A Harsh Picture
of America

Charles Dickens (1812-1870)
Martin Chuzzlewit.
Cover
London: Chapman & Hall, September 1843
Rare Book & Special
Collections Division, (181A.5a-t)

Angered by American publication of his work without payment, Charles Dickens portrayed America negatively in the novel Martin Chuzzlewit (1843-1844) through the adventures of Martin and his companion. Dickens attacked American newspapers, politics, commercialism, and deficiencies in manners, conversation, and the arts. Dickens's American readers bitterly resented the attack.