# Frederick Dorrit — Little Dorrit character guide

> Frederick Dorrit in Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Frederick, Mr. Frederick

**First appearance:** 0008-vi-the-father-of-the-marshalsea

## Who they are

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

## In the story

### [The Child of the Marshalsea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/vii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/viii-the-lock)

Little Dorrit's uncle, encountered by Arthur in the prison courtyard; he identifies himself and explains the family connection.

### [Little Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/ix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xx-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxxvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/i-fellow-travellers)

Listed in the travellers' book as Frederick Dorrit, Esquire.

### [Something Wrong Somewhere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/v-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/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.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/frederick_dorrit
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters