# Gone explained — Little Dorrit

> Chapter companion for Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Little Dorrit and Arthur Clennam confess their love and become engaged in the Marshalsea prison, despite their mutual poverty. Flora Finching, with Mr. F.'s Aunt in tow, meets Little Dorrit in a pie-shop to give her blessing and explain her past feelings for Arthur, while revealing that the Dorrit family fortune has been lost in the same financial collapse that ruined Arthur.

## Themes in this chapter

### Imprisonment and Confinement

Arthur remains in the Marshalsea, yet his love for Little Dorrit transforms the prison into a place of happiness and commitment.

### Wealth and Moral Decline

The Dorrit fortune, gained through the same corrupt financial schemes that ruined Arthur, is entirely lost, leaving the family destitute.

### Self-Sacrifice and Devotion

Little Dorrit offers to share her poverty with Arthur, declaring she would rather live with him in the prison than have any fortune.

## Character check-ins

### Little Dorrit

Confesses her love to Arthur and accepts his proposal, revealing she is now as poor as when she lived in the Marshalsea.

### Arthur Clennam

Released from prison in spirit through his love for Little Dorrit; he accepts her proposal and learns of the loss of the Dorrit fortune.

### Flora Casby

Meets Little Dorrit in a pie-shop to offer her blessing on the engagement and explain her own past with Arthur, expressing goodwill.

### Mr. F.

Referenced as Flora's late husband; his aunt is present and causes a scene.

### Maggy

Overjoyed at the engagement, she runs downstairs to share the news and meets Flora and Mr. F.'s Aunt.

### Mr. Meagles

Visits Arthur in the Marshalsea with Little Dorrit, appearing sun-browned and jolly.

## Key lines

> Bring him for'ard, and I'll chuck him out o' winder!

Bring him forward, and I'll throw him out of the window!

_Mr. F.'s Aunt repeatedly demands that Arthur Clennam be brought to her so she can eject him violently._

> I have nothing in the world. I am as poor as when I lived here.

I possess nothing at all. I am just as poor as I was when I lived in this prison.

_Little Dorrit reveals to Arthur that the Dorrit fortune has been lost, leaving her penniless._

> I am yours anywhere, everywhere! I love you dearly! I would rather pass my life here with you, and go out daily, working for our bread, than I would have the greatest fortune that ever was told, and be the greatest lady that ever was honoured.

I belong to you no matter where we are! I love you deeply! I would rather spend my life here with you, going out each day to work for our food, than possess the largest fortune ever known or be the most honored lady.

_Little Dorrit declares her unconditional love and willingness to live in poverty with Arthur._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxxiv-gone
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters