Little Dorrit, a book by Charles Dickens, contains many insights that are still relevant today. Its characters are multifaceted and relatable, if a bit caricatured. It tells the story of Amy Dorrit, a young woman who has grown up in debtor's prison because of her family's ineptitude with money. She meets a man named arthur Clennam, and the book chronicles the ups and down of thir relationship.

The message that resonated the most with me had to do with one of the supporting characters, John Chivery. John is the sweet, friendly son of the prison gatekeeper. He has known Amy all of his life and loves her immensely. He asks her to marry him, but she thinks of him only as a good friend and declines in the hopes of Arthur Clennam falling in love with her.

Throughout Amy and Arthur's increasing relationship, John is heartbroken. However, he is extremely respectful, kind, and accomodating to both Amy and Arthur. He has multiple opportunities to stop their relationship and humiliate them. He never does, though. He sees that Amy is happy, and he believes that is more important than his well-being. He puts on a brave face so she won't feel guilty.

To me, this was the most definitive act of love demonstrated in the whole book. It showed the true depth of John's love for Amy that he would do anything that would make her most happy, even if that involved denying himself of the future he had always dreamt of. It's sad, but John accepts it.