# Bleeding Heart Yard explained — Little Dorrit

> Chapter companion for Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Arthur Clennam, accompanied by Daniel Doyce and Mr. Meagles, visits Bleeding Heart Yard, a poor but characterful London neighborhood. He seeks out the Plornish family to learn about Little Dorrit and to arrange the release of her brother Tip from debtors' prison. Through conversations with the Plornishes, Arthur learns of their acquaintance with the Dorrits and the circumstances that led Little Dorrit to seek work. He then employs Plornish to negotiate with a horse trader (Captain Maroon) to settle Tip's debt, successfully securing his release.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Hypocrisy

The Plornishes' admiration for William Dorrit's gentlemanly manners despite his imprisonment and poverty highlights the hypocrisy of class distinctions.

### Imprisonment and Confinement

The chapter deals with Tip's imprisonment in the Marshalsea and the broader theme of confinement, both literal and social, as seen in Bleeding Heart Yard.

### Family Dynamics and Obligation

Arthur's efforts to secure Tip's release reflect a sense of obligation to the Dorrit family, while the Plornishes' loyalty to Little Dorrit shows familial-like bonds.

## Character check-ins

### Arthur Clennam

Visits Bleeding Heart Yard to find the Plornishes and arrange Tip's release from debtors' prison.

### Little Dorrit

Discussed by the Plornishes; she had previously come to them for help in finding needlework and used their address for her advertisements.

### Mr. Plornish

A plasterer living in Bleeding Heart Yard; he and his wife helped Little Dorrit and he assists Arthur in negotiating Tip's release.

### Mrs. Plornish

Wife of Plornish; she recounts how Little Dorrit came to them for help and proudly speaks of the Dorrit family.

### Daniel Doyce

Accompanies Arthur and Mr. Meagles into Bleeding Heart Yard; his factory is located at the gateway.

### Mr. Meagles

Accompanies Arthur and Daniel Doyce to Bleeding Heart Yard and later arranges another meeting with Arthur.

## Key lines

> It was inhabited by poor people, who set up their rest among its faded glories, as Arabs of the desert pitch their tents among the fallen stones of the Pyramids

The poor residents of Bleeding Heart Yard lived among the remnants of its former grandeur, much like desert nomads camping among ancient ruins.

_Highlights the contrast between the Yard's past greatness and its present poverty._

> the Bleeding Heart, Bleeding Heart, bleeding away story, carried the day by a great majority

The romantic legend of a young lady dying of a broken heart was more popular among the Yard's inhabitants than the murder story.

_Shows the residents' preference for poetic sentiment over grim reality._

> I have been on the wrong side of the Lock myself, and in that way we come to know Miss Dorrit

Plornish explains that he met Little Dorrit because he himself had been imprisoned for debt.

_Establishes Plornish's personal experience with debtors' prison and his connection to the Dorrits._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xii-bleeding-heart-yard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters