# William Dorrit — Little Dorrit character guide > William Dorrit in Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Dorrit, the Father of the Marshalsea, Edward Dorrit **First appearance:** 0008-vi-the-father-of-the-marshalsea ## Snapshot The Father of the Marshalsea, whose elaborate pride has outlasted his imprisonment and will not survive his freedom. ## Who they are William Dorrit has spent so many years as the Marshalsea's self-appointed aristocrat that the role has become his identity, complete with elaborate courtesies and a horror of anyone mentioning his debt. His daughter Amy sustains both his body and his delusion, and he accepts her sacrifice as his due. When fortune finally finds him, his brittle grandeur proves more dangerous than poverty ever was, making him one of Dickens's most devastating studies of pride and paternal failure. ## Relationships ### [Little Dorrit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/little_dorrit) _family_ Little Dorrit is the devoted, self-sacrificing daughter of the proud and financially ruined William Dorrit. ### [Arthur Clennam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/arthur_clennam) _social_ Arthur is a respectful acquaintance of William Dorrit, though he privately pities the man's pride and delusions. ### [Little Dorrit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/little_dorrit) _family_ Little Dorrit is the devoted, self-sacrificing daughter of the proud and financially ruined William Dorrit. ### [Little Dorrit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/little_dorrit) _family_ Little Dorrit is the devoted, self-sacrificing daughter of the proud and financially ruined William Dorrit. ### [Arthur Clennam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/arthur_clennam) _social_ Arthur is a respectful acquaintance of William Dorrit, though he privately pities the man's pride and delusions. ### [Arthur Clennam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/arthur_clennam) _social_ Arthur is a respectful acquaintance of William Dorrit, though he privately pities the man's pride and delusions. ## In the story ### [Preface to the 1857 Edition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/preface-to-the-1857-edition) Referenced as the father who lived in the Marshalsea room where Little Dorrit was born. ### [Little Dorrit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/little-dorrit) The Father of the Marshalsea, long-term inmate who has grown accustomed to his position within the prison. ### [Book I: Poverty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/book-i-poverty) The 'Father of the Marshalsea,' long imprisoned for debt, maintaining a fragile dignity. ### [The Father of the Marshalsea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/vi-the-father-of-the-marshalsea) Introduced as a debtor entering the Marshalsea; becomes the Father of the Marshalsea over twenty years. ### [The Child of the Marshalsea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/vii-the-child-of-the-marshalsea) The Father of the Marshalsea, imprisoned for debt; his daughter Amy must loosen her clasp of his hand at the prison door, as his feet must never cross that line. ### [VIII: The Lock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/viii-the-lock) The Father of the Marshalsea, receives a testimonial from a visitor and interacts with Arthur. ### [Little Dorrit's Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xiv-little-dorrit-s-party) Little Dorrit fears Clennam will see his 'moments of degradation' and pleads with Clennam not to encourage his borrowing. ### [Little Dorrit's Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xviii-little-dorrit-s-lover) The Father of the Marshalsea, who accepts cigars and attentions from Young John and his father, gratified by their respect, though Little Dorrit is pained by his behavior. ### [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) Walks with his brother Frederick in the Marshalsea yard, displaying courtly condescension; later expresses unease about Mr. Chivery's behavior and receives Little Dorrit's devoted care. ### [A Puzzle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxii-a-puzzle) Disappointed in Clennam for not supporting the Testimonial; writes to Clennam requesting money. ### [Spirit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxxi-spirit) Acts as the gracious 'Father of the Marshalsea,' condescendingly commenting on Old Nandy's infirmities, then later expresses deep humiliation at his daughter's association with a pauper. ### [More Fortune-Telling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxxii-more-fortune-telling) Mentioned as being in the chair at the Collegians' gathering, making speeches while unaware of the impending discovery. ### [What Was Behind Mr. Pancks on Little Dorrit's Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxxv-what-was-behind-mr-pancks-on-little-dorrit-s-hand) Learns of his inheritance, becomes agitated and proud, plans to reward others, and struggles to compose himself. ### [The Marshalsea Becomes an Orphan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-marshalsea-becomes-an-orphan) The Father of the Marshalsea prepares to leave the prison forever, dispensing donations and hosting a farewell feast, but breaks down in tears when toasted. ### [Book II: Riches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/book-ii-riches) Now released from the Marshalsea, William Dorrit embraces his role as a wealthy gentleman, though his past imprisonment continues to shape his behavior and anxieties. ### [Fellow Travellers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/i-fellow-travellers) The grey-haired gentleman who dozes by the fire and converses with Blandois. ### [Mrs. General](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/ii-mrs-general) Recently succeeded to his property, Mr. Dorrit seeks a lady to complete his daughters' education and act as their matron. He hires Mrs. General after consulting his bankers. ### [On the Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/iii-on-the-road) Defends the family's exalted position, lectures Little Dorrit on propriety, and becomes enraged when he feels his dignity is insulted by an innkeeper. ### [Something Wrong Somewhere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/v-something-wrong-somewhere) Anxious about family dignity, seeks Mrs. General's advice on Amy's behavior, and approves Amy's visit to the Gowans based on their Merdle connection. ### [Something Right Somewhere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/vi-something-right-somewhere) Mr. Dorrit patronizingly considers commissioning a portrait from Henry Gowan, displaying his new wealth and social pretensions. ### [Mostly, Prunes and Prism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/vii-mostly-prunes-and-prism) Eagerly seeks an introduction to Mr. Merdle, hoping to benefit from his financial advice; is excessively polite to Mrs. General, prompting Fanny's suspicions. ### [Taking Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xiv-taking-advice) Mentioned by Fanny as being gentlemanly but slightly different due to his past imprisonment. ### [No Just Cause or Impediment Why These Two Persons Should Not Be Joined Together](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xv-no-just-cause-or-impediment-why-these-two-persons-should-not-be-joined-together) Receives Fanny's engagement news with pride and dignity, engages in correspondence with Mr. Merdle, and presides over the wedding celebrations. ### [Getting On](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xvi-getting-on) Basks in the glory of his connection to Mr. Merdle, enjoying the social and financial advantages, but is troubled by the Chief Butler's penetrating stare. ### [Missing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xvii-missing) Mr. Dorrit is visited by Flora Finching and later goes to the Clennam house to inquire about Blandois's disappearance. ### [XVIII: A Castle in the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xviii-a-castle-in-the-air) Struggles with his past as the Father of the Marshalsea, oscillates between rage and shame when confronted by Young John Chivery, and indulges in fantasies of wealth and status. ### [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) Returns to Rome late at night, weary and anxious; flatters Mrs. General and hints at marriage; shows jealousy and dependence on Little Dorrit. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/william_dorrit - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters