Who is worse: Dad from Little Dorrit or grandpa from Old Curiosity Shop?

Quite a few of Dickens' characters are quite obnoxious. I only saw the most recent version of the Old Curiosity Shop on TV, but that version was too short (2 hours) to do full justice to the story. I can also add Ralph Nickleby (from Nicholas Nickleby) who stands by while his niece is pursued by a bunch of lecherous men and even Pip (from Great Expectations) who keeps fawning over Estella in that category.

I just viewed two TV versions of Nicholas Nickleby (the 1977 and 2001 versions) and the character of Madeline Bray is nearly identical to Amy Dorrit. Madeline's father is imprisoned due to his debts. Madeline's mother is also deceased, but she doesn't have any siblings. Madeline looks after her father in the jail and is docile and does whatever he asks (even to the point of marrying an old man). The actress who portrayed her in the 2001 version was short and young and as I was watching her, I thought, she would make an excellent Amy Dorrit! She eventually married the hero in the story and he, just like Arthur Clennam, also had a hidden family relationship issue that was covered up by his uncle (just as Mrs. Clennam covered up her past).

Um, I vote the Grandfather from TOCS.

I actually felt very sorry for Mr. Dorrit, and his behavior toward Amy seems more "excusable" (that's not the best word, I know) because of his confinement and what he's had to endure. The Grandfather was nowhere near as sympathetic, in my opinion, and since Little Nell was a child (whereas Amy was a grown woman), it made the Grandfather's behavior even more harsh.



There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly west

"What happens to a dream deferred?"

The Grandfather from The Old Curiosity Shop although I've only seen the most recent version.

It's funny you ask because Tom Courtenay (Mr. Dorrit) was in the 1995 version of the Old Curiosity Shop. He plays Daniel Quilp. I'm still trying to locate that version.