Martin Cbuzzlewit, Dickens’s sixth novel, is one of the funniest in the language, and has been loved and laughed at ever since its first appearance in monthly instalments in 1843-4. Its author was still only thirty when he began the book, but he was already the most celebrated and feted author of his day, as he had been since the triumphant success of The Pickwick Papers six years before.

Martin Chuzzlewit is Charles Dickens’ comic masterpiece about which his biographer, Forster, noted that it marked a crucial phase in the author"s development as he began to delve deeper into the springs of character. Old Martin Chuzzlewit, tormented by the greed and selfishness of his family, effectively drives his grandson, young Martin, to undertake a voyage to America. It is a voyage which will have crucial consequences not only for young Martin, but also for his grandfather and his grandfather’s servant, Mary Graharn. with whom young Martin is in love.

The commercial swindle of the Anglo-Bengalee Company and the fraudulent Eden Land Corporation have a topicality in our own time. This strong sub-plot shows evidence of Dickens’mastery of crime where characters such as the crimhlal Jonas Chuzzlewit, the old nurse Mrs Gamp, and the arch-hypocrite Seth Pecksniff are the equal to any in his other great novels. Generations of readers have also delighted in Dickens’wonderful description of the London boarding-house - Todgers’s.

   INTRODUCTION                          

I  Introductory, concerning the pedigree of the Chuzzlewit

family

II  Wherein certain persons are presented to the reader, with

whom he may, if he please, become better acquainted

III In which certain other persons are introduced; on the

same terms as in the last chapter          

IV  From which it will appear that if union be strength, and

family affection be pleasant to contemplate, the

Chuzzlewits were the strongest and most agreeable

family in the world                

V  Containing a full account of the installation of

Mr Pecksniff"s new pupil into the bosom of Mr Pecksniff"s

family. With all the festivities held on that occasion,

and the great enjoyment of Mr Pinch

VI  Comprises, among other important matters, Pecksniffian

and architectural, an exact relation of the progress

made by Mr Pinch in the confidence and friendship

of the new pupil

VII In which Mr Chevy Slyme asserts the independence of his

spirit; and the Blue Dragon loses a limb       

VIII Accompanies Mr Pecksniff and his charming daughters

to the City of London; and relates what feU out upon

their way thither

IX  Town and Todger’s                

X  Containing strange matter, on which many events in

this history may, for their good or evil influence,

chiefly depend                 

XI  Wherein a certain gentleman becomes particular in his

attentions to a certain lady; and more coming events

than one, cast their shadows before

XII Will be seen in the long run, if not in the short one, to

concern Mr pinch and others, nearly. Mr Pecksniff

asserts the dignity of outraged virtue. Young

Martin Chuzzlewit forms a desperate resolution

XIII Showing what became of Martin and his desperate

resolve after he left Mr Pecksniff s house; what

persons he encountered; what anxieties he suffered;

and what news he heard

XIV In which Martin bids adieu to the lady of his love: and

bonours an obscure individual whose fortune he intends

to make, by commending her to his protection

V  The burden whereof is, hail, Columbia.t

XVI Martin disembarks from that noble and fast-sailing

line-of-packet ship, the screw, at the port of New York,

in the United States of America. He makes some

acquaintances, and dines at a boarding-house.

The particulars of those transactions.

XVII Martin enlarges his circle of acquaintance; increases his

stock of wisdom; and has an excellent opportunity of

comparing his own experiences with those of

Lummy Ned of the Light Salisbury, as related

by his friend Mr William Simmons

XVIII Does business with the house of Anthony Chuzzlewit and

son, from which one of the partners retires unexpectedly

XIX Tbe reader is brought into communication with some

professional persons, and sheds a tear over tbe filial

piety of good Mr Jonas

XX  Is a chapter of love

XXI More American experiences, Martin takes a partner,

and makes a purchase. Some account of Eden, as it

appeared on paper. Also of the British Lion. Also of the

kind of sympathy professed and entertained by the

Watertoast Association of United Sympathisers.

XXII From which it will be seen that Martin became a lion

of his own account. Together with the reason why.

……