Martin Chuzzlewit · Character

Mark Tapley

A servant constitutionally obliged to find cheerfulness a challenge, which is precisely why he keeps rising to every miserable occasion.

major

Also known as Mark

First appearance: iii

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

Announces his departure for London, seeking a challenging private service.

In the storyVIIOpen this moment free

See Mark Tapley in VII Book page

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Mark Tapley attaches himself to young Martin with the theory that a man deserves credit for being jolly when circumstances make jollity hard, and the worse things get, the more determinedly he beams. He speaks in a cheerful idiom of love, honour, and obedience, punctual to the stroke of the clock, and reads other people's characters more shrewdly than his manner suggests. He matters because his loyalty gives Martin a companion in adversity and the reader a comic counterweight to Pecksniff's false virtue.

Continue beside the text

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

See Mark Tapley in iii

Character Web

37 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

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

+32 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

Martin Chuzzlewit
friendship · positive
Mark is Martin's cheerful and devoted companion, providing unwavering loyalty and comic… How this plays out →
Tom Pinch
friendship · positive
Martin Chuzzlewit
friendship · positive
Mark is Martin's cheerful and devoted companion, providing unwavering loyalty and comic… How this plays out →
Tom Pinch
friendship · positive
Martin Chuzzlewit
friendship · positive
Mark is Martin's cheerful and devoted companion, providing unwavering loyalty and comic… How this plays out →
Tom Pinch
friendship · positive

Martin Chuzzlewit
Mark is Martin's cheerful and devoted companion, providing unwavering loyalty and comic relief.
Tom Pinch
Mark and Tom are good-natured friends, united by their shared decency and opposition to hypocrisy.
Martin Chuzzlewit
Mark is Martin's cheerful and devoted companion, providing unwavering loyalty and comic relief.
Tom Pinch
Mark and Tom are good-natured friends, united by their shared decency and opposition to hypocrisy.
Martin Chuzzlewit
Mark is Martin's cheerful and devoted companion, providing unwavering loyalty and comic relief.
Tom Pinch
Mark and Tom are good-natured friends, united by their shared decency and opposition to hypocrisy.

Relationship notes

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

See Mark Tapley in iii

In the story

Mark Tapley appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VII
Announces his departure for London, seeking a challenging private service.
Chapter XIII
Meets Martin in London, reveals he has seen old Martin and Mary Graham, and offers to help deliver a letter to Mary.
XIV
Delivers Martin's letter to Mary, escorts her to the meeting, and silently observes Martin's obliviousness about the ring.
Chapter XV
Cheerfully helps a poor woman and her children, washes them, and performs various kindnesses despite his own seasickness; becomes universally popular on board.
Chapter XVII
Martin remembers Mark waiting at the Rowdy Journal Office and goes to find him.
XXI
Remains jolly despite warnings about snakes, recounts a rattlesnake anecdote, and encourages Martin.
XXII
Martin's partner, observes the absurdity of the situation and tries to keep visitors away.
XXIII
Maintains his indomitable cheerfulness, encourages Martin, and resolves to show his jolly disposition in the face of extreme hardship.
XXXIII
Goes in search of help, encounters the family from the Screw, and engages in a disputatious conversation with Hannibal Chollop.
XXXIV
Secures a job as a cook on the ship to pay for Martin's passage; devises a plan to deceive Mr. Bevan about their passage money; reflects on the American Eagle.
XXXV
Accompanies Martin, tries to calm him, and remains optimistic about their future.
XXXIX
Mark is mentioned as having accompanied Martin Chuzzlewit abroad.
Chapter XLIII
Urges Martin to humble himself and make amends, showing unwavering loyalty.
XLVIII
Accompanies Martin, maintains his cheerful demeanor, and jokes with Tom.
In which the tables are turned, completely upside down
Summoned by old Martin; delivers message to young Martin; escorts Mrs. Lupin; comments on Tigg's nature.
What John Westlock said to Tom Pinch's sister; what Tom Pinch's sister said to John Westlock; what Tom Pinch said to both of them; and how they all passed the remainder of the day.
Manages the dinner arrangements with humor, entertaining the waiters and celebrating with the party.
LIV
Assists Old Martin and ecstatically reunites with the couple who helped them in Eden.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Mark Tapley in iii

See Mark Tapley in VII