Martin Chuzzlewit · Character

Bailey

Todgers's insolent young page, all elbows and cheek, who announces visitors with a flourish and treats every grown-up as fair game for his impudence.

supporting

Also known as Bailey junior, Mr. Bailey, Now Mr. Bailey, The unfortunate Mr. Bailey, young Bailey, Young Bailey

First appearance: vi

See Bailey in vi Book page

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Bailey junior scurries through Mrs. Todgers's boarding house, delivering messages, eavesdropping on lodgers, and generally comporting himself as if the establishment existed for his amusement. His cocky familiarity with his elders and his relish for other people's business make him a running comic presence in the commercial boarding-house chapters. He matters because his cheeky observations and errands keep the Todgers's world lively and because his fortunes, comic and otherwise, thread through the London portions of the book.

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See Bailey in vi

Character Web

30 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central Chuzzlewit Circle
Minor London Figures
Extended Cast and Servants

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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…

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In the story

Bailey appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter IX
The page boy at Todgers's, keeps watch outside Pecksniff's door after the drunken episode, showing his usual cheeky demeanor.
An Unexpected Meeting, and a Promising Prospect
A precocious young groom from Todgers's, who accompanies Paul Sweedlepipe and reveals that Jonas married Mercy, not Charity; he speaks with the air of an old man.
Showing that old friends may not only appear with new faces, but in false colours. That people are prone to bite, and that biters may sometimes be bitten.
Now Mr. Bailey Junior, a cab driver for Tigg Montague, showing off his sporting character and driving skills in Pall Mall.
Mr. Montague at home. And Mr. Jonas Chuzzlewit at home.
Serves as Montague's page, greets Jonas with familiarity, and later escorts him home.
Chapter XXIX
Visits Poll Sweedlepipe for a shave, then accompanies Mrs. Gamp to the Bull to see Lewsome off.
Mr. Jonas and his friend, arriving at a pleasant understanding, set forth upon an enterprise
Appears briefly as the carriage attendant; is roughly shoved aside by Jonas when he tries to join the journey.
Chapter XLII
Thrown from the carriage, suffers severe concussion, believed to be dying.
In which the tables are turned, completely upside down
Revealed to be alive and well by Poll Sweedlepipe; staggers into the room in top-boots with his head bandaged.

Chapter companion notes

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See Bailey in vi