Little Dorrit: week 5 ch 33-ch 4 0f part 2

[Tracey]

I am a little ahead but am posting for when others catch up or read at a later date:
Ch 33: What is Mrs Merdle's complaint? What is 'society' as defined in this chapter?
ch 34: Note the play on the name Barnacle. Sticking to the post, Sticking to the hull of the ship until the weight of it brings the ship down. What is the ship? What do the Barnacles represent? Corruption in government?
ch 35: Flora: 'Good natured creature so really was.'
Amy: 'Bravest and best of children.'
Mr Casby: 'boiling-over old Christian.'
Do you agree with the definitions of these people. Think of definitions of other characters.
ch 36: The Dorrit family too good now for those who have helped them. How do you fell about this?
Part 2: ch 1: Begins as part 1 did with fellow travellers and again in a kind of imprisonment. Cell-like rooms which are isolated, cold, barren. What is Dickens suggesting with this repeated theme in both poverty and riches?
ch 2: Is Mrs General a good companion for the daughters of Mr. Dorrit? Does she have anything of value to teach them? If not, why has Mr Dorrit employed her?
ch 3: Days of laziness with no direction or purpose which to Amy seem like a dream whereas the days in Marshalsea seemed real to her. Why is this? The family seems to be travelling through ruins where poverty and squalid conditions are the norm. Where there is 'nothing to eat, to make, to grow, to hope, nothing to do but die.' What do you think Dickens thought of Europe at this time and travelling through it?
ch 4: Little Dorrit's letter is closest to truth so far in this new life. Do you agree?

[Tracey]

Sisters I hope you will be able to use and enjoy my postings on this wonderful book. They are thoughts and discussion points and please join in the discussion at any time.