Victorians! discussion

Chapter 30 takes us back to Pecksniff household. We find that father and daughter (Cherry) not in good terms with each other. Cherry is still smarting from being slighted by Jonas Chuzzlewit. She wishes now to quit the father's home and be established somewhere else. She proposes Todgers's as her new aboard. After many false remonstrances, Pecksniff agrees. There is reason for that and we see it soon enough. The man himself is wishing to marry Mary Graham! He courts her shamelessly, unheeding to her indignant protests, threatening her that if she disagrees, young Martin will suffer. Pecksniff seems to believe that Mary will be a beneficiary under the Old Martin's will. And given that the Old Chuzzlewit is much subdued and listenable to Pecksniff, the latter seems to think that end of the old man is nearing. But I couldn't help feeling that old Chuzzlewit is playing a part. Anyway, he accepts Pecksniff's invitation to stay with him quitting the Dragon. I feel sorry for Mary. Pecksniff is such a despicable man.

(Chapter 31) Mr. Pinch plays the organ in church and Mr. Pecksniff goes to listen him play. Mary arrives and confides in Tom Pinch Mr. Pecksniff's abominable behaviour. Tom Pinch is finally disillusioned. For the first time, he sees Mr. Pecksniff for who he is. Meanwhile, Pecksniff eavesdrop on their conversation and plots a way to get rid of Mr. Pinch. He informs old Martin Chuzzlewit that he overheard Tom proposing to Mary (which is an exaggeration) and proposes to dismiss him. The old Chuzzlewit seems to agree. Tom was dismissed accordingly, and he leaves for Salisbury.

Chapter 32 brings us back to Todgers's where Charity has taken her lodging. There she meets again the youngest gentleman border, Mr. Moddle, who entertained a fancy for Mercy. He pays attention to Charity because she reminds him of her sister. At first Charity dislikes this attention, angry at being treated as second best to her sister. But soon she sees the advantage of marrying a man like Mr. Moddle who has a much better temper than Jonas. She encourages him but his shyness makes him slow to propose. Charity decides to give an ultimatum: they must become engaged or part. Mr. Moddle proposes and Charity accepts him. It seems that Charity got the better deal after all.

Chapter 33 takes us back to America. Martin is sick and in poor condition. Mark nurses Martin and looks for help among his neighbours. He meets the woman and children he helped out during the voyage, and the husband who they came to meet. They inform Mark that they, too, have had fever. Martin slowly recovers but Mark falls ill. In a twist of fate, Martin is called to nurse Mark. Surprisingly, he steps up for the challenge like a real man. Mark's illness, the care he receives from neighbours make Martin realise how superior people like Mark and Tom Pinch to himself. He begins to look at himself critically, and understand how selfish he had been all his life. He becomes a changed man to the utter shock of Mark. When both gain a little strength, Martin announces to Mark his desire to return to England. Mark agrees. They write to Mr. Bevan and procure money to leave the Eden in a boat. Mr. Bevan complies, and they leave a few weeks later, leaving behind the husband and wife who have now lost all their children to the fever.

(Chapter 34) Martin and Mark are on the steamboat, going away from Eden. Martin is introduced to one Mr. Elijah Pogram, who is a member of the Congress. Pogram asks Martin how he liked America. Martin's negative response is taken by Pogram as British hatred towards America. When they arrive at the place from where they set out for Eden, they find that citizens are not happy to see they've returned. But the presence of Elijah Pogram diverts their focus. Martin and Mark return to New York and meet Mr. Bevan who informs them that the Screw (the vessel in which they sailed to America) is in port ready to leave the next day. Martin tells Mr. Bevan about their financial position, and he agrees to lend money for their passage. However, going on to secure places, Mark learns the absence of the vessel's cook, as he's got married. Martin is offered the position and he accepts. His wages are to cover Martin's passage. On the day arranged Screw sails back to England with Martin and Mark on board.

(Chapter 35) On arriving England, Martin and Mark make plans to go to the Dragon and make inquiries about Mary from Mrs. Lupin and Tom Pinch. While they make plans, they see Pecksniff, and wonders what is he about. They learn that he has come to lay the first stone for a new public building. Martin and Mark attend the ceremony which was about to take place. To his astonishment (and subsequent anger), Martin realises that Pecksniff has passed Martin's drawings as his own.

Can you believe the brazeness of Mr Pecksniff? To propose, and insist in his proposal, to Mary Graham despite her repeatedly expressed dislike for him, her instant refusal, and then go threatening her to harm young Martin if she does not consent? That man is more evil than I had thought so far. He hides it well beneath his ridiculousness. Does he really have any influence over Martin sr and, if so, how did that happen? I am with Piyangie on this one, still doubting if what we read about Martin sr is true or just an act.

Pecksniff loses yet another member of his household, but probably does not care as long as Martin sr and Mary remain. Poor Mary! Dickens hasn't described her reaction to Tom's dismissal, but what fears she must have to remain alone with the seemingly senile Martin sr and the threatening Pecksniff. For Tom, I am happy at this turn of events . He bears the change surprisingly well, seeing that his whole life just came crashing down, and I hope it will be a change for the better.

I see why Jonas wisely did not marry Charity, she would have been too strong for him. She makes a conquest of Merry's former admirer, but will they be (reasonably) happy with each other? Or will it be Jonas & Merry in reverse? Not that Charity is anywhere as bad as Jonas, of course, but I think she will be the one in control of this marriage.

For a moment, I feared that Dickens would sacrifice Mark, but luckily he is not like Mrs Gaskell, so Mark survives and Martin is miraculously reformed into a selfless being. Could have done without Mr Hannibal Chollop, yet another pompous, rude American, but this chapter did make me tear up a little. And then we got Elijah Pogram and were served yet another largely pointless chapter. At least Mr Bevan turned out to be a true friend.

