Bleak House Study Guide in Context 2

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Bleak House

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What's Inside person female narrator in all of Dickens's fiction. TENSE Those chapters of Bleak House told by Esther Summerson are j Book Basics ...... 1 written in the past tense. Chapters told by the narrator are in the present tense. Bleak House is the only novel Dickens wrote d In Context ...... 1 in the present tense. a Author Biography ...... 3 ABOUT THE TITLE Bleak House is named after the home of John Jarndyce, who h Characters ...... 4 takes in the orphans Richard Carstone and Ada Clare—two of k Plot Summary ...... 11 the many heirs named in the Jarndyce and Jarndyce probate case—and hires Esther Summerson as Ada's companion. c Chapter Summaries ...... 17 Despite its name, the large house is warm and inviting. g Quotes ...... 80 l Symbols ...... 82 d In Context m Themes ...... 83 b Motifs ...... 85 The Great Exhibition e Suggested Reading ...... 85 Victorian England was characterized by a growing middle class, a growing empire, and a growing sense of scientific and social progress. To celebrate these achievements, England j Book Basics held a huge world's fair–like event called The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations. AUTHOR The Great Exhibition opened on May 1, 1851, and took place in Charles Dickens London's Hyde Park in a 19-acre iron-and-glass structure YEAR PUBLISHED known as the Crystal Palace. This building embodied the 1852–53 technological advances of the time. Sections were prefabricated in Birmingham—a center of the Industrial GENRE Revolution—and transported to London for assembly. The Drama, Romance Birmingham and London teams kept in close contact via telegraph. In less than nine months the huge "palace" was PERSPECTIVE AND NARRATOR complete, and the Exhibition opened on schedule. On display Parts of Bleak House are told in the third person by an were roughly 100,000 items from more than 15,000 omniscient narrator; other sections are told in the first person contributors throughout the world. The United States, for by the main character, Esther Summerson. She is the only first- Bleak House Study Guide In Context 2

example, exhibited a McCormick reaper, a cotton gin, several Chancellor, and the equity court came to be known as the Colt revolvers, some Goodyear rubber products, an Court of Chancery. The Chancellor and his subordinates did "unpickable" lock, and two sculptures. not need to refer to precedent or codified law; they decided cases based on arguments and did not have to justify their To anyone who has visited a county or state fair, The Great decisions. Judges' decisions and court arguments were Exhibition might have seemed a bit tame. But in 1851 it was gathered together and called case law to be published in unique. There were soft drinks and other refreshments, public books. Being a judge became a full-time job, as did being a restrooms, and free samples of products like chocolates and barrister. Barristers had no relationship with clients; their job cologne. Visitors could buy a one-day or season ticket. When was to argue before the court. A solicitor interacted with the the exhibition ended on October 11, more than 6 million people client, prepared the case, and hired the barrister. had visited. In Victorian England, inheritance law was tricky, as Dickens With Bleak House, Dickens wanted to remind his readers that illustrates with the Jarndyce and Jarndyce inheritance case in all was not right in England. As a journalist Dickens wrote many Bleak House. Cases involving large estates could last years. positive articles about the Great Exhibition, which celebrated Inheritance law involved not only common law and equity law, England's progress. However Dickens resented its one-sided but also civil (codified) law and canon (church) law. This was view of society, ignoring England's many ills. As early as for reasons of both custom and greed. By custom, land January 1851, he wrote an article responding to the plans for holdings were kept intact by leaving them to the oldest male the Exhibition. In it he asked, "Which of my children shall heir; this was the law of primogeniture. Because historically the behold the Princes, Prelates, Nobles, Merchants, of England, king gave land to his supporters, real property (land and the equally united, for another Exhibition—for a great display of structures on the land) lay under the authority of the royal England's sins and negligences, to be ... set right?" During the (common law) courts. Personal property—property that could Exhibition itself, he began working on the concept of Bleak be moved around—was historically the province of House, which would explore societal woes the Great Exhibition ecclesiastical (church) courts. Because marriages and deaths ignored. were dealt with by the church, disputes regarding marriage contracts and wills fell under the church's jurisdiction. The church encouraged people to leave money, shares, and Victorian Courts valuable objects to multiple heirs—including, of course, the church itself. Having multiple heirs to large estates led to Even today the English legal system is based largely on controversy, and the equitable settlement of such common law, which is sometimes called customary law. It controversies came under the jurisdiction of the Court of derives from the decisions of judges made over the course of Chancery. Finally, although marriage was within the purview of centuries, unlike law that derives from legal codes and statutes the church, children might not be: When an orphan inherited created by legislators. Common law was administered by royal property but had no guardian, it fell to the Court of Chancery courts, and royal judges traveled around the country doling out to look after the orphan's interests. the king's justice. Therefore common law seldom took local customs into account, which sometimes led to claims of Bleak House drew not only on Dickens's early experiences with unfairness. The common law courts became known for other the British justice system through his father's arrests for debt unfair practices, too, such as long delays and preferential and his work as a law clerk and court reporter, but also on his treatment for the rich and powerful, who could bribe or personal disappointment in the Court of Chancery. In 1844 he otherwise influence judges. sued a publisher for printing a slightly revised penny edition of his novel A Christmas Carol, which had come out just three Slowly but surely law codes developed—especially in cases weeks earlier. Although Dickens won an injunction against his involving property—and were applied in the royal courts. opponents, which prevented them from selling their version, he Judges increasingly demanded written documentation; where ended up having to pay the court costs when they declared formal proof was unavailable, fair decisions could not be bankruptcy; the court costs used up most of his profits from A reached. A law of equity (fairness) was needed. Administering Christmas Carol. equity law eventually fell under the jurisdiction of the Lord

The Bleak House Illustrations Dark Plate Technique

Browne also used a technique called dark plates, which is Illustrations were an important part of almost all of Dickens's useful in depicting mood rather than plot or character. The major works. The English illustrator Hablot Knight Browne, technique emphasizes light and shadow over detail. Rather known by the pen name Phiz, collaborated with Dickens for 23 than creating patches of darkness in an otherwise light image years on 10 of the author's 15 novels, including Bleak House. by engraving limited areas of parallel lines on the plate that are In general the purpose of illustrations in a Victorian work of close together or crisscrossed, Browne used a ruling machine fiction was interpretive. The artist sought to indicate to cover the entire plate with fine lines, thus making the whole characters' personalities, clarify thematic relationships, and image dark and indicating nighttime, dark weather, or a severe emphasize symbols. The element of caricature that so often London fog. Only 10 of the 40 illustrations in Bleak House use featured in the illustrations in Dickens's novels suited his this technique. frequent use of exaggeration, sarcasm, and irony when commenting on characters in the narration. Just as the author did in his text, Browne also used motifs to great effect in his a Author Biography images. For instance, in the first three illustrations featuring

Esther (Chapters 3, 4, and 5), her face is completely or partially Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth, England, on February turned from the viewer. This motif returns after Esther's face 7, 1812. His father, John, was a naval payroll clerk, so Charles has been scarred by smallpox. grew up in port towns. When Charles was 10, the family moved to Camden Town, a poor neighborhood in London. Just two Bleak House posed particular challenges for the illustrator. years later, John Dickens was jailed for debt. This was Browne's art needed to clearly depict scenes and characters; it Dickens's introduction to the ponderous and inscrutable British also needed to represent the novel's symbolically dark legal system, which is a central theme in Bleak House as well atmosphere, which Dickens described in passages about fog, as a number of his other novels. dismal weather, night, and dark city streets.

While his father was in prison, Dickens worked a menial factory Browne's response was to use two distinct types of illustration: job to support himself and his family. He was able to return to Victorian images and a technique called dark plates. school at 13 and finished his education at 15 and got a job as a law clerk. It wasn't long, though, before he left and embarked Victorian Images on his writing career—as a freelance court reporter. Several years later, Dickens was working as a parliamentary reporter, Browne used typical early Victorian cartoon-like images that journalist, and fiction writer and publishing regular installments focused on showing characters' looks, body language, and under the pseudonym "Boz" of what would become his first positions within a given scene. A good example is in Chapter book, Sketches by Boz (1836). During this time, John Dickens 14. The characters from the novel are depicted much as was arrested for debt again and looked to his son Charles to Dickens described them—in caricature: Prince Turveydrop settle his debts. In fact, Charles's brothers and both his stands in the center, kit in hand, demonstrating a graceful parents continued to rely on him for support. It is fortunate that dance step for his students. But it is Mr. Turveydrop who by the time he was 30, Charles Dickens was a popular author seems to dominate the scene; with his tight clothes, primped in both Europe and North America and, in addition to earnings wig, and perfect deportment, his large figure stands looking from his writing, would come to have a substantial income from down his nose from the sidelines, with the rear view of his wig speaking and reading tours in Britain and abroad. shown in the mirror behind him. Dickens's early books tended to be lighter in tone and to end happily despite their powerful social criticism. However, by the time he began writing Bleak House in 1851—the first installments were published in 1852—the atmosphere of his books had taken on a darker tinge and his plots no longer led

to such happy outcomes. This reflected a number of sad Esther, whose beauty is often remarked on by others, plays experiences in his personal life: his sister, Fanny, died in 1848; down her looks. When nursing a sick boy, she gets smallpox, his father and his 8-month-old daughter died in 1851; and his which leaves her face scarred. Her altered looks become a relationship with his wife continued to deteriorate. touchstone by which both Esther and readers can discern the relative goodness of the people around her. Although many critics today consider Dickens's ninth novel, Bleak House, one of the greatest of all Victorian novels, in its own time its reception was mixed. Some praised it as his best John Jarndyce work to date. Others complained that Dickens had nothing new to offer in Bleak House; it was just another group of flat, Despite his desire to stay as far as possible from Chancery eccentric characters engaged in a messy and improbable plot and the infamous Jarndyce case, John Jarndyce takes in his line. Still others thought Dickens had gone beyond social two teenaged cousins, who are wards of the Court of criticism, trying to spur readers to take action against Chancery. He also becomes the guardian of another girl, England's social problems; this, critics said, was not the job of Esther Summerson, whose education he has paid for. Jarndyce fiction. One critic in particular, G.H. Lewes, objected to the way is generous to a fault and holds no grudges. Time and again one of the characters dies—by bursting into flames for no throughout Bleak House he puts others before himself. apparent reason; spontaneous combustion, Lewes said, is chemically and physiologically impossible. In the 1853 book edition of Bleak House, Dickens responded to Lewes's Lady Honoria Dedlock objection in his preface by listing several cases of spontaneous combustion and in Chapter 30 by adding a paragraph referring Lady Dedlock may appear haughty and bored, but this chilly to expert testimony on the subject. Regardless of any critical exterior hides a longing for the baby she lost in childbirth long fault-finding, Dickens fans hungrily devoured each installment before she met her husband, Sir Leicester. Seeing children in as usual. happy families never fails to upset her and make her restless. After Bleak House, Charles Dickens wrote five more novels. He When she begins investigating her own past, she sets in was working on a sixth when, on June 8, 1870, he suffered a motion a series of events: she discovers her baby lived, she is stroke. He died the following day and was buried in Poets' blackmailed by her husband's legal advisor, and finally she dies Corner in London's Westminster Abbey. while attempting to protect Sir Leicester's reputation. h Characters Sir Leicester Dedlock

Sir Leicester's family has always been influential in politics, and he is very concerned with the ins and outs of government. Esther Summerson Unfortunately, times are changing, and his influence is on the wane. Sir Leicester's great love is his wife, Honoria Dedlock, Esther Summerson is one of the two narrators in Bleak House. but even his selfless devotion cannot save her when his trusted Writing seven years after the events take place, she tells those legal advisor begins investigating her secrets. When hearing parts of the story that she experienced. Despite growing up in that his wife is under threat, he is so upset that he suffers a a house without affection, Esther is cheerful, kind, and self- stroke. sacrificing. Having been taught as a child that she is worthless, Esther is constantly surprised to learn how much others love her. She manages to remain optimistic and loving despite Ada Clare learning that much of what she knew about herself was wrong. The woman who raised her was not her godmother, but her Ada and her cousin Richard Carstone are taken in by their aunt. Her mother is not dead, but very much alive. When they older cousin John Jarndyce. The two young cousins soon fall in are reunited, Esther immediately accepts and loves her mother. love. Asked by cousin John to restrain her feelings for Richard

until his life becomes more settled, Ada remains at Bleak House for several years before finally marrying Richard in secret.

Richard Carstone

Richard and his cousin Ada Clare are taken in by their older cousin John Jarndyce. The two young cousins soon fall in love. Convinced that he will inherit a fortune and not need to work, Richard tries several professions but succeeds at none. He becomes obsessed with the Jarndyce case, believing he can somehow help bring it to an end so that he and Ada can inherit. This obsession destroys his relationship with his cousin John, makes Ada miserable, and ends in Richard's death.

Character Map

Adviser

John Jarndyce Generous 60-year-old owner of Bleak House Guardian

Ada Clare Allan Woodcourt Orphaned Jarndyce heir; Charitable surgeon ward of Chancery Engaged

Marries

Companions Married cousins

Esther Summerson Orphaned; raised by her loveless godmother Richard Carstone Mr. Tulkinghorn Orphaned Jarndyce heir; Ruthless lawyer ward of Chancery

Secret mother

Blackmails

Lady Honoria Dedlock Sir Leicester Dedlock Haughty, bored Baronet; master of Chesney aristocrat; envied by the Spouses Wold estate fashionable elite

Main Character

Other Major Character

Minor Character

Full Character List Malta Bagnet Malta is the Bagnets' older daughter.

Quebec is the Bagnets' younger Quebec Bagnet Character Description daughter.

Esther Summerson grows up Woolwich is the Bagnets' son and believing herself an orphan. After her Woolwich Esther Mr. George's godson; like his father, godmother dies, a mysterious person Bagnet Summerson Woolwich is a musician. becomes her guardian. He is later revealed to be John Jarndyce. Until her death when Esther was nearly 14, Esther's aunt, the stern One of the heirs to the Jarndyce will, Miss Barbary and highly religious Miss Barbary, which is tied up in Chancery, John John Jarndyce raised the girl in lonely Jarndyce is the single, 60-year-old circumstances. owner of Bleak House.

Blaze and Blaze and Sparkle run a jewelry shop Lady Dedlock is the haughty, bored, Lady Honoria Sparkle together and are always of one mind. and fashionable wife of Sir Leicester Dedlock Dedlock. Mrs. Blinder, a kind woman with a Mrs. Blinder house in Bell Yard, rents rooms to Sir Leicester Dedlock is a baronet the Necketts and Mr. Gridley. and the owner of Chesney Wold. He Sir Leicester is proud of his family's history, which Dedlock Mr. Bogsby owns the Sol's Arms pub he considers closely linked with the Mr. Bogsby success of the nation. on Cursitor Street.

Ada Clare is an orphan and one of Lord Boodle is an acquaintance of Ada Clare the wards of the court in the Lord Boodle the Dedlocks who misses the old Jarndyce case. days.

Richard Carstone is an orphan who John Jarndyce's old school friend Richard is one of the wards of the court in Lawrence Boythorn is a large, Carstone the Jarndyce case. Lawrence boisterous ex-soldier prone to Boythorn exaggeration but with a heart of gold; he is also Sir Leicester's The London-based surgeon Bayham neighbor. Badger is Conversation Kenge's Bayham Badger cousin and agrees to supervise Richard Carstone's medical Mr. Bucket is a professional education. Mr. Bucket detective who investigates a series of mysterious events.

Mrs. Badger is on her third husband; she may be older than the current Mrs. Bucket is the inspector's clever Mrs. Badger Mrs. Bucket Mr. Badger, but she dresses like a wife. younger woman. William Buffy is a member of Matthew Bagnet is a former soldier, William Buffy Parliament and an acquaintance of Matthew Bagnet bassoonist, and Mr. George's old Sir Leicester's. army friend. The Reverend Mr. Chadband is a Matthew's wife, Mrs. Bagnet, is an self-satisfied, smarmy preacher of no Mrs. Bagnet industrious woman who has the Mr. Chadband particular denomination who tries to bearing of a soldier herself. make himself look good by preaching at Jo.

Mrs. Chadband is the name of Miss The pleasant Mr. Grubble is the Barbary's former servant, Mrs. landlord of the Dedlock Arms, the Mr. Grubble Rachael, after she marries the pub in the village near Chesney Mrs. Chadband preacher Mr. Chadband. She marries Wold. him after inheriting her mistress's house and property. Mr. Guppy is a clever law clerk at William Guppy Kenge and Carboy's; he falls for The Chancellor is the highest judge Esther Summerson at first sight. Chancellor in the Court of Chancery. Mr. Gusher is an exuberant speaker Mr. Gusher Darby is the police constable who for philanthropic causes. Darby goes to Tom-all-Alone's to look for Jo with Mr. Bucket and Mr. Snagsby. Called Guster, the Snagsbys' Guster unhappy servant is a workhouse girl An unspecified number of poor originally named Augusta. cousins gather at Chesney Wold; Sir Dedlock cousins Leicester Dedlock supports them financially, and they in turn support Lady Dedlock's personal maid, Sir Leicester's political efforts. Hortense Hortense, is French; she is ready to defend her position in the household.

Sir Leicester's 60-year-old cousin, Volumnia Volumnia, has no money of her own Though he died before the events of Bleak House, Tom Jarndyce exerts Dedlock despite being related to the Tom Jarndyce Dedlocks. an influence over his great-nephew, John Jarndyce.

Professor Dingo, a highly respected Professor Dingo academic, was Mrs. Badger's second Caroline Jellyby, the Jellybys' oldest husband. Caddy Jellyby daughter, acts as her mother's secretary.

There are actually two Miss He is Mrs. Jellyby's henpecked Donnys—identical twins—who run a Mr. Jellyby Miss Donny small boarding school where Esther husband. Summerson is trained as a governess. She is a philanthropist who is very involved in projects in Africa but who Mrs. Jellyby Esther, who is Caddy Jellyby's pays little attention to matters at Esther daughter and Esther Summerson's home. goddaughter, is a sickly baby. Peepy Jellyby He is the Jellybys' neglected son. In the perpetual hope that her case will be heard, Miss Flite—a crazy, Miss Flite Jenny is the wife of an abusive birdlike old woman—attends brickmaker; while Esther and Ada Jenny Chancery court daily. are visiting Jenny, her baby dies in her arms. After leaving the army, Mr. George opens a shooting gallery in London; Mr. George He is a boy in Tom-all-Alone's who he is later revealed to be Mrs. sweeps street crossings, knows Jo Rouncewell's younger son. Nemo, guides Lady Dedlock, and generally connects all the storylines. Mr. Gridley, who has lost everything in a Chancery case, moves to Mr. Gridley He is a legal copywriter and friend of London from Shropshire to attend Tony Jobling Mr. Guppy's, who takes on the alias court. Mr. Weevle for part of the novel.

Conversation Kenge—so called Egbert, Mrs. Pardiggle's oldest son, because he talks a lot—is a senior Egbert Pardiggle is forced to participate in all her Conversation partner in the law firm of Kenge and causes. Kenge Carboy, solicitors, and represents John Jarndyce in the Jarndyce case. Felix is Mrs. Pardiggle's fourth son Felix Pardiggle and is forced to participate in all her An eccentric old man who sells old causes. rope and other junk, Krook hoards Krook old papers even though he cannot Francis is Mrs. Pardiggle's third son read or write. Francis and is forced to participate in all her Pardiggle causes. Liz, Jenny's close friend, puts friendship ahead of her own well- Liz being when she goes against her Mrs. Pardiggle works on a number of husband's wishes to help Jenny. Mrs. Pardiggle general committees and is always asking Mr. Jarndyce for donations.

Mooney is the name of the parish Mooney Oswald is Mrs. Pardiggle's second beadle in Cook's Court. Oswald son and is forced to participate in all Pardiggle her causes. Mercury is the name used by the Mercury narrator to refer to any one of Sir Leicester's footmen. Mrs. Perkins is a neighbor of Krook's Mrs. Perkins in Cook's Court and a friend of Mrs. Piper's. A solicitor in Clifford's Inn who deals Melchisedech with loans, Melchisedech refuses to accept Mr. George's business. Mrs. Piper is a neighbor of Krook's in Anastasia Piper Cook's Court and the only witness at Nemo's inquest. Miss Melvilleson is the misleading Miss M. stage name of a singer who is Priscilla is the Jellybys' heavy- Melvilleson secretly married and the target of Priscilla gossip in Cursitor Street. drinking, inefficient maid.

Mr. Quale is an admirer of Charlotte Neckett is the debt Mr. Quale Charley Neckett collector's daughter and old beyond philanthropic endeavors. her years. Mrs. Rachael is Miss Barbary's only servant; after inheriting her Emma Neckett Emma is Charley's baby sister. Mrs. Rachael mistress's house and property, she marries a preacher, Mr. Chadband. The debt collector, Mr. Neckett, is Mr. Neckett nicknamed "Coavinses" by Harold Ada Clare and Richard Carstone's Skimpole, whom he arrests for debt. Richard son is named after his father.

Tom Neckett Tom is Charley's little brother. The Dedlocks' beautiful, dark-haired Rosa maid is a local girl from the village. This name is used by Captain Nemo Hawdon, former officer and lover of Lady Dedlock, now a legal copyist. An engineer by profession, Mrs. Mr. Rouncewell Rouncewell's older son owns a blast furnace for smelting iron. Alfred is Mrs. Pardiggle's youngest Alfred Pardiggle son and is forced to participate in all her causes.

Sir Leicester's aging housekeeper Mr. Snagsby is the henpecked owner Mr. Snagsby Mrs. Rouncewell has been with the family for 50 of a legal stationery shop. years.

Mrs. Snagsby, a small, ill-tempered Mrs. Rouncewell's grandson has Mrs. Snagsby woman, keeps her husband on a finished his engineering tight rein. Watt Rouncewell apprenticeship and plans to follow in his father's footsteps. Phil Squod works for Mr. George in Phil Squod the shooting gallery. The mercers, Sheen and Gloss, sell Sheen and Gloss fine fabrics to the fashionable set. An unemployed young relative of the Dedlocks, Bob Stables is obsessed Bob Stables Arethusa Arethusa is Harold Skimpole's with horses and thinks entirely in Skimpole "Beauty daughter." equine terms.

