Dickensians! discussion
This topic is about
Little Dorrit
Buddy Reads
>
Buddy Read of Little Dorrit mid-Sept onwards with Janelle, Bridget, Lori and others
The out of character behaviors we saw in Mr. Dorrit such as going to the Clennam household and inquiring about Blandois makes more sense. It seems that going back to London may have been a big trigger for him and being faced with meeting Flora and then John Chivery and wanting to see the Marshalsea just sent him over the edge. He is so pitiful and it makes me wonder if he’d still be alive if he’d never left the Marshalsea. And now his knowledge of Blandois will have to be found out in another way.
Link to Book 2 Chapter 20 SummaryWith the opening of this chapter, we are now in Calais, France at a harbor where passenger ships arrive from England. Once again, we have words like “meagre”, “slimy and black”, “funeral garlands of seaweed”, in other words another bleak setting. Arthur Clennam steps off the passenger ship and enters France. He is travelling alone.
Arthur has come in search of a specific address, which Pancks found among Mr. Casby’s papers. When he finds the house, it is lifeless A dead sort of house, with a dead wall over the way and a dead gateway at the side. However a cheerful woman answers the door, and Arthur asks to see an English Lady.
He is shown up a dark staircase into a back room. He now mysteriously introduces himself to the kind servant as Monsieur Blandois. After a brief pause another door opens, and Ms. Wade enters. She is perplexed, and cold to Arthur because she was expecting him to be Blandois. She is hesitant to admit she has any knowledge of that man. She feels it is very strange Arthur should take any interest in her business. Arthur explains he is looking for Mr. Blandois who has disappeared. He also admits that he saw her talking with that man near the Adelphi, and that now he is trying to clear the “dark suspicions” surrounding his mother and Mr. Blandois.
Arthur is trying to soften Miss Wade’s demeanor by agreeing with her as much as he can. Miss Wade vacillates between sympathy and pride. Arthur tells her of his seeing Mr. Blandois at his mother’s house on the night he disappeared. But Miss Wade says this is more of Blandois than she ever knew. She knows him because she hired him to carry out some “act” she required while living in Italy. She sees him as a “low mercenary wretch” who “would have taken any life with as little scruple as he took her money”.
Then she asks Arthur why he doesn’t seek Henry Gowan’s help, as she knows Blandois and Gowan were friends. She also happily admits she hates Gowans’ wife. Arthur is taken aback by her passionate hatred. Miss Wade offers him some writing of her own which explains what her hatred is, and Arthur accepts it.
Ms. Wade now offers to bring Harriet into their conversation, as she is still living with Ms. Wade. What follows is a tense conversation between Ms. Wade and Harriet as it is revealed to Ms. Wade that Harriet did indeed visit the Meagles home ”because I felt that I should like to look at it again”. Arthur perceives that tensions always run high between these two women, and tells Harriet he’s sure the Meagles will take her back. But Harriet has no desire to live with them again, even though she is also not happy living with Miss Wade.
Arthur can get no other information from these women about Blandois, and so he leaves on the next packet back to England.
I thought Miss Wade was hard to figure out in this chapter. I don't blame her for being cold towards Arthur when he gives her servant a fake name, and admits to basically stalking her that day on the Strand. I think I would be angry too! Sometimes she seems to soften "repeating a little less haughtily" or "less angry reflection"; but then we are given phrases like "with a cruel pleasure in repeating the [verbal] stab". Is she cold and aloof to protect herself? Or is being cold and hard-hearted her true nature? And how did she know Henry Gowan and Blandois were friends? Maybe Blandois told her when he came to London?
Great summary, Bridget, thank you. I loved the scene setting passages at the beginning of the chapter. Dickens painted a very seedy Calais, not like today’s town, and I had no idea who he was looking for when he asked for ‘the English lady’.Like you, Bridget, I can’t figure Miss Wade out. She clearly has a private income, albeit not much of one considering the poor quality of accommodation she tends to stay in. Remembering that we first met her in Marseilles, I’m wondering if she knew Blandois from there and knew she could hire him to do……..what?
Has she also been travelling? Perhaps following the Gowans? It does sound as if he spurned her so she may be stalking him. Then she’d know about Henry’s association with Blandois. I’m thoroughly enjoying this build up to all the revelations!
Why was Miss Wade's address in Mr. Casby's papers? Did I miss something?Did you not find odd that Miss Wade had a ready letter to give Arthur?
Daniela wrote: "Why was Miss Wade's address in Mr. Casby's papers? Did I miss something?Did you not find odd that Miss Wade had a ready letter to give Arthur?"
