# Chapter XX explained — Martin Chuzzlewit

> Chapter companion for Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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