Although he can be witty and Little Swills is an impressionist who entertaining, Harold Skimpole is a Little Swills imitates well-known individuals for Harold Skimpole self-centered sponger who the amusement of his audiences. frequently stays at Bleak House.

Captain Swosser, a naval officer, Kitty is Harold Skimpole's "Comedy Captain Swosser was Mrs. Badger's first husband and Kitty Skimpole daughter." great love.

Laura is Harold Skimpole's A barrister working on the Jarndyce Laura Skimpole "Sentiment daughter." case, Mr. Tangle uses words to Mr. Tangle suggest his ideas rather than state them. Harold Skimpole's wife, Mrs. Mrs. Skimpole Skimpole, was once beautiful but is now an invalid. Thomas Thomas is a groom at Chesney Wold.

Mr. Sladdery, a bookseller, knows He is a ruthless Chancery solicitor Mr. Sladdery everyone who's anyone. who collects secrets to give him Mr. Tulkinghorn power over others and blackmails Lady Dedlock. William Guppy's friend Young (Bart) Bart Smallweed Smallweed is only a teenager, but he has already seen it all. Mr. Turveydrop is an older gentleman who owns a dance Mr. Turveydrop academy and is bone idle but highly An ill-tempered old man, Bart regarded for his deportment. Grandfather Smallweed's grandfather makes his Smallweed living by lending out money at exorbitant interest. Prince Turveydrop, Mr. Turveydrop's Prince son, teaches dancing; he meets and Turveydrop marries one of his students, Caddy Grandmother Smallweed, a senile old Jellyby. Grandmother woman, is the only child-like member Smallweed of her family and the frequent target of her husband's bad temper. Richard Carstone's sallow- complected solicitor, Mr. Vholes, is Mr. Vholes more interested in Richard's money The Smallweeds' granddaughter, than his case. Judy, looks and acts a lot older than Judy Smallweed she is—just like her twin brother, Bart.

13, her godmother dies, and a mysterious benefactor pays for Miss Wisk is a friend of Mr. Quale's (later his fiancée) who is committed her to go to boarding school. Six years later she is taken to Miss Wisk to her mission—whatever that may London, where she meets Richard Carstone and Ada Clare. be at the moment. Both are teenaged orphans, heirs in the Jarndyce case, and wards of the Chancery court; they are to live with their much The young doctor Allan Woodcourt older cousin, John Jarndyce, who is also Esther's benefactor puts the wellbeing of his patients and guardian. They meet outside the Chancellor's office. While Allan Woodcourt first; perhaps that's why he needs to take a job as a ship's surgeon on a there they talk with Miss Flite, a slightly nutty old lady who clipper bound for Asia. attends court every day with her documents, hoping for a settlement. After spending the night with a befuddled do- Allan Woodcourt's mother is very gooder, Mrs. Jellyby, and her neglected family, the three young Mrs. Woodcourt concerned about her royal Welsh people meet Miss Flite again and go to her flat, which is above bloodline. a rag and bone shop run by an old illiterate alcoholic who hoards things, especially papers. His name is Krook. In the afternoon, the three are taken to Bleak House, near St. Albans, k Plot Summary where they meet the generous and charming Mr. Jarndyce—another Jarndyce heir—and his light-hearted acquaintance Harold Skimpole, who makes his living by Bleak House is set mostly in London, especially in areas near accepting hospitality and monetary gifts from friends and the Inns of Court, where the Court of Chancery is located. unintentional supporters. Esther is to act as Ada's companion Other important settings are Bleak House and the Chesney and Jarndyce's ward and housekeeper. It doesn't take long for Wold estate in Lincolnshire. Esther and her guardian to become close friends, and she The main character, Esther Summerson, narrates roughly half eventually learns that her supposed godmother was actually the chapters, and her life touches the lives of the majority of her aunt. the other characters to a greater or lesser extent. The Dedlocks bounce back and forth between their The plot revolves around three main storylines: Lincolnshire estate—Chesney Wold—and their London mansion. Much of this movement results from Lady Dedlock's 1. The Jarndyce and Jarndyce inheritance case has been restlessness. Sir Leicester dotes on his beautiful younger wife caught in Chancery for several decades already, but which and keeps himself busy with English political intrigue. He is a finally concludes near the end of the novel. While not man of the old school, fond of tradition and guided by the directly involved in the Jarndyce case, Esther Summerson is notion that England would be worse off without a Dedlock to closely involved with three Jarndyce heirs. keep it on course. Unfortunately, it is a changing world, and the 2. The secret past of Lady Honoria Dedlock inspires the son of his own housekeeper, Mrs. Rouncewell, has become mystery several characters, including Lady Dedlock herself, wealthy by using his engineering knowhow to achieve success work to solve. The solution brings her and Esther together. in the iron-making industry. Now he also has become involved 3. The secret identity of Mr. George is less mysterious and in politics. Lady Dedlock is not interested in politics; she wishes much less fatal than Lady Dedlock's secret, and George she had a daughter. Once she was in love with a man she does a great deal of good along the way. In the end, he is hoped to marry. She became pregnant; the man was in the there to fill the emptiness left by Lady Dedlock. army and often away. Her baby daughter was born but, as far as she knows, died immediately. She never saw her lover again, There are also a number of minor storylines that have to do and it was rumored he had died. One day she sees his largely with Esther's many friendships and Sir Leicester handwriting on some legal documents pertaining to the Dedlock's colleagues and cousins. Jarndyce case, in which she has a distant interest. Taken aback, she asks who copied the document. This awakens the Esther Summerson is raised by her godmother without curiosity of her husband's legal advisor, Mr. Tulkinghorn—an affection or praise. Esther has always wondered about her avid collector of aristocratic secrets. mother: Who was she? What happened to her? When Esther is

Near the Inns of Court is a rather more ordinary part of town, his new lawyer; Esther doesn't like him. Back at Bleak House, Cook's Court, where Mr. Snagsby's law stationer's shop is Mr. Jarndyce writes Esther a letter proposing marriage, and located. Mr. Tulkinghorn comes to the shop one day to ask she accepts, quelling her feelings for Allan Woodcourt now about one of his copyists—a man known as Nemo. Nemo, Mr. that she has been disfigured by smallpox. Snagsby says, lives in nearby Cursitor Street above Krook's rag and bone shop. When Tulkinghorn arrives, Nemo is lying Richard has now lost interest in the army, too. All he wants to dead in his room. The upstairs neighbor, who turns out to be do is follow the Jarndyce case. He has begun to lose weight, as Miss Flite, is sent to fetch a doctor and comes back with two, Esther discovers when she visits him in Deal. He seems one of whom is Allan Woodcourt. Nemo has died of an opium distracted, and Esther is worried. Mr. Woodcourt, who has overdose. At the inquest the next day, a crossing sweeper gone to sea as a ship's doctor, arrives in Deal while Esther is called Jo is asked for information about Nemo, but can say there and promises to keep tabs on Richard in London. Richard only that Nemo helped him whenever he could by giving him and Ada secretly marry. coins or food. Mr. Snagsby, the law stationer, takes over that Allan Woodcourt happens to find Jo in Tom-all-Alone's and role from then on, which arouses suspicion in his wife. Mr. takes him to Mr. George's shooting gallery to protect him from Tulkinghorn mentions to Lady Dedlock that the person who the police, but Jo dies. With Mr. Bucket's help, Tulkinghorn has transcribed that document she saw is dead. Lady Dedlock figured out Lady Dedlock's secret, and he threatens to tell her disguises herself as a servant and wears a veil. She goes to husband. The next day, he is found dead in his office, shot Cursitor Street, where she meets Jo. Jo shows her the through the heart. Mr. George is arrested for the murder. While stationer's shop, the building where Nemo lived, and the burial he's in prison, he receives a visit from his mother, who is Mrs. ground where he's buried. Rouncewell, Sir Leicester's housekeeper. Mr. Bucket visits Sir

Richard and Ada have fallen in love, but they are too young to Leicester and tells him Lady Dedlock's secret; then the marry. Because his inheritance cannot be counted on, Richard detective arrests Hortense. Sir Leicester has a stroke. Lady needs to train in a profession. But Richard protests that he will Dedlock, afraid she will be arrested for murdering Tulkinghorn be rich and cannot make up his mind to be interested in and wanting to spare her husband's pride when the scandal medicine, the law, the army, or the clergy. Nevertheless, after about her past becomes known, decides to kill herself. She some time, he decides to try medicine. After a few months he runs away, and Mr. Bucket and Esther pursue her. But before decides to try the law instead. Meanwhile, Esther and the they find her, she dies at the gate of the burial ground where others have been visiting Chesney Wold; there, Esther sees Nemo was buried. Mr. George is freed and reunited with Sir Lady Dedlock and feels uneasy. Richard goes to Mr. Leicester; George accompanies him back to Chesney Wold, Jarndyce's lawyer's office and sits for weeks and months where he remains to look after his old friend and be close to poring over the documents in the Jarndyce case. When he has his mother. read them all, he declares himself more interested in the army. The Jarndyce case finally ends; the costs have eaten up the His fencing tutor is Mr. George. entire inheritance. Richard dies, leaving Ada pregnant. Mr.

Mr. Tulkinghorn is still investigating Lady Dedlock's mysterious Jarndyce, realizing that Esther and Allan love each other, has interest in the law copyist. He sets a particularly clever bought them a cottage, which he calls Bleak House. Then he detective on the case—Mr. Bucket. Jo's encounter with the arranges their marriage. Ada has a son named Richard, and veiled woman becomes known, and Mr. Bucket gets Snagsby Allan and Esther have two daughters; they live happily as a to help him locate and interrogate Jo. family.

Jo has been told to "move on" and turns up near Bleak House with a high fever. Esther takes him in, but the next day he's gone. Esther becomes ill with smallpox and is left with scarring on her face. She goes to stay with Mr. Jarndyce's friend Lawrence Boythorn at Chesney Wold to recuperate. While out walking, she meets Lady Dedlock who reveals she is Esther's mother. Richard is on leave and arrives at Chesney Wold with

Plot Diagram

Climax

10 12 9 Falling Action

8 Rising Action 13

6 14

15 4 Resolution 3

Introduction

9. Lady Dedlock leaves a note and runs into the night. Introduction 10. Sir Leicester is found in the library after a stroke.

1. Esther, Ada, and Richard move in with John Jarndyce.

Climax

Rising Action 11. Bucket and Esther find Lady Dedlock's body.

2. Nemo dies, and Krook steals some letters from him.

3. Disguised, Lady Dedlock has Jo take her to Nemo's grave. Falling Action 4. Guppy tells Lady Dedlock Esther is Hawdon's daughter. 12. Jarndyce secretly arranges for Allan and Esther to marry. 5. Lady Dedlock tells Esther she's Esther's mother. 13. Costs have used up the Jarndyce money, and Richard dies. 6. Tulkinghorn tells Lady Dedlock he knows about Hawdon. 14. George moves to Chesney Wold to take care of Sir 7. He threatens to tell Sir Leicester and is later murdered. Leicester.

8. Bucket investigates and arrests Hortense for the murder.

Resolution

15. Esther, Allan, Ada, and Jarndyce are an extended family.

Timeline of Events

November

Lady Dedlock asks about the handwriting on a legal document; Tulkinghorn gets curious. About the same time

Esther, Ada, and Richard move in with John Jarndyce at Bleak House; Esther takes over housekeeping. In winter

Tulkinghorn and Krook find Nemo dead; Krook steals some letters; Nemo is put in the burial ground. Summer

Richard quits medicine to start working at Kenge and Carboy's; Guppy starts investigating Nemo. Cold fall morning

George refuses to give Tulkinghorn a sample of Captain Hawdon's handwriting. Soon afterward

Guppy tells Lady Dedlock Esther is Captain Hawdon's daughter; she realizes her child is alive. Later

Esther falls ill and briefly loses her sight; her face is scarred from the illness. Late fall

Krook dies of spontaneous combustion; the Smallweeds and Tulkinghorn search his property. Soon afterward

Tulkinghorn gets handwriting sample from George; Lady Dedlock tells Esther she's Esther's mother. Summer

Tulkinghorn tells Lady Dedlock he knows about Captain Hawdon; he threatens to have Hortense jailed. About the same time

Esther tells Jarndyce Lady Dedlock is her mother; he asks Esther to marry him, and she accepts. Sometime later

Richard devotes himself to the Jarndyce case; Woodcourt promises Esther he'll watch over Richard. Winter

Woodcourt finds Jo on the street and takes him to George; Jo receives several visitors before dying. The same day

Tulkinghorn threatens to tell Sir Leicester about Hawdon and is later shot dead in his office. The next day

Bucket arrests George for Tulkinghorn's murder; Mrs. Bagnet goes to Chesney Wold to find his mother. A day later

Bucket tells Sir Leicester what Tulkinghorn knew and arrests Hortense; Sir Leicester has a stroke. At the same time

A letter accuses Lady Dedlock of the murder; her secret is out; she writes a suicide note. The next day

Bucket and Esther pursue Lady Dedlock but find her too late; she is dead on the burial ground step. Summer

Woodcourt tells Esther he loves her; Jarndyce secretly buys a cottage for them, and they marry. After summer recess

The Jarndyce case ends—the money has all gone to costs; Richard dies; Miss Flite releases her birds.

Copyright © 2019 Course Hero, Inc. Bleak House Study Guide Chapter Summaries 17 c Chapter Summaries been waiting years for their cases to be decided. The Jarndyce and Jarndyce case has been going on for so long it has become "a joke in the [legal] profession." It is an inheritance case, and some heirs have died, while others have Preface–Chapter 1 been born; still others have married into the family. Today the Chancellor postpones further discussion of the case until two weeks from Wednesday, but says he is about to meet with a Summary "young girl and boy" as to whether or not they may go to live with a distant cousin and "will mention the matter" when court resumes in the morning. Preface

A Chancery judge once told Dickens any delays in Chancery Analysis were due to the "parsimony of the public," who didn't want any more Chancery judges. In the Preface, Dickens assures As a journalist Dickens was used to researching the facts of readers what Bleak House says about Chancery "is cases, and he often included details taken from actual events substantially true." The Gridley case is taken from published in his novels. He did so in two ways—he would mention actual reports of a real one. As he is writing the Preface, one current people and historical or contemporary events in the narration, suit has been tied up in Chancery for nearly 20 years; it has and he would base characters and plots on actual people and involved up to 40 lawyers at any given time and has consumed events. This is what he does in Bleak House as well, as he £70,000 in costs so far—even though it's "a friendly suit." explains in his preface to the first complete edition, written in Another case was begun at the end of the 18th century and is 1853. At that time few readers would have disagreed with him still running in the middle of the 19th century; it has consumed about Chancery, but on the subject of spontaneous more than £140,000 in costs so far. combustion, most scientists would have agreed with Mr. Lewes. In response to Mr. Lewes's letters taking Dickens to task for the manner of Krook's death in Bleak House and "arguing that In Chapter 1 Dickens describes the setting. It is November in spontaneous combustion could not possibly be," Dickens London, and the weather is typical: wet and foggy. Because assures readers he did the research and found about 30 the Industrial Revolution was characterized by crowded cities documented instances of spontaneous combustion, including in which people, businesses, and factories burned coal as fuel, the deaths of a countess in Italy and a French woman. He those cities, especially London, were known for their "pea includes "general reference to the authorities" in the novel. soupers"—fogs so dark with soot it was hard to see. When visibility was particularly bad, people carried lanterns to see where they were going. These "black fogs" continued into the Chapter 1 mid-20th century. In Chapter 1 Dickens takes this intrusive, blinding, choking black fog and turns it into a powerful symbol Chapter 1 begins on a November afternoon in London with of the Chancery system. After describing the scene on the muddy streets, irritable pedestrians, and soot from chimneys streets, he leads the reader to the center of the fog: Chancery drifting down. Fog is creeping in. It's so dark the shops have itself. After talking about how pedestrians have slipped on the had to turn their lights on early. The fog is deepest at Temple muddy pavements, he now says members of the court are Bar, the gate between Westminster and the City of London. "tripping one another up on slippery precedents." After talking Nearby is the Court of Chancery, where the Chancellor sits "at about mud so deep that the horses have been "splashed to the very heart of the fog." Court is in session; the Chancellor is their very blinkers," he describes court members as "groping hearing the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case with about 20 knee-deep in technicalities." Like the people outside on the barristers in attendance. This case has been going on so long streets, they can't see clearly, so they keep "running their goat- now that none of the court reporters show up for it any more. hair and horsehair warded heads against walls of words." (The The audience consists of just three people, all of whom have words goat-hair and horsehair refer to the wigs English

barristers and judges wear in court.) honest man; in fact, he says what he likes and doesn't worry about who might be offended by it. Although he's nearing By exploring this symbol, Dickens introduces the Court of 70—20 years older than his wife—Sir Leicester treats Lady Chancery, the topic which ties together the plotlines in Bleak Dedlock with a "gallantry ... which has never changed since he House. He also introduces his main theme: the issue of law courted her." Sir Leicester married Lady Dedlock out of love versus justice as exemplified by the inhumane and destructive even though, it is rumored, she did not come from a good Chancery system. family. Today she is a beautiful and fashionable woman.

Chancery cases were long, drawn-out processes serving no A footman (the narrator calls him "a Mercury" or simply one but the courts and the solicitors and barristers involved in "Mercury" throughout the novel, after the Greek mythological them. It was not unheard of for inheritance cases, such as figure who was the messenger of the gods) escorts Mr. Jarndyce and Jarndyce, to drag on so long the inheritance was Tulkinghorn to see Lady Dedlock. He is an old-fashioned largely consumed by the costs (court fees and the payment solicitor and the legal advisor to many aristocratic families, owed to solicitors and barristers). Dickens mentions three in including the Dedlocks. In social settings, he never speaks but the preface to the first edition of Bleak House: the Gridley always listens and collects information about the fashionable case, which he also discusses in the novel, and two cases that people he deals with. Mr. Tulkinghorn says Lady Dedlock's were still running at the time of the novel's publication—one case was discussed in Chancery again today and reads from that had already been before the court for two decades and the proceedings. Lady Dedlock "sees the papers on the another that had begun at the end of the 18th century, over 50 table—looks at them nearer and asks impulsively, 'Who copied years earlier. that?'" Then asks, "Is it what you people call law-hand?" Mr. Tulkinghorn reads on. Sir Leicester falls asleep but wakes up Dickens also introduces several recurring characters in this suddenly when Mr. Tulkinghorn says he thinks "Lady Dedlock chapter, although he does not give their names at this time: the is ill." She says she's just feeling faint "but it is like the faintness audience members—the mad old woman (Miss Flite), the man of death" and asks to be taken to her room. from Shropshire (Mr. Gridley), the two young people (Ada Clare and Richard Carstone), their cousin (John Jarndyce), and the cousin's barrister (Conversation Kenge). Chapter 3

In Chapter 3 Esther Summerson recalls that even as a child Chapters 2–3 she knew she wasn't clever; she even used to say to her doll, "Now, Dolly, I am not clever ... and you must be patient with me, like a dear!" Esther was an observant child and recounted to Summary her doll all she had seen each day. Esther was raised by her godmother—a "grave and strict" woman who "went to church three times every Sunday, and to morning prayers on Chapter 2 Wednesdays and Fridays." Esther was a shy child, and her doll was her only friend. She would have liked to get to know other Chapter 2 presents the world of fashion and the fashionable as children, but felt a distance she could not explain between like the world of Chancery in that both "are things of precedent herself and the other pupils at her school. What is more, her and usage." Fashion is a world insulated from reality. godmother did not allow her to go out or even to celebrate her birthday. Once on her birthday, Esther begged her godmother Lady Honoria Dedlock is currently in London before traveling to tell her about her mother. The woman finally told her, "Your on to Paris. She has come to London from her estate in mother, Esther, is your disgrace, and you were hers. ... I have Lincolnshire, which is flooded and—even worse—boring. Lady forgiven her ... the wrong she did to me, and I say no more of it, Dedlock's husband, Sir Leicester Dedlock, may be "only a though it was greater than you will ever know" and advised baronet," but he's from an old family and believes "that the Esther to forget her mother and pray everyone else does as world might get on without hills but would be done up without well. Then she added Esther was "different from other Dedlocks." Sir Leicester considers himself an honorable and children" because she was "not born, like them, in common

sinfulness and wrath." Esther says she cried herself to sleep in Greenleaf, where she is to be trained as a governess. Esther the knowledge she had "brought no joy at any time to spends six happy years there. She writes twice a year to Mr. anybody's heart and ... was to no one upon earth what Dolly Kenge to say she is "happy and grateful" and always receives was to [her]." That day she promised herself she would always the same reply: "We note the contents thereof, which shall be try to be "industrious, contented, and kind-hearted and to do duly communicated to our client." After six years Esther some good to some one, and win some love." receives a letter from Kenge and Carboy saying a ward of the court in the Jarndyce case will be living with Mr. Jarndyce and Esther then recalls how one day she arrived home from school Esther is to become her companion. Esther will be leaving to find her godmother sitting with "a portly, important-looking Greenleaf the following Monday to travel to the Kenge and gentleman" who examined Esther closely. Her godmother then Carboy office. When she leaves the school, everyone there, sent her upstairs. Two years later, as Esther is reading aloud including the maids and the gardener, give her gifts and wish from the Bible, her godmother suddenly stands up and cries her well. out, "Watch ye, therefore, lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch!" Then When she arrives in London, Esther is met by a young man she collapses. She never regains consciousness and dies a from Kenge and Carboy's. He transfers her boxes to a small week or so later. After her burial the "gentleman in black" carriage, helps her in, and explains the "dense brown smoke" reappears and introduces himself as Kenge of "Kenge and that makes it so hard to see is "a London particular"—"a fog, Carboy, Lincoln's Inn." Esther soon realizes he talks a great miss." He drives her to Kenge and Carboy's, which is in a deal and later learns he is "generally called Conversation corner of a quiet square, shows her into Mr. Kenge's office, and Kenge" for that very reason. In the course of this first says she may want to freshen up as she'll be "going before the conversation with Kenge, Esther learns her godmother was Chancellor." He leaves her with some cookies and wine and a actually her aunt, Miss Barbary, and has left Esther with no newspaper, but she is too flustered to read. Mr. Kenge returns means of support. Kenge explains he represents one of the two hours later to take Esther to the Chancellor's private room. heirs concerned in Jarndyce and Jarndyce—shockingly, Esther There Esther meets Ada Clare and Ada's distant cousin has never heard of the case—and this man, John Jarndyce, Richard Carstone, both of them orphans like Esther. Ada is "offers to place [Esther] at a first-rate establishment where her about 17, and Richard about 19. Esther notes how attractive education shall be completed, where her comfort shall be they both are, and how easily the three of them fall into secured, where her reasonable wants shall be anticipated, conversation. After a while the Chancellor arrives; he is a where she shall be eminently qualified" for her "station of life." "courtly and kind" man. He asks Ada to sit beside him as he Esther tearfully leaves Windsor and travels by stagecoach with looks through the papers Mr. Kenge has given him and verifies Kenge to Reading. the request—Mr. Jarndyce of Bleak House in Hertfordshire will provide a home for Ada and Richard, and Esther will act as a On the opposite seat in the stagecoach sits a man wrapped in companion for Ada. After speaking privately with Ada and with a fur coat. Seeing Esther crying, he gruffly demands to know Richard, he announces he "shall make the order." what has upset her. She says it is "because of my godmother's death and because of Mrs. Rachael's not being sorry to part While Esther, Ada, and Richard are waiting for Mr. Kenge, "a with me." The man replies, "Confound Mrs. Rachael! ... Let her curious little old woman" (Miss Flite, as we later learn) talks to fly away in a high wind on a broomstick!" He leaves the coach them. She recognizes Ada and Richard as "the wards in before they reach Reading, getting out at a milestone on the Jarndyce." Richard whispers, "Mad!" She agrees but says she road; he shakes Esther's hand and advises her "to be a good wasn't mad once when she was a ward; then she "had youth girl and to be studious." and hope" and "beauty." But a judgment never came, and now she brings her documents to court every day expecting a Soon the coach stops again, and Esther is met by Miss Donny, decision "shortly. On the Day of Judgement. I have discovered a maid, and a carriage. Miss Donny tells Esther "everything is that the sixth seal mentioned in the Revelations is the Great ready ... and ... has been arranged in exact accordance with the Seal. It has been open a long time! Pray accept my blessing." wishes of [her] guardian, Mr. Jarndyce." The carriage brings She says much the same to Mr. Kenge as he returns and them to Miss Donny's house, Greenleaf. Soon Esther is ushers the three young people out of Chancery. completely incorporated into the orderly daily routine at