I also found it strange that she had a ready letter written for Arthur. What's up with that? Mysterious!
As to the connection to Mr. Casby. Remember a while back Arthur followed her to Mr. Casby's house. It turned out there is some sort of money held in Trust for Miss Wade, and Mr. Casby is in charge of it.
Fiona wrote: "Has she also been travelling? Perhaps following the Gowans? It does sound as if he spurned her so she may be stalking him. Then she’d know about Henry’s association with Blandois. I’m thoroughly enjoying this build up to all the revelations!.."I like that idea, Fiona, of Miss Wade stalking Henry Gowan because she was spurned by him. That sounds very possible to me. What a cliff hanger this chapter gave us with Arthur just starting to read Miss Wade's papers.
Miss Wade seemed to indicate she had been in Italy where she had hired Blandois. Perhaps she has been stalking Gowan. Or possibly meeting Gowan though she states she hates him. Certainly Gowan has had much time away from his wife. I wonder if Miss Wade wrote out this letter to be found if something happened to her. Perhaps she is fearful of something or someone. Arthur came along and got the letter. She doesn’t like him, but she probably trusts him believing him to be an honest person as he worked for the Meagles (though she despises them.)A lot of speculation here but at least we only have until the next chapter to read the letter.
I'm not sure what Miss Wade's story is but I'm guessing we'll learn more in the letter. I wonder if it was meant to be found like you say, Sue or I wonder if she meant to leave it with Mr. Casby? She is so bitter in this chapter and came off as very defensive. It does seem like Henry Gowan may have something to do with her attitude whether he spurned her or not, it's a great thought, Fiona. If so, Miss Wade has been holding a grudge for a while. I wonder what her real intention toward Tattycoram was? It doesn't sound like they get along well at all. I think Tatty was possibly wondering about her old life and maybe she's homesick for Minnie? I wonder if Miss Wade took her away from Minnie as a punishment for marrying Henry?
That’s an interesting idea, Lori. I can see it as a sideways attack on Minnie though it’s Henry who she really hates/loves. I wonder how many Miss Wades there are in the various places where Gowan has traveled. He seems to be be anything but careful and hasn’t cared about his behavior since he married.And how did Gowan come to know Blandois? That makes Gowan seem even worse.
Sue wrote: "That’s an interesting idea, Lori. I can see it as a sideways attack on Minnie though it’s Henry who she really hates/loves. I wonder how many Miss Wades there are in the various places where Gowan ..."If I remember correctly, Minnie and Henry and Blandois arrive together, as a group, at The Great St. Bernard Monestary in Switzerland. But how did Blandois attach himself to Gowan before that? Is it possible when Miss Wade hired Blandois in Italy, it was to spy on or injure Henry Gowan?
Oh that’s a very clever thought, Bridget! I remember we were not sure how Blandois attached himself to the Gowans because he was just there. I really like this idea.
I felt quite sorry for both women reading this chapter. I know they are unlikeable and bitter but it’s hard for a woman who doesn’t fit in or conform to the Victorian standard. The description of where they’re living is so depressing.“Hence, there was a gloomy view of the yard that was dull, and of the shrubs that were dead, and of the fountain that was dry, and of the pedestal of the statue that was gone.”
Everything is dead, and I think Miss Wade is a bit dead inside too.
I agree Janelle. It was a hard time to be a woman. Certainly Minnie’s life is not good either. Perhaps only Mrs. Meagles seems at all happy and Mrs. Merdle has control. Amy’s future is unknown though Fanny may well turn out ok if she can weather the storm of the revelations about her father. I’m glad I have in the second half of the 20th century and now I’m the 21st.
Link to Book 2 Chapter 21 SummaryFinally a bit more information about Miss Wade, a “Self Tormentor”. She was raised in a home with 9 other girls and a woman who titled herself “grandmother” but was no blood relation. Early on she thinks she is being pitied by the other girls in a superior manner. She attempts to make herself their equal by “trying” them, but they only continue to forgive her. She interprets this as They were always forgiving me, in their vanity and condescension. She does not feel any love and warmth coming from these girls.
Except for one “chosen friend”, Charlotte, who had “pretty looks” and “smiles for everyone”. She spends one holiday at Charlotte's home, and though there are dances, and new friends to welcome her, all Miss Wade feels is jealousy. She thinks Charlotte seeks to make her jealous on purpose, and at night in their room she vents her feelings until Charlotte cries. One morning, she overhears Charlotte’s Aunt warning her against this friendship. Miss Wade is outraged that Charlotte cries instead of admitting to her Aunt how she is the real torturer of Miss Wade. She demands to be sent home, and once there asks to be sent to a different school so that she never has to see Charlotte again.
