“They think we are not real here.” – Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit

Are you interested in learning about Charles Dickens’ masterful novel Little Dorrit? You’ve come to the right place! This classic work explores Victorian society through the eyes of its endearing protagonist in a way that remains relevant today.

In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about this powerful story. From plot details to reader reviews, I’ve got you covered.

Many readers find this book intimidating at first due to its length and numerous characters, but don’t worry! By the end of this post, you’ll understand what makes it so special.

Trust me when I say this isn’t just another Victorian novel. It’s a book that offers profound insights into human nature, societal structures, and the enduring power of kindness in a harsh world.

Plot Summary

“It is a long road from which there is no turning. We have gone too far not to go further.” – Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit

The story centers around Amy Dorrit, known as “Little Dorrit,” a young woman born and raised in the Marshalsea debtors’ prison in London.

Her father, William Dorrit, has been imprisoned for debt for so long that he has become known as the “Father of the Marshalsea.” Despite her circumstances, Amy is gentle, selfless, and devoted to her father.

The main characters include:

• Amy “Little Dorrit”: The kind-hearted, selfless protagonist
• William Dorrit: Amy’s father, imprisoned for debt, who develops delusions of grandeur
• Arthur Clennam: A middle-aged businessman who returns to London after years abroad and befriends Amy
• Mrs. Clennam: Arthur’s severe, religious stepmother who harbors dark secrets
• Pancks: A rent collector who uncovers crucial information about the Dorrit family
• Rigaud/Blandois: A villainous murderer who discovers Mrs. Clennam’s secrets

Little Dorrit is a complex and layered novel by Charles Dickens that offers a scathing critique of Victorian society. The story follows two interconnected narratives that eventually merge into one.

Arthur Clennam returns to London after many years abroad in China. His dying father’s muttered words make Arthur suspect his stern mother might be concealing a secret wrong that needs to be fixed.

While investigating, Arthur encounters Little Dorrit, who works as a seamstress for his mother. Her gentle nature immediately strikes him, and he feels compelled to help her family.

Arthur discovers that Amy’s father, William Dorrit, has been imprisoned in the Marshalsea debtors’ prison for decades. Amy was born there and has spent her life caring for her father while also supporting him financially through her sewing work. Despite her circumstances, she maintains a pure and loving heart.

Through Pank’s investigations, it is revealed that William Dorrit is the heir to a large fortune. The family is suddenly wealthy and released from prison.

They embark on a European tour, attempting to forget their prison past and integrate into high society. William quickly adopts aristocratic airs, and Amy’s siblings Fanny and Tip become snobbish, but Amy remains humble and unspoiled by wealth.

Meanwhile, Arthur’s business partner, Merdle, is celebrated as a financial genius. Arthur invests his firm’s money with Merdle, only for Merdle to be exposed as a fraud before committing suicide. Arthur loses everything and is imprisoned in the same Marshalsea where the Dorrits once lived.

The Dorrit family faces its downfall when William dies abroad, and much of their fortune is lost. Amy returns to London to find Arthur in prison. Now their roles are reversed—she is relatively wealthy, and he is impoverished. She cares for him during his illness, and they finally acknowledge their love for one another.

Throughout the novel, a parallel story involves the villainous Rigaud, who discovers Mrs. Clennam’s secret: Arthur is not her biological son, and she has suppressed a will that would have benefited Little Dorrit.

When confronted by Rigaud, Mrs. Clennam leaves her house for the first time in years to find Amy and confess everything. Upon her return, her house dramatically collapses, killing Rigaud but sparing Mrs. Clennam, who becomes paralyzed from the shock.

In the end, Arthur is released from prison. Despite losing their respective fortunes, Arthur and Amy marry and begin a modest but happy life together, their love proving more valuable than material wealth.

What Genre is Little Dorrit?

Little Dorrit is primarily a Victorian social novel, but it contains elements of several genres:

• Social criticism: It offers a harsh critique of bureaucratic incompetence, financial speculation, and class inequality
• Satire: It mocks societal institutions like the Circumlocution Office (a parody of government bureaucracy)
• Romance: The relationship between Amy and Arthur provides a tender emotional core
• Mystery: Family secrets and hidden connections drive much of the plot

The main themes include:

• Imprisonment (both literal and metaphorical)
• Social class and the arbitrary nature of status
• The corrupting influence of wealth
• The failure of institutions to serve the public
• The power of compassion and kindness in a harsh world
• Family obligation and duty versus personal freedom

When you pick up this book, expect a densely plotted narrative with numerous characters and subplots. Like many of Dickens’ novels, it was originally published in monthly installments, which explains its episodic structure and cliffhanger chapter endings.

This isn’t just a story about Victorian England. It uses its historical setting to explore timeless questions about human nature, society, and what truly matters in life.

Little Dorrit’s HBO Adaptation

“There is Nothing so Strong as The Force of A Necessity.” ― Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit

In 2008, HBO co-produced a magnificent adaptation of Little Dorrit with the BBC that brought Dickens’s complex world to life for modern audiences.

This critically acclaimed miniseries consisted of fourteen half-hour episodes that faithfully captured the novel’s intricate plot and social commentary.

