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Martin Chuzzlewit
Martin Chuzzlewit
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Chuzzlewit, Chapters 09 -10
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"Todgers's was in a labyrinth, whereof the mystery was known but to a chosen few." Now we are getting somewhere by getting lost in London. Tristram is correct in likening this to Sketches by Boz, but that's alright by me. In this chapter I feel Dickens has some traction with his writing. Dickens has a very clear feel for the city of London, and we see it here.Pecksniff continues to spiral down in his loathsomeness (nice word Tristram) and the daughters Pecksniff try to match their father's standards by making fun of Pinch's sister Ruth.
Is it me or is it usual to be confronted with so many nasty bits of human characters so early and so lavishly in a Dickens novel?
Ch 9 deals in gravy and the lack thereof. The visit to Miss Pinch shows us that she has overbearing employers and a backstabbing pupil. Unlike her brother who lives in similar circumstances with his boss, the odious Pecksniff, Miss Ruth Pinch feels the pain of her situation. Her brother floats through life oblivious of the many jibes at his expense. When Mr Pinch's saintly boss finds refuge in the fire after imbibing a lot of something other than milk, I cannot but wish that the young man had been just a tad slower to the rescue.
What did I enjoy in this chapter? Perhaps the usefulness of alcohol in its ability in debasing an otherwise snooty man like Pecksniff. Unfortunately, he comes up smelling of roses and what may have appeared a disgrace to other less worthy men seems to have preserved intact Mr Pecksniff's opinion of himself.
Did you know the word Pecksniffian is actually in the dictionary? You should have being all teachers. :-}pecksniffian
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Sanctimonious, officious, hypocritical, pretentious and condescending, affecting high moral standards, hypocritically benevolent.
Notes: Here is an odd compound made up of two words that we recognize, but is hard to decipher. It is based on the noun pecksniff "a pecksniffian person", a word that has been spotted in print as late as 2002. You may capitalize both the noun and the adjective. However, we see no reason to do that, since both words have long since entered the English vocabulary as common nouns. We can even form an adverb, pecksniffianly, from it.
In Play: Pecksniffs reflect a sense of moral superiority: "Will Doolittle is a pecksniffian cockalorum, who thinks he sits at the right hand of God and all the rest of us are sinners, doomed to Hell." However, subtler uses are available: "The response of my officemate at my late arrival was a pecksniffian smile, as though he had never been late in his life."
Thanks for this, Kim. Wonderful! I wonder whether Tristram's word 'Pecksniffery' will yet appear. If not he has indeed invented a new word.
This line from Chapter 9 certainly made me feel sorry for watchmen in London:Here, paralysed old watchmen guarded the bodies of the dead at night, year after year, until at last they joined that solemn brotherhood; and, saving that they slept below the ground a sounder sleep than even they had ever known above it, and were shut up in another kind of box, their condition can hardly be said to have undergone any material change when they, in turn, were watched themselves.
Chapter 10: I would not have imagined an attempt at allegiance from old Chuzzlewit to Pecksniff. I can't help questioning the sincerity of old Martin's conduct, unless, of course, he recognises in dear Pecksniff a kindred spirit. I like this turn of events.
That's an excellent quotation, Kim.
This line from Chapter 9 reminded me of Jacob Marley in "A Christmas Carol". Of course it would remind me of Christmas. :-}..."deep among the foundations of these buildings, the ground was undermined and burrowed out into stables, where cart-horses, troubled by rats, might be heard on a quiet Sunday rattling their halters, as disturbed spirits in tales of haunted houses are said to clank their chains."
This description of Miss Pinch by Mrs. Todgers also amused me:Mrs Todgers vowed that anything one quarter so angelic she had never seen. 'She wanted but a pair of wings, a dear,' said that good woman, 'to be a young syrup'--meaning, possibly, young sylph, or seraph.
Oh, before I forget;
"Tristram said: Here we have Chapters 9 and 10, and those of you who have repeatedly expressed their desire for more plot and more of a story-line will again have been disappointed"
Grump.
Kim wrote: "This line from Chapter 9 reminded me of Jacob Marley in "A Christmas Carol". Of course it would remind me of Christmas. :-}..."deep among the foundations of these buildings, the ground was under..."
Kim
Less than 7 months until Christmas. I feel sure no spirits of Pecksniffian tendency would dare cross your threshold ;>) Somebody should tell the Goodreads people that pecksniffian is a word. It keeps coming up as a mistake on my computer.
Chapter 9:
Mrs Todgers and the Pecksniffs call upon Miss Pinch
Chapter 10:
Truth prevails and virtue is triumphant
Peter wrote: "Less than 7 months until Christmas."211 days, 13 hours, 26 minutes. :-}
Oh Kim, a thought has struck me. You have a few more hours to wait for Christmas than we have in Ireland! Ah well, that only serves to increase your anticipation!!!
I was able to imagine Dickens on one of his long daily walks (tripping over oranges) while relishing the word-pictures he paints of Todger's neighborhood. The plot creaks ahead with the odd reappearance of old Martin. There is still little indication of any compelling place that Dickens is going with his story, he's not giving enough for the reader to even speculate.
The Pecksniff as hypocrite episodes are getting redundant, less humor with each one. His chastising Mrs. Todgers for being duplicitous with the young boarder when she successfully keeps him from giving notice pounds the point home, but I fear there is more yet to come.
Roger, I like your juxtaposition of 'the plot creaks along' and Old Martin.
Peter wrote: "Is it me or is it usual to be confronted with so many nasty bits of human characters so early and so lavishly in a Dickens novel? "I think that the atmosphere of bitterness and bleakness that is created in MC has hitherto been unprecedented with regard to any other of the Dickens novels we have read here so far - with the possible exception, maybe, of Oliver Twist, which also abounds in shady or downright vicious characters. The only difference is that MC is more cleverly written and has less pathos in it.
Nevertheless, I'd say I really do like this novel a lot. Those of you who like novels that are full of unpleasant characters should have a look at K. A. Porter's novel Ship of Fools, which reminds me a bit of Martin Chuzzlewit.
Kim wrote: "This line from Chapter 9 certainly made me feel sorry for watchmen in London:Here, paralysed old watchmen guarded the bodies of the dead at night, year after year, until at last they joined that ..."
Hi Kim,
this was exactly the passage I noted down as quoteworthy, since it is a good example of Dickens's quaint humour and at the same time seems redolent of Macbeth's saying that all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death, and so on ;-)
Kim wrote: "This description of Miss Pinch by Mrs. Todgers also amused me:Mrs Todgers vowed that anything one quarter so angelic she had never seen. 'She wanted but a pair of wings, a dear,' said that good w..."
Far be it from me to criticize Dickens's minute account of the ongoings at Todgers's and any of the excursions the story invites us to make, like, for example, Mr. Pecksniff's visit of Ruth Pinch. How disappointed and heartstricken (if the last adjective can apply to the Miss Pecksniffs at all) must Merry and Cherry have felt when they noticed that Tom's sister was anything but ugly! It's also fun to read that Mrs. Todgers, as eager to please as usual, leans on Pecksniff's arm and "preserved a kind of genteel grimness, suitable to any state of mind, and involving any shade of opinion."
Like Pecksniff and Mr. Tigg, also Mrs. Todgers is trained in the art of obsequiousness but unlike them she is forced to practise flunkyism in order to earn an honest living, and in Chapter 10 we see how cleverly she manipulates the youngest gentleman into remaining in her house. That she may be a hypocrite, but of quite a different hue, becomes clear when Pecksniff works himself up at her degrading herself for a pittance of eighteen shillings a week. I don't think this detail only went into the story to make yet another jab at Pecksniff but also to show that some people have to practise a certain degree of hypocrisy to earn an honest living.
A character I really like is Young Bailey, who becomes more and more of an individual in the course of Chapters 8 and 9. Consider the story behind his name(s) or the following humourous detail: "[...]who being of a playful temperament, and contemplating with a delight peculiar to his sex and time of life, any chance of dashing himself into small fragments, lingered behind to walk upon the parapet."
Kim wrote: "Did you know the word Pecksniffian is actually in the dictionary? You should have being all teachers. :-}pecksniffian
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Sanctimonious, officious, hypocritical..."
Thank you for posting this, Kim! You enriched my vocabulary: I like the word "cockalorum" quite a lot and intend to use it whenever occasion arises.
How about a campaign to have the word "pecksniffodourous" added to the dictionary.Definition: The state of being when a person is so pecksniffian you can smell(or sniff) them.
I see that the anti-Pecksniff grumps are out in full force after these chapters. Well, you will come to your senses eventually. But in addition to Tom, now we see that old Chuzzlewit appreciates his kindness, his consideration, his assistance helping the him escape that gang of harpies.Except for John Westlock then, the people who know Pecksniff personally tend to appreciate him and his character. Unlike the grumpy critics here.
Great word, Peter, though I think we spell it differently in English English, but then what do I know? Definitely one for the OED along with Tristram's pecksniffery. We could soon have a whole dictionary dedicated (too nice a word) to Pecksniff. Of course, Everyman, we would have to include your counter vocabulary in order to have balance.
