Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was inspired to write this satirical novel during his first trip to the USA in 1842, where he could only recognize the dominance of selfishness and greed instead of a society of free and equal citizens. The story centers around the young Martin Chuzzlewit, who falls in love with his wealthy grandfather's adopted daughter, is disinherited because of it, and sets off for America to seek his fortune. However, he ends up working for a fraudulent land development company, where he loses all illusions about the New World, ultimately returning to England after recovering from a serious illness.