Unsurprisingly, she makes no friends at the next school,. She does learn that there is a businessman who has a small property in trust for her, and she is to be a governess.
Surprisingly Miss Wade says ”I liked the children”, but of course there is no happiness for her there because again someone gets in her way. The children are already “attached” to a “rosy-faced” nurse who continues to be a presence in the house, and Miss Wade’s cold demeanor is no match for her warmth. Miss Wade tells the children’s mother the situation is intolerable, and she must leave. The Mistress pleads with Miss Wade to stay. She tries to empathize with Miss Wade and begs her not to “allow some family circumstances, of which no one can be more innocent than yourself, to prey upon your spirits”. She seems kind and sincere in her intentions, but Miss Wade chooses to see her kindness as manipulative:
I saw directly that they had taken me in for the sake of the dead woman, and to have that boast of me and advantage of me
.
She eventually lands as governess in a family who has a nephew to whom she becomes engaged. Soon Miss Wade begins to twist the affections of her betrothed into affronts to her dignity and pride. She feels that she has been “purchased” for her looks. She asks her betrothed not to flaunt his love for her so much and when he does she begins to feel jealous that he is not spending enough time with her.
It is at this point that Henry Gowan enters her tale. He was a frequent visitor of the house, and Miss Wade believes ”He was the first person I had ever seen in my life who had understood me”. Miss Wade and Henry Gowan share the same cynical way of viewing everyone and everything around them. It is not long before Miss Wade finds herself in love with Henry Gowan. She breaks off her engagement, and Henry follows her in her retreat. He declares that they will always be “best friends on earth”, and Miss Wade soon discovers he is courting Minnie Meagles. Her jealousy drives her find Minnie, even though she hates her and wishes her nothing but the misery of marrying Henry Gowan. Of course she finds Minnie, and Arthur, and Tattycoram /Harriet whom she sees as a kindred “unhappy temper”. She resolves to rescue Harriet, which she does and thus ends her tale.
I thought this chapter truly showed Charles Dickens as a genius writer. The whole chapter is written on two levels. First the voice of Miss Wade, writing the letter gives us her view. But there is a second thing happening where the reader realizes Miss Wade is delusional in her interpretations and most of the people she encounters (Charlotte, the Mistress at the first job) are being kind to her.There is a third thing I think about with this chapter, and that is how Miss Wade's view fits in with one of the themes of this book, which is the hypocrisy of "Society". When I think about characters like Mr. and Mrs. Merdle, or even the Meagles and how they treat Harriet, I realize that Miss Wade may be delusional, but she's also not completely wrong. So you can read this chapter on that level too!
There is one thing that confuses me in this chapter. This letter was obviously written for Arthur, so why did Miss Wade have this lengthy letter ready to give him when he unexpectedly showed up at her door?
Bridget - great summary and points. I found this chapter achingly sad. Imagine living your life unable to see the good in anyone, thinking that everyone has ulterior motives and that no one has any genuine interest in you. Miss Wade’s mind is twisted but why? It doesn’t seem as if she had any good reason to be unhappy as a child, or as an adult, other than of her own making. She has insight into her self-tormenting nature but seems unable to change her mindset.I don’t know why Miss Wade would have had this letter prepared. I am thinking that she must be related to Arthur in some way because she hasn’t had any real connection with him, until now.
Excellent summary Bridget. Miss Wade is an orphan who has grown up with faulty perceptions about the way others are treating her. It’s just so sad. She says at the beginning that I have the misfortune of not being a fool. From a very early age I have detected what those about me thought they hid from me. If I could have been habitually imposed upon, instead of habitually discerning the truth, I might have lived as smoothly as most fools do.She believes her perceptions to be the absolute truth. So even though they’re not, she’s willing them to be because every situation ends up the same. She can never be a happy person and she has made herself this way. It’s so sad. Miss Wade could do with a bit of therapy, couldn’t she?
When she meets Henry, she thinks they are one in the same but he’s all about playing games with people, so who”s to say he wasn’t playing her? So rightfully she’s angry because I think she did love him but he didn’t love her.
I think the letter being ready for Arthur is something we just have to go with as a device Dickens chose to use to further the story. It doesn’t make sense to us, but I don’t think it matters.
That’s an interesting thought, Fiona. Maybe the text will give us some clues about the letter.
This is a very particular chapter. I think that I have seldom if never met such a character in a book of this age. Miss Wade is a complex character, Dickens here describes a disturbed personality, I think a psychoanalyst would find many diseases to diagnose, such as I think paranoia.She mostly describes relationships with women, and all of them were difficult. Also the first relationship with a man she talks about is made difficult because of a woman, at least in her perceptions.
Can we predict a happy ending of the story for her?
Miss Wade definitely has some severe personality disorder with aspects of paranoia. She doesn’t appear able to have any female friendships and can only love men as long as this love exists on her terms. After this letter, I doubt that Gowan misled her, though I don’t think any better of him generally. Neither of them are likely able to be honest in relationships. I wonder if Miss Wade, in her paranoia, just assumed she would see Arthur again because she had seen him at odd times, unasked, in the past.
Am I the only one assuming Miss Wade’s and Gowan’s relationship was sexual?“Your dear friend amused me and amused himself as long as it suited his inclinations; and then reminded me that we were both people of the world…
This passage hints at it, I think. It would justify Miss Wade’s anger at him anyway.
I agree that the hints are there, Janelle, but I think she would be angry no matter what their exact relationship was given her personality. It probably would heighten her response and increase dislike to hate.
The more we learn of Miss Wade, the less I can sympathize with her. Yes, she was an orphan, so that definitely coloured her outlook on life. But she is so bitter now and seems to want to make Harriet a clone to her. I wonder what Clennam thought when he read about her relationship with Gowan. Definitely building to an excellent ending, I think.
Link to Book 2 Chapter 22 SummaryArthur has returned from Calais ”in the midst of a great pressure of business”. His business partner, Mr. Doyce, is leaving to work for “a certain barbaric Power” (i.e.: The Russians). The Russians may be barbarous, but they do not succumb to the “great political science of How Not to Do It”. When they want something done, they seek out capable men who will follow through and get it done.
Arthur and Daniel have a conversation about how their partnership will continue in Daniel’s absence. Daniel wishes Arthur to continue with his excellent management, except for one thing. He wants Arthur to stop battling the Circumlocution Office. Arthur emphatically refuses saying he is not yet harmed by his interactions with them. One last thing to note about their conversation, they talk about speculative investing, and both agree it is a bad thing. That it is one of the most dangerous of those follies which often deserve the name of vices.
There is a great send off for Mr. Doyce by the members of the Bleeding-Heart Yard, including Mr. Baptist. When the sendoff dies down, Arthur asks Mr. Baptist to follow him into the office. Arthur is musing about his last encounter with Blandois, and he starts humming the children’s tune Blandois was humming the night they met. Baptist also knows the song and finishes the last verse. Arthur is surprised Baptist knows it, but he says all the children in France know it. Arthur mentions the last time he heard it, a more sinister person was signing it and repeats the phrase ” Death of my life, sir, it’s my character to be impatient” (words we know Baptist heard Rigaud say in a prison cell in Chapter One).
Baptist cries out and turns pale at these words. He then pantomimes a description of Blandois/Rigaud- moustache, cloak, and all. Arthur is shocked ”In the name of Fate and wonder, what do you mean? Do you know a man of the name Blandois?”. But of course Baptist does not know that name. Arthur produces the handbill that has a picture of Blandois and Baptist agrees that is the man he meant. ”Tell me where you knew the man” says Arthur, and Baptist replies “Marseilles, a prisoner, and…..Assassin!”. Baptist also tells of how he too was a prisoner in Marseille; how he woke in the middle of the night in Chalons on the Saone to the face of Rigaud over him; how he escaped at daybreak and has been scared since of seeing that man again. And yet, because Arthur has been so good to him, Baptist agrees to search for Blandois and report back only to Arthur.
The threads are starting to come together!! I think Mr. Baptist/Cavalletto is one of my favorite characters.
Bridget - great summary. Baptist is repaying Arthur for his kindness by risking his life. He knows not to trust Blandois / Rigaud and must know that his life is in danger if it’s discovered that he’s tracking him down.
Yes everything does seem to be coming together but I am waiting for an update on Amy.
Sue wrote: "Yes everything does seem to be coming together but I am waiting for an update on Amy."Me too!!
We've had several short chapters in a row which is surprising. I've expected them all to be about 40-45 minutes reading. Dickens is getting lots of info into these shorter chapters though. It's very clever how he used the song from way back in the beginning and the phrase common to Blandois alone, to spark the plot forward and connect Arthur, Baptist and Blandois. Bridget, you mentioned the speculative investing conversation that Daniel and Arthur had together. Does this sound like Arthur won't make a risky investment decision with Daniel's money? Or are we reading some foreshadowing?
message 933:
by
Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"
(last edited Nov 14, 2021 01:13PM)
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Mod
If you remember, when Bridget took over hosting I commented that the then new pattern of 4 chapters continues through to the penultimate installment which is 3 chapters, and then a whopping 5 chapters to finish off. So it's not surprising they are shorter, when you remember it was published in installments not chapters. Since Charles Dickens made each installment the same length, if he split it into 4 chapters rather than 3, then they must be shorter!
Tomorrow starts the 17th Installment out of 20 (4 chapters, 3 chapters, 5 chapters as the last is a double issue. You're now on the 6th original thread.)
Bearing this in mind, Bridget may choose to double up one or two chapters near the end if it suits everyone ... this would also help you all to be in nearer the beginning of our new group read, which starts tomorrow. It's more leisurely so you'd easily catch up though :)
Lori wrote: "Bridget, you mentioned the speculative investing conversation that Daniel and Arthur had together. Does this sound like Arthur won't make a risky investment decision with Daniel's money? Or are we reading some foreshadowing?.."That's what I'm thinking Lori. I think Arthur is going to avoid falling into Mr. Merdle's ponzi scheme. It stuck out to me as I was reading.
There was one other thing that stuck out to me. Right after Mr. Doyce leaves, there is this curious foreshadowing:
In the lull consequent on the departure - in that first vacuity which ensues on every separation, foreshadowing the great separation that is always overhanging all mankind Arthur stood at his desk, looking dreamily out at a gleam of sun.
That always overhanging separation must mean death, right? I hope this is not foreshadowing the death of Mr. Doyce. That would be very sad.
Bionic Jean wrote: "Bearing this in mind, Bridget may choose to double up one or two chapters near the end if it suits everyone ... this would also help you all to be in nearer the beginning of our new group read, which starts tomorrow. It's more leisurely so you'd easily catch up though :)What do we think about Jean's suggestion everyone? Reading one chapter a day, we will finish on November 26th. Which is fine with me. I can read The Holly-Tree Inn and one chapter of Little Dorrit simultaneously.
But, I'm game to try summarizing more than one chapter a day if everyone wants to do that. (I will try to be more brief in my descriptions, as I already feel like they are so long! Its hard to know what to cut out though, its all so good!!)
Maybe not tomorrow (Chapter 23) though, because its a bit longer (14 pages).
I’m happy with the one chapter a day. It fits in with my other reading. Your summaries are great, Bridget :)
I was struck by that apparent foreshadowing of death too, Bridget but I wasn’t sure who it was referring to. (I’m just sure it’s not Arthur!!)
Bridget, what a keen eye you have for catching that phrase. It does sound ominous. One chapter a day is fine with me. I'm like Janelle, needing time for reading other things at the same time! Plus with Thanksgiving coming up and us finishing during the holiday, I'll have other things going on as a few others will as well- one is good!
This foreshadowing happens right when Arthur starts daydreaming about his mother and all that has happened up until now pertaining to Blandois. Maybe it has to do with Mrs. Clennam? Flintwinch? Affery?
I’m fine with the one chapter a day too. It’s less than two weeks, which seems unbelievable. And I am also reading more than one book at a time.I seem to have missed the foreshadowing…somehow I wouldn’t be surprised if Mrs. Clennam were to be the one, or possibly Mr. Merdle.
I’m very happy with one chapter a day. Really loving your summaries, Bridget.
Lori wrote: "Bridget, what a keen eye you have for catching that phrase. It does sound ominous. "The only reason I noticed it is because I'm writing the summaries. It makes me pay closer attention -- which is kinda nice :-)
Thanks for the kind word about the summaries everyone. I'm glad everyone wants to stay with one chapter a day, because that was my secret preference too 😉
While I’d love to jump right in and finish now to find out what happens, reading one chapter a day is keeping me in suspense and I’m enjoying our closer reading of it. Keep up the good work, Bridget!
message 945:
by
Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"
(last edited Nov 15, 2021 02:40AM)
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Mod
I am happy with the decision to go on with one chapter a day :-)
Link to Book 2 Chapter 23 SummaryNow that Arthur is alone, he is fixated about his mother’s involvement with Blandois. His thoughts tend to a dark place as if he is in a thought prison. He can’t stop thinking about her. He feels helpless, distressed and emasculated by his mother
she could not have rendered him more completely powerless if she had been Medusa and turned him to stone.
