We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

Little Dorrit Preface Summary

Preface to the 1857 Edition

  • Dickens basically tells his critics to kiss his rear end. Which, honestly, is business as usual as far as his prefaces are concerned.
  • Dickens declares that he knows what he's talking about, and however viciously he mocks the government or the supermoguls of his time – well, if anything, it's not nearly viciously enough. (See "In a Nutshell" for some background on this.)
  • Oh, and also, the Marshalsea prison doesn't exist anymore.