Martin Chuzzlewit, Chapter 27 summary
Chapter 27 of 55 · 36 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 27, Tigg Montague runs an insurance and loan company whose costly appearance conceals dishonest claims and predatory charges, and he invites Jonas Chuzzlewit to join it. Jonas admires the scheme and agrees to dinner without committing himself, while Tigg secretly asks Nadgett to investigate him.
What happens
- Mr Bailey, Junior drives a restless horse before carrying Tigg Montague and David Crimple to their company offices.
- Tigg and Crimple laugh about invented capital, while the offices and Bullamy’s impressive appearance attract public confidence.
- John Jobling eats lunch with the directors, receives commissions, and introduces Jonas Chuzzlewit while disclaiming financial responsibility.
- Jonas asks about insuring his wife, but Tigg instead tempts him to profit from the company’s borrowers and policyholders.
- Jonas agrees to dine with Tigg and takes documents, but makes no agreement to join the company.
- Tigg orders Nadgett to gather information about Jonas as new insurance and annuity proposals continue arriving.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Tigg gains Jonas’s confidence by admitting exploitation rather than claiming virtue. Shared greed becomes his strongest recruiting tool.
Quick check
What does Tigg ask Nadgett to do after Jonas leaves?
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