Little Dorrit, Chapter 33 summary
Chapter 33 of 70 · Book 1: Poverty · 17 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 33, Mrs Gowan accepts Henry’s marriage while pretending to sacrifice her wishes, and Mrs Merdle supports this performance despite recognizing its financial advantages. Mrs Merdle then criticizes her husband’s distracted manners, exposing a marriage that exchanges his wealth for her social standing while leaving him visibly troubled.
What happens
- Mrs Gowan accepts Henry’s marriage after Mr Meagles agrees, but presents herself as a mother reluctantly yielding to pressure.
- She visits Mrs Merdle, who explains that Society expects young men to gain money and position through marriage.
- Mrs Gowan describes Henry’s expected financial benefits, and Mrs Merdle endorses her pretense of making a painful sacrifice.
- Mr Merdle returns home, and his wife complains that his visible business worries make him unsuitable for Society.
- Edmund Sparkler confirms that people discuss Mr Merdle’s businesslike manner, supporting his mother’s complaint.
- Mr Merdle wanders unhappily through his mansion, receives public flattery at dinner, and returns home still oppressed.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Mr Merdle defines his marriage as an exchange of social polish for wealth. His wife’s complaint shows that this division does not satisfy her demands.
Quick check
What does Mrs Merdle chiefly ask her husband to change?
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