Book 2, Chapter 1 Summary

Tellson's Bank is a tiny place with small counters and dingy windows. It is a place of metal boxes with yellowed paper, whose custodians are ancient men with monotonous histories of boring clerkship. Because of Tellson's, many forgers, thieves, and counterfeiters are put to death. The odd-job-man of Tellson's is Jerry Cruncher. In this chapter, Jerry is at odds with his wife who actively prays against some of his current "business." While taking his son to his portering job, his son wonders at the rust that always coats his father's fingers.

Book 2, Chapter 1 Analysis

There are odd things in Jerry Cruncher's humble life. Why is his wife praying so ardently against his affairs, which appear to be mostly devoted to portering? Why is there clay on his boots in the morning when they are clean when he comes home from work...