Little Dorrit: eBook EditionJazzybee Verlag, 2014 Little Dorrit was published 1856-57, when the author's popularity was at its height. The plot is a slight one on which to hang more than fifty characters. The author began with the intention of emphasizing the fact that individuals brought together by chance, if only for an instant, continue henceforth to influence and to act and react upon one another. But this original motive is soon altogether forgotten in the multiplication of characters and the relation of their fortunes. The central idea is to portray the experiences of the Dorrit family, immured for many years on account of debt in the old Marshalsea Prison, and then unexpectedly restored to wealth and freedom. Having been pitiable in poverty, they become arrogant and contemptible in affluence. Amy, "Little Dorrit," alone remains pure, lovable, and self-denying. In her, Dickens embodies the best human qualities in a most beautiful and persuasive form. She enlists the love of Arthur Clennam, who meantime has had his own trials. Returning from India, after long absence, he finds his mother a religious fanatic, domineered over by the hypocritical old Flintwinch, and both preyed upon by the Mephistophelian Blandois, perhaps the most dastardly villain in the whole Dickens gallery. The complications, however, end happily for Arthur and Amy. The main attack of the book is aimed against official "red tape" as exemplified in the Barnacle family and the "Circumlocution Office." ... |
Contents
Containing the whole Science of Government | |
Let Loose | |
Bleeding Heart Yard | |
Patriarchal | |
Little Dorrits Party | |
Mrs Flintwinch has another Dream | |
Nobodys Weakness | |
Nobodys Rival | |
Little Dorrits Lover | |
The Father of the Marshalsea in two or three Relations | |
Moving in Society | |
Mr Merdles Complaint | |
Common terms and phrases
appeared Arthur Clennam Barnacle better Blandois Bleeding Heart Yard brother Casby Cavalletto Charles Dickens child Chivery Circumlocution Office clarionet Collegians cried daughter dear Dickens door Doyce eyes F.'s Aunt face father feel Flintwinch Flora gentleman girl gone Gowan hand Harley Street head hear heard honour hope Jeremiah knew lady light Little Dorrit looked Lord Decimus ma'am madam Maggy manner marriage Marseilles Marshalsea Marshalsea Prison Meagles Merdle Merdle's mind Miss Dorrit Miss Fanny Miss Wade Monsieur mother never night Pancks papa passed Patriarch Plornish poor present prison replied returned Rigaud round Rugg seemed sister smile Sparkler speak stood street suppose Tattycoram tell Thank thing thought Tickit today tomorrow took turned turnkey upstairs voice walked window wish woman wonder word Young John