Analysis information. Although Lady Dedlock considers herself mysterious and hard to read, anyone who has anything to do with her—"from her maid to the manager of the Italian In Chapter 2 Dickens introduces the Dedlocks, who are Opera"—knows her character and "how to manage her as if members of "the world of fashion," as Dickens calls the high she were a baby." So when she trips up in front of Tulkinghorn society of the day. These are the aristocrats, and the fashion by expressing so much interest in the handwriting in his legal they embrace is not only that of clothing and hairstyles, but documents, she may think she is safe from him, but it's unlikely. also art, furnishings, entertainments, and opinions. These He has no doubt added her reaction and her later "faintness of things fill the society columns in the newspapers (the death" to his vast store of knowledge. "fashionable intelligence"). The narrator admits "there is much good ... [and] many good and true people in" the world of In Chapter 3 readers meet Esther and learn about the first 20 fashion and "it has its appointed place." His complaint is that years of her life. The reader's first impression of Esther may the fashionable, like Chancery, do not engage with real people not be a particularly pleasant one. In fact Dickens's leading real lives. Although he doesn't say it, making this characterization of Esther was much criticized after the first comparison leads readers to conclude that, like Chancery, the publication of Bleak House because of her excessive modesty fashionable people can do harm without explicitly intending to. and self-deprecation. Esther is gentle, cheerful, nurturing, and self-sacrificing yet manages to fulfill her potential. The Although a baronet is the lowest-ranking aristocratic title, Sir character is probably based on Dickens's wife's sister, Leicester is proud of his heritage, proud of his influence, and Georgina Hogarth, who managed the family's household and proud of his trophy wife, Honoria. While he treats her with love, acted as the children's governess. Esther's name alludes to he is not careful in his treatment of others. Instead, he tends to Esther in the biblical Book of Esther—a Jewish orphan raised be blunt—sometimes to the point of insult or worse. He doesn't by an uncle who becomes queen and saves her people from much worry about what others think of him, however. Like her genocide. husband, Lady Dedlock is proud. Unlike him, though, she worries about what others think, so she tries to hide her true Esther's self-doubt is not surprising, however, when readers thoughts and feelings, which results in her appearing haughty take into account how she is treated as a child. Her aunt—Miss and bored. The reader gets a clue in this chapter that will Barbary—and Miss Barbary's housekeeper both treat Esther become important later in the book—at home in the still rural coldly because they disapprove of how she came into the county of Lincolnshire "Lady Dedlock (who is childless)" was world. (Her parentage is one of the mysteries that will be looking out the window and saw "a child, chased by a woman, solved in the course of the novel.) She suspects she is an running out into the rain to meet the shining figure of a orphan, but the two women's disapproval makes it clear to wrapped-up man coming through the gate." Seeing this readers that she is, orphan or not, illegitimate. Neither woman encounter "put [her] quite out of temper," and soon she left for shows Esther any affection, she is not permitted to make London, complaining of boredom. Adding the information that friends, and she is never allowed to go out except to attend she is childless to Lady Dedlock's becoming upset after seeing school. Raised in this way, how could help but share the a child run through the rain to meet a man makes readers women's low opinion of her? What is more surprising is suspect she's particularly sensitive on the subject of children, Esther's willingness to forgive the women, calling them both and wonder why. "good," which she seems to define as a synonym for "exceedingly religious." Both are confirmed churchgoers. Lady Dedlock has some connection to the Jarndyce case, and (Indeed, the housekeeper will eventually reappear as a vicar's the couple's solicitor arrives to give them an update on the wife.) It is not until Esther goes to live at Greenleaf that she day's proceedings in Chancery. The solicitor is Mr. Tulkinghorn, receives the affection her cheerful temperament naturally and he seems to be a crusty old man who has done well for arouses in most people. By the time she is nearly 20 and himself by dealing with "aristocratic marriage settlements and assumes her post as Ada's companion, Esther has come to aristocratic wills." The narrator also says he "never converses appreciate some of her strengths, but she never recognizes when not professionally consulted," so is generally silent at that her character is lovable. Instead, she feels she is shown social gatherings. However he knows a lot of "noble secrets" love and affection more as the result of others' goodness than and is always ready to add new tidbits to his stash of her own.

Chapter 3 also introduces two other important characters—the him up, and soon he stops crying and falls asleep. two orphaned Jarndyce heirs, Ada and Richard. Because Esther is to live in the same house with them, it is fortunate Caddy shows the guests to their rooms, which are bare and they get along from the moment they meet. Esther's musty smelling. There's no hot water, and the locks and assessment of the two may be colored by what she knows at doorknobs for their rooms don't work properly. At dinner, Mrs. the time she is supposed to be writing, which is seven years Jellyby reads them letters she has received about Africa and after the events of the book. dictates several more letters to Caddy. A man joins them at dinner but says nothing and is not introduced; they later In addition to the mystery of Esther's identity, Chapter 2 brings determine he must have been Mr. Jellyby. This is confirmed by up two other, smaller mysteries to be solved. First, who is the another gentleman, Mr. Quale, a fellow philanthropist who stranger in the stagecoach who talks to Esther? He seems arrives later in the evening to discuss Mrs. Jellyby's work for very interested in her and to have surprisingly strong opinions Africa. Mr. Quale tells Ada the Jellyby's marriage is a "union of about Mrs. Rachael. Second, who is the crazy old woman? mind and matter." Esther and Ada tell the children stories, and Readers have already met her fleetingly in Chapter 1, when she Esther carries Peepy to bed. Esther and Ada realize neither was pointed out as only one of three people in attendance has ever seen John Jarndyce, though Ada's mother knew him. when court was in session. She seems to know a lot about She told Ada about "the noble generosity of his character." everyone involved in Jarndyce and Jarndyce, but she doesn't Richard has seen Jarndyce once; apparently, he is "a bluff, rosy introduce herself, and Mr. Kenge doesn't provide any clues. In fellow." Chapter 11 readers will finally learn she is Miss Flite. Esther is still awake when Caddy Jellyby arrives at the door to say good night—and invites herself in. She tells Esther, "I wish Chapters 4–6 Africa was dead!" She is ashamed of the state of the house, the children, and their unwashed, drunken servant. She says, "I wish we were all dead. It would be a great deal better for us." She winds up crying herself to sleep and stays all night. In the Summary morning, Esther wakes to find Peepy looking at her, his teeth chattering in the cold. Chapter 4 Chapter 5 As Chapter 4 opens, Conversation Kenge tells Esther Summerson, Ada Clare, and Richard Carstone that they are to Chapter 5 begins the next morning when Esther Summerson, stay the night at Mrs. Jellyby's and travel on to Bleak House Caddy Jellyby, and Ada Clare decide to take a walk despite the the following day. Mrs. Jellyby is a philanthropist who is "at cold and the sooty fog. They run into Richard Carstone present ... devoted to the subject of Africa, with a view to the outside, and he accompanies them. After a short walk, the four general cultivation of the coffee berry—and the natives—and find themselves outside the Court of Chancery, where they run the happy settlement ... of our superabundant home into the crazy old woman, who again greets them with a curtsy. population." The young man who brought Esther to Kenge and Caddy wonders who she is, and the old woman introduces Carboy's, whose name is William Guppy, takes them to Mrs. herself as "a suitor" who has "the honor to attend court Jellyby's, which is nearby. regularly. With my documents." She invites all four of the young people home with her, which is nearby. She guides them to a When they arrive Esther and her companions are led into the junk shop that sells rags, bottles, marine stores, bones, clothes, house. The furniture is shabby and the house is not only untidy and even old law books. Esther observes "everything seem[s] but dirty, too. An "unhealthy-looking though by no means plain to be bought and nothing to be sold there." She notices a sign girl" is sitting at a desk. This is Caddy Jellyby, Mrs. Jellyby's in the window posted by a 45-year-old man looking for copying daughter, to whom Mrs. Jellyby has been dictating a letter. A work "to execute with neatness and dispatch: Address to little boy, Peepy Jellyby, comes in with a bandage on his head Nemo, care of Mr. Krook, within." It is written in the same and scraped knees; he has fallen down the stairs. Esther picks handwriting as the legal documents she saw at Kenge and

Carboy's. Carstone ride through London, noticing the bustle of the city. Even its suburbs look like large towns to Esther. When they A skinny old man asks if they have something to sell. The old reach the countryside, all three are cheered by the green woman, who has been fumbling with the lock on the building landscape. A wagon pulled by horses passes them. Their door, introduces the man as her "landlord, Krook," who "is carriage stops, as does the wagon. The wagon-driver delivers called among the neighbors the Lord Chancellor." Krook laughs each of them a note from John Jarndyce. Each note suggests and tells them he has three sacks of hair. Mr. Krook says that, in order to make their meeting more relaxed, they "meet people call his shop Chancery because he has so much stuff as old friends and take the past for granted." Ada and Richard and can't stand to part with any of it. He also goes to Chancery both remember hearing that he hates being thanked for his almost every day. The old woman introduces her guests as generous acts. At Bleak House John Jarndyce throws open the "the wards in Jarndyce." This takes Krook by surprise. He door and greets them affectionately and leads them "into a seems to know their names. Then he says Tom Jarndyce used ruddy little room, all in a glow with a blazing fire." Esther judges to warn all the local shopkeepers "to keep out of Chancery." him to be nearly 60; he has a handsome, lively face, silver hair, According to Krook, his experience with Chancery made Tom and an upright, robust bearing. Suddenly she realizes he was Jarndyce commit suicide; he blew his brains out in the pub in the stranger in the stagecoach, though she is careful not to Chancery Lane. speak this thought out loud in case he runs away to avoid acknowledgment. Jarndyce asks about Mrs. Jellyby. Esther The old woman has a large room at the top of the house; it's says Mrs. Jellyby is "unmindful of their home"; the Jellyby clean but bare. Esther sees no coal or ash in the fireplace, no children are "in a devil of a state," adds Richard. Mr. Jarndyce clothes, and no food. The woman apologizes; she cannot offer observes suddenly that "the wind's in the east"; he can tell them anything, explaining she "expect[s] a judgment shortly because he gets "an uncomfortable sensation." He is clearly and shall then place my establishment on a superior footing." distraught over the condition of the Jellyby children but is She draws aside a curtain; behind it are a lot of bird cages, comforted when Ada describes what good care Esther took of some with birds in them—20 or more "larks, linnets, and the children and decides the wind has "no east in it." He takes goldfinches." The woman says she will free them when her everyone to see the house. case is decided, but several generations have already died in captivity. She expects these will do the same. She sometimes The house is a maze of corridors, staircases, and cozy rooms thinks, she says, she "may ... one day be found lying stark and with old, comfortable furniture and a pleasant jumble of senseless here, as [she has] found so many birds." Richard decorations. Everything is bright and inviting. Mr. Jarndyce tells quietly leaves some money on the mantel as they all gather to them they have half an hour until dinner and warns them there look at the birds. On the way back downstairs, the woman tells is someone else in the house—someone who is Mr. Jarndyce's them the other lodger is a law-writer the local children claim age although for all practical purposes a child. His name is "has sold himself to the devil." Harold Skimpole, and, although he has close to a dozen children, "he has never looked after them." Mr. Jarndyce feels As the young people walk back to the Jellybys', Richard and the wind shifting to the east again. Ada talk about how terrible it is that Chancery turns relatives against one another by making them fight over their Esther finds her luggage in her room and is soon dressed and settlements. They agree they will not let it divide them and ready. A maid arrives and gives her a basket containing two begin calling each other by their first names. That afternoon bundles of keys—one for "the housekeeping" and the other for Ada, Richard, and Esther depart on the next leg of their "the cellars." Esther is flabbergasted at the "magnitude" of the journey, leaving behind Caddy crying at their departure and the trust placed in her. young Jellyby children tumbling around the street in their usual disorder. Downstairs Esther and Ada find Richard in conversation with Mr. Skimpole, who says he was educated to be a doctor, but could never "prescribe with the requisite accuracy of detail" Chapter 6 and so left the profession. He tried several others, too, but none worked out. He says he enjoys reading, making sketches, In Chapter 6 Esther Summerson, Ada Clare, and Richard nature, and art—he is "a mere child" and wishes to be left to his

pleasures. Mr. Skimpole is lively and charming, and says he Chisholm's philanthropy kept her away from her family and does not feel guilty about his lifestyle because it allows magnified this concern into his depiction of Mrs. Jellyby. generous people to enjoy "the luxury of generosity." Later, as Esther and Mr. Jarndyce are listening to Ada play piano, the In their conversation before going to bed, Ada and Esther maid comes to fetch Esther. Mr. Skimpole has been arrested wonder about Mr. Jarndyce. He arranged for Richard, Ada, and for debt. Rather than ask Mr. Jarndyce to pay the debt for him, Esther to come live with him. He paid for Esther's education at Mr. Skimpole suggests Richard and Ada sign over part of their Greenleaf and is employing her now to act as Ada's inheritance. The debt collector says this isn't possible. Esther companion. Apparently he also supports Mrs. Jellyby's asks what will happen if the debt isn't paid, and the man tells philanthropic activities. It would appear Mr. Jarndyce manages her jail or Coavinses (a house where debtors stay before going to balance his philanthropic work; he helps others regardless to prison). Skimpole nicknames the man Coavinses. So Richard of how near or far from him they are. Although readers can and Esther combine all the money they have to pay his debt. deduce this about him, they still have very little information Afterward Mr. Skimpole is as light-hearted as ever, while about this generous man. Readers are not the only ones who Esther and Richard feel as if they had been arrested. don't know much about John Jarndyce. Richard is the only one of the three who can remember meeting him, but even he has After Skimpole goes to bed, Richard and Esther are cornered met the man only once, five years ago. He described him to by Mr. Jarndyce, who's upset they paid the debt. He explains Ada as "a bluff, rosy fellow." Readers may connect this Skimpole is always in debt and makes them promise never to description to the nosy stranger Esther met in the stagecoach give Mr. Skimpole money again. after leaving Windsor. Could that have been John Jarndyce? If so, why didn't he introduce himself?

Analysis It is unusual for an author to base an entire chapter on an encounter with a character he does not yet name, as Dickens Mrs. Jellyby is the opposite of Esther in most ways. Although does in Chapter 5. But that is what happens here. The mad old both are devoted to helping others, Mrs. Jellyby wants to help woman never introduces herself, possibly assuming that just as people she doesn't know (people in Africa or going to Africa), she knows the Jarndyce heirs by name, they must know her by while Esther wants to help the people she meets. This leads to name. But they do not. In Chapter 11 they will learn she is Miss the odd situation in which Esther arrives as a guest and ends Flite. up tidying the rooms, laying a fire, and tending Mrs. Jellyby's Framed in brief episodes of typical incidents in the Jellyby children. All the while Mrs. Jellyby is busy reading and dictating household, Chapter 5 provides a deeper insight into how letters about matters in Nigeria. She uses her daughter, Caddy, Chancery affects the people who are unlucky enough to have as a secretary but does not take care of Caddy, who is a case before that court. Until now, Ada and Richard have unkempt, dressed in tattered old clothes, and—beyond being known they are heirs in the case but have not considered what able to write letters—largely uneducated. She doesn't even that means. When they visit the mad old woman's apartment, notice that Caddy hates her work and hates Africa. When Mrs. they see up close that Chancery ruins lives. First they learn Jellyby's youngest boy, Peepy, turns up crying and battered that a principal heir, Tom Jarndyce, committed suicide rather from a fall down the stairs, Esther—not Mrs. Jellyby—picks him than continue pointlessly attending hearings that would never up and comforts him. It's not that Mrs. Jellyby dislikes her lead to an outcome. Then they see the poverty in which the children; she simply doesn't notice them. By depicting life at mad old woman lives. She has very little and keeps it all the Jellybys', Dickens introduces the theme of help versus spotless. She would like to offer them chocolate, which was a philanthropy. luxury in Victorian England. In the mid-19th century, chocolate It might surprise readers to learn Mrs. Jellyby is modeled on a was known primarily as a drink. From the fact that the old woman Charles Dickens greatly respected, Caroline Chisholm, woman was familiar with chocolate, readers can infer she was who devoted herself (very effectively) to helping emigrants to at some time fairly well off. Her courtesy, her ability to read Australia. Chisholm founded the Family Colonization Loan (indicated by her familiarity with legal documents and her Society to provide funding for people who wanted to relocate. allusions to the Book of Revelation), and her embarrassment However, despite the good work she did, Dickens saw over not being able to offer her guests refreshment all support

this inference. Although she is as charmed by Skimpole as anyone else, Esther doesn't understand why he should be free of "the duties Chapter 5 also introduces two important symbols related to and accountabilities of life." He not only neglects others, Chancery: Krook's shop, which swallows up things and but—though no one admits it in this chapter—uses them documentation just like Chancery, and the caged birds, which whenever it suits him. He may be a child, as he and others say, will probably die before the old woman's case is settled and but he is like a child in much more than his supposedly they are freed, just as so many people die before Chancery innocent delight in the simple joys of life. He claims to enjoy passes judgment on their cases. nature, as he says to the debt collector (whose name, readers will later learn, is Mr. Neckett), but he also enjoys warm, The woman's landlord, Krook, is a rag-and-bone man. comfortable surroundings and good food and drink; he also Traditionally, a rag-and-bone man went door to door buying up spends money to the extent that he is, according to Mr. old junk to resell to merchants. But Krook, who is fortunate Jarndyce, in trouble for debt every week. He himself says that, enough to own a building and rent out a couple of rooms, when he tried working in different professions, he failed doesn't rely on selling things to make his frugal living. This because he stayed in bed rather than go to appointments. As a allows him to hoard. He even hoards stacks and stacks of legal doctor, he couldn't be bothered to measure and prescribe documents despite not being able to read. In Chapter 5 medicines accurately; the fact that this could have killed his readers get only a brief impression of Krook. He is an patients seems not to bother him. In this chapter, although they unattractive and somewhat unsavory character. It's hard to are both completely dependent on John Jarndyce, Skimpole know whether his fondling of Ada's hair is admiration or assumes the young people will pay his debt this time. And they something less pleasant. His exchange with Esther at the end do. Richard has only the £10 given to him by the lawyer Kenge, of the chapter, spelling out the name Jarndyce letter by letter, and Esther has about £15 pounds she has scrimped together also produces a shiver up the reader's spine; moreover it over several years. His utter reliance on them leads the two to seems to indicate his stacks of documents might be relevant to give up all the money they have. Skimpole has mastered the the Jarndyce case. It's also somewhat unsettling that he fine art of sponging off others. named his cat after Lady Jane Grey, who became queen after the death of Henry VIII's son, Edward VI. She reigned for nine Skimpole tells the truth about his own actions, but creates a days. She was replaced by Henry VIII's first daughter, Mary pretty fiction of his reasons. It is Skimpole himself who Tudor, and convicted of treason. She was beheaded seven constantly says he is an innocent child. Similarly, he refuses to months after losing the throne. admit the truth about others. For instance, as he watches Ada playing piano, he says, "We will not call such a lovely young In Chapter 6 readers learn that, despite its name, Bleak House creature as that, who is a joy to all mankind, an orphan. She is is a bright, warm, and inviting place. The three young people the child of the universe." But, of course, she is an orphan, and immediately feel at home there, just as they immediately take readers know that not only her parents but also her uncle and to "Cousin John," who is every bit as welcoming as the house. her grandfather are dead. Mr. Jarndyce, whose generous He is an attractive man but has several flaws: nature is the only reason she has a home, comments, "The Jarndyce is an enabler. If anyone asks him for money, he universe ... makes rather an indifferent parent, I am afraid." It's gives it, even if it would be better for that person to be true the truth can upset John Jarndyce, but he does recognize forced to learn responsibility, like Mr. Skimpole. it and does what he can to better the lives of others. He is introverted and uses his money to insulate himself Dickens based the character of Harold Skimpole on his friend from the outside world. He buys entertainment by hosting Leigh Hunt. Skimpole is a caricature, not an accurate depiction Skimpole; he buys a family by moving Esther, Ada, and of Hunt, who was an influential journalist and poet. Still, Hunt Richard into his home. had Skimpole's light sociability, his family was large and He avoids uncomfortable situations, including accepting beautiful and as lazy as Skimpole's, and, like Skimpole, he was gratitude and criticizing wrongdoing in others. perpetually in debt. Later on Mr. Jarndyce will have to come to terms with these flaws, and it will prove to be a painful process.

Morbury found his wife about to lame his horse to prevent his Chapters 7–9 riding with the king. They struggled, and she injured her hip. Afterward, despite great pain, she walked on the terrace daily until one day she fell and couldn't get up. Sir Morbury tried to Summary help her, but she pushed him away, saying, "I will die here where I have walked. And I will walk here, though I am in my grave ... until the pride of this house is humbled. And when Chapter 7 calamity or when disgrace is coming to it, let the Dedlocks listen for my step!" Mrs. Rouncewell asks Watt to start a At the opening of Chapter 7 Sir Leicester Dedlock and his wife, musical clock playing, and then asks Rosa if she can hear the Lady Honoria Dedlock, are still in Paris, and at Chesney Wold, step on the terrace. Rosa can. "So my Lady says," replies Mrs. their Lincolnshire estate. Mrs. Rouncewell, the Dedlocks' Rouncewell. "My Lady, who is afraid of nothing, admits that housekeeper, has been working for the Leicester family for 50 when [the ghostly footstep] is there, it must be heard. You years and has a high regard for the dignity and importance of cannot shut it out." the family. She expected her two sons to also enter service with the family, but the younger one was a wild boy; he joined the army, and she hasn't seen him since. The older son had an Chapter 8 aptitude for engineering, and, at Sir Leicester's urging, Mrs. Rouncewell sent him north into more industrial areas. Today At the beginning of Chapter 8, Esther Summerson learns about his son, Watt Rouncewell, is visiting Mrs. Rouncewell. He her new duties at Bleak House. Harold Skimpole amuses them reminds his grandmother of her younger son, George. Their at breakfast by discussing honey and bees, expressing his conversation is interrupted by Rosa, an extremely beautiful but dislike of having the "busy bee" held up "as a model to him." shy young maid, who announces two young men have arrived After breakfast Mr. Jarndyce calls Esther into his who want to see the house. They are lawyers who came to the "growlery"—"in part a little library of books and papers and in area on business; one is Mr. William Guppy, and he mentioned part quite a little museum of his boots and shoes and Mr. Tulkinghorn. Hearing Tulkinghorn's name, Mrs. Rouncewell hatboxes." He explains the room is his "refuge" when he is grants permission. "deceived or disappointed in—the wind, and it's easterly."

The two young lawyers are tired and pay little attention during Mr. Jarndyce explains the Jarndyce case to Esther. It began, the tour—until Guppy sees a portrait of Lady Dedlock over the he says, with "a certain Jarndyce [who] in an evil hour, made a mantel in the long drawing room. He is sure he has seen the great fortune, and made a great will." He goes on to explain woman before, saying how "curious" it is "how well [he knows] how all the heirs must be represented by counsel and must that picture." At the end of the tour Rosa points out "the receive copies of all the paperwork, which none of them terrace below ... [which] is called, from an old story in the actually wants. The case has been going on for generations, family, the Ghost's Walk." Guppy wonders if it has anything to and the fortune is being eaten up by costs. Tom Jarndyce was do with a picture. Watt asks Rosa to tell the story, but she his great uncle, Bleak House was his, and John Jarndyce doesn't know it. Mrs. Rouncewell says it is "almost forgotten" inherited it. The house used to be called the Peaks, but Tom and isn't told to visitors; she assures Mr. Guppy it has nothing Jarndyce renamed it Bleak House and shut himself up in it to to do with a picture. study the case papers and try to bring the case to an end. Bleak House is not part of the Jarndyce case, but there is a The two young men drive away, and Mrs. Rouncewell tells the property in London which is; that property is now in ruins. story of the Ghost's Walk to Watt and Rosa. In the days of Charles I, she tells them, Sir Morbury Dedlock was a royalist, Ada keeps calling Mr. Jarndyce "sir," and he says she should but his wife was on the side of his enemies. She used to listen call him "guardian." Then he asks her advice about what at the door when her husband met with other royalists. She profession Richard should train for; she suggests asking interrupts herself to ask if Watt hears footstep on the terrace. Richard, and he wants her to do so. He then asks Esther if she He says he hears the rain and an echo sounding "very like a wants to ask him anything, but she says no—she knows if there halting step." Then Mrs. Rouncewell resumes. One night Sir were something she should know, he would tell her without her

having to ask. From then on, Esther feels completely at ease meantime she is trying to figure out what profession Richard with Mr. Jarndyce. might enter, but he doesn't take the matter seriously. John Jarndyce has written Sir Leicester Dedlock—whose wife is a Esther and Ada begin doing much of Mr. Jarndyce's distant relative of Richard's—for help in placing the young man. correspondence and find mostly it is from people collecting Esther begins to fear Richard is not prudent with money. money for causes. A frequent letter-writer is Mrs. Pardiggle, and Esther notices "the wind always change[s] when Mrs. At breakfast one morning Mr. Jarndyce receives a letter from Pardiggle [becomes] the subject of conversation." One day, his old school chum Lawrence Boythorn, who will be arriving Mrs. Pardiggle and her five sons—aged 5 through 12—come to that day for a visit. They are all sitting quietly when the front visit. Only Ada and Esther are at home. Mrs. Pardiggle's door is suddenly thrown open and someone calls out, "We have children seem "absolutely ferocious with discontent." Mrs. been misdirected, Jarndyce, by a most abandoned ruffian, who Pardiggle claims she is different from Mrs. Jellyby in that she told us to [go] right instead of ... left ... I would have had that involves all her boys in her good works; they go with her to all fellow shot without the least remorse!" Boythorn has an her committee meetings and donate their pocket money to her infectious laugh that resounds throughout the house. In causes. Esther observes the boys are not at all happy about person, he is not only a vigorous and upright man, but "a true doing so. Eventually, Mrs. Pardiggle comes to her point. She gentleman." Boythorn has brought his canary with him. The bird wants Esther and Ada to join her in her rounds and takes them is very tame and flies around the room before landing on to visit a nearby brickmaker. On the way the Pardiggle boys Boythorn's head, where he sits while eating bits of bread from pinch Esther and step on her toes while demanding money Boythorn's fingers. Mr. Jarndyce and his friend discuss because their pocket money is always stolen from them. She is Chancery, and Boythorn is for blowing it "to atoms with ten glad when they arrive at a "cluster of wretched hovels," one of thousand hundredweight of gunpowder." Boythorn, it turns out, which is the brickmaker's. Inside are four people, including "a is also involved in a Chancery suit—he and Sir Leicester, who woman with a black eye, nursing a poor little gasping baby" and are neighbors, are in a dispute over a right-of-way and are "a man, all stained with clay and mud and looking very suing each other for trespass. Later, Esther asks Mr. Jarndyce dissipated," and a dog. The man resentfully tells Mrs. Pardiggle whether Mr. Boythorn has ever been married. "He was all but about their lives. They drink and wash in dirty water, and married once. Long ago," her guardian tells her, but the lady they're glad several of their babies have died because they're "died to him," and he has never been the same. better off dead; also, he'll never go to church, gets drunk as much as he can, and gave his wife her black eye. Mrs. The next day Guppy arrives to see Mr. Boythorn. He seems Pardiggle's tone as she replies is "calculated ... to increase his highly interested in Esther. Lunch is prepared for him to eat antagonism." Then she "pull[s] out a good book as if it were a before heading back to London, and Esther stays to make sure constable's staff and [takes] the whole family into ... religious he has everything he needs. He's nervous and asks Esther for custody." Then she says she'll be back and sweeps out, taking "a minute's private conversation." Guppy tells her his salary and her children with her. Esther and Ada don't follow her; instead, salary history, explains his mother would make a good mother- they ask the woman if the baby is sick. Just then, it dies. Ada in-law, describes his lodgings, and finally declares he adores bursts into tears and takes the mother's hand; the mother, her. He kneels, but Esther insists he get up and sit at the table Jenny, cries, too. Esther cleans the child's body and covers it again. Guppy tells her how clever he is and that he could with her handkerchief. Suddenly a woman rushes in and hugs "advance [her] interests" and "fortunes" if only she would allow Jenny. While the two cling together, Esther and Ada leave. The it. Esther asks him to leave, but he tells her he only came to woman is still there when they return later that evening, see Boythorn in order to see her. Esther thanks him for his accompanied by Richard—even though she's afraid her feelings but hopes he "will now go away as if [he] had never husband will beat her if he finds her there. been so exceedingly foolish." Before leaving, Guppy says to contact him if she should ever change her mind.

Chapter 9

Esther Summerson watches Richard Carstone and Ada Clare falling in love but is careful not to show she knows. In the

Analysis orphan girl without a protector." Clearly he did not hear of her from her aunt, as her aunt would not place Esther in his care. Perhaps it was Mrs. Rachael who contacted him (lying about After several chapters narrated by Esther, the omniscient her origins), or perhaps it was a lawyer who knew of the case. narrator returns in Chapter 7 to take readers to the Dedlocks' What is clear is Jarndyce himself has no personal connection country estate, Chesney Wold. It's gray and rainy and to Esther and approached her because of his compulsive haunted—very much in keeping with the Gothic literary genre. generosity to anyone in need. Chapter 7 serves three purposes in the narrative. The first is to Chapter 8 also provides more insight into Jarndyce. He is well introduce the Rouncewells and the mystery of the aware of his weaknesses and looks to Esther to take on some whereabouts of Mrs. Rouncewell's younger son, which will be of the duties he finds difficult, such as talking to Richard about solved in the course of the novel. All readers learn in Chapter 7 what profession he might choose. He also looks to her to calm is that he "went for a soldier"; the army was known to be a safe him down when he feels the wind shifting to the east. He haven for sons who brought shame on their families, so this knows he tends to get upset when he is "deceived or fact provided the contemporary audience with further insight disappointed" and, until now, has simply hidden away in his into his character. "growlery" till the mood passed. Now he finds relief in Esther's The chapter's second purpose is to move along the story of steadfast cheerfulness. Despite giving the impression that he Guppy, who will begin to make connections concerning cannot deal with unpleasant situations, he has done so very another Bleak House mystery. Here, the only object of interest effectively. After his great uncle's suicide, he arranged to have he sees in the entire place is the portrait of Lady Dedlock. He Bleak House repaired and then turned it into a cozy and is sure he has seen it before, and asks whether a copy has welcoming place. Readers also learn he has inherited the been made. He even ponders whether he might have dreamed house and very likely more beyond the inheritance that is tied of it. One thing is clear, though; he is certain he has seen Lady up in Chancery—although Mr. Jarndyce tells Esther he believes Dedlock's face before. any money will be absorbed by the costs of the case, if it is ever resolved. The third purpose of Chapter 7 is to provide further insight into the Dedlocks. Readers learn Sir Leicester is a bit of a Richard is 19, and it is time he chooses a profession. In conspiracy freak; he suggested Mrs. Rouncewell send away Victorian England, there are four main professions that middle her older son because he felt the boy's engineering talents and upper class young men can study for: the law (solicitors, meant he would follow in the footsteps of Wat Tyler, who led barristers, judges), the church (vicars, with the hope of the 1381 Peasants Revolt, in which the peasants demanded an promotion to bishop and archbishop), medicine (physicians and end to the heavy taxes levied on them and to serfdom in surgeons), and engineering (mechanical and civil engineer or, general. Sir Leicester feared the industrial leanings of the elder for the less well-off, construction supervisor). As readers know, Rouncewell son indicated his leanings toward Chartism, a Harold Skimpole studied to become a physician but cannot mid-19th-century movement particularly popular among factory bring himself to hold down any sort of job. workers. Chartists demanded, among other things, that all men In Chapter 8 Dickens explores the lives of women in various be given the vote and that people no longer be required to own roles and classes. Ada and Esther, though of different classes, property in order to serve as Members of Parliament. Readers are both educated women who live in a large house. Each in also learn Lady Dedlock is superstitious about the Chesney her way has led a sheltered existence. Until they experience Wold ghost—if the dying woman's words are to be believed, London in Chapters 3 through 5, they have not been hearing her step means "calamity" or "disgrace" is coming. confronted with poverty or the effects of the Industrial Although Mrs. Rouncewell says "disgrace never comes to Revolution, which began in 1760. In this chapter they meet two Chesney Wold," readers might ask themselves whether it is other kinds of women, both of whom are products of the new possible to be so sure of that, especially now that Guppy's social system that has evolved over the 90 years. Mrs. curiosity has been aroused. Pardiggle is a woman who sets out to change society and In Chapter 8 readers get a hint of how John Jarndyce first improve the role of women in society. She is a member of many became aware of Esther's situation: he "hear[d] of a good little committees that are socially and politically active. Early English

feminism developed out of such philanthropic work. Esther and Dedlock provides a clue. Ada are also confronted with the suffering of the working poor when they visit the brick-making community. This is the other William Guppy is well named. A guppy is a small fish, and side of the Industrial Revolution, which drove traditional crafts Guppy is a small fish in the big pond of Chancery. He is a lowly out of the market. Brick making had been mechanized in the law clerk who acts subservient, but is not. For instance, when 18th century, and, even though they were in great demand in Esther "beg[s him] to conclude," he says he will: "As I love and Victorian England, mechanization meant bricks could be honor, so likewise I obey." These words are from The Book of produced cheaply, so traditional brickmakers could no longer Common Prayer and are spoken by the bride in the earn enough to support their families. Women in these families Solemnization of Matrimony. He does not obey Esther's suffered from their living conditions (poor housing, lack of request, though; he keeps trying to persuade her. In general clean water, lack of income) as well as from the low morale of Guppy is constantly trying to increase his fortunes, his their husbands, who frequently sought comfort in drinking and knowledge, and his influence. He has the makings of a were prone to taking out their unhappiness on their wives. Tulkinghorn, whose name he dropped to get access to Chesney Wold in Chapter 7. But Guppy has met his match in Chapter 9 is all about love. First Esther watches, enchanted, as Esther, who is uncommonly perceptive about others' Ada and Richard fall in love. Then she meets Mr. Boythorn, characters, as Mr. Jarndyce has pointed out several times. She recognizes his romantic nature, and learns from her guardian also knows her own mind, and she knows she is not interested that he lost the love of his life. Finally Guppy pledges his in Guppy. For his part, Guppy may believe he loves Esther, but undying love for Esther—a love she does not want to know it will later become clear his feelings for her are only skin deep. about but which upsets her in some fundamental way. This chapter also begins to explore Richard's character, and Chapters 10–12 Esther mentions Richard's "carelessness," particularly in connection with money. Readers may also notice that, when asked what profession might interest him, he makes jokes rather than answering the question. Comparing him with Summary Esther, who is only a few months older than Richard, is revealing. She has been working for several years already, having taught the younger girls while at Greenleaf. And she Chapter 10 took up her duties at Bleak House the morning after her arrival. Readers learn in Chapter 10 that Mr. Snagsby came into his Richard, in contrast, has not done an apprenticeship, started a ownership of the law stationer's shop several decades ago by university course, or even seriously considered how he might marrying the boss's niece. He is a mild-mannered, soft-spoken support himself. He may be generous, but he is impractical. His man, and Mrs. Snagsby is just the opposite. She can frequently "light-hearted" nature may well result from an unwillingness to be heard throughout the neighborhood berating their servant, a face reality. workhouse girl known as Guster who suffers from epileptic Mr. Boythorn is a delightful character whose noisy seizures. Guster is happy and grateful, though, and feels like exaggerations mask a gentle spirit. Dickens chooses a delicate she's living in the lap of luxury. Mr. and Mrs. Snagsby have a canary to indicate his gentleness. As Esther points out, despite good working partnership; he understands the business, and his boisterousness and his loud threats against Chancery, the she takes care of everything else, including financial matters. little bird is content to sit calmly on his head or hop about the The neighbors all remark on how badly henpecked Mr. table taking crumbs from his big fingers. Mr. Boythorn talks Snagsby is. about what a fine bird this one's mother was, too, so he has Mr. Tulkinghorn is at his chambers (where he both works and clearly owned the bird since it hatched. This long-term lives, which was common for London lawyers in the 19th relationship indicates Boythorn's capacity for commitment—the century), working on his legal documents. He leaves and goes same capacity keeps Boythorn tied to his first love. Esther to Snagsby's, where he asks, with a great show of casualness, does not mention who that might be, but Boythorn's intense who copied a particular document. Mr. Snagsby tells him the dislike of Sir Leicester and his great admiration for Lady

man's name is Nemo. Tulkinghorn points out "Nemo is Latin for The beadle—an unpopular official closely associated with the no one." Snagsby says Nemo lives at "a rag and bottle shop" workhouse—arrives, goes in, and comes out again. He then and points the place out, assuring Tulkinghorn that Nemo goes door to door looking for witnesses who can appear at the never sleeps and will work all night if necessary. coroner's inquest the next day. The beadle returns later to summon a coroner's jury. The next morning, the coroner's Mr. Tulkinghorn waits until Mr. Snagsby has returned home, court draws a crowd to the pub where it will be held. The and then enters Krook's shop and asks to see "the person who coroner swears in the jury, and then the coroner, the jury, the does the copying." Mr. Krook gives him a candle and sends him beadle, and several reporters go to view the body. When they up to the second floor. As Tulkinghorn climbs the stairs, Krook return to the pub, Mr. Tulkinghorn has arrived. Anastasia Piper calls after him, "They say he has sold himself to the Enemy, but is sworn in and testifies "the plaintive" was "reported to have you and I know better—he don't buy." Tulkinghorn knocks on sold himself," and he never spoke to anyone but "the boy that Nemo's door, but no one answers. As he opens it, his candle sweeps the crossing." The boy is not in court, and the beadle goes out. The room is small and "nearly black with soot." A fire goes to fetch him. The boy's name is Jo, only Jo. He has no is burning low in the grate. In its weak light, he sees a few parents or friends, has never been to school, and doesn't know pieces of furniture and an old suitcase. A dirty, unshaven man what "home" means. He "knows it's wicked to tell a lie" is lying on a bed. The lawyer can taste opium in the air. He calls although he "can't exactly say what'll be done to him ... if he out "Hallo, my friend!" and thinks the man is awake; his eyes tells a lie to the gentlemen here." The coroner says they can't appear to be open. Then the candle goes out, and the only accept his testimony: "You have heard the boy. 'Can't exactly eyes he sees are "the gaunt eyes in the shutters staring down say' won't do, you know." There are no further witnesses, and upon the bed." the jury finds the death was accidental.

