Martin Chuzzlewit

Martin Chuzzlewit travels to America after a falling out with his wealthy, selfish grandfather, hoping to make his fortune as an architect. He and his loyal servant Mark Tapley travel to a fictional settlement called Eden, which is heavily based on real-life land scams in Illinois. The harsh, swampy reality of Eden nearly kills them both.

While Martin is the protagonist, the novel's most famous and enduring character is Mrs. Sarah Gamp, a corrupt, disreputable, and constantly intoxicated nurse. She is so iconic that her name entered the English dictionary as a term for a sloppy caretaker. She famously carries a battered umbrella, which became known in Britain as a 'gamp.'

American audiences were deeply offended by Charles Dickens's scathing satirical depiction of the United States in the novel. Dickens mocked the American press, their obsession with money, and the hypocrisy of a nation that championed freedom while allowing slavery. The severe backlash delayed Dickens's return to America for over two decades.

The elder Martin Chuzzlewit is more of a selfish, paranoid man than a traditional villain, though he is manipulated by his deceitful companion, Seth Pecksniff. He eventually realizes the error of his ways and reconciles with his grandson. The true villains of the novel are the greedy Pecksniff and the ruthless Jonas Chuzzlewit.