Little Dorrit · Character

Frederick Dorrit

William Dorrit's gentle, feeble-minded brother, a former musician.

minor

Also known as Frederick, Mr. Frederick

First appearance: vi the father of the marshalsea

Frederick Dorrit shows up with force in The Child of the Marshalsea. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Amy's uncle, mentioned as living in the prison and being part of the family for whom Amy cares.

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In The Child of the Marshalsea: Amy's uncle, mentioned as living in the prison and being part of the family for whom Amy cares. Later, in VIII: The Lock: Little Dorrit's uncle, encountered by Arthur in the prison…

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See Frederick Dorrit in vi the father of the marshalsea

Character Web

26 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Circumlocution Office and Society
Inventors, Artists, and Shadows
Financial and Medical Figures
Minor Characters and Background Figures

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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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In the story

Frederick Dorrit appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Child of the Marshalsea
Amy's uncle, mentioned as living in the prison and being part of the family for whom Amy cares.
VIII: The Lock
Little Dorrit's uncle, encountered by Arthur in the prison courtyard; he identifies himself and explains the family connection.
Little Mother
The clarinet-playing uncle; he slowly recognizes Arthur and leads him upstairs to wait for Little Dorrit.
The Father of the Marshalsea in Two or Three Relations
Shuffles beside his brother William, submissive and broken; leaves early due to fatigue and infirmity.
Moving in Society
Practices his clarinet in the lodging and is later given a shilling by Fanny to buy his dinner at a cook's shop.
The Marshalsea Becomes an Orphan
Shows dim interest in the altered fortunes; is measured for new clothes and given the arm of his brother during the departure.
Fellow Travellers
Listed in the travellers' book as Frederick Dorrit, Esquire.
Something Wrong Somewhere
Delivers a passionate protest against Fanny's pride and ingratitude toward Amy, defending Amy as the family's devoted guardian.
The Storming of the Castle in the Air
Present in the anteroom with Little Dorrit; described by William as declining and drivelling.
XXX: Closing In
Mentioned as the agent who helped the singing girl (Little Dorrit's mother) against Mrs. Clennam, and later as ruined and imbecile.

Chapter companion notes

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See Frederick Dorrit in vi the father of the marshalsea

See Frederick Dorrit in The Child of the Marshalsea