# Henry Gowan — Little Dorrit character guide

> Henry Gowan in Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Gowan, Mr. Henry Gowan

**First appearance:** 0040-i-fellow-travellers

## Snapshot

A charming, sardonic artist who marries Pet Meagles, then coolly decides that knowing her family is no longer agreeable to him.

## Who they are

Gowan is a well-connected but idle painter whose wit and good looks win Pet Meagles despite his family's contempt for trade. Once married, he treats the Meagleses with polite dismissal, arranging to be 'best fellows but best apart,' and accepts their money while disdaining its source. His casual cruelty and self-regard make him a study in genteel selfishness, and his marriage becomes a quiet tragedy at the edge of the novel's social panorama.

## In the story

### [Nobody's Rival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xvii-nobody-s-rival)

An artist with a cynical charm, courting Pet; his manner is easy but his character is questionable.

### [Nobody's State of Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxvi-nobody-s-state-of-mind)

Visits Clennam and speaks lightly of Doyce and the world; arranges a visit to his mother at Hampton Court.

### [A Shoal of Barnacles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxxiv-a-shoal-of-barnacles)

The groom, who ostentatiously displays his poverty and resentment toward his family at the wedding.

### [Fellow Travellers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/i-fellow-travellers)

Listed in the travellers' book as Mr. Henry Gowan, traveling with his wife.

### [On the Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/iii-on-the-road)

Observed standing aloof with a cigar and pencil during the family's departure from the convent.

### [A Letter from Little Dorrit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/iv-a-letter-from-little-dorrit)

Mr. Gowan is mentioned as fond of his wife but lacking earnestness, causing Little Dorrit concern.

### [Something Right Somewhere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/vi-something-right-somewhere)

Gowan treats his wife like a beautiful child and shows a lack of earnestness; Little Dorrit questions whether he has any depth of feeling.

### [Mostly, Prunes and Prism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/vii-mostly-prunes-and-prism)

Negotiates with Mr. Dorrit to paint his portrait in Rome, presenting himself as a gentleman artist; his marriage to Pet is discussed as a source of family tension.

### [A Letter from Little Dorrit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xi-a-letter-from-little-dorrit)

Little Dorrit observes his careless and discontented manner, noting that he applies himself little to his profession and treats his wife in a way that may not suit her.

### [Taking Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xiv-taking-advice)

Gowan mocks Sparkler's appointment publicly, drawing him out in company, but is stung by Fanny's sharp retorts.

### [Missing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xvii-missing)

Mr. Dorrit mentions Henry Gowan as an acquaintance of Blandois in Italy.

### [Introduces the Next](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xx-introduces-the-next)

Mentioned by Miss Wade as a 'dear friend' of Clennam and the object of her hatred.

### [The History of a Self-Tormentor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxi-the-history-of-a-self-tormentor)

Appears at the end of the chapter as the first person who understood Miss Wade's situation.

### [Going!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxxiii-going)

Decides to distance himself from the Meagleses, allowing Mr. Meagles to support Pet and her child more liberally.

## Links

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