Little Dorrit

Remember that famous line in Catcher in the Rye about "all that David Copperfield kind of crap"? Well pbbbtt... on you J.D Salinger, Charles Dickens is one of my favorite writers.

Years before, I had read Little Dorrit and I vaguely recall that it is about a seamstress, but admittedly I've completely forgotten the plot. I don't think that it is one of Dickens greater known novels like David Copperfield or Great Expectations. In fact, I was a little surprised to see it in the tiny library that serves my husband's military base.

Thus far, I haven't been disappointed in Little Dorrit but then I have only finished the first and part of the second chapter. My goal is to write about each chapter that I read until I finish. If you've read the novel please feel free to jump into the discussion.

Chapter one opens in a Marseilles prison. Dickens describes the August heat of the region adequately-I really don't think that describing surroundings is one of this writer's strong points.

In a jail cell are two prisoners: Monsieur Rigaud and the Italian, John Baptist. This is the area where Dickens shines as a writer. He is able to make his characters come alive. Already I dislike Monsieur Rigaurd and feel a fondness for the small, good natured, John Baptist.

Rigaurd views himself as a gentleman and to prove this he asks his fellow jail mate: "Have I ever done anything here? Ever touched the broom or spread the mats, or rolled them up, or found the draughts, or collected the dominoes, or put my hand to any kind of work? Have you ever thought of looking to me to do any kind of work?" John Baptist Cavalletto's response of "Never" seems to please Rigaurd.

One part of the chapter that seemed unrealistic to me, was the fact that the jailer brings his young daughter with him when he feeds the prisoners. Perhaps jails were safer in the 1800's then they are now. Having the very young, innocent child pass dinner to the prisoners does help to differentiate between the of the two prisoners.

Someone has sent Rigaurd a large meal to supplement his daily prison share of bread. As the little girl passes the food to him she seems to dread touching his soft, smooth, well-shaped hand. Yet her attitude toward the little dark Italian is notably different. She put the lump of coarse bread into the swart, scaled, knotted hands of John Baptist with ready confidence and when he kissed her hand, had herself passed it caressing over his face.


Once the jailer and his little daughter have left, Rigaurd begins to defend himself to the quiet John Baptist. Rigaurd first points out that there was nothing strange about the death of his wife's first husband. Men over sixty are likely to die after all and the widow was a beautiful woman of twenty-two. Her young age and his handsome appearance made it only natural that she would marry him-according to Monsieur Rigaurd.

Unfortunately, the first husband settled his will completely on his young wife, so she has charge of the purse strings. This, combined with the fact that her family dislikes and distrusts her new husband, is the source of many arguments between the young couple. As Rigaurd says of his treatment toward his wife: I may have slapped her face-nothing more. I have a light hand; and if I have been seen apparently to correct Madame Rigaud in that manner, I have done it almost playfully. Oddly enough, the family of his young wife aren't pleased with his manner of correcting his bride.

One day, the new groom and his bride take a scenic walk along a cliff overlooking the ocean. According to Rigaurd, his wife flies at him in rage, screaming loudly and then throws herself over the cliff. Neither the woman's family or the authorities believes the husband's story and he is imprisoned. Now he is waiting to see the judge who will decide if he goes free or gets the guillotine.

A guard of soldiers arrive to take Rigaurd before the judge. There is fear that an angry mob will tear him apart before he reaches his trial. John Baptist watches him leave under the protection of the guards.

The beginning of the second chapter confused me. It opens with a dialog between two men, Mr. Meagles and Mr. Clennam. At first I thought that John Baptist was talking to someone.

Apparently a group of english travelers have been detained on suspension of carrying the plague. Mr and Mrs. Meagles are traveling with their daughter, Pet,(I assume that this is a nickname) and Pet's maid, Tattycoram.

Tattycoram's real name is Harriet Beadle. At a young age, she was taken from a foundling hospital to work as Pet's personal maid. The name Tatty came about because Mr. Meagle felt that she would be happy to recieve something as fond as a nickname and Coram was the name of the hospital's benefactor. It seems arrogant to change a person's name but it seems that the Meagles meant well.

Their daughter Pet is described as a lovely but spoiled girl of twenty. Alreadyin the novel she seems, to me, to be very close to her parents. Mr. Meagles explains that she was concieved when the Meagles were older. Pet was not always an only child. Her twin sister died while still a toddler. This probably explains why Dickens describs Pet as being a little spoiled.

An interesting character in this chapter is Miss Wade, a very reserved Englishwoman who seems to want no company. She does display some hidden passion while discussing what her feelings would be if she had ever been imprisoned. If I had been shut up in any place to pine and suffer, I should always hate that place and wish to burn it down, or raze it to the ground. I know no more.

I haven't gotten any further in the novel, but I will try and continue to post as I read.

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