# Chapter XXIX explained — Martin Chuzzlewit

> Chapter companion for Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Mr. Bailey visits Poll Sweedlepipe and gets a shave, then joins Mrs. Gamp and Poll to see Mrs. Gamp's patient, Lewsome, off on a coach. John Westlock is present, and the Moulds happen by, taking an interest in the patient.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Trust

Mrs. Gamp's cryptic remarks about hidden hearts and the Bull's secrets hint at concealed truths and mistrust.

### Hypocrisy and Self-Deception

Mrs. Gamp's professional cheerfulness masks her true nature, and Bailey's exaggerated self-assurance is a form of self-deception.

## Character check-ins

### Bailey

Visits Poll Sweedlepipe for a shave, then accompanies Mrs. Gamp to the Bull to see Lewsome off.

### Poll Sweedlepipe

Shaves Bailey, then goes with him and Mrs. Gamp to the Bull, observing Lewsome with great interest.

### Sarah Gamp

Prepares to travel with her patient Lewsome; speaks cryptically about the Bull and about hidden hearts.

### John Westlock

Helps Lewsome into the coach and questions Mrs. Gamp about his mental state.

### Betsey Prig

Dresses Lewsome and complains about his difficult behavior; bids Mrs. Gamp farewell.

### Mr. Mould

Happens upon Mrs. Gamp at the coach and takes an interest in Lewsome as a potential client.

## Key lines

> Why, you look smarter by day, said Poll, than you do by candlelight. I never see such a tight young dasher.

Poll compliments Bailey on his sharp daytime appearance, calling him a stylish young fellow.

_Poll is surprised by Bailey's confident demeanor in daylight._

> The torters of the Imposition shouldn't make me own I did. All I says is, added the good woman, rising and folding her shawl about her, that the Bull's a-waitin, and the precious moments is a-flyin' fast.

Mrs. Gamp refuses to admit anything under torture, but hints that time is pressing and the Bull coach is waiting.

_She is evasive about the Bull's secrets, a typical Gamp trait._

> He hates his nusses to this hour. They always does it, sir. It's a certain sign. If you could have heerd the poor dear soul a-findin fault with me and Betsey Prig, not half an hour ago, you would have wondered how it is we don't get fretted to the tomb.

Mrs. Gamp tells John that Lewsome's complaints are a normal sign of illness, and that nurses are used to such treatment.

_She dismisses Lewsome's distress as mere delirium, masking the seriousness of his condition._

## Links

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