Little Dorrit · Character

Affery Flintwinch

The terrified, dream-haunted wife of Jeremiah Flintwinch, who sees the Clennam house's secrets in her sleep and dreads what she might say awake.

supporting

Also known as Affery, Mistress Affery

First appearance: Mrs. Flintwinch Has a Dream

As a supporting figure in Little Dorrit, Affery Flintwinch is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Speaks with Arthur about Little Dorrit and hints at Flora's widowhood, then quickly exits upon hearing Jeremiah on the stairs.

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Affery is the battered, bewildered wife of the sinister Flintwinch, living in dread of her husband and of the strange sights that visit her in dreams. She has glimpsed things in the Clennam house she cannot explain, and her muddled testimony hovers between superstition and suppressed truth. Her fear and confusion make her both pitiable and crucial, for she is one of the few who has seen the machinery of the family's secret, and her broken memory keeps the mystery alive.

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The fuller portrait of Affery Flintwinch sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Affery Flintwinch in Mrs. Flintwinch Has a Dream

Character Web

20 connections

A slice of how Affery Flintwinch sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Household and Loyal Companions
Circumlocution Office and Society
Protagonist

+15 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt represents the story's dramatic climax because it depicts Arthur Clennam’s psychological nadir an…

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Relationships

Mr. Flintwinch
family · negative
Affery is Flintwinch's terrified, submissive wife, constantly bullied and manipulated by… How this plays out →
Arthur Clennam
friendship · positive
Mr. Flintwinch
family · negative
Affery is Flintwinch's terrified, submissive wife, constantly bullied and manipulated by… How this plays out →
Arthur Clennam
friendship · positive
Mr. Flintwinch
family · negative
Affery is Flintwinch's terrified, submissive wife, constantly bullied and manipulated by… How this plays out →
Arthur Clennam
friendship · positive

Mr. Flintwinch
Affery is Flintwinch's terrified, submissive wife, constantly bullied and manipulated by her domineering husband.
Arthur Clennam
Affery secretly confides in Arthur, warning him of the strange happenings in the Clennam house, trusting his kindness.
Mr. Flintwinch
Affery is Flintwinch's terrified, submissive wife, constantly bullied and manipulated by her domineering husband.
Arthur Clennam
Affery secretly confides in Arthur, warning him of the strange happenings in the Clennam house, trusting his kindness.
Mr. Flintwinch
Affery is Flintwinch's terrified, submissive wife, constantly bullied and manipulated by her domineering husband.
Arthur Clennam
Affery secretly confides in Arthur, warning him of the strange happenings in the Clennam house, trusting his kindness.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Affery Flintwinch in Mrs. Flintwinch Has a Dream

In the story

Affery Flintwinch appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Home
Speaks with Arthur about Little Dorrit and hints at Flora's widowhood, then quickly exits upon hearing Jeremiah on the stairs.
Mrs. Flintwinch Has a Dream
Dreams of discovering her husband with a double; is shaken awake by Jeremiah and told she was sleepwalking.
Family Affairs
Affery provides Arthur with information about Little Dorrit and is described as having no will of her own, following the lead of 'them two clever ones'.
XV: Mrs. Flintwinch Has Another Dream
Affery dreams of eavesdropping on a conversation between her husband and Mrs. Clennam, cowering in fear and curiosity.
Mrs. Flintwinch Goes on Dreaming
Remains in a dreamlike, sleep-waking state, is startled by the foreign-looking man, and is held in low account by the 'two clever ones.'
The Word of a Gentleman
Stares at Mr. Blandois in confusion, claims 'it's him,' and is shaken by her husband before fleeing.
X: The Dreams of Mrs. Flintwinch Thicken
Appears ghastly with her apron over her head, speaking in a deadened voice; urges Arthur to leave, claiming she has been in a dream.
Mistress Affery Makes a Conditional Promise, Respecting Her Dreams
Reluctantly leads the house tour under her husband's coercion, avoiding Arthur's attempts to speak with her.
XXX: Closing In
Terrified, she blurts out that her dreams are true, revealing that Jeremiah's twin brother took the paper on the night Arthur returned.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Affery Flintwinch unlock in the free preview.

See Affery Flintwinch in Mrs. Flintwinch Has a Dream

See Affery Flintwinch in Home