Little Dorrit · Chapter
Mostly, Prunes and Prism explained
The Dorrit family, now wealthy and traveling abroad, navigate high society under the strict social guidance of Mrs.
What happens
The Dorrit family, now wealthy and traveling abroad, navigate high society under the strict social guidance of Mrs. General, who enforces a code of superficial propriety ('Prunes and Prism'). Little Dorrit struggles to adapt to this varnished existence, finding solace in her sister Fanny's condescending affection and in a growing sympathetic bond with Mrs. Gowan, based partly on their shared aversion to the sinister Blandois. Fanny warns Amy that Mrs. General has designs on their father, while Mr. Dorrit eagerly seeks an introduction to the illustrious Mr. Merdle, hoping to benefit from his financial advice.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Hypocrisy
The Dorrits, newly wealthy, adopt the superficial 'Prunes and Prism' code to mask their origins, while the Gowan marriage is discussed with hypocritical concern for social standing.
Wealth and Moral Decline
Mr. Dorrit's eagerness to court Mr. Merdle for financial advice reflects the moral compromises and hollow pursuits that accompany new wealth.
Identity and Social Mobility
Little Dorrit struggles to adapt to her new identity as a wealthy young lady, feeling alienated by the artificiality of high society.
Characters to notice
- Little Dorrit
Struggles to submit to Mrs. General's superficial 'varnishing' but endures it for her family's sake; finds comfort in Fanny's patronage and a sympathetic connection with Mrs. Gowan.
- Fanny Dorrit
Enjoys high society and condescendingly patronizes Little Dorrit; warns Amy that Mrs. General has designs on their father, Mr. Dorrit.
- William Dorrit
Eagerly seeks an introduction to Mr. Merdle, hoping to benefit from his financial advice; is excessively polite to Mrs. General, prompting Fanny's suspicions.
- Mrs. General
Enforces the superficial code of 'Prunes and Prism' on the Dorrit family; is suspected by Fanny of having designs on Mr. Dorrit.
- Henry Gowan
Negotiates with Mr. Dorrit to paint his portrait in Rome, presenting himself as a gentleman artist; his marriage to Pet is discussed as a source of family tension.
- Pet Meagles
Now Mrs. Gowan, she is treated politely but distantly by the Dorrits due to the Prunes and Prism code; shares a sympathetic understanding with Little Dorrit, including a mutual aversion to Blandois.
Key passages
“Mrs. General, always on her coach-box keeping the proprieties well together, took pains to form a surface on her very dear young friend, and Mrs. General's very dear young friend tried hard to receive it.”
Mrs. General, ever vigilant in maintaining decorum, diligently worked to polish Little Dorrit's social exterior, and Little Dorrit earnestly attempted to absorb this training.
Introduces the central metaphor of 'surface' and 'varnish' that defines the chapter's critique of social artifice.
“The wholesale amount of Prunes and Prism which Mrs. General infused into the family life, combined with the perpetual plunges made by Fanny into society, left but a very small residue of any natural deposit at the bottom of the mixture.”
The overwhelming dose of artificial propriety that Mrs. General injected into the family, along with Fanny's constant social engagements, left almost no room for genuine feeling or natural behavior.
Summarizes the chapter's theme of superficiality overwhelming authenticity in the Dorrit household.
“Mrs. General has designs on Pa!”
Fanny warns Amy that Mrs. General is scheming to marry their father.
Key plot revelation that adds tension to the family dynamics.
