Little Dorrit, Book 2: Riches, Chapter 2 summary

What happens

1. Mrs General discovers that her husband’s annuity leaves her with reduced means after his death, so she seeks work shaping wealthy women’s manners.
2. Powerful acquaintances supply glowing testimonials, and a county widower employs her to educate his daughter for about seven years.
3. When the widower wants to marry, he promotes Mrs General’s merits to help secure her another position.
4. Mr Dorrit’s bankers recommend her, and he visits her to discuss educating and chaperoning his two daughters.
5. Mrs General insists on equal standing and indirectly negotiates an annual payment of four hundred pounds, which Mr Dorrit accepts.
6. The narrator describes her teaching as suppressing opinions, excluding distressing subjects, and covering defects with social polish.

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