After court Jo tells the coroner and Mr. Tulkinghorn that the Chapter 11 first time Nemo talked to him, they realized neither of them had any friends. Nemo gave him money for supper and a room for In Chapter 11 Krook and Mr. Tulkinghorn enter Nemo's room the night. After that, whenever he had money, he gave some to and realize Nemo is dead. Krook sends Tulkinghorn to call for Jo. As Jo is leaving, Mr. Snagsby gives him half a crown and Miss Flite, who lives upstairs and, while the lawyer is out of the asks him not to tell Mrs. Snagsby. Meanwhile, Nemo's body lies room, briefly goes over to Nemo's old suitcase. Miss Flite goes in his room awaiting burial, and Mr. Snagsby's description of to fetch a doctor. Two arrive—an old Scottish man and "a dark the inquest sends Guster into a series of seizures. The day young surgeon." The older doctor says Nemo "wull have been after the inquest, the beadle brings a group of paupers from dead aboot three hours" and leaves. The younger man says he the workhouse to carry away the body, which is buried in a knew Nemo and confirms he's dead; he died from an overdose small and overcrowded burial ground. Later that night Jo of opium, the surgeon says, which he took regularly. The young comes, looks through the gate toward Nemo's grave, and man had the impression Nemo had suffered "a fall in life," but "softly sweeps the step and makes the archway clean." Krook cannot confirm this. He can say only Nemo has lodged with him for 18 months and made his living as a law-writer. At Mr. Tulkinghorn's suggestion, Miss Flite goes to fetch Snagsby. Chapter 12 When Snagsby arrives, he suggests sending for the beadle (a parish official who deals with petty crime). He says his wife met In Chapter 12 Sir Leicester Dedlock and Lady Honoria Dedlock Nemo first, and, though she doesn't like many people, she liked are returning from Paris and planning a party at Chesney Wold him. She also mistook his name and called him Nimrod. for the fashionable elite. Lady Dedlock has been bored and Because Krook cannot read, Tulkinghorn suggests Snagsby depressed in Paris and is eager to leave. As they ride off in search the room for any information about Nemo. He says he'll their carriage, Sir Leicester tells his wife he has had a letter wait in case a witness is ever necessary to testify "that all was from Mr. Tulkinghorn regarding the right-of-way, and the fair and right." Nothing is found, and Miss Flite goes to fetch lawyer included a message for her saying he has seen "the the beadle. Everyone leaves the room, and Mr. Tulkinghorn person who copied the affidavit in the Chancery suit, which so goes home. powerfully stimulated her curiosity." Lady Dedlock asks him to stop the carriage so she can walk for a while. On the crossing

to England, Sir Leicester is seasick. At Chesney Wold, Mrs. state's charity was laid out in the Poor Law Amendment Act of Rouncewell greets them and introduces Rosa. Lady Dedlock 1834, which established workhouses. Workhouses fed and shows an interest in the new maid, remarking on how pretty housed the poor in exchange for work—in much the same way she is, asking her age, and patting the girl on the cheek. That as prisoners might be required to do hard labor. Workhouse evening Rosa is full of praise for Lady Dedlock, calling her "so inmates might have to break up granite rocks or pick apart old affable, so graceful, so beautiful, so elegant." The attention rope. In exchange they got a pittance as wages, somewhere to paid to Rosa, however, seems to have annoyed Lady Dedlock's sleep, a limited amount of clothing, and a few chunks of bread. maid, Hortense—a 32-year-old French woman who has the So little food was provided that some starved to death. (One of look of a feral cat about her. Dickens's best-known scenes—Oliver Twist asking for more gruel—dramatized the cruelty of these institutions.) The For a week or two in January, Chesney Wold is full of purpose of this mistreatment was to make life in a workhouse fashionable guests. During the day they hunt and wander the so unpleasant that no one would apply. Guster, having lived in a neighborhood; at night they fill the long drawing-room. On workhouse as a child, is understandably enchanted by her Sunday they fill the little church. These modern dandies would surroundings. She has a room of her own, only light work to do like to turn back the clock, some to the social structure and (in comparison with the jobs given workhouse inmates), and others to the aristocratic fashions of earlier times. Several plenty to eat; she has even saved some money. politicians are among the guests, and they are quick to explain what is wrong with the government. The only person missing Readers will connect Mr. Tulkinghorn's interest in the law- from the party is Mr. Tulkinghorn, whom Lady Dedlock writer with the document he read from when he visited the enquires about each evening. Dedlocks in Chapter 2—the document in which Lady Dedlock expressed interest. Her interest made him suspicious. Now he Finally, late one afternoon, Mr. Tulkinghorn arrives, and his has decided to find out who the copyist is to see if there is hosts escort him indoors. He has been held up working on the some connection between that person and Lady Dedlock. This right-of-way dispute with Lawrence Boythorn. Tulkinghorn brings him to Mr. Snagsby, whose job it is in this time long wonders whether Sir Leicester "will give up ... any minor point"; before the age of photocopiers and computers to arrange for he won't. Lady Dedlock expresses surprise that Mr. the copying of legal documents. According to Mr. Snagsby's Tulkinghorn remembered her interest in the writing on the legal files, the copyist's name is Nemo. As Mr. Tulkinghorn notes, document, saying she herself had forgotten it. Mr. Tulkinghorn Nemo means "no one" in Latin. Therefore, he reasons, it can't tells how he found the writer dead and reports on the inquest. be the man's real name. So he decides to pay Nemo a visit. No one knew the man's real name, he says, and there were no papers in his old suitcase. Throughout this conversation, Lady In this chapter several symbols of death appear. First, Mr. Dedlock and Mr. Tulkinghorn "have looked very steadily at one Snagsby sees a crow flying overhead—a crow that flies next to another." Afterward, and for the rest of the party, it is Mr. Tulkinghorn's. By the time Tulkinghorn arrives at Snagsby's impossible to see what each is thinking about the other; "all shop, it is late and the night is dark; darkness can also be a this is hidden, for the time, in their own hearts." symbol of death. Then, at Krook's shop, Krook tells Tulkinghorn that people say Nemo "has sold himself to the Enemy"; this echoes what Miss Flite said in Chapter 5—that "the children in Analysis the lanes here, say he has sold himself to the devil." Neither Krook nor Miss Flite believes this—Krook because the devil By the time he wrote Bleak House, Dickens was well known as "don't buy" and Miss Flite because Nemo has no money to a critic of the workhouse system. During the Industrial show for the sale. Although this is not a direct symbol of death, Revolution, the cities swelled with people seeking work in it is a reminder of Nemo's mortality. When Tulkinghorn reaches factories; as a result, poverty increased. Those who couldn't Nemo's room, his own candle is blown out as he opens the find employment tried anything they could to earn a few door, and he finds the fire in the room has burned to embers pennies—selling newspapers, carrying packages for and the candle is guttering; these are also symbols of death. passersby, scavenging, or begging. A good example of this is Finally, when the candle has been extinguished, Tulkinghorn is Jo, whom readers meet in Chapter 11; he sweeps crossings for in darkness "with the gaunt [Banshee] eyes in the shutters a living. The truly destitute, however, relied on the state. The staring down upon the bed"; a banshee is the Irish spirit who

appears and wails when someone in the family is about to die. There is more pointed social criticism in this chapter as well. This is the most potent symbol of death. It seems likely that, For example the coroner's refusal to accept Jo as a witness despite his open eyes, Nemo is dead. Tulkinghorn will have to recalls the story of George Ruby, also a crossing sweeper, investigate further to find the answer he seeks. which Dickens had reported as a journalist. When called to testify at a trial for assault, Ruby was handed a Bible to swear The end of this chapter, in which Tulkinghorn is left in the dark on but just looked at it in bewilderment. The judge said he with the suspicion dawning on both him and the reader that could not "take the evidence of a creature who knew nothing Nemo might be dead, constitutes a cliffhanger. A cliffhanger is whatever of the obligation to tell the truth." This was one of a technique that awakens readers' curiosity by leaving them in several cases Dickens wrote about in which children's suspense. In Bleak House Dickens doesn't use as many evidence was refused on these grounds. Another instance of cliffhangers as he does in others of his novels, but Chapter 10 Dickens's social criticism is his scathing description of the was the end of a section in the serialization of the novel, and overcrowded, "pestiferous and obscene" cemetery where Dickens uses a cliffhanger to make sure readers buy the next Nemo's body is buried not six feet under but only "a foot or two section. down." Through authorial intrusion (a literary device in which the author speaks directly to the reader, usually using the first Readers meet Allan Woodcourt for the first time in this chapter person), he says such practices, while condoned by "our dear but don't yet learn his name. He is the "dark young surgeon" brothers and sisters who hang about official back-stairs," who knew Nemo. He will later become an important character. communicate disease to the living and provide "a shameful A surgeon was considered a lesser profession than a testimony to future ages how civilization and barbarism walked physician. Physicians were educated at universities or, like the this boastful island together." Scottish "medical man" in this chapter, at a Scottish medical school. Physicians generally acted as internists, diagnosing The gathering of "the fashionable intelligence" in Chapter 12 and treating internal disorders. In contrast, surgeons treated provides a chance for Dickens to indulge in social and political injuries and illnesses. They were considered craftsmen rather criticism of the aristocracy. He talks of dandies during the late than professionals and ranked well below physicians on the Georgian period, when the Prince Regent (George IV) dressed social scale. in the height of fashion and promoted a dandyism of dress and culture. But Dickens talks of a new type of dandy—dandies Much of this chapter is devoted to looking for clues to Nemo's who cling to the past because they have nothing of their own identity, but nothing much is learned about him. Mrs. Snagsby that makes them superior to others. They wear outdated apparently always calls Nemo "Nimrod"; this is an allusion to fashions and proclaim their belief that England would be better Genesis. The biblical Nimrod was a great hunter and warrior off if it could return to a time when everyone knew his or her and became a king. Scholars see similarities between him and place. Gilgamesh, the hero of the ancient Mesopotamian epic. The only witness at Nemo's inquest, Mrs. Piper, repeats the rumor Chapter 12 returns to the mystery surrounding Lady Dedlock that he has sold his soul to the devil—and seems to believe it. and the legal copyist's handwriting. The more bored she The inquest can't hear from Jo, who is the person who knew seems, the greater her internal agitation. Sometimes, though, Nemo best. Still, Jo would not have had much to say; he could her composure slips. In the carriage on the way home from have attested to Nemo's generosity, but could not have Paris, for instance, when she hears Mr. Tulkinghorn has found provided his legal identity. After all he couldn't even provide his the copyist, she is so upset she has to get out and walk. At the own. In this way, Nemo and Jo have something in common. party, she waits anxiously for Mr. Tulkinghorn to join them, but They're both nobodies and come from a class of hungry and her anxiety shows only in her nightly question to her maid: "Is largely homeless nobodies who are generally ignored by Mr. Tulkinghorn come?" As soon as he arrives, she asks about society. Dickens frequently creates characters who are reviled his message, claiming to have forgotten about the matter until by their social "betters" but revealed to be more caring and he mentioned it. But Tulkinghorn is not fooled. Who could be, generous than those who revile them. These are the people he when she insists about hearing the story despite her husband's wishes the state and philanthropists such as Mrs. Jellyby and displeasure at the topic of death and possible suicide? The Mrs. Pardiggle would truly help. narrator's comments in the final paragraph indicate Lady Dedlock and Mr. Tulkinghorn are suspicious of each other. She

wonders what he might know, and he wonders what he should the deepest misery." After that, every time Esther goes to the know. The last few words of the chapter hint that all will theater, there's Guppy staring up at her. In fact, she sees him eventually be revealed. everywhere—even following their carriage when they are stuck in traffic and standing outside their lodgings at night. Her only In Chapter 9 readers learned what Mr. Boythorn thinks of Sir "rest from him" comes during the day when he has to work. Leicester. In Chapter 12 Sir Leicester's feelings about Boythorn She frets over how to stop him from stalking her. are revealed. And they're equally disapproving. He says Boythorn, whom readers know is a very considerate Kenge's medical cousin is Bayham Badger, and he agrees "to gentleman, has an "ill-regulated mind" and is "an extremely receive Richard into his house and to superintend his studies." dangerous person." Boythorn is clearly a thorn in Sir The Badgers invite Jarndyce and his party to dinner, where Leicester's side. Nevertheless, when asked if he will make they meet Mrs. Badger. Mr. Badger informs them his wife has some minor concession in the dispute to move things along, Sir had three husbands: a naval officer, who was Mrs. Badger's Leicester refuses and makes a capital offense of Boythorn's great love; a professor of botany; and Mr. Badger himself. Mr. obstinacy. If this is simply an issue of a right-of-way where Badger is very proud of his wife's former husbands and talks their two large properties meet, it seems strange that the men about them all evening. That night Ada and Richard confess to cannot just let their lawyers settle it. But neither will give an Esther that they are in love. Esther tells Jarndyce the following inch; they are deadlocked. (Keeping things as they are—stuck morning, and he meets with the young couple to say he had in disagreement—is apparently a specialty of Sir Leicester's, as foreseen this as a possibility in the future and reminds them indicated by his name.) But maybe they're fighting over they are still young. He tells Richard "constancy in love is ... something altogether different. nothing, without constancy in every kind of effort." Jarndyce suggests Richard and Ada take a walk. After they leave, he reminds Esther that her life should not be "consumed in care Chapters 13–15 for others." Esther recalls another guest at dinner that evening—a dark-complected young surgeon who she found "very sensible and agreeable." Summary Chapter 14

Chapter 13 Chapter 14 begins with Richard Carstone moving in with the Badgers. The following day Caddy Jellyby arrives to visit Esther Summerson and John Jarndyce try to get Richard Esther Summerson, Ada Clare, and John Jarndyce; with her is Carstone to decide which profession he would like to enter, Peepy Jellyby, who is dressed haphazardly. Caddy herself, but he can't decide. The only thing Richard can say with though, looks quite pretty. Caddy gives her mother's latest certainty is he doesn't want to go into the Church. When circular to Mr. Jarndyce, who remarks on the "very trying" east Jarndyce mentions "surgeon," Richard fixes on that option. Mr. wind. Caddy confides that her father is near bankruptcy, her Boythorn is emphatically in favor but turns the discussion into a mother doesn't care how things are in the house, and she has rant against the Admiralty for their mistreatment of surgeons no time to help. She also confides that she is engaged to at sea. Conversation Kenge is also consulted, and he says he is Prince Turveydrop, her dance instructor, who was named after sure Richard will apply himself just as he did to Latin verse. the Prince Regent. She meets him secretly at Miss Flite's; she Kenge says he has a cousin "in the medical profession" who has been seeing the "poor thing" regularly since meeting her might "be deemed eligible" to train Richard, and it is arranged with Esther and Ada. She asks Esther to go with her to her that Jarndyce and his charges will go up to London to meet dance lesson. Esther agrees and suggests they meet Ada and him. Mr. Jarndyce at Miss Flite's afterward.

In London Esther, Richard, and Ada Clare take in the sights. Mr. Turveydrop is a small, timid young man. Esther also meets One night they are at the theater when Esther notices William his father, who is "a fat old gentleman with a false complexion, Guppy staring at her "with a carefully prepared expression of false teeth, false whiskers, and a wig"; his clothes are too tight

and his accessories overdone. He is "a model of deportment." is distraught by their loudness, vanity, and "self-laudation"; He stands and watches as his son "never rest[s] for a minute" Esther observes "the wind was in the east for three whole but plays both violin and piano and helps any student who's weeks." Jarndyce finds relief in the simple candor of Harold having trouble. Yet it is the father who actually owns the Skimpole, who comes to visit. Esther is surprised to learn dancing school; he inherited it from his wife, who supported Lawrence Boythorn has invited Skimpole to visit at the same him by teaching dancing. Esther learns this from an old woman time Jarndyce, Esther, and Ada will be at Boythorn's. Skimpole sitting beside her who speaks quite spitefully about the elder also has other news. Coavinses has died; Skimpole learned this Turveydrop. Mr. Turveydrop comes to sit with Esther and tells when the new debt collector came to take possession of his her about how famous he is and how Prince takes after Mrs. house—on his daughter's birthday. Coavinses, who had been a Turveydrop. When the lesson ends, Prince gets ready to teach widower, left three orphaned children. somewhere else, and his father goes out to "show himself" about town. Jarndyce, Esther, Ada, and Skimpole go to "Coavinses' Castle" and learn the dead man's name was Neckett and he lived in Caddy and Esther set out for Lincoln's Inn. On the way Caddy Bell Yard. On the way upstairs to find the Neckett children, explains Miss Flite has been teaching her to clean, shop, cook, they meet Mr. Gridley standing in the doorway of his room. and sew, and she finds she feels less resentful of her mother. Esther looks past him and sees his room is strewn with papers. As they go up to Miss Flite's room, they peer in the door of the At the top of the stairs, they find two children—a boy of five or vacant room; it gives Esther "a strange sensation of six holding an 18-month-old child—locked in a "poor room" with mournfulness and even dread." Miss Flite has been ill and little furniture and no fire. Their older sister, Charley, arrives, introduces her doctor, Allan Woodcourt. She also explains that covered in soap suds from doing laundry. She's small and out every Saturday she receives seven shillings, which she believes of breath; when asked her age, she says, "over thirteen." Her comes from the Chancellor as an advance on her settlement. brother is Tom, and the baby is Emma. As they're talking with Fitz-Jarndyce, as she calls Caddy, uses this money to do Miss Charley, Mrs. Blinder, the landlady, comes in. She explains Mr. Flite's shopping. Esther is sure the money is from Mr. Jarndyce. Neckett was a good, hardworking man who paid his rent on Krook comes to the door, wanting to meet Mr. Jarndyce. He time but people resented him for his profession. Some are so tells Jarndyce he knew Tom Jarndyce. Then, although Miss resentful that they take it out on Charley by paying her less Flite won't tell Krook the names of her birds, he lists them—a and making her work more for it. Mr. Gridley joins them, too, to list which illustrates the progression of Miss Flite's madness. check on the children. It turns out Mr. Gridley is another victim He insists on showing them his shop and watches Jarndyce of Chancery and has "been dragged for five and twenty years closely the entire time. They find Krook is trying to teach over burning iron." He is more open when he learns Mr. himself to read and write; when asked why he doesn't get Jarndyce's name, explaining he remains sane by getting angry; someone to teach him, he says he doesn't want to be "learned if he didn't, he would "become imbecile like the poor little mad wrong." Jarndyce asks Mr. Woodcourt whether Krook is mad, woman that haunts the court." He describes his Chancery as Miss Flite says, but the doctor thinks he is only mistrustful case, which also concerns a will; he is a farmer, and, even and drunk on cheap gin. Mr. Woodcourt is the same young before the case had started, the costs "were three times the surgeon they met at the Badgers', and Mr. Jarndyce invites him legacy." Talking about his case enrages him, but he calms to dine with them that evening. Esther hints there is more to tell down and takes the two younger children down to his room to about the surgeon than she is presently revealing. play. The rest of them go downstairs with Charley, who runs off to work. Chapter 15 Analysis In Chapter 15 readers discover that in London John Jarndyce is "constantly beset" by a range of philanthropists. Mr. Quale is Chapter 13 delves further into Richard's character. Like his among them, and Esther Summerson realizes he admires not attitude toward money, his attitude toward his future is overly just Mrs. Jellyby but also Mrs. Pardiggle and anyone else optimistic. He seems to think it will take care of itself. After flip- engaged in philanthropic pursuits. Mr. Jarndyce, who is beset flopping about a possible career in the navy or the army, he by these people because of his "earnest desire to do ... good," says yes to the first suggestion Mr. Jarndyce

makes—becoming a surgeon—and fixates on that notion. Why? he detests hypocrisy. He is also conflicted by the There seems to be no particular reason, so perhaps it is only philanthropists as he feels their professed goals are good because he is sick of being pestered to make a reasoned ones; his problem is with their placing more emphasis on decision about what he wants to do. Whatever the reason, he themselves than on the people they are trying to help. He has passively allows himself to be apprenticed to Mr. Badger, no such problem telling Skimpole what he thinks, however; promising to apply himself. Esther and Mr. Jarndyce seem less when Skimpole says happily he has not paid his doctor or his than convinced of his dedication, however, so readers might butcher but "meant" the payment, Jarndyce easily takes the expect his apprenticeship to founder. butcher's side: "But, suppose ... he had meant the meat ... instead of providing it?" Allan Woodcourt is not the only man interested in Esther. Guppy has proved to be a stalker, following Esther around In Chapter 15 readers are also reminded of the dark side of London whenever he is not at work. This wears on Esther Skimpole. He reports Coavinses has died, leaving three particularly because he goes out of the way to make himself orphaned children. But he is happy about this because now the appear lovelorn. He pursues her with the same determination debt collector "will never do violence to the sunshine any he applies to furthering his career. Dickens describes how more." Similarly, and perhaps even more disturbingly, he is Guppy's attentions weigh on Esther—she cannot focus on the completely calm about another debt collector taking plays she sees, she can barely "move or speak" because she possession of his own belongings. knows he's watching; she won't go near the window of her room at night, knowing he may be waiting beneath her window. In these chapters Dickens indulges in social criticism. Through Yet she doesn't tell Jarndyce because she is afraid Guppy Esther, he questions the values of an aristocratic education. He might lose his job, she worries about the money he's spending reminds readers of the self-serving nature of the philanthropy on going to the theater, and she won't even move to the back practiced by Mrs. Jellyby, Mrs. Pardiggle, Mr. Gusher, and of the box where he cannot see her because she does not others like them. His affecting portrayal of the young Charley want to disappoint Ada and Richard. Esther's early upbringing valiantly attempting to provide for her younger siblings shows still shows; she truly believes her own needs and desires the absence of government programs to help people in need. matter less than those of others. Through his caricature of Mr. Turveydrop, he mocks the idleness and focus on appearances and being seen in the right Jarndyce recognizes that Esther always puts others before places that can characterize the fashionable aristocracy. He herself and says her "life [should not be] all consumed in care also tackles once again the inequity of the court of for others." This habit of putting herself last is further equity—Chancery—in several ways: the discussion between exemplified in Esther's narrative by the fact that she puts the Krook and Jarndyce, Krook's recitation of the names of Flite's events that are most important to her at the ends of Chapters birds, and Mr. Gridley's story. Mr. Gridley, readers will 13 and 14—her first (Chapter 13) and second (Chapter 14) remember, is the man from Shropshire who several times meetings with Allan Woodcourt. By treating them as interrupts proceedings in Chancery at the end of Chapter 1. afterthoughts, Esther, as narrator, may mean to play them down; yet Dickens uses this positioning to call attention to them. Similarly while Esther doesn't report what Ada says at Chapters 16–18 the end of Chapter 14, readers can infer Ada is as aware of the attraction between Esther and the surgeon as Esther had been of the attraction between Ada and Richard. Summary Chapter 15 shows how strongly Mr. Jarndyce disapproves of how some people court admiration and recognition for their philanthropy. This is demonstrated by the "wind [being] in the Chapter 16 east for three whole weeks" while he is "beset" by the Sir Leicester Dedlock is laid up with gout, a family affliction. philanthropists. Since Skimpole's unabashed self- Lady Honoria Dedlock has gone up to town. She has been centeredness is "a great relief" to Jarndyce and he positively restless lately, flitting back and forth between London and enjoys Lawrence Boythorn's exaggerations, it can be inferred

Lincolnshire. begun." The woman said she was living under an assumed name and was the girl's aunt. She refused to see Mr. Jarndyce Jo lives in a "ruinous place" called Tom-all-Alone's. The houses himself but would see Conversation Kenge as his go-between. are old and decaying but are still rented as lodgings. They are Esther says she "blesses the guardian who is a father to her," leaky and full of vermin and disease. Sometimes they collapse. and Jarndyce momentarily looks troubled again. Esther The property is in Chancery, though no one knows where the remarks it would be "many and many a day" before she would name comes from. Jo can't read or write, though he wonders understand why. what the symbols mean. It is morning, and Jo is on his way to work as a crossing sweeper. A street band comes by and plays The next day Allan Woodcourt stops by. He is seven years for a while. At dusk a woman wearing a veil and dressed as a older than Esther and has "no fortune or private means." So he servant, but with the manner and jewelry of a lady, asks Jo has taken a job as a ship's surgeon and is about to leave for about Nemo. She wants to see "the place he wrote for, the China and India; he'll be gone a long time. His mother comes place he died at, the place where you were taken to, and the with him on the visit. She is Welsh, she tells them, and from a place where he was buried." He shows her the places: Cook's "sort of royal family." She does not want Allan to "form an Court, where the stationer's is; Krook's house, where Nemo alliance" beneath "his pedigree." Mr. Woodcourt seems lived; the pub where the inquest was held; and the crowded "distressed" by her comments and thanks Mr. Jarndyce for the cemetery. The woman gives him a gold coin. "very happy hours" he has spent there. After kissing Ada's and Esther's hand, he leaves with his mother. That night Lady Dedlock attends a series of social functions in London, and at Chesney Wold footsteps can be heard clearly Still later Caddy Jellyby stops by. She gives Esther "an on the Ghost Walk. exquisite little nosegay," saying it was left at Miss Flite's by someone who "was hurrying away an hour ago to join a ship," and she believes he "left them on purpose." Chapter 17

While Esther Summerson, Ada Clare, and John Jarndyce Chapter 18 stayed in London, Richard Carstone visited them frequently. Esther realizes he has the abilities he needs to do well but has Having decided to give law a try, Richard Carstone cannot never learned to apply them. One day Bayham Badger and bring himself to give up on medicine, and his indecision lasts till Mrs. Badger call when Jarndyce is out. They tell Esther and midsummer. Until Richard makes up his mind and commits to Ada that Richard is not really interested in becoming a surgeon working at Kenge and Carboy's, John Jarndyce rents him a but considers it "a tiresome pursuit." Before saying anything to furnished room by the month in a respectable area of London. Mr. Jarndyce, Ada and Esther ask Richard how it's going. It Richard decides to stay in London and try to "unravel the turns out he finds it "monotonous." After some discussion, they mysteries of the fatal suit," so Ada Clare, Esther Summerson, decide he must give up on medicine and try another Mr. Jarndyce, and Harold Skimpole go to stay with Lawrence profession. Richard says he has been thinking of taking up the Boythorn without him. Skimpole's landlord has taken law, which would allow him to follow the progress of their case possession of his furniture, which was not paid for and for as well. Richard goes to Mr. Jarndyce and tells him his which Mr. Jarndyce had countersigned. So it is Jarndyce who decision. Jarndyce says they "can retreat with honor" but must will have to pay for them, just as he must pay for Skimpole's take time before rushing into "the matter of the law." Despite refreshments on the way to Boythorn's. his positive words, Esther notices his eyes look troubled. Boythorn meets them with a carriage and apologizes because Mr. Jarndyce tells Esther what little he knows of her past. Nine they must travel two miles out of the way to avoid crossing Sir years ago he got a letter from a woman who had raised an Leicester Dedlock's land. From a hilltop they see Chesney orphan girl "in secrecy" and "blotted out all trace of her Wold—"a picturesque old house in a fine park richly wooded." existence." The woman said if she died, the girl, who was 12, Esther and Ada find the view "serene." Passing through the "would be left entirely friendless, nameless, and unknown." She village, Boythorn greets Watt Rouncewell, who is sitting wanted to know if Jarndyce would "finish what [she] had outside the inn. Boythorn explains Watt "is in love with a pretty

girl up at the house" whom Lady Honoria Dedlock "is going to Bleak House. Among them were keep about her." Watt wants to marry the girl but can't do so yet. Boythorn's house used to be the parsonage. The gardens Tom-all-Alone's are bursting with flowers, fruit, and vegetables. The disputed The Solitary House (that never knew happiness) ground is nearby, and Boythorn keeps a "sentry" and a The Ruined House ferocious bull dog to guard it. He has posted signs, too, to warn The Ruined House That Got into Chancery and never got off trespassers. out The East Wind The next day, which is Sunday, they all walk to church together. The congregation includes locals as well as "a large He decided to use Bleak House with no subtitle so readers muster of servants from the house." Esther can pick out the could decide for themselves what it referred to. While pretty maid, who is "blushingly conscious" of Watt's attention. Jarndyce's Bleak House itself is far from bleak, other houses She also sees a Frenchwoman who is "maliciously watchful of are: Chesney Wold, the slum lodgings in Tom-all-Alone's or the this pretty girl." As service begins, Esther finds herself looking brickmakers' community, the unhappy homes of many other into the eyes of Lady Dedlock, which "spring out of their characters (the Jellybys or Mr. Tulkinghorn, for example), and languor" to lock with hers. Somehow Esther's heart starts even Chancery itself. Dickens also wanted readers to think of pounding, and she is reminded of her childhood at Miss the word house as a metaphor for the country as a whole; he Barbary's. She is even more disturbed when the considered England in many ways to be ruined and its situation Frenchwoman's gaze falls on her as the woman looks around bleak. at everyone. After church Boythorn and Skimpole get into one It's too bad Mr. Tulkinghorn doesn't look out his window; he of their many arguments, which Esther always expects to end might have recognized Lady Dedlock, despite her servant's in a "violent explosion" on Boythorn's part. But generally the dress, heading for Tom-all-Alone's. That would have provided visit is a happy one in pleasant surroundings. The following another clue for his investigation. He doesn't see her, though, Saturday, though, Ada, Esther, and Mr. Jarndyce are caught and she finds Jo and gets a tour of Nemo's life and death out in a thunderstorm. They are sheltering in the keeper's there. This confirms to readers what Tulkinghorn suspects; she lodge when someone speaks to them. Ada mistakes the voice has some deep connection to the man who was known as for Esther's, but it isn't. Esther's heart begins pounding again, Nemo. Not only has she come to a slum in disguise but she has and she sees images of herself. It is Lady Dedlock, who greets paid Jo a gold sovereign (a gold coin worth £1). Jarndyce. She asks after "the young gentleman" he "wrote to Sir Leicester about" and asks to be introduced to Ada and Esther's suspicions about Richard are shown to be accurate in Esther. From their intermittent conversation, it is clear Chapter 17. He finds studying medicine boring. However, he Jarndyce knew Lady Dedlock long ago and he knew her sister suggests another profession—the law—on his own and seems even better, but Lady Dedlock and her sister fell out and "went to have been thinking about it for a while. Mr. Jarndyce insists [their] several ways." The rain lets up, and a small carriage he not rush into it this time, but there are good reasons why it arrives bearing both the Frenchwoman and the pretty, young might be more interesting to him. After all, both Richard and maid; Lady Dedlock ignores the Frenchwoman and has the girl Ada are involved in the Jarndyce inheritance, and Richard put a shawl on her. Then she drives off with the girl, leaving the hopes he can look after and perhaps even influence the case. Frenchwoman to walk back to the house, which she chooses But even though it is his own choice to leave medicine and to do barefoot, leaving her shoes behind on the wet grass. The switch to law, it takes him several months, as readers learn in keeper tells Jarndyce that Hortense, the Frenchwoman, has Chapter 18, to overcome his natural inertia and follow through been given "notice to leave" and is not happy about it. on that decision.

But will the law really be the right profession for Richard? Analysis Readers might recall both Miss Flite and Mr. Gridley, while not lawyers, have made it their business to study their cases in Chapter 16 introduces Tom-all-Alone's, the slum that plays a detail—but to no avail. The lawyers themselves are not in large role in unravelling the novel's central mystery. Dickens business to resolve cases but to prolong them; that's how they considered a variety of titles for this novel before deciding on make money. Richard, whatever his flaws, is a generous young

man; it seems unlikely that dragging out legal proceedings at they are introduced and doesn't speak to her. Still she offers to the expense of the parties involved in a case would appeal to send back her two-seater carriage for Ada and Esther, so she his kind-hearted nature. clearly feels more compassion for Esther, whom she doesn't know, than for Hortense, who is (still) in her employ. The mystery of Esther's birth is addressed in Chapter 17—although she does not learn much. She learns only how Mr. Jarndyce found out about her. At least one question is settled; Chapters 19–21 if readers wondered if he had any personal tie to her, this makes clear he did not. But something in his relationship with Esther is troubling Jarndyce. In Chapter 13 he said Esther is "to be held in remembrance above all other people," and in this Summary chapter he says she "repays [him] twenty-thousandfold, and twenty more to that, every hour in every day." But when Esther says he "is a father to her," Jarndyce again looks troubled. He Chapter 19 is affectionate with all of his charges, but she is the one for The courts are closed for their annual summer break, and the whom he has a myriad of nicknames; she is the one he lawyers and judges are off enjoying the four-month vacation. confides in; she is the one who cheers him up when an east London is suffering a heat wave. Mrs. Snagsby has invited Mr. wind is blowing. Readers would be justified in thinking, despite Chadband and his wife to tea with herself and Mr. Snagsby, the age difference between them, Jarndyce's feelings for and Guster has been busy getting ready for their visit. The Esther might not be entirely fatherly. Chadbands arrive late. As he enters, Mr. Chadband wishes Meanwhile, Esther is finding it harder to keep her feelings for peace upon the house and its occupants and is about to Allan Woodcourt out of the narration, and there are indications continue to discuss the topic of peace when Guster interrupts he has feelings for her. First, although he doesn't know her to say Mr. Chadband has underpaid a cabbie by eight pence, well, he comes to say goodbye before leaving on his long and Chadband says to his wife, "Rachael, pay the eightpence!" voyage. Next he says what "very happy hours" he has spent After some sermonizing Chadband sits down and begins there. Then he finds a way to kiss her hand when leaving. consuming large amounts of food. Guster again interrupts; this Finally he sends a nosegay of beautiful flowers by way of time Mr. Snagsby is wanted in the shop. Caddy. Esther immediately recognizes them as the "sort of A police constable has brought Jo into the shop and complains thing" a lover would give a girl and is nonplussed when she to Snagsby that the boy refuses to "move on"; Jo claims he has finds out they are for her from Mr. Woodcourt. done nothing but move on "since [he] was born." He wants to In Chapter 18 Esther sees Lady Dedlock for the first time and know where he should move to. The constable says he'll have finds it deeply disturbing. She knows she has never seen the to take the boy into custody if he won't move on. Snagsby woman before, yet she looks familiar. She reminds Esther of takes Jo's side, also asking where. The diners hear the her godmother although her godmother's face did not have the commotion and come into the shop as well. The constable has same "loftiness and haughtiness." Readers will remember brought Jo to Snagsbys because Jo says Snagsby knows him. William Guppy also had the impression he had seen Lady Snagsby tells him about Jo's role in the inquest into Nemo's Dedlock before even though he knew he hadn't. When Esther death. Just then William Guppy arrives; he overheard the "row" and Lady Dedlock meet again while sheltering from the rain, between Jo and the constable and volunteers that he knows Esther discovers Lady Dedlock's voice is also familiar. It turns Snagsby. The constable has found two half-crown coins on Jo, out Jarndyce knows Lady Dedlock and her sister. Readers may which he finds suspicious. Jo explains that a woman in a veil wonder whether he knew them through Boythorn. In any case, gave him a sovereign for showing her around, but much of it Lady Dedlock is gracious and friendly—which may surprise has been stolen from him. The constable assumes Jo's lying, readers after earlier encounters with her. After all, she was but offers not to jail him if Mr. Snagsby "will ... engage for his distant and haughty with Mr. Tulkinghorn, reserved with her moving on." Against his wife's wishes, Snagsby agrees and tells husband, and disgusted by Jo. But despite her friendliness Jo he must move on. The constable wants him to go at least toward Jarndyce and Ada, she turns away from Esther after five miles away, pointing westward, and then leaves.

The others are all curious about Jo's story of how he got the improve; now he's seriously thinking of enlisting. Since getting sovereign. Mr. Guppy begins to interrogate him and is soon fired by Kenge and Carboy's, it's been all downhill. Guppy invited upstairs for a cup of tea. Jo is brought as far as the suggests he become a legal copyist for Snagsby and take a doorway to the drawing room, where Guppy questions him. room at Krook's. He could even change his name. Guppy also Eventually he decides the boy may be telling the truth and expresses curiosity about Krook, whom he characterizes as mentions he works at Kenge and Carboy's. This prompts Mrs. "so deep, so sly, and secret" and "reported to be immensely Chadband to say she knows that firm and has known them rich." Guppy suggests Tony investigate him, offering his friend since before she married Mr. Chadband. Mr. Guppy then cross- as much as £5 to do so, which is very gratefully accepted. In examines her and learns she was once "left in charge of a child passing, he mentions the last lodger in Krook's room died named Esther Summerson, who was put out in life by Messrs. there, but Jobling says he doesn't mind. Kenge and Carboy." Guppy is "excited" to learn this and is about to shake Mrs. Chadband's hand when her husband rises Guppy pays for their meal. Then he and Jobling leave and go to and blesses the house. He asks Jo to "stand forth" and tells the Krook's, where they find him passed out drunk. He awakes and boy he's "a pearl, ... a diamond, ... a gem, ... a jewel"; after a accuses them of finishing his gin while he was sleeping. Guppy great deal of sermonizing, he comes to his point—he wants Jo goes and has the bottle refilled with a better quality of gin, to come to him every day "to hear discourses." Jo, who wants which meets with Krook's approval. Calling Tony "Mr. Weevle," only to get away, nods. Guppy gives him a penny, Mr. Snagsby Guppy arranges for Tony to have Nemo's old room, which has "loads him with some broken meats from the table," and Guster been cleaned and better furnished. Mr. Weevle is to move in sees him out. Jo goes to Blackfriars Bridge, where he sits the next day. The two young men go on to Snagsby's, where it down and eats his supper. is arranged for Weevle to work as a law-writer, before returning to Kenge and Carboy's to deliver news of their success to Smallweed. He moves in as arranged and soon Chapter 20 makes the room his own by decorating it with "Galaxy Gallery of British Beauty" pinups of fashionable women. Weevle is a Richard Carstone has begun working at Kenge and Carboy's, follower of fashion. Soon he is chatting regularly with Mr. and he and William Guppy are the only people in the office Krook. In fact, Mrs. Piper remarks to Mrs. Perkins, "don't you be during the long summer holiday. Guppy resents Richard's surprised ... if that young man comes in at last for old Krook's presence and suspects Richard is trying to do him out of his money!" position there. Therefore Guppy is busy cooking up ways of foiling Richard's nonexistent plans. Richard spends his time in Kenge's office studying the Jarndyce case; this pleases Guppy, Chapter 21 who knows it's useless. Today Mr. Guppy has a visitor. It's his friend and admirer Bart Smallweed. Bart—also called Young Bart Smallweed lives in a house in Mount Pleasant—a very Smallweed, Chick Weed, and just Small—is nearly 15, but unpleasant part of London—with his twin sister and their already "an old limb of the law." He's short and always wears a grandparents. The most childlike member of the family is very tall hat. In general he tries to look, talk, and act like Mr. Grandmother Smallweed, who is senile. Grandfather Guppy. Their friend Tony Jobling appears outside the window. Smallweed, in contrast, is sharp-witted but losing the use of his Jobling is hungry, having been fired from his law clerk's job limbs. He continues the family business of lending small some time back. Guppy tosses him half a crown and invites him amounts of money at high interest rates and expresses his bad to have dinner with them. Jobling just needs to wait half an temper by throwing a cushion at his wife. The older hour for Richard to leave; in the meantime, he sits on the stairs Smallweeds are tended to by Judy Smallweed, Bart's twin and reads. After Richard goes, Smallweed ushers Jobling sister, who calms down her grandmother when she gets upset inside. Jobling asks Guppy how "she" is, which Guppy "resents and "shakes up" her grandfather when he starts to slide down as a liberty." in his chair. Like Bart, Judy skipped childhood; she never played or laughed with other children. Unlike him, though, she The three young men go to a cheap local dining-house. Jobling has no friends. She takes out her ill temper on Charley Neckett, recalls his trip to Lincolnshire with Guppy and their visit to who cleans for the Smallweeds. When Bart arrives it turns out Chesney Wold. At that time he still thought his fortunes would he has eaten with William Guppy. His grandfather approves.

Bart should "live at [Guppy's] expense as much as" everyone to "be joyful, joyful! O let us be joyful!" When he sees possible—and Bart's father, who died 15 years ago, would say the food laid out on the table, he gives a two-paragraph the same. Bart seems less than convinced; Judy collects the sermon on why humans need to eat. The only time he isn't tea the family hasn't drunk and the crusts of bread left uneaten talking, it appears, is when he's eating, which he does in great to give Charley to eat. Grandfather continues, reminiscing that quantities. Bart's father was also Grandfather's business partner; Bart and Judy will inherit the money they made when Grandfather is As a crossing sweeper, Jo is dependent on the beat policemen gone. They should add to it but live off their incomes from the allowing him to stay at his post. They can choose at their law (Bart) and making artificial flowers (Judy). discretion to decide whether he is performing a useful function or loitering. In Chapter 19 the constable has decided Jo is A visitor arrives. It is Mr. George, a powerful man of 50 with the loitering, which is a crime, and has therefore asked him to bearing of a cavalryman. He chats with the old man about his "move on." For most of his short life, Jo has been asked to and his wife's health and how the old man spends his days. move on. Dickens, who knows Jo will not live long, often Then the conversation turns to business. He pays the interest employs authorial intrusion to speak directly to Jo, as he does on a loan and smokes a pipe of tobacco provided by in Chapter 19, saying moving on is "the be-all and the end-all of Smallweed. The moneylender also suggests he approach a [Jo's] strange existence." Dickens knew street children seldom friend to pay off his debt or vouch for him so he can borrow survived. In 1840, the average life expectancy of working-class some more capital. But Mr. George says he can't and, laborers was just 22, and a third of all children were dead moreover, he won't. The conversation turns to Captain before they reached 5. Hawdon, a friend of Mr. George's from their time in the army. Mr. George feels he was taken in by Grandfather Smallwood Mr. Guppy's investigation into Esther Summerson and his often-mentioned "friend in the city." They advertised unexpectedly hits pay dirt in Chapter 19 with his introduction to that Hawdon could "hear of something to his advantage" when Mrs. Chadband. Without even knowing it, he has also received they were actually looking for the man in order to have him information about Lady Dedlock and her investigation into arrested for debt. The old man still gets angry just thinking Nemo. His own observation of the portrait at Chesney Wold is about it and wishes the Captain had killed himself when he had a hint something may tie the two women together. As his "a pistol to his head." Mr. George is sure, though, that his questioning of Jo and of Mrs. Chadband shows, he is a former friend drowned at sea, either "intentionally or meticulous investigator, examining all possibilities and accidentally." Mr. George leaves and goes to the theater. eliminating the irrelevant ones until he reaches the truth. It's Afterward, he returns to his business, George's Shooting clear that, even when he can't be stalking Esther, who is not in Gallery, where he finds his helper, Phil, engaged in target London right now, he's still chasing down whatever facts he practice. Phil is another ex-military man who bears the scars of can find about her. severe injury. George tells him to "shut up shop." He does. In Chapter 20 readers see another side of Mr. Guppy. He Then, the two men lay their mattresses on the floor of the seems quite human as he tosses Tony Jobling half a crown gallery and go to bed. and then invites him to dinner. He even helps him get better- paying work. He also hopes Tony can help him learn more Analysis about Krook, but this is not his primary motivation. His suffering over Esther seems real. He avoids the topic with his friends and won't even go to the theater with them because "there are In Chapter 19 Mr. Chadband appears for the first time, but chords in the human mind which would render it a hollow readers have met his wife before. She is Mrs. Rachael, who mockery." It's hard not to feel sorry for him. He has had advice inherited everything from Esther's aunt after Miss Barbary died from the world-wise teenager Bart Smallweed, and readers (Chapter 2), and she hasn't changed much. She's still stern and cannot know to what extent his stalking may have come as a silent. In that, she's the opposite of her husband. Mr. Chadband result of Smallweed's influence. This, of course, does nothing is a large man who enjoys preaching. No matter what's said to to lessen and cannot excuse the unpalatable legalese with him or what happens, he replies with a sort of impromptu which he tries to woo Esther or the discomfort his stalking sermon. When he has to pay extra to the cabbie, he expounds creates for her. on how much more the fare might have been and exhorts

Chapter 21 introduces several new characters. Readers meet Bart Smallweed's twin sister, Judy, and his grandparents, who Chapters 22–24 were once, like Bart and everyone else in his family, small people with a great aptitude for arithmetic—an aptitude that made them rich in the moneylending business. But Summary Grandmother Smallweed has lost the use of her mind to senility and her husband has lost the use of his body; his legs, arms, and ears are all failing him. She is prone to cackle and Chapter 22 mutter about money; he is prone to call her names and throw a cushion at her. Since Bart is out working in the law, the care of Mr. Tulkinghorn is enjoying a glass of 50-year-old port with Mr. the grandparents has fallen to Judy, who takes out her Snagsby. Snagsby is repeating something he reported to resentment on the girl who cleans for them, the long-suffering Tulkinghorn the night before: Jo's story about the veiled Charley Neckett. woman. Snagsby stops talking when he realizes there's another "gentleman" in the room. It's Mr. Bucket, a "detective Into this heated environment comes another new character, officer" Tulkinghorn wants to investigate the matter. Bucket Mr. George. Mr. George has a brusque, military way about him. wants Snagsby to help him find Jo and reassures Snagsby the He tends to view life in a straightforward manner, putting boy won't be hurt; he'll just be asked a few questions and "paid neither a negative nor a positive spin on it, as can be seen in for his trouble." On the way out, Bucket asks whether Snagsby his responses. When asked "How de do," he replies, "Middling," knows "a very good sort of person of the name of Gridley"; and when asked, "How does the world use you," he says, Snagsby doesn't, and the detective explains that Gridley's "Pretty much as usual. Like football." Since football is kicked temper has led him to threaten "some respectable people" and one way and then another, it sounds like life is not all good, but is now avoiding a warrant Bucket has issued for him. not all bad. Mr. George seems to have a caring nature and might have made a good medical man. He asks whether As they walk, Snagsby notices how stealthy and observant Grandfather Smallweed rubs his legs to increase the Bucket is. In Tom-all-Alone's, a constable joins them. The circulation; he straightens Grandmother Smallweed's hair and streets are "deep in black mud and corrupt water" and stink. cap and scolds her husband for calling her "a brimstone They pass "the fever houses," and the constable explains that chatterer." His anger at the old man's abuse of his senile wife is for months people here have been dying "like sheep with the even more evident as he "shakes out" Grandfather Smallweed rot." Snagsby feels like he can't breathe. After speaking to a much more roughly than necessary, which unnerves the old number of people, they conclude Jo must be known as Toughy man. Mr. George is also a clever man. He has managed to work and that he has gone to the doctor's on an errand for into his contract that, when he makes his interest payment someone. While waiting for him, Bucket looks around and finds every other month, Mr. Smallweed is to give him a pipe of two drunk men and their wives. The men are brickmakers, and tobacco to smoke. Mr. George explains he did this for the the women are Jenny and Liz. They have walked to London satisfaction of getting something for his money on each visit. from St. Albans looking for work for their husbands. Liz is But maybe he's making up for the character flaws of his youth. holding a baby, and Bucket asks about him. Jenny kisses the When Grandfather Smallweed asks him if he was an "excellent child, and Bucket remarks she seems "as fond of it as if [she] son," Mr. George reddens and admits he wasn't. He wanted to were the mother." Jenny explains she lost "one like it." Liz says, be, he thinks, but wasn't. Readers learn, though, that he is a "Better so. Much better to think of dead than alive, Jenny! reliable and trustworthy friend to former comrades in arms like Much better!" Bucket finds this attitude "unnatural," but Liz the Captain Hawdon mentioned in the conversation with talks about what the boy's future will be—beaten by his father, Smallweed or his worker at the shooting gallery, Phil Squod. He seeing his mother beaten, and "perhaps to stray wild." She also helps and defends people who can't help themselves, like thinks, if that happens, she'll probably wish he'd died like Grandmother Smallweed. From his misty-eyed response to the Jenny's baby. Mr. Snagsby "coughs his cough of sympathy." ending of the play he saw at the theater, it is clear he has a Then Jo arrives with the medicine. Mr. Snagsby leaves half a very soft heart indeed. crown on the table, and Mr. Bucket takes Jo to Lincoln's Inn Fields.

Jo recognizes the lady standing in Mr. Tulkinghorn's room. He him for weeks. He thinks it would be better if Esther were recognizes her veil, bonnet, and gown. But when the woman present when he divulges their plans. She agrees, and they go removes a glove, her rings are different, and her hands are not to the dancing school, where Prince takes them to his father's as white and delicate. When the woman speaks, her voice is "private apartment." There, Prince takes Caddy's hand and different, too. Bucket gives Jo five shillings and escorts him announces he loves her and they "are engaged." Mr. out. Tulkinghorn enters, and the woman raises her veil. It's Turveydrop is aghast, calling this "an arrow launched at [his] Hortense. She asks Tulkinghorn to help her get another job, brain." He groans and sobs. Prince assures him they "will and Bucket shows her out. Then Bucket accompanies Snagsby devote [them]selves to making [his] life agreeable." Mr. to the door, reminding him not to tell anyone what he's seen Turveydrop allows himself to be convinced and hopes they will tonight. consider his house their home. Esther observes they are as grateful "as if, instead of quartering himself upon them for the rest of his life, he were making some munificent sacrifice in Chapter 23 their favor."

Esther Summerson, Ada Clare, and John Jarndyce stay with Esther and Caddy leave, and Esther keeps her thoughts about Lawrence Boythorn for six weeks. One day before they return Mr. Turveydrop to herself so as not to dampen Caddy's joy. to Bleak House an odd thing happens; Hortense comes to see When they arrive at the Jellybys', they find the house is for Esther and says she would like "the honor of being [Esther's] rent. Mr. Jellyby has declared bankruptcy. He's in the dining domestic." Esther politely refuses, but Hortense is insistent, room trying to understand his finances, but completely saying she would do it "for nothing" and "serve [Esther] well." "speechless and insensible." They go upstairs to see Mrs. Eventually, though, she leaves—but not without examining Jellyby, who is too busy to think about her husband's problems. Esther closely. They do not see her again. She complains that Caddy is gone so much she has had to hire a boy to help her. Caddy announces she's engaged to Prince Richard Carstone has been visiting regularly. Esther worries Turveydrop and wants to bring him to visit her mother. Mrs. because he seems to be spending all his energy studying the Jellyby is too busy with African matters to care much; she just Jarndyce case. He attends court every day and spends time sees this as another imposition on her time. Esther and Caddy, with Miss Flite. Mr. Jarndyce seems concerned as well since he who "would far rather have been scolded than treated with often complains "of the east wind" and spends a lot of time in such indifference," go downstairs and play with the children. the growlery. Esther decides to meet Richard when she goes They hear Mr. Jellyby trying to throw himself out the window up to London to see Caddy Jellyby. Esther and Richard discuss "whenever he made any new attempt to understand his the case. He has "not the least doubt" it will be settled. Then he affairs." tells her he has gotten into debt through gambling. He cries, which touches Esther deeply, but she is still more deeply At Bleak House, Esther relates Caddy's news to Ada and affected when he says, "We shall come on for a final hearing Jarndyce. Later in her room she's surprised when Charley and get judgment in our favor, and then you and Ada shall see Neckett comes to the door. Mr. Jarndyce has hired her as what I can really be!" Esther asks when he expects to Esther's maid. Tom, Charley says, is at school, and Mrs. Blinder complete his law training, and he says he has worn himself out is tending Emma. Mr. Jarndyce told the children to always working on Jarndyce and Jarndyce and has "had enough of" remember he did all of this "for the love of" Esther. the law. Now he wants to become an army officer. Everything he says worries Esther, and she warns him "not to put any trust in Chancery." Chapter 24

Next Esther sees Caddy, who explains why she wanted to Richard Carstone tells John Jarndyce he has decided he wants meet Esther. Caddy has spoken with Prince Turveydrop about to leave the law and become an army officer. After long Esther's advice that Caddy tell her mother about her discussions with Conversation Kenge and negotiations in engagement to Prince. She told Prince she was sure Esther Chancery, Richard is granted leave to apply to become an would want him to tell his father. Prince is afraid Mr. ensign in the Horse Guards and begins his training. His Turveydrop will be upset by this news and has delayed telling commission comes through several months later, and he is

posted to a regiment in Ireland. Richard rushes to Bleak House and laugh while discussing "some bill of costs" until it is with the news. For an hour he remains "closeted" with Mr. "referred back for the present" and all the papers are "bundled Jarndyce, who then asks Ada Clare and Esther Summerson to up again before the clerks ha[ve] finished bringing them in." Mr. join them. Richard looks "mortified and angry"; the two men are Guppy approaches Esther and Richard and says there's a in the midst of a heated disagreement about Ada. Richard, woman who knows Esther and wants to shake hands. It's Mrs. Jarndyce says, will have to stick to the army; no further Rachael, who is "very little altered." When Esther addresses changes are possible because Richard has now spent the last her as Mrs. Rachael, the woman corrects her; she's married, of his money on his commission. When Richard suggests he and her name is Chadband. Then they spy Mr. George, who is might get a settlement from Jarndyce one day, Jarndyce looking for Miss Flite. He confides that Mr. Gridley is actually passionately warns him against having any hopes of it. He has "hiding at [his] place" and "is on his last march"; Gridley wants advised Richard and now advises Ada to "relinquish ... any tie to see Miss Flite. Miss Flite leaves with them. Esther sends a but [their] relationship" as cousins. Richard interprets this as sealed note to Mr. Jarndyce explaining "where [they] were Jarndyce having lost confidence in him, but Jarndyce denies gone and why." this. Jarndyce again reminds the two they are young and should "leave all else to time, truth, and steadfastness." Ada At the door of the shooting gallery, they meet "a very accepts this advice and reassures Richard she doesn't think respectable old gentleman with grey hair" who has come to he'll "fall in love with anybody else" but wants him to be happy "visit a sick man." Phil Squod opens the door, and everyone "in all things." She will miss him and hopes he "will sometimes goes inside. The old gentleman takes off his hat and seems to think a little of" her. After this, Esther says, "an estrangement "vanish," leaving "another and quite a different man in his began to arise between" Richard and Jarndyce—at least on place." It's Mr. Bucket, and he's here to serve a warrant on Mr. Richard's side. Gridley. Bucket allows Mr. George to take Miss Flite to Mr. Gridley first. Then Mr. Gridley asks to see Richard and Esther. Esther and Jarndyce go up to London for a week with Richard Mr. Jarndyce arrives and goes with them. Mr. Gridley and Miss before his departure. Richard is continuing his fencing practice, Flite are sitting side by side. Mr. Gridley, who looks very pale and his trainer is Mr. George, whom Jarndyce already knows. and weak, says the "tie of many years of suffering between" One day Mr. George arrives before Richard is ready, so he him and Miss Flite "is the only tie [of his] that Chancery has not waits with Jarndyce and Esther. Jarndyce wonders how broken." Bucket tells Gridley he'd feel better if he came with Richard is progressing with his shooting and fencing. Mr. Bucket and had "a good angry argument before the George replies he is "pretty good" but would be better if he magistrates." Mr. George and Bucket are whispering their gave "his full mind to it." After looking at Esther several times, shared concerns about Gridley's condition when Miss Flite he asks her name again. Though he doesn't recognize her suddenly screams. Mr. Gridley is dead. name, he feels he's seen her before. Mr. Jarndyce asks him about his business and what sort of people practice there. "All sorts," says Mr. George, including Frenchwomen. He has even Analysis had a Chancery suitor, Mr. Gridley, who has become a friend of his. The two men discuss Gridley, who "is in hiding" from the Bleak House is sometimes referred to as one of the earliest law. detective novels. Several characters—notably Mr. Tulkinghorn, Mr. Guppy, and even Krook in his way—are already involved in Richard is to leave in the evening so in the afternoon he and their own investigations. Chapter 22 introduces Mr. Bucket, Esther go to court, where Jarndyce and Jarndyce is on the who is actually a professional detective—English fiction's first. schedule. Esther finds it "incredible" that the atmosphere in Dickens probably based Mr. Bucket's style and mannerisms on Chancery is so relaxed and ceremonious while the lives an actual detective, Inspector Charles Field, whom he'd affected by it are so rough, miserable, and hopeless. They shadowed and written about in the magazine Household meet Miss Flite and Conversation Kenge, each of whom chats Words. Field was an inspector and also chief of the Detective with them and shows them around. Then the Jarndyce case is Branch (referred to by the name of its location, Scotland Yard) called, and there is "a buzz, and a laugh, and ... a bringing in of of London's Metropolitan Police. In 1851, when he was writing great heaps, and piles, and bags and bags full of papers." Bleak House, Dickens considered Field "discretion itself, and Esther counts 23 "gentlemen" involved in the case, who quarrel accustomed to the most delicate missions"; he also remarked

on how "polite and considerate" Field was. These are all way" (Chapter 23). characteristics of Mr. Bucket, who in Chapter 22 reminds Mr. Snagsby to be discreet; manages to appear out of nowhere In these chapters a seemingly unimportant character keeps and move deceptively through the streets; and treats not only turning up in unexpected circumstances: Hortense, the lady's Snagsby but also Jo, Jenny, and Liz with politeness and maid Lady Dedlock has replaced with pretty young Rosa. First consideration. When he reappears in Chapter 24, Bucket in Chapter 22 she is revealed to be the woman in Mr. seems to be able to transform himself into a completely Tulkinghorn's office wearing the same dress, hat, and veil as different person just by putting on or taking off a hat. He is the woman Jo showed around Tom-all-Alone's. But she is not stealthy and scarily intelligent, but he is also compassionate. the woman. Apparently, that woman was someone with whiter This shows in his treatment of Liz and Jenny in Chapter 22 and hands and a different voice—but with access to the clothes of Mr. Gridley in Chapter 24. Bucket also takes care to stay Hortense is wearing. Then in Chapter 23 she tries hard to get informed. Even though Mr. Snagsby, who lives not far from Esther to hire her as a lady's maid; in fact, she'll even work for Tom-all-Alone's had no idea of the conditions there or the nothing, she says. This makes no sense since she seemed to illness affecting the slum, Bucket knows and uses this visit to need work when talking with Mr. Tulkinghorn in the preceding ask the constable for the latest on the fever epidemic. chapter. The oddness of her visit is compounded by her mention of some "oath" she has taken and means to keep. In The epidemic affecting Tom-all-Alone's may be typhus, a lice- Chapter 24 Hortense appears again, although only in a born disease that spread rapidly in crowded, dirty conditions. mention. Apparently she has been practicing her There were intermittent epidemics of typhus throughout marksmanship at Mr. George's shooting gallery. These three Europe in the 19th century. references awaken readers' curiosity about Hortense and suggest she has a significant role to play in the story. Chapter 24 marks a turning point regarding Richard. On a practical level, he leaves his study of the law and becomes an officer in the Horse Guard. Oddly, this is the very profession Chapters 25–27 Mr. Jarndyce first suggested to him. But things are changing inside Richard as well. He has studied the Jarndyce case thoroughly, and, although he still maintains the case will be settled, Esther sees his "handsome young face" looks "worn." It Summary is likely at least some of his optimism is for show. But the most serious change in Richard relates to his relationship with Mr. Jarndyce. Even though Richard often shows a deep Chapter 25 understanding of his own character flaws, he cannot bear any Mrs. Snagsby realizes something is troubling Mr. Snagsby. He hint of criticism from others, especially from Jarndyce, to is irritable and distracted; he's having nightmares. It all centers whom he owes so much. And he interprets Jarndyce's advice on Mr. Bucket. Snagsby feels guilty for keeping secrets from that Richard and Ada consider each other merely cousins and his "little woman" and can't meet her eye. Mrs. Snagsby's not engaged as a lack of confidence in him. In fact, Jarndyce is suspicion turns to jealousy, and she starts checking his merely aware they are two young people who are about to pockets, reading his letters, examining the shop finances, spend a lot of time apart; he doesn't want them to feel spying on him, and generally "putting ... this and that together imprisoned in a relationship they might grow out of. During by the wrong end." She connects Snagsby's secrets with their disagreement, Richard speaks angrily, but Jarndyce Nemo and with Jo and decides Snagsby is the one who told Jo speaks calmly and affectionately. Sadly, as Esther says, this is not to go see Mr. Chadband. She gloats because she knows the beginning of a growing "estrangement ... between them." Chadband met Jo yesterday and threatened him with the Meanwhile, Esther is dealing with her own separation from police if he did not come to see Chadband tomorrow night. The Woodcourt though she mentions it only indirectly: "And I meeting takes place in the Snagsbys' drawing room with the looked up at the stars, and thought about travelers in distant entire household in attendance, including Guster and the countries and the stars they saw, and hoped I might always be apprentices. Jo and Snagsby glance at each other, and Mrs. so blest and happy as to be useful to some one in my small Snagsby knows—her husband is Jo's father.

Mr. Chadband starts sermonizing and takes Jo's arm, saying, shock when he sees Phil approaching with a gun in his hand "My human boy, come forward!" Jo demands, "You let me and asks Mr. George to send him away. The old man tries to alone." Chadband forces Jo onto a stool, and starts talking, make small talk, but Mr. George tells him to get to the point. Mr. staring directly at Mr. Snagsby. Snagsby is confused, Smallweed then asks George to put down the sword he's especially by a "mysterious look" Mrs. Snagsby gives him just carrying; he's worried Mr. George might kill him to "[pay] off old as Mr. Chadband says Jo has no parents. In his confusion, he scores." It takes a great deal of prompting, but Smallweed can't answer the questions Chadband asks him. Chadband eventually comes to the point. His "friend in the city" has lent begins defining "Terewth" by questioning whether things are money to Richard Carstone, and Carstone's friends have paid "Terewth." He asks if it would be "Terewth" if Snagsby saw an it back. Based on his pay, his "chance in a lawsuit," and his elephant and told his wife he'd seen an eel; Mrs. Snagsby is "in "chance in a wife," the "friend" would like to do business with tears." Chadband asks if it would be "Terewth" if Jo's parents Richard again. Smallweed then changes the topic "from the "cast him forth" and then went back to their everyday lives; ensign to the captain," meaning Captain Hawdon. He refuses to Mrs. Snagsby shrieks until she becomes "cataleptic" and has to believe Hawdon is dead. He says a lawyer is looking into the be carried to bed. matter and wants a sample of Hawdon's handwriting to compare with a sample he already has. Mr. George says he Jo, who had fallen asleep during the minister's sermonizing might or might not have a sample, but he won't show it to wakes up, realizes Mr. Snagsby isn't "going to say nothink to anyone "without knowing why." Smallweed asks Mr. George to me tonight," and heads for the door. As he passes Guster, she come with him to see the lawyer. Mr. George gets a paper out hands him her supper and asks about his parents. He says he of a locked cupboard, puts it in his breast pocket, and has Phil "never know'd nothing about 'em." Guster says it was the same carry Mr. Smallweed to his cab. with her. Mr. Snagsby finds Jo then and gives him half a crown, saying he did right "to say nothing about the lady the other night." Mrs. Snagsby has followed him stealthily and continues Chapter 27 to do so from then on. The cab takes Grandfather Smallweed, Judy Smallweed, and Mr. George to Mr. Tulkinghorn's office in Lincoln's Inn Fields. Chapter 26 While waiting for Tulkinghorn, Mr. George examines the room. He notices a portrait of "Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet and It's a cold morning in Leicester Square when Mr. George and Manor of Chesney Wold." When Mr. Tulkinghorn arrives, he is Phil Squod get up. Phil tells the "commander" his life story. He glad to see Smallweed has brought "the sergeant" who once was a parish orphan. At eight he ran off with a tinker and "served under Captain Hawdon." He offers Mr. George "three, worked with him for many years. The tinker drank himself to four, five guineas" or more if he can provide some of the death, and Phil took over the business, which covered only captain's handwriting for him to compare with handwriting he certain poor neighborhoods in London. But it didn't go well. has. He even hands Mr. George "the affidavit in Jarndyce and Most of the tinker's income had come from renting out rooms Jarndyce" so George can "judge for [him]self" if they are to other tinkers and their wives, whom he kept entertained with similar. However Mr. George doesn't look at the document at his songs as well. But Phil couldn't sing, and, what's worse, he all, but "continues to look at the lawyer with an air of troubled was clumsy and covered with scars that made him meditation." Finally he stands up and says he wants "nothing to unattractive, so the other tinkers' wives "complained of" him. It do with this." He returns the affidavit to Tulkinghorn's table. Mr. was after Phil had been injured in an explosion that Mr. George Smallweed is agitated and insistent; Mr. Tulkinghorn is polite met him. George commented Phil had "been in the wars" and and seemingly indifferent. Mr. George asks why Tulkinghorn asked what accident he'd "met with." They talked, and Phil wants "to see the captain's hand." Tulkinghorn will not say, but came to work for Mr. George. Together the two men get the assures George there would be no "injury" to the Captain. Mr. gallery ready for customers, and Phil sets to work cleaning the George replies that the captain is dead, but Mr. Tulkinghorn guns. seems unconvinced. Mr. George offers to consult with a friend who is an old soldier, and Smallweed urges him to do so. Grandfather Smallweed arrives unannounced, accompanied by Before they leave, the old man confides to the lawyer that Mr. his granddaughter, Judy Smallweed. Mr. Smallweed gets a

George has the desired sample in his pocket, but Tulkinghorn asks why Jo is "devoid of these possessions." When Snagsby, will not resort to "violence" to get it. Mr. George carries thinking this is too obvious, says he doesn't know why, Smallweed downstairs, puts him in his cab, and then goes on Chadband gets to move on to mention something else Jo is his errand. devoid of—"the light of Terewth." This is still more confusing because it takes listeners time to realize it is nothing more than After crossing the river at Blackfriars Bridge, Mr. George a mispronunciation of "truth." He draws it out to sound more marches to a shop selling musical instruments. There he impressive. banters with Mrs. Bagnet and hugs her daughters, Quebec Bagnet and Malta Bagnet, who call him "Bluffy." He asks about It is only by chance that Mr. Chadband's eyes settled on Mr. his godson, Woolwich Bagnet, and learns he has gotten a job Snagsby and his topic came around to truth. But as he playing the fife in a theater where his father is playing bassoon. expands on the subject, it plays into Mrs. Snagsby's strange Woolwich and his father, Matthew Bagnet, arrive home. When assumption that her husband is Jo's father. This, of course, Matthew hears George wants advice, he insists they have would require him to have had an affair some years ago. Since dinner first. After that the advice will come from Mrs. Bagnet, she keeps Mr. Snagsby under her thumb most of the time, it's who is the one with "the head." Matthew says it was his wife hard to imagine when this might have taken place, but she did who got him to leave the artillery and learn several instruments. catch him sneaking in after his excursion with Mr. Bucket and Mr. George explains the situation and is advised not "to be a he has been very secretive since that night. Still, that would not party to nothing underhanded or mysterious." explain how Jo was conceived years earlier.

Later, as he walks back, Mr. George fights off loneliness with Chapters 26 and 27 bring up several more unanswered the thought he is better off unmarried and camping on the floor questions. Both chapters focus on Mr. George. Like John of his gallery. He returns to Tulkinghorn's and says he has not Jarndyce, he is a generous man. Since he hasn't got any changed his mind. Tulkinghorn asks whether he is the man who money, he is generous in other ways, such as taking in Phil hid Mr. Gridley, and George confirms he is. Tulkinghorn calls Squod simply because the man was poor and injured. He is Gridley "a threatening, murderous, dangerous fellow." As he also an honorable man, who won't betray a friend and comrade leaves, George passes a clerk on the stairs and realizes with even if the friend is (he believes) long dead. Readers also learn chagrin that the clerk will take Tulkinghorn's words as something about his past. He was raised in the country and describing himself. hasn't seen his mother for many years. They also learn he gets along well with children, especially with Matthew Bagnet's family, whom he has known since he and Matthew served Analysis together. After spending the evening with them, he feels a bit lonely. Readers may wonder whether there was once a woman Mr. Chadband loves to hear himself talk, but what does he talk he particularly cared for. If there was, could that woman have about? Generally, he fixes on a particular word or phrase and been Mrs. Bagnet—or someone else? Mr. George's identity and appears to explore its meaning through a hard-to-follow his past form another mystery to be solved as Bleak House stream of consciousness including a series of questions. What continues. he is saying tends to be obvious, but he dresses it up in exaggerated words, ornate style, and overblown gestures. As a In Chapter 27 readers learn a little more about Mr. Tulkinghorn. result, listeners like Mr. Snagsby, who are at once logical and The narrator hints Tulkinghorn is "contemptuous" of the insecure, feel they must have missed something and hesitate "peerage," with whom he has frequent business and social to answer his demanding questions. For example, Jo has dealings. During what must be a frustrating meeting with Mr. nothing, so Chadband says he is "devoid" of a series of things. George, he continues to seem indifferent, often busying His free association goes from "parents" and "relations" to himself with writing letters. But that night, when Mr. George "flocks and herds" and "gold and silver." This sounds vaguely returns, he unexpectedly shows emotion about Mr. Gridley, biblical, as do the fragments of biblical quotes he sprinkles into calling him "a threatening, murderous, dangerous fellow." As he his sermonizing, so it might impress some listeners. It only says this, his voice is "unusually high," and he then slams the confuses Mr. Snagsby, though, who knows full well Jo is a poor door. Here is yet another mystery: why is the thought of Mr. orphan, which would be the logical answer when Chadband Gridley, who is dead, after all, so upsetting to the usually

imperturbable lawyer? The following day, the cousins leave.

