# Appearance and Disappearance explained — Little Dorrit

> Chapter companion for Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Mr. Meagles decides to travel to Italy to visit his daughter Pet, concerned about her health and her husband Henry Gowan's debts. Arthur Clennam supports the decision, and the Meagles depart. Later, Mrs. Tickit reports seeing Tattycoram at the cottage, though she disappears. Arthur later spots Tattycoram in London with a suspicious foreign man, and follows them into the Adelphi.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Dynamics and Obligation

Mr. Meagles' concern for his daughter Pet and his decision to travel to Italy highlight familial duty and the complexities of family relationships.

### Secrecy and Revelation

The mysterious appearance of Tattycoram and her association with a suspicious foreign man introduces an element of secrecy and impending revelation.

## Character check-ins

### Arthur Clennam

Supports Mr. Meagles' decision to travel to Italy, visits the cottage regularly, and later spots Tattycoram with a strange man in London.

### Mr. Meagles

Decides to travel to Italy to see his daughter Pet, concerned about her health and Gowan's debts.

### Mrs. Meagles

Supports her husband's decision to travel, anxious about Pet's well-being.

### Tattycoram

Reported by Mrs. Tickit as appearing at the cottage, then seen by Arthur in London with a suspicious foreign man.

### Mrs. Tickit

Housekeeper at the Meagles' cottage; reports seeing Tattycoram at dusk.

### Signor Cavalletto

Offered by Arthur to accompany the Meagles, but Mr. Meagles declines.

## Key lines

> Arthur, my dear boy, Mother and I have been talking this over, and we don't feel comfortable in remaining as we are.

Arthur, my dear boy, your mother and I have discussed this and we are not comfortable staying here.

_Mr. Meagles expresses unease about their current situation to Arthur._

> I was more what a person would strictly call watching with my eyes closed.

I was in a state where I was technically watching but with my eyes shut.

_Mrs. Tickit describes her peculiar state of semi-awareness before seeing Tattycoram._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/ix-appearance-and-disappearance
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