The narrative follows the moral development of Martin Chuzzlewit as he navigates familial greed, inheritance disputes, and the harsh realities of life in the American frontier. Martin, a young man disinherited by his wealthy grandfather, seeks to establish his independence as an architect while contending with the manipulative influence of his tutor, Seth Pecksniff. The story employs a third-person omniscient perspective to critique the rampant selfishness and hypocrisy prevalent in both English society and the burgeoning American republic. As Martin faces financial ruin and social isolation, he must reconcile his own pride with the necessity of humility and human connection.

Discussion often centers on the novel's biting satire of American culture, which generated significant controversy upon its initial publication. Readers frequently highlight the memorable nature of the secondary characters, particularly the hypocritical Seth Pecksniff and the irrepressible Sairey Gamp. Critics often note the structural complexity of the plot, which balances broad comedic scenes with darker, more cynical observations about human greed. The work is widely regarded as a significant example of Dickens's ability to weave social critique into a sprawling, character-driven narrative.