Little Dorrit · Chapter
Closed explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Clennam, having unexpectedly regained her mobility, confronts Little Dorrit in the Marshalsea prison to reclaim a packet she had left for Arthur. Little Dorrit reads the contents, which reveal Mrs. Clennam's past wrongs and her role in concealing the Dorrit fortune. Mrs. Clennam confesses her guilt, begs forgiveness, and asks Little Dorrit to keep the secret from Arthur until her death. She then reveals that Rigaud is waiting at her house to blackmail her, and Little Dorrit agrees to accompany her to confront him. As they leave the prison, a sudden thunderous noise startles them.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Revelation
Mrs. Clennam reveals her long-held secret to Little Dorrit, asking her to keep it from Arthur until her death, highlighting the tension between concealment and truth.
Imprisonment and Confinement
The chapter is set in the Marshalsea prison, and both Mrs. Clennam and Little Dorrit are metaphorically imprisoned by their pasts and secrets.
Self-Sacrifice and Devotion
Little Dorrit's willingness to forgive Mrs. Clennam and help her despite the wrongs done to her demonstrates her selfless and devoted nature.
Characters to notice
- Little Dorrit
Visits Mrs. Clennam in the Marshalsea, reads the packet, and agrees to keep the secret from Arthur until Mrs. Clennam's death.
- Mrs. Clennam
Confronts Little Dorrit, confesses her past sins, and begs for forgiveness and secrecy. She then reveals Rigaud's blackmail plot and asks for help.
- Arthur Clennam
Mentioned as the intended recipient of the packet; Mrs. Clennam wishes to conceal her actions from him until her death.
- Monsieur Rigaud
Mentioned as the blackmailer waiting at Mrs. Clennam's house, possessing the proofs and demanding a large sum.
Key passages
“I will restore to you what I have withheld from you. Forgive me. Can you forgive me?”
Mrs. Clennam asks Little Dorrit for forgiveness for keeping the Dorrit fortune from her.
Mrs. Clennam confesses her wrongdoing and seeks absolution.
“The great petition that I make to you... is, that you will not disclose this to Arthur until I am dead.”
Mrs. Clennam begs Little Dorrit to keep her secret from Arthur until after her death.
She fears Arthur's judgment and wishes to avoid his condemnation while alive.
“The man who brought you this packet and possesses these proofs, is now waiting at my house to be bought off.”
Mrs. Clennam reveals that Rigaud is at her house, demanding money to keep silent.
This sets up the immediate crisis that Little Dorrit agrees to help resolve.