# Little Dorrit — Character guide

> Key figures in Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.

- [Arthur Clennam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/arthur_clennam.md): A melancholic gentleman returning from China, central to the mystery of the Clennam fortune.
- [Little Dorrit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/little_dorrit.md): The gentle daughter born in the Marshalsea prison, whose kindness transforms those around her.
- [Mr. Pancks](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/pancks.md): A blunt, energetic rent-collector who uncovers the Dorrit family inheritance.
- [Fanny Dorrit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/fanny_dorrit.md): Amy's proud and ambitious older sister, who becomes a dancer and later marries Sparkler.
- [Mr. Meagles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mr_meagles.md): A warm-hearted retired businessman and father of Pet, who befriends Arthur Clennam.
- [Mrs. Meagles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_meagles.md): The kind and motherly wife of Mr. Meagles, devoted to her daughter Pet.
- [William Dorrit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/william_dorrit.md): The proud, long-term inmate of the Marshalsea who becomes wealthy late in life.
- [Mr. Merdle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mr_merdle.md): A celebrated financier whose vast wealth and schemes drive the novel's financial plot.
- [Flora Casby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/flora_casby.md): Arthur's former sweetheart, now a garrulous and sentimental widow.
- [Mr. Flintwinch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mr_flintwinch.md): The sinister, twisted clerk of Mrs. Clennam, involved in family secrets.
- [Young John Chivery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/young_john_chivery.md): The lovelorn turnkey's son who adores Little Dorrit from afar.
- [Henry Gowan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/henry_gowan.md): A charming but idle artist who marries Pet Meagles, causing family tension.
- [Mrs. Gowan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_gowan.md): Henry's proud, aristocratic mother who disapproves of his marriage.
- [Affery Flintwinch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/affery_flintwinch.md): The frightened, dream-haunted wife of Jeremiah Flintwinch.
- [Mrs. Clennam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_clennam.md): Arthur's stern, invalid mother who guards a dark family secret.
- [Daniel Doyce](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/daniel_doyce.md): A brilliant but overlooked inventor who becomes Arthur's business partner.
- [Mrs. Merdle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_merdle.md): The cold, fashionable wife of Mr. Merdle, obsessed with social status.
- [Maggy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/maggy.md): A simple-minded young woman who adores Little Dorrit and calls her 'Little Mother'.
- [Mr. Plornish](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mr_plornish.md): A poor, good-natured plasterer living in Bleeding Heart Yard.
- [Mrs. Plornish](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_plornish.md): The kind wife of Mr. Plornish, who helps Little Dorrit.
- [Edmund Sparkler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/sparkler.md): A dim-witted but good-hearted young man who marries Fanny Dorrit.
- [Monsieur Rigaud](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/rigaud.md): A villainous, suave Frenchman who blackmails the Clennam household.
- [Frederick Dorrit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/frederick_dorrit.md): William Dorrit's gentle, feeble-minded brother, a former musician.
- [Miss Wade](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/miss_wade.md): A bitter, mysterious woman with a tragic past who influences Tattycoram.
- [Tattycoram](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/tattycoram.md): The fiery, adopted daughter of the Meagles family, struggling with her identity.
- [Pet Meagles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/pet_meagles.md): The beautiful, gentle daughter of the Meagles who marries Henry Gowan.
- [Mr. Chivery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mr_chivery.md): The turnkey of the Marshalsea, father of Young John.
- [Mrs. Chivery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_chivery.md): The practical wife of Mr. Chivery, who manages the family tobacco shop.
- [Signor Cavalletto](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/signor_cavalletto.md): A cheerful Italian escapee who becomes Arthur's loyal friend.
- [Mr. Casby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mr_casby.md): Flora's father, a seemingly benevolent but manipulative landlord.
- [Tip Dorrit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/tip_dorrit.md): Amy's feckless, spendthrift brother who struggles to find work.
- [Ferdinand Barnacle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/ferdinand_barnacle.md): A suave, cynical member of the Circumlocution Office.
- [Lord Decimus Tite Barnacle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/lord_decimus.md): The pompous head of the Barnacle family and the Circumlocution Office.
- [Mrs. General](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_general.md): A prim, snobbish governess hired to polish the Dorrit daughters.
- [Old Nandy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/old_nandy.md): An elderly, poor inmate of the workhouse, father of Mrs. Plornish.
- [Mrs. Bangham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_bangham.md): A garrulous charwoman who assists at the Marshalsea prison.
- [Mrs. Finching](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_finching.md): Flora's married name after her first husband; same as Flora Casby.
- [Monsieur Lagnier](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/lagnier.md): An alias used by Rigaud while in hiding.
- [Altro](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/altro.md): A nickname for John Baptist Cavalletto, meaning 'another' in Italian.
- [Madame Rigaud](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/madame_rigaud.md): Rigaud's deceased wife, mentioned in his backstory.
- [Miss Rugg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/miss_rugg.md): The daughter of Mr. Rugg, Pancks' landlord.
- [Mr. Rugg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mr_rugg.md): A lawyer who assists Pancks in his investigations.
- [Physician](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/physician.md): A doctor attending the Merdle family and high society.
- [Mrs. Tickit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_tickit.md): The housekeeper at the Meagles' country home.
- [Bar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/bar.md): A satirical personification of the legal profession in the Circumlocution Office.
- [Bob](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/bob.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.
- [Mrs. Sparkler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_sparkler.md): Fanny Dorrit after her marriage to Edmund Sparkler.
- [Mr. F.](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mr_f.md): Flora's deceased first husband, often mentioned in her rambling speech.
- [Captain Maroon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/captain_maroon.md): A friend of the Meagles family, briefly mentioned.
- [Clarence Barnacle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/clarence_barnacle.md): A minor, ineffectual member of the Barnacle family.
- [William Barnacle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/william_barnacle.md): A Barnacle family member, possibly a clerk.
- [Barnacle Junior](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/barnacle_junior.md): A young Barnacle working in the Circumlocution Office.
- [Young Barnacle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/young_barnacle.md): A generic term for a younger Barnacle, possibly Ferdinand.
- [Mr. Tite Barnacle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mr_tite_barnacle.md): A senior Barnacle at the Circumlocution Office.
- [Ephraim](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/ephraim.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or prisoner.
- [Sally](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/sally.md): A minor female character, possibly a servant.
- [George](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/george.md): A minor relative or acquaintance mentioned in passing.
- [Dirty Dick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/dirty_dick.md): A minor character, possibly a prisoner or local figure.
- [Bawkins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/bawkins.md): A minor character mentioned in the Marshalsea.
- [Signor Panco](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/signor_panco.md): A minor Italian character, possibly a musician.
- [Mr. Eustace](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mr_eustace.md): A minor character, possibly a writer or traveler.
- [Old Christopher Casby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/old_christopher_casby.md): Another reference to Mr. Casby, the patriarch.
- [Gilbert Clennam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/gilbert_clennam.md): Arthur's deceased uncle, whose will is a source of mystery.
- [Cornish Clennam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/cornish_clennam.md): A branch of the Clennam family from Cornwall.
- [Brother Bellows](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/brother_bellows.md): A minor character in the Bleeding Heart Yard community.
- [The Collegians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/the_collegians.md): The collective term for prisoners in the Marshalsea.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters