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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Dickens public…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes 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.
