Little Dorrit Three-Act Plot Analysis

Act I

The Dorrits are deep in debt and deep in the service of their father's pretentions to former gentility.

Act II

Pancks discovers that the Dorrits are actually fabulously wealthy and they go off to a completely new life of ease, comfort, and society.

Act III

Dorrit's investments go bust in Merdle's collapse. All of the old generation that stands in way dies (Mrs. Clennam and Dorrit), and Amy is free to marry the man of her dreams.