Little Dorrit · Chapter
Nobody's Rival explained
Arthur Clennam visits the Meagles family and meets Henry Gowan, a charming but insincere artist who is courting Pet Meagles.
What happens
Arthur Clennam visits the Meagles family and meets Henry Gowan, a charming but insincere artist who is courting Pet Meagles. Clennam observes the family's unease with Gowan and struggles with his own feelings for Pet, while Mr. Meagles shows signs of distress over the relationship.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Hypocrisy
Mr. Meagles is flattered by Young Barnacle's presence despite his awkwardness, showing the allure of aristocratic status. Gowan's cynical dismissal of everyone as 'ass' or 'knave' while claiming to find good in them reveals a hypocritical worldview.
Secrecy and Revelation
Clennam's hidden feelings for Pet are hinted at, and the family's unspoken distress over Gowan is revealed through subtle gestures and tears.
Characters to notice
- Arthur Clennam
Visits the Meagles, observes Gowan with unease, and struggles with his feelings for Pet.
- Pet Meagles
Shows affection for Gowan and the dog, but also tenderly tries to comfort her father.
- Henry Gowan
An artist with a cynical charm, courting Pet; his manner is easy but his character is questionable.
- Mr. Meagles
Visibly distressed by Gowan's presence and his daughter's attachment to him.
- Daniel Doyce
Provides Clennam with a skeptical assessment of Gowan's artistic abilities.
- Young Barnacle
A clumsy dinner guest who is flustered by Clennam's presence.
Key passages
“Mr. Meagles, however, thoroughly enjoyed Young Barnacle. As a mere flask of the golden water in the tale became a full fountain when it was poured out, so Mr. Meagles seemed to feel that this small spice of Barnacle imparted to his table the flavour of the whole family-tree.”
Mr. Meagles delighted in Young Barnacle's presence, believing that even a tiny connection to the Barnacle family enriched his own social standing.
Highlights the theme of social class and the value placed on aristocratic connections.
“I claim to be always bookkeeping, with a peculiar nicety, in every man's case, and posting up a careful little account of Good and Evil with him. I do this so conscientiously, that I am happy to tell you I find the most worthless of men to be the dearest old fellow too.”
Gowan boasts that he carefully judges everyone, but his method leads him to excuse even the worst people as 'dear fellows,' blurring the line between good and bad.
Reveals Gowan's moral relativism and hypocrisy.