# VII explained — Martin Chuzzlewit

> Chapter companion for Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

In this chapter, Chevy Slyme, a drunken and boastful relative of the Chuzzlewits, asserts his independence while wallowing in self-pity. Martin begins working at the grammar school with vigor, and Tom Pinch balances accounts. Mr. Tigg, acting as Slyme's agent, visits Tom and borrows half a sovereign under false pretenses. Mark Tapley announces his decision to leave for London in search of a more challenging service.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Self-Deception

Chevy Slyme's drunken boasts of genius and persecution highlight his self-deception and hypocrisy.

### Deception and Trust

Mr. Tigg's smooth-talking and borrowing of money under false pretenses exemplifies deception.

### Social Class and Pretension

Slyme's pretensions to taste and family, despite his degraded state, underscore class pretensions.

## Character check-ins

### Chevy Slyme

Found brooding over brandy, lamenting his miserable state and boasting of his rich uncle and good family.

### Tigg Montague

Acts as Chevy Slyme's agent, flatters Tom Pinch, and borrows half a sovereign from him.

### Tom Pinch

Works on accounts, is flattered by Martin's friendship, and lends money to Tigg.

### Martin Chuzzlewit

Begins work at the grammar school, whistles while drawing, and predicts lasting friendship with Tom.

### Mark Tapley

Announces his departure for London, seeking a challenging private service.

## Key lines

> I am the most miserable man in the world, I believe!

Chevy Slyme declares himself the most wretched person alive.

_Slyme's self-pitying introduction to Tom and Martin._

> You are the American aloe of the human race, my dear Chiv, which only blooms once in a hundred years!

Tigg flatters Slyme by comparing him to a rare plant that flowers only once a century.

_Tigg's ironic praise of Slyme's supposed uniqueness._

> I was just a-saying, sir, that if one could live by it, that would be the sort of service for me. Waiting on such individuals as them would be better than grave-digging, sir.

Mark remarks that serving people like Tigg and Slyme would be preferable to digging graves.

_Mark's humorous assessment of the lowly service he seeks._

## Links

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