Tristram wrote: "I like the word "cockalorum" quite a lot and intend to use it whenever occasion arises."You actually use words like "cockalorum" whenever you get a chance? No wonder your son doesn't want you to explain things twice to him. :-}
Hilary wrote: "Oh Kim, a thought has struck me. You have a few more hours to wait for Christmas than we have in Ireland! Ah well, that only serves to increase your anticipation!!!"I know, I came to realize that when we were all wishing each other "Merry Christmas" here. At first it bothered me, then I realized I get to enjoy Christmas longer than some of you do. :-}
Everyman wrote: "I see that the anti-Pecksniff grumps are out in full force after these chapters. Well, you will come to your senses eventually. But in addition to Tom, now we see that old Chuzzlewit appreciates ..."I never doubted for a moment that it would be you who realizes all the wonderful things about Pecksniff. :-}
Haha Kim, you have your Christmas thinking cap on already. Our Christmas ends on Epiphany, so yes your Christmas will still be continuing! :-)
Kim wrote: "Tristram wrote: "I like the word "cockalorum" quite a lot and intend to use it whenever occasion arises."You actually use words like "cockalorum" whenever you get a chance? No wonder your son do..."
Come on, Kim, "cockalorum" is a brilliant word, just as "malarkey". I have got favourite ones in German, too, which are often slightly out of fashion - but I keep them alive in my immediate surroundings. One of them is "Kokolores" and it means "nonsense" and also "much ado about nothing", although you would not translate Shakespeare's play into "Kokolores" as that would be rather disrespectful.
In English, I also like "Fiddlesticks!" and "folderol", but I never heard anybody use them.
Tristram wrote: "Kim wrote: "Tristram wrote: "I like the word "cockalorum" quite a lot and intend to use it whenever occasion arises."You actually use words like "cockalorum" whenever you get a chance? No wonder..."
"Fiddlesticks" That's a good memory for me. It is the word my mother used when she was angry, frustrated, confused or simply at a lose for another word. I have not heard that word for years. Thanks Tristram.
Tristram wrote: In English, I also like "Fiddlesticks!" "My grandmother used that. It was her F word.
Your grandmother was truly hard core! I also love 'whoopsadaisy/whoopsadaisies'. Hugh Grant uses it when struggling to climb a wall in the film ''Notting Hill' to the mocking laughter of Julia Roberts. I suppose it would have been a good word for Arabella to use: 'Whoopsadaisy, he's dead.'
Tristram wrote: "Come on, Kim, "cockalorum" is a brilliant word, just as "malarkey". I have got favourite ones in German, too,..."Your poor, poor son, no wonder he doesn't listen to you, he doesn't understand a word you're saying. :-}
My dad used to tell me I was "ornery" all the time. He's the only person I ever heard use the word. I'd tell him I know I am, I take after my father. I'm not sure where the word comes from, it's probably German. :-}
Kim wrote: "My dad used to tell me I was "ornery" all the time. He's the only person I ever heard use the word. I'd tell him I know I am, I take after my father. I'm not sure where the word comes from, it's..."I'm sure the concept of "ornery" is German in origin; the word, though, isn't ;-)
Everyman wrote: "Tristram wrote: In English, I also like "Fiddlesticks!" "My grandmother used that. It was her F word."
I can't say it is my mostly used F word, though.
Tristram, I guess that your F word is Feckalorum or something similar!
Tristram wrote: "I'm sure the concept of "ornery" is German in origin; the word, though, isn't ;-) I should have known it wasn't German, it's not long enough. :-}
I am late today with the new thread but I thought that notwithstanding the chores of convincing my children that they are indeed tired, I should like to open the new thread in order not to be remiss.
Here we have Chapters 9 and 10, and those of you who have repeatedly expressed their desire for more plot and more of a story-line will again have been disappointed with regard to both of these as far as Chapter 9 is concerned, the bulk of which reads more like another one of the famous Sketches by Boz. Nevertheless I find the particulars about Todgers's a treat to read, and, of course, we also see Mr. Pecksniff descend into even deeper mires of loathsomeness when he tries to mollify Mrs. Todgers towards his rather obvious advances by constantly entreating her look at and listen to him for the sake of his late wife. This was downright disgusting even by Pecksniff's standards.
Chapter 10 now seems to pick up the story-line once again because we now learn of Martin Chuzzlewit senior's tendency to apparently relent towards Pecksniff now that he has fallen out with his grandson. One of the first things the old man does is use his new alliance with the unctuous hypocrite in order to strike out against his grandson.
What did you like or dislike about these two chapters? What did you find interesting?