Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens is praised for its rich character development and intricate plot, offering a compelling critique of social and economic issues. However, some readers find its length and detailed descriptions overwhelming. The novel's blend of humor and pathos is appreciated, though the dense prose can be challenging for modern audiences.

A reader who enjoys Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens appreciates intricate character development, social commentary, and historical settings. Similar enthusiasts of books like Bleak House by Dickens and Middlemarch by George Eliot would find this novel engaging. They relish exploring themes of poverty, wealth, and societal change in 19th-century England.

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens follows Amy Dorrit, born in the Marshalsea debtors’ prison, and Arthur Clennam, who returns to London suspecting secrets in his family’s past. Amy supports her family with sewing work outside the prison while Arthur investigates her father's debts, discovering an inheritance that sets them free. However, the family faces challenges as they navigate newfound wealth and social pressures.

Mysterious / Melancholic / Contemplative / Emotional / Gritty

- Little Dorrit was published serially between 1855 and 1857, demonstrating Dickens's mastery in maintaining suspense and reader interest over an extended period of time.
- The novel prompted public discourse on social reforms, notably influencing the contemporary views on debtors' prisons in England, which were depicted through the story’s settings.
- Little Dorrit features satire targeting the administrative bureaucracy of the time, particularly through its fictional creation of the "Circumlocution Office," a critical portrayal of governmental inefficiency.

**Amy Dorrit**  
A small and youthful-looking woman born in the Marshalsea debtors’ prison, known for her strong sense of duty and selflessness, who supports her family through her seamstress work.

**Arthur Clennam**  
An introspective businessman returning from China, grappling with familial duties and uncertainties, whose sense of justice and goodness leads him into the lives of the Dorrit family.

**William Dorrit**  
The patriarch of the Dorrit family, once a gentleman of means, who becomes known as the “Father of the Marshalsea” during his imprisonment for debt.

**Fanny Dorrit**  
Amy’s elder sister, who seeks to maintain their family’s gentility and uses her skills as a dancer to help support the family.

**Tip Dorrit**  
Amy’s older brother, frequently unable to keep a job, whose imprudence leads him into debt.

**Jeremiah Flintwinch**  
A long-time clerk in the Clennam household, known for his self-interest and tendency to gaslight his wife, Affery.

**Affery Flintwinch**  
A long-serving and loyal maid in the Clennam household, whose reality-blurring experiences and dream-like visions hold significant truths. 

**Mrs. Clennam**  
A stern and unyielding woman bound to her faith and familial secrets, who exerts control over her son Arthur and the Clennam household.

Charles Dickens

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore Little Dorrit and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Little Dorrit Summary

Background

Little Dorrit Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 1: “Poverty”

Book 1, Chapters 1-11

Little Dorrit Book 1, Chapters 1-11 Summary & Analysis

Book 1, Chapters 12-23

Little Dorrit Book 1, Chapters 12-23 Summary & Analysis

Book 1, Chapters 24-36

Little Dorrit Book 1, Chapters 24-36 Summary & Analysis

Book 2: “Riches”

Book 2, Chapters 1-11

Little Dorrit Book 2, Chapters 1-11 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 12-25

Little Dorrit Book 2, Chapters 12-25 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 26-34

Little Dorrit Book 2, Chapters 26-34 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Little Dorrit Character Analysis

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Themes

Little Dorrit Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Little Dorrit Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Little Dorrit Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Little Dorrit Essay Topics

Little Dorrit

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Little Dorrit?

Reading Age

Book Details