Dorrit

Dorrit is a name used as both a surname and a given name, most widely recognized from Charles Dickens's novel Little Dorrit. In the novel, the Dorrit family centers on Amy Dorrit, who is commonly referred to as Little Dorrit, and her father William Dorrit, who has spent years in the Marshalsea debtors’ prison in London. The work follows their experiences and those of others connected to them as Dickens examines issues of poverty, social class, and institutional failure in Victorian society.

Little Dorrit was first published in serial form between 1855 and 1857 and later as a complete novel. It is noted for its sprawling cast of characters and its critical portrayal of debtors’ prisons, benevolence, and the limits of wealth and philanthropy. The narrative intertwines personal motives with broader social critique, exploring motifs of family duty, innocence, and moral resilience amidst systemic inequality.

The title character’s prominence in Dickens’s catalog has led to multiple adaptations across media, including stage productions, radio, film, and television. A notable modern adaptation is the 2008 BBC miniseries Little Dorrit, which brought renewed attention to the story and its principal characters, including Amy Dorrit and William Dorrit. Beyond this, the name Dorrit persists in literary discussions and as a given name or surname in various cultural contexts.