"In little Dorrit Dickens achieves his most striking effects through symbol and image; the plot is of secondary importance." Examine this view of the novel.

I disagree with this view to some extent, as I believe that both the plot and symbol and image rely on each other to create the story that Dickens wants to convey. Dickens' plot is deliberate and therefore entirely necessary to portray the ideals within Little Dorrit, for example the change in luck for characters such as Arthur Clennam and the Dorrit's themselves. These contrasts between wealth and poverty rely just as much on the plot, in order to provide a realistic backbone to the imagery and symbolism which in turn enables the reader to empathise with the themes and make the charac…