blocked it, he banged his head against someone else's head and let out a pained 'Oh!'

  This comedic moment exposes Pecksniff's sneaky nature and leads to his collision with Tigg, setting up the family gathering.

• “Such was the pleasant little family circle now assembled in Mr. Pecksniff's best parlour, agreeably prepared to fall foul of Mr. Pecksniff or anybody else who might venture to say anything whatever upon any subject.”

  The family gathered in Pecksniff's parlor, ready to attack him or anyone who dared to speak on any topic.

  This ironic description underscores the family's hostility and dysfunction, despite the pretense of a pleasant gathering.