Critical Reception

The HBO/BBC adaptation received widespread critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including:

“A masterclass in adaptation that maintains the spirit of Dickens while making the story accessible to modern viewers. The performances, particularly Foy’s subtle portrayal of Amy, create an emotional connection that transcends the historical setting.” -The Guardian.

“The miniseries manages to capture both the sprawling social critique and the intimate personal stories that make Dickens’ novel so powerful. The production values are outstanding, but it’s the humanity of the performances that truly impresses.” -The New York Times.

The series won seven Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries and Outstanding Directing. It also received multiple BAFTA nominations, cementing its status as one of the finest Dickens adaptations ever produced.

Viewing Experience

For those intimidated by the novel’s length and complexity, the HBO miniseries offers an excellent entry point into Little Dorrit’s world.

While no adaptation can include every subplot and nuance of Dickens’ work, this version succeeds in capturing the essential story and themes while maintaining the distinctive humor, pathos, and social commentary that make Dickens’ work timeless.

If you’re considering reading the novel, watching the miniseries either before or after can enhance your appreciation of this classic work.

Ratings and Reviews

“The worst prisons are not made of iron bars. They are made of fears and disappointments, superstitions and delusions.” – Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit

Little Dorrit has a 4.0/5 star rating on Goodreads from over 40,000 readers, reflecting its status as one of Dickens’ more challenging but rewarding works.

Readers across platforms share many positive thoughts about the novel:

“The character development is extraordinary. Amy Dorrit is perhaps Dickens’ most beautifully realized female character—gentle without being weak, virtuous without being preachy.”

“Dickens’ critique of bureaucracy in the form of the Circumlocution Office feels startlingly modern. Anyone who has dealt with government paperwork will recognize the absurdity immediately.”

“The way Dickens weaves together dozens of characters and plotlines is masterful. Every detail matters and contributes to the whole.”

Some critical reviews mention:

“The length and pace can be daunting. At nearly 900 pages in most editions, it requires commitment.”

“Some of the coincidences strain credibility, even for a Victorian novel.”

“Certain characters feel more like caricatures than fully realized people, particularly some of the minor comic relief figures.”

What sets Little Dorrit apart from other Victorian novels is its unflinching examination of systemic societal failures while maintaining a deeply humane core.

Unlike many novels of its era, it questions the very foundations of social hierarchies rather than simply portraying them. The result is a work that feels surprisingly modern in its concerns while retaining the rich characterization and moral clarity that characterize Dickens’s best work.

Who Should Read Little Dorrit?

This book is best suited for adult readers who enjoy classic literature and have some patience for 19th-century prose style. While intellectually accessible to younger readers, its length and complexity make it more appropriate for those with some experience reading classics.

Content considerations:

• Discussions of poverty and imprisonment
• Some references to violence and criminal behavior
• Period-typical attitudes about class and gender
• Complex sentence structures and archaic vocabulary

This book is perfect for readers who enjoyed:

• Bleak House by Charles Dickens
• Middlemarch by George Eliot
• Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
• Social novels that examine institutions and their effects on individuals

It’s also excellent for those interested in Victorian history, particularly debt, class structures, and the impact of early capitalism. However, if you prefer fast-paced narratives with minimal description, this might prove challenging.

Book Recommendations If You Liked Little Dorrit

If you enjoyed Little Dorrit, here are some books with similar qualities:

Bleak House by Charles Dickens: Another masterpiece by Dickens that criticizes the legal system while weaving together multiple characters and plotlines.

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell: Examines industrial England and class divisions with a compassionate eye and a compelling romance.

The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope: A satirical look at financial speculation and societal corruption in Victorian England.

Middlemarch by George Eliot: A richly detailed examination of provincial life with profound psychological insights and societal critique.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: Though set in France rather than England, it shares themes of imprisonment, social inequality, and the complex effects of sudden wealth.

Conclusion

Little Dorrit stands as one of Dickens’ most accomplished works. It takes the seemingly small story of a humble young woman born in a debtors’ prison and expands it into a sweeping critique of society while never losing sight of the human hearts at its center.

The book’s unusual structure might challenge modern readers, but if you persist, you’ll find a deeply moving story about how people can maintain their humanity even in dehumanizing circumstances.

What makes this book special is how it connects personal stories to broader societal issues. It shows us that systems and institutions affect individual lives in profound ways, yet individual kindness and integrity still matter tremendously.

If you want a book that combines social commentary with deeply realized characters and a satisfying emotional journey, try Little Dorrit.”

About the Author

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) is one of the most beloved and influential writers in the English language.

Born into a middle-class family that fell into financial difficulties, Dickens experienced poverty firsthand when his father was imprisoned for debt and young Charles was forced to work in a factory at age 12.

This experience informed much of his writing, which often focuses on social injustice, poverty, and the struggles of ordinary people. Dickens began his career as a journalist before finding success with The Pickwick Papers in 1836.

Other major works by Charles Dickens include:

• Oliver Twist
• A Christmas Carol
• David Copperfield
• Great Expectations
• Hard Times
• Our Mutual Friend

Dickens was not only a novelist but also a social reformer whose writings helped bring attention to the plight of the poor in Victorian England and contributed to several social reforms.