# Ruth Pinch — Martin Chuzzlewit character guide

> Ruth Pinch in Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Ruth, Poor little Ruth, little Ruth, Pretty little Ruth, this fluttering little Ruth, Darling Ruth

**First appearance:** 0022-xx

## Snapshot

Tom Pinch's gentle, fluttering younger sister, whose devotion to her brother and shy honesty make her the novel's warmest heart and its quietest source of joy.

## Who they are

Ruth Pinch arrives in London to keep house for her beloved brother Tom, and her small domestic world becomes a refuge from the schemes and cruelties around them. When John Westlock's affection finally declares itself, she is so overcome that she can only run into Tom's arms and sob her news before she can speak it plainly. Her happiness matters because it rewards the novel's most unambiguously good characters, and her tenderness gives Dickens a counterweight to the Pecksniffian hypocrisy he spends so many pages dissecting.

## Relationships

### [Tom Pinch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/characters/tom_pinch)

_family_

Ruth is Tom's beloved sister, and they share a tender, protective sibling bond.

### [Tom Pinch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/characters/tom_pinch)

_family_

Ruth is Tom's beloved sister, and they share a tender, protective sibling bond.

### [Tom Pinch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/characters/tom_pinch)

_family_

Ruth is Tom's beloved sister, and they share a tender, protective sibling bond.

## In the story

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

Tom Pinch's sister, grateful for Pecksniff's visit but later blamed by her employers for having vulgar acquaintances.

### [Tom Pinch departs to seek his fortune. What he finds at starting.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Tom's sister, working as a governess; leaves her position after Tom's intervention and moves to London with him.

### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xxxix)

Ruth is happily keeping house for Tom, learning to cook, and expressing her desire to stay with him.

### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xl)

Ruth accompanies Tom on his morning walks and engages in conversation with Mrs. Gamp at the wharf.

### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xlv)

Ruth meets Tom at Fountain Court, blushes at John Westlock's approach, and joins them for dinner.

### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xlvi)

Ruth accompanies Tom, eager to comfort Merry and showing her gentle, perceptive nature.

### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/xlviii)

Present during Martin's visit, providing a warm home atmosphere.

### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_chuzzlewit_se/chapters/l)

Sensing something amiss, Ruth eventually confesses she knows Tom's secret love for Mary Graham and weeps for his sorrow.

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

Now engaged to John Westlock, she is shy and joyful, receiving a set of jewels from old Martin.

## Links

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