Martin Chuzzlewit tells the story of two Chuzzlewits, Martin and Jonas, who have acquired the Chuzzlewit trait of selfishness. It contrasts their contrasting destinies of moral restoration and worldly achievement for one and progressively desperate criminality for the other. This intense black comedy features hypocrisy, greed, and blackmail, as well as Mrs Gamp, Chalres Dickens' most renowned grotesque. The work, which is set in part in America, contains a biting satire on the country. It's a typical Dickensian frolic, with thrills, passion, violent satire, suspense - and flashes of ludicrous laughter in the middle of sorrow.