I have no words to describe Pecksniff. An abominable man! He preys on the helpless quite well. Mary and Tom are good examples. I'm glad Tom got his break. He'll now have a better chance in life. Deep down, he must be feeling it, too, since he took it so well.

I agree with your evaluation on Charity. Jonas would have found his match in her. She wouldn't have meekly tolerated Jonas like Mercy did. In her marriage to Moddle, there is little doubt who'd be in control.

Dickens has used several pointless chapters in this novel. There was absolutely no need for Dickens to create the character of Elijah Pogram except for the purpose of extended satire. He could have very well done without that entire episode.

Pecksniff’s harassment of Mary was pure evil. Not only did he employ physical assault but used his influence to enlist the help of her only protector, old Martin. The moment he realised that Mary had turned to Tom Pinch for help he used his power and abominable lies to get rid of him, leaving Mary totally vulnerable. My worry is that the reformed young Martin will be too late to stop Pecksniff forcing Mary down the aisle. However, I think she has the bravery and grit to run off before that might happen but will Pecksniff find a way beyond bribery to stop her.

I am also hoping that young Martin has now become a changed man, good enough to deserve Mary. Almost dying and at the same time witnessing the selflessness of Mark and his friends was a strong medicine to cure him of his class arrogance and self-centredness. Getting back to England might tempt him to revert to his old ways but my fingers are crossed.

’Martin’s nature was a frank and generous one; but he had been bred up in his grandfather’s house; and it will usually be found that the meaner domestic vices propagate themselves to be their own antagonists. Selfishness does this especially………

…..So low had Eden brought him down. So high had Eden raised him up.’ (Chapter 33)

I think Chollop and Program are examples of Dickens once more poking fun and making free with his jibes about America.

Even our hero Mark joins in the attack.

‘ “Paint it like an eagle as you could I suppose,”
“No, “ said Mark, “That wouldn’t do for me, sir. I should want to draw it like a Bat, for its short-sightedness; like a Bantam, for its bragging; like a Magpie, for its honesty; like a Peacock for its vanity……..”

I love these two contrasting illustrations by Fred Barnard.

The first one shows Mark caring for Young Martin as he lies on his bed at death’s door. These seem to be the moments when Martin realises how much better the people around him are than he is.

Will this experience lead to a change in his life?



https://victorianweb.org/art/illustra...

The second one shows the scene in the church when Tom finally finds out what a nasty piece of work Pecksniff really is. Another revelation that will definitely lead to a change in Tom’s life.



https://victorianweb.org/art/illustra...
(Beware - There are a couple of minor spoilers relating to the next section in the text towards the bottom of the page describing the other illustrations.)

Love the illustrations, Trev. Thanks, for sharing.

I also hope Mary will be safe from that horrible Pecksniff. Can't stand that man. He is evil and has it well covered under his ridiculousness. Martin has become the man that deserves Mary, and I so want them to end up together.

Piyangie wrote: "...Martin has become the man that deserves Mary, and I so want them to end up together..."

True, but I wouldn't mind seeing her end up with Tom Pinch either. If she could only love him. He is such a good person, deserving happiness, and all the time in love with Mary. While everyone else around him is falling in love, I don't see anyone else around for Tom. Let's see what Dickens has in store for us.

Lindenblatt wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "...Martin has become the man that deserves Mary, and I so want them to end up together..."

True, but I wouldn't mind seeing her end up with Tom Pinch either. If she could only lov..."

I'm not too sure about that, Lindenblatt. I do like that if it happens. He's a nice man. But the story is about Martin Chuzzlewit, and he is the protagonist. Normally, Dickens tends to favour his lead with requited love. I get a feeling he'll do the same here.

I am appalled, but not very surprised, at the depths to which Pecksniff plunges. He is a true predator of the weak and innocent.

The growth that the young Martin experiences in America - between their travails in Eden to the bout with illness - is heartening. I feel like he really is becoming worthy of Mary and I hope that is how their story ends up - together. You would not have expected Martin to care or take care of a friend in earlier chapters like he took care of Mark Tapley in Eden.

I agree about the interchange with Pogram and that it was just to further the political satire regarding the divisions between Europe and America "institutions". Humorous for sure! However, Martin did take away from that the printed oration of Pogram's "...one for your Lord Chancellor and one for Your principal Secretary of State. I should wish them to see it, sir, as expressing what my opinions air. That they may not plead ignorance at a future time." I don't get the idea that Martin has access to those people and I find it curious that Pogram would presume that he has access. I am interested to see if anything comes of that later on in the story.

I was grateful for the explanation of the event from earlier

Chapter 30 - charity is leaving without suspecting that her father has eyes for Mary.

I enjoyed the quote “the architect was too much overcome to speak. He tried to drop a tear upon his patrons hand, but couldn’t find one in his dry distillery“.
What writing!

Chapter 34-well, Dickens is slagging off the USA again !

Chapter 35-reminds me of when I worked in an architects and surveyors office-the rules are that Pecksniff is entitled to call Martin’s plans his own as Martin was an employee at the time. We will have to wait and see if anything comes of that.

I thought Charity knew about Pecksniff's designs on Mary, Neil. The following conversation kind of hint at that. At least that's how I interpreted it.

“You labour under some mistake, my child!” said Mr. Pecksniff: “but I will not ask you what it is; I don’t desire to know. No, pray!” he added, holding out his hand and colouring again, “let us avoid the subject my dear, whatever it is!”

“It’s quite right that the subject should be avoided between us, sir,” said Cherry. “But I wish to be able to avoid it altogether, and consequently must beg you to provide me with a home.”