“Martin readily undertook this task, and Mr Pecksniff forthwith proceeded to entrust him with the materials necessary for its execution; dwelling meanwhile on the magical effect of a few finishing touches from the hand of a master; which […] had made the design of a pupil Mr Pecksniff’s own work, and had brought substantial rewards into that gentleman’s pocket. But such is the magic of genius, which changes all it handles into gold!”

This quote reveals how Pecksniff steals the ideas of others and justifies taking credit for them while appearing outwardly moral. While he is visiting London, Pecksniff assigns Martin some designing to do for practice, but it is later revealed that he passes Martin’s and others’ architectural designs off as his own. The narrative style in this quote is reflective of the way Pecksniff talks to others and often thinks, revealing Hypocrisy and Selfishness as the Ultimate Evils.

“‘For’ (he observed), ‘if every one were warm and well-fed, we should lose the satisfaction of admiring the fortitude with which certain conditions of men bear cold and hunger. And if we were no better off than anybody else, what would become of our sense of gratitude; which,’ said Mr Pecksniff with tears in his eyes, as he shook his fist at a beggar who wanted to get up behind, ‘is one of the holiest feelings of our common nature.’”

This quote from Pecksniff encapsulates his self-important manner of speaking and his callous disdain for others, reinforcing Hypocrisy and Selfishness as the Ultimate Evils. Pecksniff often soliloquizes and tries to teach others morals that sound sincere and good. However, upon closer examination, Pecksniff’s ideas all reveal how he puts the blame on others for his own bad actions and chronically lacks empathy, such as how he speaks against people being “warm and well-fed” for the sake of cultivating “fortitude” while he himself lives a comfortable life.

“And it was strange, very strange, even to himself, to find how, by quick though almost imperceptible degrees, he lost his delicacy and self-respect, and gradually came to do that as a matter of course, without the least compunction, which but a few short days before had galled him to the quick […] And yet it took but five weeks to reach the lowest round of this tall ladder!”

Martin thinks this after arriving destitute in London. He considers how much his wealth and status have shifted, and though he is embarrassed by the change, he still doesn’t learn anything from it. Martin’s prideful attitude towards others even when he himself is in difficulty introduces the theme of The Problem of Pride and Its Consequences. Learning the value of humility will form a core part of Martin’s character arc.

“Was he thinking solely of her care for him, when he took so little heed of her share in the separation; of her quiet monotonous endurance, and her slow anxiety from day to day? Was there nothing jarring and discordant even in his tone of courage, with this one note ‘self’ for ever audible, however high the strain? Not in her ears. It had been better otherwise, perhaps, but so it was. She heard the same bold spirit which had flung away as dross all gain and profit for her sake, making light of peril and privation that she might be calm and happy; and she heard no more.”

This quote shows the difference between Mary and Martin’s thoughts about their relationship, and more broadly, the differences in their character. While Martin claims to be going to America to make money so he can marry Mary, he doesn’t consider how the distance will hurt her. On the other hand, Mary thinks the best of Martin, though he gives her little reason to do so.

“‘Creditable,’ muttered Mark, pressing one hand upon his aching head and looking round him with a rueful grin. ‘That’s the great comfort. It is creditable to keep up one’s spirits here. Virtue’s its own reward. So’s jollity.’”

This quote gets at the heart of Mark’s quest to “test his character.” Mark wants to be creditable and virtuous more than anything else, so he puts himself in dismal situations to test his natural cheerfulness. Unlike many other characters, Mark seeks moral improvement rather than financial improvement, and eventually gets rewarded for his high spirits and endurance.

“Nothing would have delighted the colonel more than to be told that no such man as he could walk in high success the streets of any other country in the world; for that would only have been a logical assurance to him of the correct adaptation of his labours to the prevailing taste, and of his being strictly and peculiarly a national feature of America.”

