# Mrs. Todgers — Martin Chuzzlewit character guide

> Mrs. Todgers in Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Todgers, the devoted Mrs. Todgers, the frightened Mrs. Todgers, Dear Mrs. Todgers, mother Todgers

**First appearance:** 0008-vi

## Snapshot

The put-upon landlady of a London commercial boarding-house, forever chasing gravy and respectability while mothering a houseful of hungry clerks.

## Who they are

Mrs. Todgers presides over the boarding-house where the Miss Pecksniffs lodge, an establishment whose fortunes hinge on the bottomless appetite of commercial gentlemen for gravy. She confides her early disappointments and her miniature portrait to the Pecksniff girls with touching vanity, warming herself 'in a gentlemanly manner' at her own fire. Her household is the comic stage on which the Pecksniff daughters' courtships and pretensions are played out, and her anxious hospitality gives the London chapters their greasy, affectionate texture.

## In the story

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

Hosts the Pecksniffs at her boarding house, is blamed by the young ladies for the failed visit, and oversees the Saturday bustle.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xxxii)

Receives Miss Pecksniff warmly, expresses shock at Mr. Pecksniff's plans, and advises Charity on encouraging Mr. Moddle. She reports Mr. Moddle's sentimental behavior to Charity.

### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/liv)

Hosts the wedding preparations and tearfully bids farewell to Merry as she leaves.

## Links

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