Martin Chuzzlewit · Chapter
Chapter IX explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Pecksniff visits Ruth Pinch at her place of employment, presenting himself as a benefactor while subtly demeaning her brother Tom. The visit ends in humiliation when the master of the house orders them off the property. Later, at Mrs. Todgers's boarding house, Mr. Pecksniff becomes heavily intoxicated and delivers rambling moral speeches over the banisters, requiring the other boarders to repeatedly put him to bed.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Self-Deception
Pecksniff's self-congratulatory moralizing contrasts sharply with his actual behavior, especially his drunken antics later in the chapter.
Social Class and Pretension
The Pecksniffs' attempt to appear as benefactors is rebuffed by the wealthy homeowner, highlighting class tensions and pretensions.
Characters to notice
- Seth Pecksniff
Visits Ruth Pinch, delivers a patronizing speech, is rudely ejected from the house, and later becomes drunk at Todgers's, delivering moral lectures from the stairs.
- Ruth Pinch
Tom Pinch's sister, grateful for Pecksniff's visit but later blamed by her employers for having vulgar acquaintances.
- Charity Pecksniff
Accompanies her father on the visit, is indignant at the treatment they receive, and scolds Mrs. Todgers on the way back.
- Mercy Pecksniff
Accompanies her father, adds a remark about Mrs. Todgers, and joins in the indignation after the ejection.
- Mrs. Todgers
Hosts the Pecksniffs at her boarding house, is blamed by the young ladies for the failed visit, and oversees the Saturday bustle.
- Bailey
The page boy at Todgers's, keeps watch outside Pecksniff's door after the drunken episode, showing his usual cheeky demeanor.
Key passages
“I cannot say, poor fellow, that he will ever be distinguished in our profession; but he has the will to do well, which is the next thing to having the power; and, therefore, we must bear with him.”
Pecksniff condescendingly tells Ruth that her brother Tom will never be a great architect, but since he tries hard, they tolerate him.
Pecksniff's patronizing attitude toward Tom Pinch is evident.
“A good action was its own reward; and rather gave them to understand, that if he could have been kicked in such a cause, he would have liked it all the better.”
Pecksniff claims that doing good is reward enough, and suggests he would even welcome being kicked if it were for a worthy cause.
Pecksniff's self-righteousness after being ejected from the house.
“My friends, let us improve our minds by mutual inquiry and discussion. Let us be moral. Let us contemplate existence.”
Pecksniff, drunk, calls out to the boarders to engage in moral philosophy and self-improvement.
Pecksniff's drunken moralizing contrasts with his earlier sober hypocrisy.