This quote describes Colonel Diver, an arrogant American newspaper editor who embodies Hypocrisy and Selfishness as the Ultimate Evils on a societal level. Like others, Diver believes that America is superior to every other nation because of its ideals, without questioning how well the country or individuals uphold them. This quote comes just after Martin discovers most of what he prints in his papers is false, but Diver knows he has the freedom to print it anyway.

“It was rather barren of interest, to say the truth; and the greater part of it may be summed up in one word. Dollars. All their cares, hopes, joys, affections, virtues, and associations, seemed to be melted down into dollars. […] Deface the banner of the nation for an idle rag; pollute it star by star; and cut out stripe by stripe as from the arm of a degraded soldier. Do anything for dollars! What is a flag to them!”

This is one of Dickens’ most striking critiques of Americans in the novel. Love of money is a symbol of evil in Martin Chuzzlewit, and here Dickens shows how much the pursuit of it has corrupted the American public. The final lines reference the stars and stripes of the American flag, a metonymy of the country as a whole, being defaced all for the purpose of greed.

“I do not find and cannot believe and therefore will not allow, that we are a model of wisdom, and an example to the world, and the perfection of human reason […] our history commenced at so late a period as to escape the ages of bloodshed and cruelty through which other nations have passed; and […] we have a vast territory, and not—as yet—too many people on it. These facts considered, we have done little enough, I think.”

This line comes from Bevan, one of the few Americans Martin likes, because he is not afraid to be critical and question his country. Here, Bevan discusses some of the good things about his new country, while recognizing it isn’t perfect and still has room to grow. This sets him apart from characters like Colonel Diver, who think America is perfect and cannot make any further progress.

“‘Lord love you, sir,’ he added, ‘they’re so fond of Liberty in this part of the globe, that they buy her and sell her and carry her to market with ‘em. They’ve such a passion for Liberty, that they can’t help taking liberties with her. That’s what it’s owing to.’”

This quote comes from Mark, who sees some of the hypocrisy of the Americans before Martin does. Through Mark, Dickens often points out how Americans’ idea of liberty is very limited, and doesn’t include enslaved people. These “freedoms” often allow others to take advantage of or “liberties with” one another, abusing the concept they claim to value.

“It is no great matter what Mrs Hominy said, save that she had learnt it from the cant of a class, and a large class, of her fellow countrymen, who in their every word, avow themselves to be as senseless to the high principles on which America sprang, […] Who think that crying out to other nations, old in their iniquity, ‘We are no worse than you!’ (No worse!) is high defence and ‘vantage-ground enough for that Republic.”

Here continues Dickens’s critique of Americans’ nationalism, suggesting nothing can sway Americans from being proud of their country. The American characters are judgmental of progress and people from other countries, purely because they believe that America is inherently better based on the principles it was founded upon, even though they do not follow those principles themselves.

“Mr Pecksniff, as a man without reproach, from whom the breath of slander passed like common breath from any other polished surface, could afford to do what common men could not. He knew the purity of his own motives; and when he had a motive worked at it as only a very good man (or a very bad one) can. Did he set before himself any strong and palpable motives for taking a second wife? Yes; and not one or two of them, but a combination of very many.”

Here Dickens paints an ironic portrait of Pecksniff as he sees himself. Pecksniff believes he is without reproach and deserves whatever he wants. By including the phrase “only a very good man (or a very bad one)” he points out the line Pecksniff walks between his outward appearance and his inward morals. Pecksniff’s arrogance speaks to The Problem of Pride and Its Consequences, as he is incapable of modesty and honest self-reflection.

“‘And I can wind him round my little finger! Only think! […] Why, the time was,’ said Mr Pecksniff; ‘and not long ago, when he wouldn’t look at me! How soothing is this change. Such is the delicate texture of the human heart; so complicated is the process of its being softened! Externally he looks the same, and I can wind him round my little finger. Only think!’”

