# LIV explained — Martin Chuzzlewit

> Chapter companion for Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

The final chapter describes the preparations for Charity Pecksniff's wedding to Augustus Moddle at Todgers's. Charity extends forgiveness to her relatives, inviting them to the ceremony. Meanwhile, Old Martin Chuzzlewit visits Mercy (Merry) in her mourning, offering her a new home and a chance to escape her sister's spiteful wedding. As they depart, Mark Tapley joyfully reunites with their American neighbours from Eden, who are brought along. The wedding guests begin to assemble.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Dysfunction

Charity's forced forgiveness and Mercy's estrangement highlight the fractured family dynamics.

### Redemption and Self-Discovery

Mercy finds redemption through her suffering and accepts Old Martin's offer of a new beginning.

### Hypocrisy and Self-Deception

Charity's display of forgiveness is undercut by her spiteful treatment of Mercy, revealing her self-deception.

## Character check-ins

### Charity Pecksniff

The bride-to-be, full of clemency and forgiveness, invites her estranged relatives to her wedding.

### Mercy Pecksniff

In mourning after Jonas's death, she is visited by Old Martin and agrees to leave with him before the wedding.

### Old Martin Chuzzlewit

Arrives at Todgers's to offer Mercy a new life and takes her away, later joyfully reuniting with the American neighbours.

### Mark Tapley

Assists Old Martin and ecstatically reunites with the couple who helped them in Eden.

### Mrs. Todgers

Hosts the wedding preparations and tearfully bids farewell to Merry as she leaves.

### Augustus Moddle

The groom, resigned and weak, allows Jinkins to attend the wedding.

## Key lines

> She bore no spite nor malice in her heart. Not the least. Quarrels, Miss Pecksniff said, were dreadful things in families; and though she never could forgive her dear papa, she was willing to receive her other relations.

Charity claimed to hold no grudges, stating that family quarrels are terrible, and while she could not forgive her father, she would welcome other relatives.

_Highlights Charity's hypocritical stance on forgiveness._

> It has grown out of my trouble. I have felt it in my trouble. I wouldn't recall my trouble, such as it is and has been—and it is light in comparison with trials which hundreds of good people suffer every day, I know—I wouldn't recall it tomorrow, if I could. It has been my friend, for without it no one could have changed me; nothing could have changed me.

Merry explains that her suffering has transformed her, and she would not undo it because it has been her only means of change.

_Shows Merry's growth and acceptance of her hardships as a catalyst for personal change._

> The wonderfulest ewent, sir! ... A coincidence as never was equalled! I'm blessed if here ain't two old neighbours of ourn, sir!

Mark exclaims in astonishment at unexpectedly meeting their former neighbours from America.

_Captures Mark's exuberant joy at the reunion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/liv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters