How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
This reminds me that I have not been able to do so, and that I sometimes almost despair of ever being able to do so. I find that I cannot learn. Mrs. General is always with us, and we speak French and speak Italian, and she takes pains to form us in many ways. When I say we speak French and Italian, I mean they do. As for me, I am so slow that I scarcely get on at all. As soon as I begin to plan, and think, and try, all my planning, thinking, and trying go in old directions, and I begin to feel careful again about the expenses of the day, and about my dear father, and about my work, and then I remember with a start that there are no such cares left, and that in itself is so new and improbable that it sets me wandering again. I should not have the courage to mention this to any one but you. (2.4.8)
This seems like an astute observation – that a person who had grown used to counting every penny and trying to stretch what little income she had would never be able to think about money in a totally different way. It says something about how little Dorrit, Fanny, and Tip were exposed to the realities of their poverty that they adjust without a problem.
Quote #8
[Gowan] gave Mr. Dorrit to the Devil with great liberality some round dozen of times (for he resented patronage almost as much as he resented the want of it), and was inclined to quarrel with his friend for bringing him the message.
'It may be a defect in my mental vision, Blandois,' said he, 'but may I die if I see what you have to do with this.'
'Death of my life,' replied Blandois, 'nor I neither, except that I thought I was serving my friend.'
'By putting an upstart's hire in his pocket?' said Gowan, frowning. 'Do you mean that? Tell your other friend to get his head painted for the sign of some public-house, and to get it done by a sign-painter. Who am I, and who is he?' (2.7.33-36)
This is the problem with being in Gowan's shoes. Socially he's too high to paint Dorrit's portrait, but economically he's so low that he should accept any kind of work.
Quote #9
The Defaulter would make answer, 'Ah, Mr. Pancks. If I was the rich gentleman whose name is in everybody's mouth--if my name was Merdle, sir--I'd soon pay up, and be glad to do it. [...] If I was Mr. Merdle, sir, you wouldn't have cause to complain of me then. No, believe me!' the Defaulter would proceed with a shake of the head. 'I'd pay up so quick then, Mr. Pancks, that you shouldn't have to ask me.'
[...] Mr. Pancks would be now reduced to saying as he booked the case, 'Well! You'll have the broker in, and be turned out; that's what'll happen to you. It's no use talking to me about Mr. Merdle. You are not Mr. Merdle, any more than I am.'
'No, sir,' the Defaulter would reply. 'I only wish you were him, sir.'
The response would take this up quickly; replying with great feeling, 'Only wish you were him, sir.'
'You'd be easier with us if you were Mr. Merdle, sir,' the Defaulter would go on with rising spirits, 'and it would be better for all parties. Better for our sakes, and better for yours, too. You wouldn't have to worry no one, then, sir. You wouldn't have to worry us, and you wouldn't have to worry yourself. You'd be easier in your own mind, sir, and you'd leave others easier, too, you would, if you were Mr. Merdle.'
Mr. Pancks, in whom these impersonal compliments produced an irresistible sheepishness, never rallied after such a charge. He could only bite his nails and puff away to the next Defaulter. The responsive Bleeding Hearts would then gather round the Defaulter whom he had just abandoned, and the most extravagant rumours would circulate among them, to their great comfort, touching the amount of Mr. Merdle's ready money. (2.13.4-18)
Now the name Merdle is almost like a magic spell, as the tenants invoke him to get Pancks off their backs. It's interesting that at first the wish is that the tenant were Merdle (then it would be nothing to pay the rent) but that quickly transforms into wishing Pancks were Merdle (then he would presumably be a lot nicer and more relaxed). This is funny, of course, because Merdle himself is one of the least happy and relaxed people in the novel.