This quote shows not only how Pecksniff has influence over Old Martin, but how he delights in it. The repetition of “only think!” shows his excitement as he details how much their situation has changed since the two met. Though Pecksniff never outwardly acknowledges that he is scheming against Old Martin, this quote reveals that it was his intention all along to gain influence over him, reinforcing The Impact of Money on Relationships.

“At any other time he would have parted from it with a pang, thinking of all he had learned there, of the many hours he had passed there; for the love of his very dreams. But there was no Pecksniff; there never had been a Pecksniff, and the unreality of Pecksniff extended itself to the chamber, in which, sitting on one particular bed, the thing supposed to be that Great Abstraction had often preached morality with such effect that Tom had felt a moisture in his eyes, while hanging breathless on the words.”

This quote shows Tom’s feelings upon being dismissed from Pecksniff’s house. Tom has just learned Pecksniff’s true nature, causing his world to turn upside down. Tom’s reflections that “there was no Pecksniff; there never had been a Pecksniff” reinforce the sense that his idea of Pecksniff was a mere façade crafted by Pecksniff to deceive and exploit trusting people like Tom.

“He always introduced himself to strangers as a worshipper of Freedom; was the consistent advocate of Lynch law, and slavery; and invariably recommended, both in print and speech, the ‘tarring and feathering’ of any unpopular person who differed from himself. He called this ‘planting the standard of civilization in the wilder gardens of My country.’”

This quote describes Mr. Chollop, an American character. Here, American hypocrisy is on full display as Dickens contrasts the first clause of this quote (“a worshipper of Freedom”) with the others (“consistent advocate of Lynch law, and slavery”) to reveal how Mr. Chollop does not truly value “freedom” at all. The passage suggests that many Americans define “freedom” only in terms of what benefits themselves instead of upholding truly egalitarian principles, speaking to Hypocrisy and Selfishness as the Ultimate Evils on a societal level.

“Now, when Martin began to think of this, and to look at Mark as he lay there; never reproaching him by so much as an expression of regret; never murmuring; always striving to be manful and staunch; he began to think, how was it that this man who had had so few advantages, was so much better than he who had had so many? And attendance upon a sick bed, but especially the sick bed of one whom we have been accustomed to see in full activity and vigour, being a great breeder of reflection, he began to ask himself in what they differed.”

This quote shows what Martin thinks as he lies sick for months, with Mark taking care of him. This is a turning point in the novel where Martin confronts his own selfishness and confronts The Problem of Pride and Its Consequences. By seeing Mark take care of him, Martin starts to question the differences between Mark and himself and ultimately realizes the importance of selflessness and caring about others.

“As he began with the words, ‘How do you like—?’ Martin took him up and said: ‘The country, I presume?’ ‘Yes, sir,’ said Elijah Pogram. […] ‘I have learned by experience, that you take an unfair advantage of a stranger, when you ask that question. You don’t mean it to be answered, except in one way. Now, I don’t choose to answer it in that way, for I cannot honestly answer it in that way. And therefore, I would rather not answer it at all.’”

This exchange between Elijah Pogram, an American politician, and Martin represents a conversation that is often repeated between Martin and other Americans. Martin is always asked how he likes the country, but having just been through his troubles in Eden, Martin knows he cannot answer politely. Many of the phrases American characters use in the novel are repeated several times, and this quote also shows how Martin sees many of the American characters as the same, stereotyping them satirically.

“When you tell me […] that my sister has no innate power of commanding the respect of your children, I must tell you it is not so; and that she has. She is as well bred, as well taught, as well qualified by nature to command respect, as any hirer of a governess you know. […] Why, how can you, as an honest gentleman, profess displeasure or surprise at your daughter telling my sister she is something beggarly and humble, when you are for ever telling her the same thing yourself.”

Tom tells this to his sister Ruth’s emotionally abusive employer, who fires her because his daughter cannot respect Ruth. Not only does this show Tom’s character and how he is willing to help the people he loves, it also shows how he begins to see the nuances of people after discovering Pecksniff’s deceit. Like Pecksniff, Ruth’s employer is hypocritical and believes himself to be above others, and Tom’s confrontation shows how he has changed because of his recent revelations.

“A noble-spoken gentleman! How many people are there in the world, who, for no better reason, uphold their Pecksniffs to the last and abandon virtuous men, when Pecksniffs breathe upon them!”

This quote comes after Martin discovers that Pecksniff has stolen his architectural design for a school, for which Pecksniff is receiving great praise. Martin sees how Pecksniff has won over a crowd in London by the way he speaks and makes himself out to be respectable, when his actions tell a different story.

“It was a special quality, among the many admirable qualities possessed by Mr Pecksniff, that the more he was found out, the more hypocrisy he practised. […] He had never been such a saintly and improving spectacle to all about him, as after his detection by Thomas Pinch. He had scarcely ever been at once so tender in his humanity, and so dignified and exalted in his virtue, as when young Martin’s scorn was fresh and hot upon him.”

Here again Dickens satirizes Pecksniff, ironically noting his “many admirable qualities” while actually discussing his faults. When Martin confronts Pecksniff in this scene, Pecksniff makes himself seem more virtuous to Old Martin, much like he did when he dismissed Tom. This highlights the duality and hypocrisy of Pecksniff’s character.

“As she took her seat upon a low chair by the old man’s side, and put herself within the reach of his hand, she looked up once at Tom. It was a sad look that she cast upon him, though there was a faint smile trembling on her face. It was a speaking look, and Tom knew what it said. ‘You see how misery has changed me. I can feel for a dependant now, and set some value on his attachment.’”

This quote describes an interaction between Merry and Tom after the former’s marriage to Jonas. Merry, who had often teased Tom when they lived together, has since faced the consequences of her actions and suffered from them. Due to this, Merry has gained some sympathy for Tom, which he sees her express here. Merry’s transformation shows that she has recognized and learned from The Problem of Pride and Its Consequences.

“It is sorrowful to me to contemplate my dream which I always knew was a dream […] Remembering all my means of happiness, I hardly dare to call this lurking something a sorrow; but whatever name it may justly bear, I thank Heaven that it renders me more sensible of affection and attachment, and softens me in fifty ways. Not less happy. Not less happy, Ruth!”

This quote from Tom shows his feelings about his unrequited love for Mary. Ruth thinks this experience has disappointed him, but Tom can go on with his life because he focuses on all the good there is in his life. This shows how it is in Tom’s nature to care for others and put their happiness above his own, but also reveals his optimistic view on life and how he is satisfied by having the people he loves in it.

“‘Oh, Chuff,’ he said, ‘oh, dear old Chuff! a voice came into my room to-night, and told me that this crime began with me. It began when I taught him to be too covetous of what I have to leave, and made the expectation of it his great business!’”

This quote comes from Chuffey when he tells the group assembled to confront Jonas about what Anthony had told him. Just before his death, Anthony had recognized his own faults, and his feelings about Jonas changed. This led him to tell Chuffey to protect him, which is why Chuffey kept the secret about Jonas’s attempt to poison Anthony. This also contrasts the father with the son, as Anthony was able to learn from his mistakes before his death, but Jonas wasn’t. Jonas’s greedy schemes against his father speak to The Impact of Money on Relationships.

“In every single circumstance, whether it were cruel, cowardly, or false, he saw the flowering of the same pregnant seed. Self; grasping, eager, narrow-ranging, overreaching self; with its long train of suspicions, lusts, deceits, and all their growing consequences; was the root of the vile tree.”

This quote illustrates Old Martin’s view of Pecksniff and Hypocrisy and Selfishness as the Ultimate Evils. Though he has pretended to be under Pecksniff’s influence for the majority of the novel, the final chapters show his true feelings and how Old Martin has changed as a character. Ironically, it is Pecksniff who first encourages Old Martin to become more selfless, so when Old Martin learns of Pecksniff’s true nature, he is doubly offended by his actions.