Though his anxiety overwhelms him, he resolves to take action. He will seek out Affrey and compel her to talk. However, when he arrives at the house, it is Flintwinch who greets him on the steps. Flintwinch is his usual twisted self, and Arthur (in his morbid state of mind) imagines Flintwinch may have murdered Blandois. When their conversation turns to Blandois, Flintwinch wonders why it should bother Arthur so much. Which is a sentiment, that Mrs. Clennam will soon share with Arthur as well.
But not right away, because when Arthur arrives in her room, he finds Mr. Casby and Flora are already there with her. He wheels his mother over to her desk so they can have a semi-private conversation. He then relays the information that Blandois is a murderer. She is shocked by this news, but regains her composure quickly. She asks how Arthur knows this information, and when he tells her it’s from another prisoner, she berates him for believing things too quickly. Her own reference for Blandois is a trusted business partner, so therefore her information must be better than Arthur’s and he should be careful how he judges others. Arthur pleads with her to take him into her confidence. But she is unmoved,
”You separated yourself from my affairs. It was not my act; it was yours. You know that you left me to Flintwinch, and he is in your place”
She starts to turn her chair and share this news with the others, but Arthur swears her to secrecy. So now in a house filled with secrets, Arthur has created one more.
Arthur moves on to his quest for information from Affrey. But how to get her alone? The two clever ones keep her always nearby. Arthur enlists the help of Flora, who is only too happy to oblige because she was ”always in fluctuating expectation of the time when Clennam would renew his boyhood”. Flora asks to be shown the house. Arthur is to accompany her, and Affrey will light their way with a candle. But this great plan turns sour when Flintwinch follows from behind.
When they reach the dining room (with the dragon closet of Arthur’s boyhood confinements), there is a knock on the front door, and Flintwinch leaves to answer it. Now is Arthur’s chance to talk with Affrey, but she is still too scared that Flintwinch will see or hear her. So Arthur blows out the candle to make complete darkness, and then puts Affrey in the dragon closet to assure her Flintwinch can’t see or hear her. All this time, Flora is leaning more and more heavily into Arthur and misconstruing this whole adventure as a pretense by Arthur to get her alone.
Arthur doesn’t learn that much from Affrey. She tells him that Blandois was at the house twice. She sort of agrees to share any information she finds with Arthur, but only if he “gets the better of them two clever ones”. The chapter ends with mysterious foreboding:
he [Arthur] took particular notice at the time, as he afterwards had occasion to remember, of the airlessness and closeness of the house; that they left the track of their footsteps in the dust on the upper floors; and that there was a resistance to the opening of one room door”
I think I'm learning that whenever Charles Dickens uses the phrase "as he afterwards had occasion to remember", something is happening that I better remember!
Yes, Bridget, I wondered about that comment too. What confuses me is that the floor was dusty and there were no other footprints so if the room is locked for a reason, no one ever goes there, unless there is another way in. Poor Arthur is so upset about all of this and his mother is so horrible, I can’t help wondering why he bothers. Love for his mother or loyalty to his father, I suppose.Flora is hilarious and provides welcome light relief!
Fiona, I am with you on wondering why Arthur bothers because she was so obviously unconcerned and basically told him to leave her be to do as she pleases. Flora is fantastic in this chapter. She is so girlish and it is so refreshing. I can just see her holding on to Arthur so tight and getting heavier every second - priceless!
As for Flintwinch and Affery, we have definite evidence of spousal abuse - domestic violence happening. Affery - poor, poor woman - has no real out either. She's stuck until something happens to Flintwinch. He's just 100% evil. Dickens describes him as tough as an old yew-tree, and crusty as an old jackdaw.
stood smoking with a vicious expression upon him; more as if he were trying to bite off the stem of his pipe, than if he were enjoying it.
...as if he were of the canine race, and snapped at Arthur's hand
I am also curious to know what kind of social call Mr. Casby and Flora came to the Clennam house for?
Dickensians!
Books mentioned in this topic
Bleak House (other topics)The Holly-Tree (other topics)
The Chimes (other topics)
Little Dorrit (other topics)
Dombey and Son (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Charles Dickens (other topics)Charles Dickens (other topics)
Charles Dickens (other topics)
Charles Dickens (other topics)
Charles Dickens (other topics)
More...
Well done to all those who realised that Mr Dorrit had dementia. I was very slow to pick up on that.