Martin Chuzzlewit · Chapter
Chapter LI explained
Chuffey reveals that Jonas Chuzzlewit had planned to poison his father Anthony, but Anthony discovered the plot and chose to forgive his son, eventually dying of a broken heart.
What happens
Chuffey reveals that Jonas Chuzzlewit had planned to poison his father Anthony, but Anthony discovered the plot and chose to forgive his son, eventually dying of a broken heart. Jonas, now exposed, shows no remorse, only fear for his own safety. He becomes agitated when his wife Mercy is absent, and Chuffey confronts him, demanding to know what he has done with her.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Corruption
Jonas's plot to poison his father for inheritance exemplifies the corrupting influence of greed.
Family and Dysfunction
The toxic relationship between Jonas and his father Anthony, and the impact on the family, is central to this chapter.
Deception and Trust
Jonas's deception is uncovered by Chuffey, highlighting the breakdown of trust within the family.
Characters to notice
- Jonas Chuzzlewit
Exposed as having plotted to poison his father; shows no remorse, only fear and despair over his own security.
- Chuffey
Reveals the truth about Jonas's attempted poisoning of Anthony; confronts Jonas about Mercy's whereabouts.
- Old Martin Chuzzlewit
Listens to Chuffey's revelation and offers to take him away from the house.
- Mercy Pecksniff
Absent from home, causing Jonas anxiety; she is the wife of Jonas.
- Sarah Gamp
Present in the room, affected to tears by Chuffey's words; keeps partly hidden behind the door.
Key passages
“He bought the stuff, no doubt, as you have heard, and brought it home. He mixed the stuff—look at him!—with some sweetmeat in a jar, exactly as the medicine for his father's cough was mixed, and put it in a drawer; in that drawer yonder in the desk; he knows which drawer I mean!”
Chuffey accuses Jonas of purchasing poison, mixing it with sweets to mimic his father's cough medicine, and hiding it in a specific drawer.
Chuffey reveals the details of Jonas's attempted poisoning.
“He shall not weary for my death, Chuff; that was what he said next, crying like a little child: 'He shall not weary for my death, Chuff. He shall have it now; he shall marry where he has a fancy, Chuff, although it don't please me; and you and I will go away and live upon a little.'”
Anthony Chuzzlewit, weeping, told Chuffey he would let Jonas have his inheritance early and marry as he wished, planning to leave with Chuffey.
Anthony's forgiving response to his son's betrayal is recounted.