The central conflict arises from the inheritance struggle surrounding the wealthy, elderly Martin Chuzzlewit, which triggers a cascade of greed and moral corruption among his relatives. The protagonist, young Martin Chuzzlewit, seeks to establish his own independence while navigating the manipulative machinations of his grandfather and the hypocritical influence of Mr. Pecksniff. His path is obstructed by his own initial arrogance and the predatory social environment of mid-19th-century England. The narrative, presented in a third-person omniscient voice, follows a sprawling structure that contrasts the rigid social hierarchies of London with the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the American frontier.

Readers frequently highlight the novel's biting satire and the vivid, often grotesque characterizations that define the work. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the American chapters, which serve as a stark critique of the cultural attitudes Dickens encountered during his travels. Critics often note the balance between the intricate, sometimes sprawling plot and the moral development of the protagonist. The work is widely regarded as a significant study in the psychological manifestations of avarice and the potential for personal reform within a rigid social structure.