Martin Chuzzlewit Essay, Research Paper
“ My chief object in this narrative was, to exhibit in a assortment of facets the commonest of all the frailties: to demo how Selfishness propagates itself ; and to what a inexorable giant it may turn, from little beginnings ” – Charles Dickens about the intent of his novel: Martin Chuzzlewit ( 130 ) ” Because the selfish adult male sees no common involvement or bond between himself and the remainder of his universe he is free from moral remorse, free to build a false ego, mask, R? lupus erythematosus, or character, and at strivings to protect his existent ego from the invasions of a hostile world. ” – Joseph Gold ( 131 ) ” Any sort of imaginativeness separated from its stuff or emanation becomes a Spectre of Selfhood ” – Blake ( 134 ) 12/20/96Selfishness Versus Goodness and Hypocrisy Versus CandorIn his book, Joseph Gold gives us a summation on how selfishness embodies itself throughout Martin Chuzzlewit. He analyses likely symbols in the book, which gave me more of an penetration and a new position that helped me see the chief characters and their transmutation in a different scene. Selfishness and hypocrisy mark their victims with false shells and deformed personalities and take them to believe in their high quality over world. This renders them incapable of sing anything existent and leave them groping after false truths, while taking advantage of the pure at bosom. This seems to be the kernel of what Gold wants to pass on with his analysis.Pecksniff is the dissembler who shuns no 1 when it comes to him doing a net income. Unconscious of his inability to self-reflect or perh
aps proud of his exalted virtuousness, Pecksniff is the epitome of righteousness, as Gold explains; he is in the book to display the extreme and helps clarify America?s role as a “national Pecksniff”. Through him do Thomas Pinch and Martin Chuzzlewit the Elder finally open their eyes to their own lesser vices; Pinch?s na?ve behavior changes after confronted with the real, or should I say false shell of, Pecksniff, while Chuzzlewit Sr. sees parts of himself in Pecksniff and is at the same time reminded of true virtue, honesty and human interdependence through Thomas Pinch. Gold goes thoroughly into an analysis of the paradigm between Jonas and the Book of Jonah, both characters fleeing from their own selves; it isn?t until they accept the wale, as Sairey Gamp puts it, signifying Jonah?s return to God in the whale?s stomach, that they can reach self-fulfillment. Jonas?s “god” is Tigg Montague and their travel is in a coach going to Salisbury. It is here Jonas becomes aware his own self and the path which he has to follow, which ends up with the deaths of Montague and himself. Gold?s analysis recognizes the main aspects of the book and his variety of quotes from other analysts/authors supporting his hypothesis (if he was ever unsure!), convinces me of the symbolism present in Martin Chuzzlewit and the very apparent human failings in some of the characters. Charles Dickens: Radical Moralist covers all of the major events and important interactions and relationships between Martin Chuzzlewit?s characters and explains their importance for the advancement of the book?s story-line.
