Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens :: essays research papers

Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens "My main object in this fabrication was, to exhibit in a variety of aspects the commonest of all the vices to show how Selfishness propagates itself and to what a grim giant it may grow, from small beginnings"- Charles Dickens about the mapping of his novel Martin Chuzzlewit (130)"Because the selfish man sees no common interest or bond between himself and the rest of his world he is free from clean-living compunction, free to construct a false self, mask, rle, or persona, and at pains to protect his real self from the encroachments of a hostile world." - Joseph cash (131)"Any kind of imagination separated from its material or ascension becomes a Spectre of Selfhood"- Blake (134) 12/20/96Selfishness Versus Goodness and Hypocrisy Versus CandorIn his book, Joseph bills gives us a rundown on how selfishness embodies itself throughout Martin Chuzzlewit. He analyses belike symbols in the book, which gave me more of an insi ght and a new perspective that helped me check the main characters and their transformation in a different setting. Selfishness and hypocrisy pose their victims with false shells and distorted personalities and lead them to believe in their superiority oer mankind. This renders them incapable of experiencing anything real and leave them fumbling after false truths, man taking advantage of the pure at heart. This seems to be the essence of what gilt wants to communicate with his analysis.Pecksniff is the hypocrite who shuns no one when it comes to him making a profit. unconscious mind of his inability to self-reflect or perhaps 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 clear Americas role as a "national Pecksniff". through him do Thomas Pinch and Martin Chuzzlewit the Elder finally open their eye to their own lesser vices Pinchs nave behavior changes after confronte d with the real, or should I say false shell of, Pecksniff, while Chuzzlewit senior sees parts of himself in Pecksniff and is at the same time reminded of true virtue, candor 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 isnt until they induce the wale, as Sairey Gamp puts it, signifying Jonahs return to God in the whales stomach, that they can reach self-fulfillment.