Martin Chuzzlewit · Character

Chuffey

An ancient, half-childlike clerk who has spent his life in Anthony Chuzzlewit's counting-house and clings to the family with helpless devotion.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Chuffey, poor old Chuffey, That dratted Chuffey, old Chuffey, Old Chuffey, Even poor old Chuffey, Poor Chuffey, Chuff, Mister Chuff, Mr. Chuff, Poor old Chuff

First appearance: xii

As a supporting figure in Martin Chuzzlewit, Chuffey is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Ancient clerk, largely silent and frozen, only animated by a word or touch from Anthony; soaks his bread mechanically in tea.

In the storyChapter XIOpen this moment free

See Chuffey in Chapter XI Book page

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Chuffey is the doddering old clerk kept about the Chuzzlewit firm, mocked as 'dratted' and humoured like a pet, yet possessed of a memory that surfaces at strange and inconvenient moments. His loyalty to Anthony and to the Chuzzlewit name is absolute, and his grief and agitation when the family turns on itself give the novel some of its rawest feeling. He matters because his cracked recollections and stubborn affection quietly testify to the wrongs done within the house.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Chuffey sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Chuffey in xii

Character Web

43 connections

A slice of how Chuffey sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central Chuzzlewit Circle
Extended Cast and Servants
American Acquaintances
Minor London Figures

+38 more in the full Character Web

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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…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Jonas Chuzzlewit
psychological · negative
Chuffey is a broken, elderly clerk who is emotionally and mentally dominated by the cruel… How this plays out →
Sarah Gamp
social · ambivalent
Seth Pecksniff
social · ambivalent
Jonas Chuzzlewit
psychological · negative
Chuffey is a broken, elderly clerk who is emotionally and mentally dominated by the cruel… How this plays out →
Sarah Gamp
social · ambivalent
Seth Pecksniff
social · ambivalent
Jonas Chuzzlewit
psychological · negative
Chuffey is a broken, elderly clerk who is emotionally and mentally dominated by the cruel… How this plays out →
Seth Pecksniff
social · ambivalent
Sarah Gamp
social · ambivalent

Jonas Chuzzlewit
Chuffey is a broken, elderly clerk who is emotionally and mentally dominated by the cruel Jonas.
Sarah Gamp
Chuffey and Sarah Gamp share a grim, incidental acquaintance through their connections to the Chuzzlewit household.
Seth Pecksniff
Chuffey is a marginal figure in Pecksniff's orbit, treated with condescension and indifference.
Jonas Chuzzlewit
Chuffey is a broken, elderly clerk who is emotionally and mentally dominated by the cruel Jonas.
Sarah Gamp
Chuffey and Sarah Gamp share a grim, incidental acquaintance through their connections to the Chuzzlewit household.
Seth Pecksniff
Chuffey is a marginal figure in Pecksniff's orbit, treated with condescension and indifference.
Jonas Chuzzlewit
Chuffey is a broken, elderly clerk who is emotionally and mentally dominated by the cruel Jonas.
Seth Pecksniff
Chuffey is a marginal figure in Pecksniff's orbit, treated with condescension and indifference.
Sarah Gamp
Chuffey and Sarah Gamp share a grim, incidental acquaintance through their connections to the Chuzzlewit household.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Chuffey in xii

In the story

Chuffey appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter XI
Ancient clerk, largely silent and frozen, only animated by a word or touch from Anthony; soaks his bread mechanically in tea.
Chapter XVIII
Defends Anthony with a rare outburst, calling Jonas a boy and insisting Anthony is not old.
XIX
Anthony's old clerk, deeply affected by his master's death; weeps and wanders about, raising cries, but is largely ignored by the others.
An Unexpected Meeting, and a Promising Prospect
The aged clerk, sitting by the hearth like a creature of ill omen; he is still alive, thanks to Mrs. Gamp's care.
XLVI
Chuffey is present in his usual corner, showing attachment to Merry and muttering about Jonas's eventual death.
Chapter LI
Reveals the truth about Jonas's attempted poisoning of Anthony; confronts Jonas about Mercy's whereabouts.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Chuffey unlock in the free preview.

See Chuffey in xii

See Chuffey in Chapter XI