# Mary Graham — Martin Chuzzlewit character guide

> Mary Graham in Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mary, Polly, Miss Mary, Miss Graham

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

The orphaned young companion of old Martin Chuzzlewit, whose gentle loyalty and guarded heart are tested by the suspicions of the man she serves.

## Who they are

Mary Graham is the poor relation taken in by old Martin as companion and nurse, the only person he will see when he shuts himself away from the world. She is watched, tested, and half-accused by a jealous old man, and her patient dignity under that scrutiny is one of the novel's moral anchors. Her attachment to young Martin gives the plot its central romantic thread, and her position between the two Chuzzlewits makes her both prize and pawn in the family's struggle over money and trust.

## Relationships

### [Seth Pecksniff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/characters/seth_pecksniff)

_psychological_

Mary is a ward of old Martin Chuzzlewit and is subjected to Pecksniff's unwanted romantic advances and manipulation.

### [Seth Pecksniff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/characters/seth_pecksniff)

_psychological_

Mary is a ward of old Martin Chuzzlewit and is subjected to Pecksniff's unwanted romantic advances and manipulation.

### [Seth Pecksniff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/characters/seth_pecksniff)

_psychological_

Mary is a ward of old Martin Chuzzlewit and is subjected to Pecksniff's unwanted romantic advances and manipulation.

## In the story

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/iii)

The young companion of old Martin, she withdraws when Martin signals her to leave him alone with Pecksniff.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/iv)

Mary is the young companion of old Martin, suspected by the family of harboring designs on his property; she is the subject of much of the family's discussion and animosity.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xiii)

Mentioned as being in London with old Martin; Martin writes her a letter.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xiv)

Meets Martin in the park, gives him a diamond ring bought with her savings, and receives his letter for Tom Pinch.

### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xxiv)

Mary shows kindness to Tom but avoids being alone with him, hinting at her loyalty to Martin.

### [Mr. Pecksniff's Design](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xxx)

The object of Pecksniff's matrimonial designs; distressed by his advances.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xxxi)

Mary is mentioned as the subject of Pecksniff's accusation against Tom; she is not directly present in the chapter but is central to the conflict.

### [Chapter XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xliii)

Present in the room, she is comforted by old Martin and hides her face in distress during the confrontation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/characters/mary_graham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/characters