Little Dorrit · Chapter
XI: Let Loose explained
On a gloomy autumn night, a weary and footsore traveler limps into Chalons and seeks lodging at the Break of Day inn.
What happens
On a gloomy autumn night, a weary and footsore traveler limps into Chalons and seeks lodging at the Break of Day inn. The landlady and patrons discuss a notorious criminal named Rigaud, who murdered his wife but was acquitted, leading to the saying that 'the devil was let loose.' The traveler, revealed to be Rigaud himself, listens and later retires to a shared room where he finds John Baptist Cavalletto, a fellow traveler. Rigaud boasts of his gentlemanly qualities and vows revenge on society. During the night, Cavalletto secretly dresses and flees at dawn, escaping his dangerous companion.
Themes in this chapter
Imprisonment and Confinement
Rigaud was kept in prison for his own safety after his acquittal, and the chapter explores the idea of being confined by society's judgment and one's own criminal nature.
Secrecy and Revelation
Rigaud's true identity is gradually revealed through the conversation at the inn, and his secret plans for revenge are shared with Cavalletto, who later escapes in secret.
Characters to notice
- Monsieur Rigaud
The weary traveler who arrives at the Break of Day inn; he is revealed to be the notorious criminal Rigaud, who murdered his wife and was acquitted. He boasts of his gentlemanly qualities and vows revenge on society.
- Signor Cavalletto
A fellow traveler sharing Rigaud's room; he listens to Rigaud's threats and later flees at dawn to escape his dangerous companion.
- Monsieur Lagnier
An alias used by Rigaud when speaking to Cavalletto; he complains of society's humiliations and vows to make society pay.
Key passages
“Cain might have looked as lonely and avoided.”
The traveler appeared as isolated and shunned as the biblical figure Cain.
Highlights the traveler's outcast and cursed appearance.
“I, hungry, thirsty, weary. You, imbeciles, where the lights are yonder, eating and drinking, and warming yourselves at fires! I wish I had the sacking of your town; I would repay you, my children!”
The traveler bitterly envies the townspeople's comfort and wishes he could plunder their town in revenge.
Reveals Rigaud's vengeful and resentful character.
“Shaken out of destiny's dice-box again into your company, eh? By Heaven! So much the better for you. You'll profit by it.”
Rigaud tells Cavalletto that fate has thrown them together again, and that Cavalletto will benefit from the association.
Shows Rigaud's manipulative and threatening attitude toward Cavalletto.