Martin Chuzzlewit · Chapter
Chapter XX explained
Jonas Chuzzlewit proposes to Mercy Pecksniff, causing a jealous outburst from Charity.
What happens
Jonas Chuzzlewit proposes to Mercy Pecksniff, causing a jealous outburst from Charity. Mr. Pecksniff feigns paternal disappointment while secretly negotiating a dowry with Jonas. Tom Pinch interrupts with urgent news, and later Jonas and Pecksniff return home to find Cherry keeping accounts.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Self-Deception
Pecksniff feigns moral outrage while secretly negotiating a dowry and justifying his greed as Providence.
Greed and Corruption
Jonas haggles over the dowry, and Pecksniff treats his conscience as a bank account.
Family and Dysfunction
Sisters quarrel over Jonas's proposal; Pecksniff manipulates his daughters for financial gain.
Characters to notice
- Seth Pecksniff
Discovers Jonas's proposal to Mercy, negotiates dowry, and returns home with Jonas.
- Jonas Chuzzlewit
Proposes to Mercy, haggles over dowry, and shows hostility when Pecksniff mentions his father.
- Charity Pecksniff
Furious that Jonas proposed to Mercy instead of her; later found keeping household accounts.
- Mercy Pecksniff
Accepts Jonas's proposal, leading to conflict with Charity.
- Tom Pinch
Bursts in with urgent news, having seen a gentleman and lady in the church.
Key passages
“We’re a pair, if ever there was one.”
We are perfectly matched.
Mercy says this to Jonas after their engagement.
“For myself, my conscience is my bank. I have a trifle invested there, a mere trifle, Mr. Jonas; but I prize it as a store of value, I assure you.”
I treat my conscience like a bank account, and I value the small moral credit I have saved there.
Pecksniff hypocritically justifies his dowry offer.
“Drop that, Pecksniff!”
Stop talking about that subject!
Jonas angrily warns Pecksniff not to mention his father's death.