Chapters 28–29 Chapter 29

Sir Leicester Dedlock and his wife, Lady Honoria Dedlock, have closed up Chesney Wold and come up to London, where the Summary house is much warmer and cheerier. One day Sir Leicester and Lady Dedlock are sitting by the fire when Mercury announces Mr. William Guppy. Apparently Lady Dedlock had told Mercury Chapter 28 she would "see" Guppy "whenever he called." Sir Leicester leaves the room. Sir Leicester Dedlock is suffering through a visit from a number of poor Dedlock cousins to Chesney Wold. Among them are Apparently Guppy has written to Lady Dedlock a number of Volumnia Dedlock, a heavily rouged old maid who lives in Bath times and now wishes to discuss the matter in person so as on a small allowance from Sir Leicester, and Bob Stables, who "not [to commit him]self in writing." He explains that he works likes horses and shooting and aspires to a government job with at Kenge and Carboy's, but he has not come about the good pay but no responsibility. All these cousins pay Lady Jarndyce case. Guppy begins by asking whether her ladyship Honoria Dedlock "feudal homage." One evening in the long has ever heard of or seen a Miss Esther Summerson. She drawing-room, Volumnia comments on how beautiful Rosa is replies she saw her this past autumn. Guppy tells her he finds and says an "uncommon eye must have picked [her] out." Lady that she and Esther look surprisingly alike. Becoming confused Dedlock says it was Mrs. Rouncewell's eye, not hers. Sir again, he refers to his notes and reads the name "Mrs. Leicester remarks that Mrs. Rouncewell's son, who is an Chadband." Then he explains "there is a mystery about Miss ironmaster, "has been invited to go into Parliament." Volumnia Esther Summerson's birth and bringing up" and he hopes, if he is shocked to hear it. Apparently, though, Mr. Rouncewell has can show she is a member of Lady Dedlock's family, that he declined. can convince Esther to look on his "proposals" with "more dedicated favor." He explains he met a woman who was the Mr. Rouncewell is at Chesney Wold that evening, and after the servant of "the lady who brought Miss Summerson up." This cousins go up to bed, he comes to talk with Sir Leicester and lady was called Miss Barbary; Lady Dedlock says she has his wife about Rosa. His son Watt wants to marry her. Although heard the name. Miss Barbary disclosed very little but on one Mr. Rouncewell feels Watt is not yet able to support a wife, he occasion told her servant the girl's name was not Summerson also thinks that, if the two become engaged, Rosa should leave but Hawdon. "My God!" says Lady Dedlock; she pulls herself Chesney Wold. He wants to provide her with further education together and admits to having heard the name Hawdon before. suitable to life in "the class to which" he belongs. Sir Leicester Then Guppy tells her he has discovered Hawdon is the real is incensed because Mr. Rouncewell seems to be claiming his name of a law-writer who died in Krook's house near Chancery class is much like Sir Leicester's and because he does not see Lane. He tells her about the mysterious woman Jo showed Lady Dedlock's attention to the girl as the honor and around. He tells her the law-writer left a bundle of old letters advantage Sir Leicester believes it to be. Since he is a very that will "come into [his] possession" the next night. Finally he honest person, though, he says it is up to Rosa to decide; he offers to bring the papers to Lady Dedlock and read them with will not hold Mr. Rouncewell's words against the girl. her. She agrees and picks up a small chest, unlocking it as she Rouncewell says he will advise his "son to conquer his present looks intently at him, but Guppy says he is "not actuated by any inclinations" and takes his leave. motives of that sort."

Afterward Lady Dedlock asks Rosa about her feelings for After he leaves, Lady Dedlock falls on her knees and cries, "O Watt. Rosa is "attached to" Lady Dedlock and doesn't want to my child, my child! Not dead in the first hours of her life, as my leave her but does feel she is falling in love with Watt. Lady cruel sister told me, but sternly nurtured by her, after she had Dedlock tells Rosa she wants her "to be happy." Soon Rosa renounced me and my name! O my child, O my child!" leaves her mistress deep in thought.

Analysis information Tulkinghorn does not. When Guppy meets with Lady Dedlock, he is cautious and seems nervous. The caution is typical; he has protected himself by not putting things in Chapter 28 explores the English upper classes and class writing, and he tells her if she were to complain to his firm or to boundaries. Sir Leicester and his poor relatives belong to the Mr. Tulkinghorn, it would put him "in a very disagreeable highest class—the aristocracy. This is something Sir Leicester situation." However his caution has also protected Lady is proud of, but it can also be a burden. Wealth among the Dedlock, and, if what he has deduced is the case, his power to aristocracy generally passed to the oldest son, leaving the damage Lady Dedlock is at least as great as her power to other sons to fend for themselves by entering a profession, damage him. But what is Mr. Guppy's ultimate goal? When such as politics, the military, or the clergy. They were still Lady Dedlock appears to be about to offer him money, he says dependent on their wealthier relatives, however. To enter that's not his motive and he "couldn't accept anything of the politics, one needed connections and financing, both of which kind." So is this some convoluted way of reaching Esther, as he were supplied by the better-off and better-placed in the hints to Lady Dedlock, or does he have some other purpose? extended family. To become an officer in the military, the commission had to be purchased, as readers have seen with Both chapters are primarily about Lady Dedlock. In Chapter 28 Richard Carstone. A clergyman went to university to be the narrator reminds readers that Sir Leicester married trained, which cost money, and then had to have a living; this beneath him, saying "older cousins ... were paralyzed when Sir also was typically the responsibility of a wealthy family Leicester married" her. In Chapter 29 readers learn the truth of member, who provided a house, income, church, and Esther's birth and the relationship between her and Lady congregation for the new vicar. Women, of course, might Dedlock. The unexpected thing is that Lady Dedlock is a victim receive an annual allowance to provide for them but were of her sister's stern religious beliefs, and she did not want to usually at the mercy of their better-off male relatives. So for Sir give away her child but believed her baby dead. This explains Leicester and others like him, as seen in this chapter, their the many times readers have witnessed her becoming "poor cousins" could be quite a burden—at least if they took depressed when seeing happy children with their parents. Her their duty to them seriously. Since Sir Leicester is, however boredom and restlessness probably result from her frustrated prideful and blunt, an honorable as well as honest man, he desire to raise her child and a resulting sense of pointlessness. does his duty. What's more, Rosa most likely serves as a surrogate for her lost daughter; her desire for Rosa to be happy comes from her Mr. Rouncewell is a member of the industrial upper class. His maternal feelings for the girl. Some mystery still surrounds the money is new, but there's plenty of it. Because they were situation, though. Who was Lady Dedlock at that time? Her important to the country and its economy, such men believed sister "renounced" their name and became Miss Barbary, so they should also have political influence. They observed how their identity is unknown. All readers know for certain is she the titled class lived and, in some ways, used their lifestyle as a was not a member of the aristocracy, or Sir Leicester's cousins model. For example, they wanted their children to be well would not have been "paralyzed" by the marriage. educated, to enter useful professions such as the law, and to govern. On the other hand, they saw much to complain about in the aristocracy, such as living well off the sweat of others, idleness, and networks that perpetuated outdated government Chapters 30–31 policies. Sir Leicester is right in thinking Mr. Rouncewell and his kind pose a threat to the status quo. Unfortunately for Sir Leicester and his kind, the social changes resulting from the Summary Industrial Revolution required corresponding changes in politics. Chapter 30 Chapter 29 shows off how clever William Guppy is. He has drawn together the various clues and reached a conclusion Mrs. Woodcourt writes with news of her son, Allan Woodcourt, even Tulkinghorn—as far as readers know—has not yet and John Jarndyce invites her to come to Bleak House; she approached. From his meeting with Mrs. Chadband, he has accepts and stays three weeks. She likes Esther particularly

and is "extremely confidential," which makes Esther member of the "ungenial company" can talk about only his or uncomfortable. She talks about Wales, which is her homeland, her own particular philanthropic interests. But Mr. Jarndyce and the literature and history of Wales, calling this the "fortune" keeps turning the conversation to "the honor of the occasion." her son has inherited. "He may not have money," she says, "but As Caddy leaves, she wants to make sure her mother has he has ... family." This limits his "choice of a wife," she tells forgiven her, and Mrs. Jellyby assures her they are "excellent Esther. Allan's father was also from a sort of royalty—an old friends." Mr. Turveydrop assures Prince and Caddy that, when Scottish clan. She tells Esther that Allan has faults; one of they return from their honeymoon in a week, there will be a fire these is "fickleness" where "young ladies" are concerned. Now laid in their room and dinner waiting for them in his. Allan has "gone to seek his fortune and to find a wife," she says and asks Esther when Esther means "to seek [her] fortune and to find a husband." Then Mrs. Woodcourt predicts Esther will Chapter 31 marry a rich older man. At night, Esther frets over what the woman has said and is relieved when the three weeks are over Esther Summerson has been teaching Charley Neckett to read and Mrs. Woodcourt leaves. and write. One evening after she checks Charley's penmanship, Charley tells her she met Jenny. She and Liz have The next visitor to Bleak House is Caddy Jellyby. Her wedding come back to St. Albans after "tramping high and low." They is the following month, and she wants Ada Clare and Esther to met "by the doctor's shop"; Jenny was getting medicine for a be her bridesmaids. Her father has given up everything; paid as poor orphan boy who is staying with her. Esther and Charley much as he could to his creditors, who have declared go to Jenny's to "see what's the matter." As they stop at the themselves "satisfied"; and gotten a new job. Mr. Jellyby and garden gate to look at the sky, Esther has "an undefinable Mr. Turveydrop have become "excellent friends." But, Caddy impression of myself as being something different from what I says, her father is sad she'll be leaving and is unhappy at home. then was." Her mother, on the other hand, doesn't even seem to know Caddy's getting married. It is John Jarndyce who provides a At Jenny's, a boy is shivering violently, and the room smells wedding dress for Caddy; her father gives her £10, which is "unhealthy" and "peculiar." When the boy hears Esther's voice, spent on fabrics and materials. Then Caddy, Esther, Ada, he looks at her in "surprise and terror" and tells her he "won't Charley Neckett, and "a milliner out of the town" make and go no more to the berryin' ground." Jenny assures him it's not mend clothes appropriate for a married woman's wardrobe. the same lady, but he says she looks like her. Charley After three weeks at Bleak House, Esther and Caddy go up to reassures him, too, and seems to accept it. The boy is Jo, and London, where they prepare for the wedding. The biggest he is trying to move on to get away from Mrs. Snagsby and problem is to convince Mrs. Jellyby to take the matter everyone, who are "all a-watching and a-driving of" him. Liz seriously. She finds "something so inexpressibly absurd ... in comes in. She has been trying to find someone to take Jo in, the idea of Caddy being married." Esther manages to convince but with no luck. She and Jenny give him a few small coins, and Mrs. Jellyby to let her work room be cleaned up and used for Jo shuffles out. Esther and Charley leave, too, not wanting to the wedding breakfast and to make one of her dresses make trouble for Jenny with her husband. They find Jo near the presentable for the wedding. Mr. Jellyby tries to help with the brick kiln. He's still afraid of Esther and asks Charley if she's cleaning but, faced with the enormity of the task, soon gives not the other woman and not the foreigner, "is there three of up. He spends most of his time sitting "with his head against 'em then?" Still he follows Esther home. the wall." Harold Skimpole is visiting John Jarndyce, and both men

The night before the wedding is spent cleaning Mrs. Jellyby's examine the boy. Skimpole advises them to "turn him out" workroom, and the morning of the wedding is spent preparing because he has "a very bad sort of fever." Jarndyce is appalled, the wedding breakfast there. Ada has arrived with Mr. but Skimpole sticks to his recommendation. He does so with Jarndyce, and the wedding party includes the Pardiggle family, such an amiable face that Esther says she will never forget it. Mr. Quale, and Miss Wisk, who is the latest object of Mr. Jarndyce says he can ensure Jo is admitted to "the proper Quale's admiration. At the ceremony, Mr. Turveydrop behaves place" in the morning and decides the boy should stay "in the with the utmost deportment, Miss Wisk looks "disdainful," and wholesome loftroom by the stable" overnight. Skimpole says Mrs. Jellyby is the "least concerned of all the company." Each the medicine the boy has with him is the best thing for him and

advises them to sprinkle vinegar in his room and to keep the Esther gets ahead of herself when telling about Caddy's boy warm and his room cool. Jo is put to bed, and his door is wedding. As soon as she starts listing the guests, she can't latched on the outside. In the morning, though, he's gone. They resist talking about their foibles. Readers might expect can't see how he got out, and nothing is missing. Jenny and Liz philanthropists would be united in their desire to help others, haven't seen him, and it rained in the night, so there are no but only Mr. Quale seems to even notice what other footprints. The search goes on for at least five days. philanthropists are up to. The rest of them are completely fixated on their own causes and oblivious not only to everyone Then Esther finds Charley shivering in Esther's room. She around them but to the causes of others as well. hears Ada Clare approaching and locks the door before Ada can come in. Twelve hours later, Charley is worse, and Esther At the beginning of Chapter 31, Charley and Esther rush into puts her to bed and nurses her. She begs Ada to "come no the night to go to Jenny's. The weather has been stormy for nearer than the garden," and Ada complies. Esther allows only days, while poor Jo has been getting sicker and sicker. Now one servant to bring her things on the understanding that the the rain stops and the sky clears a bit. On one side of the sky is woman will not go near Ada. Charley is sick a long time. Esther a "pale dead light both beautiful and awful," and on the other is worries her pretty face will be scarred if she survives and the "lurid glare" of the city of London with its factories and coal worries what she will tell Charley's brother and sister if she fires. Esther perceives this as a moment of foreshadowing does not. But she recovers completely, even "growing into her dividing her earlier life from her subsequent life. But it also old childish likeness again." When she is well enough to get out traces Jo's journey from the "unearthly fire" of London and of bed and take tea in the other room, Esther has chills and illness toward "somewheres" else: perhaps death, perhaps not. realizes she's caught the "contagion." She hides it from Ada Readers will not find out what happens to Jo for another 15 when they talk through the window and asks Charley to keep chapters. her illness a secret as long as possible and, when Ada must know, not to let her in no matter what. She asks Charley to The disease Jo brought to Bleak House was smallpox, a virus come and sit with her and touch her with her hand so she that first causes a general feeling of illness, a high fever, aches knows Charley's there. Esther has gone blind. and pains, and often vomiting. This is the phase Jo is in, and he is already somewhat contagious. The disease gets its name from the small red bumps (pox) that break out on the sick Analysis person's body and face in its second phase. Once this rash appears, the disease becomes increasingly contagious. Soon Mrs. Woodcourt claims to be like Welsh aristocracy; her the lesions begin to leak, spreading the virus into the mouth husband, she says, was from an old Scottish clan, the and even the eyes. This explains Esther's blindness. Next, the MacCoorts. In a way, she thinks like Sir Leicester's cousins: it's rash swells and hardens, then breaks open, and eventually wrong to marry outside your class. From the perspective of scabs over. The scabs begin falling off. When they're gone, the Esther the narrator—seven years after the events of Bleak person is well and no longer contagious but often left scarred. House—she must know exactly what Mrs. Woodcourt is doing Esther worries Charley will be scarred, but she isn't. Esther by "confiding" in her: she's trying to make sure Allan doesn't may not be as lucky. The incubation period for smallpox ranges marry beneath him. But within the confines of the novel, she from 7 to 17 days, so Jo probably caught the fever in Tom-all- doesn't want to think it of Allan's mother. After all, Esther is Alone's and brought it with him to St. Albans. trying to hide her feelings for Allan Woodcourt, even from Chapter 31 is heavy with social criticism, especially concerning herself. Mrs. Woodcourt is actually quite a horrible woman the living conditions of the poor, which allowed epidemics to though. To prevent Esther from thinking she might have a flourish. Earlier the narrator pointed out the filth of poor areas, future with Allan, Mrs. Woodcourt is willing to lie about how her the disease that spread from the burial ground where Nemo's son treats women, claiming he is fickle and leads them on. This body was taken, and especially the mud and stench infecting is completely at odds with everything Esther has seen in the Tom-all-Alone's. In Chapter 22 Bucket and the constable young surgeon, but she also realizes she hasn't known him discuss the fever houses and the high number of deaths in the long. To really twist the knife, Mrs. Woodcourt says her son is slum. Now Jo seems unconcerned about dying if he stays looking for a wife on his travels. outside near the kiln. "They dies everywheres," he says. Death

seems normal to him. "They ... dies down in Tom-all-Alone's in by his secret, and is again walking past Krook's shop, where he heaps. They dies more than they lives, according to what I greets Mr. Weevle. Both comment on a certain greasiness in see." And Jo is not exaggerating. In the 1840s the average life the air and speculate the pub is cooking chops past their sell- expectancy of a worker or servant in London was only 22; by date. They agree it's a "tainting sort of weather." The professionals could expect to live to 45 on average. One in conversation turns to Mr. Weevle's room and its previous every three infants died, and three-quarters of all deaths were occupant, Nemo. Snagsby finds it "curious" that Nemo lived children under five. Disease was the number one cause of there and was one of his writers and the same is true of death, whether epidemics like scarlet fever, smallpox, and Weevle. They agree there "seems a fate in it." Snagsby heads cholera—which were linked to the lack of good sanitation—or home to his "little woman," and Mrs. Snagsby, disguised with a tuberculosis and other infections, especially lung infections headscarf, follows him. that were exacerbated by the smoky cities. Weevle has been waiting for William Guppy, who finally arrives. Of course, it wasn't only the dirty conditions that killed people. Tony is to see Krook at midnight to pick up a "bundle of Even though there were plenty of trained doctors and hospitals letters." Krook told him it is his birthday, and the old man has in cities like London, medical treatment was largely unavailable been drinking all day. When Tony helped him shut up his shop to the poor. As Mr. Jarndyce points out, "if [Jo] were a at night, Krook showed Tony he had the letters stashed in his convicted prisoner, his hospital would be wide open to him, and cap. Tony reports on his progress in teaching Krook to read: he would be as well taken care of as any sick boy in the Krook can "make all the letters" and recognize them, but can't kingdom." Skimpole glibly retorts, "Why isn't he a prisoner?" He "put them together." Recently, he wrote down some letters and actually makes an astute case for Jo intentionally breaking the asked Tony what they spelled; they spelled "Hawdon." Tony law in order to get the better treatment due him: "Society, has seen the papers the name came from and says they were which has taken upon itself the general arrangement of the written by a woman. At that moment Guppy notices greasy whole system of spoons and professes to have a spoon for our soot on his sleeve and on the table. Tony mentions the pub young friend, does not produce that spoon; and our young chops, and they return to their conversation. Krook told him, friend, therefore, says 'You really must excuse me if I seize it.'" Tony says, about stealing the letters from Nemo's suitcase and Victoria's reign saw vast changes in English society, and part agreed to let Tony take them to his room to read so he could of this came through a response to the social wrongs people tell Krook what was in them. As they talk, the bells of the city saw and protested. (Not all philanthropy was foreign and strike 11. Tony is particularly uneasy about "plotting about a ineffective.) By the end of the century, life expectancy had dead man in the room where he died." Guppy says they may be risen, reaching an average of 45 for men in England, but it doing the dead man "a service." They open the window, sit on wasn't until the medical advances of the 20th century (such as the sill, and continue talking. Krook claims to have "papers of antibiotics and vaccinations) and the decline in infant mortality importance" he originally bought as "waste-paper" and has that life expectancy really soared. wanted to learn to read them for some 25 years. Suddenly Guppy notices that where he has touched the sill, his hand is covered in a "thick, yellow liquor"—something oily that feels Chapters 32–34 awful and smells worse. They discover the stuff is dripping down the bricks. By the time Guppy has scrubbed it off his hands, it is midnight.

Summary Tony goes downstairs but immediately comes back empty- handed and terrified. Krook didn't answer the door, so he opened it himself. The burning smell was in the shop; so was Chapter 32 the soot and the oil, but Krook wasn't there. Together the two men enter the shop. Everything is where Tony last saw it, and It is night. In the Inns of Court only a few people are still at Krook was standing "where that crumbled black thing is upon work. The cool, humid air carries the unpleasant odors of the floor." Lady Jane, Krook's cat, is standing by the black neighboring areas. Tony Jobling—or Mr. Weevle, as he is thing, snarling. The men look more closely at the thing on the known here—is restless. Mr. Snagsby is also uneasy, troubled floor and realize it is Krook.

Chapter 33 dismisses him, saying they will not meet again. But, as he's leaving the room, Mr. Tulkinghorn arrives. The old lawyer sees After the discovery of Krook's remains, no one in Cursitor Guppy, and "for an instant ... suspicion, eager and sharp," is in Street gets any sleep, which makes for very good business at his eyes. Guppy and Mr. Tulkinghorn exchange greetings, and the Sol's Arms. The beadle alerts two members of the press, Mr. Tulkinghorn helps Lady Dedlock into her carriage. who hurry over and interview everyone they can. Miss Flite has been given a room at the Sol's Arms, and William Guppy and Chapter 34 Tony Jobling are given drinks on the house.

In the morning people in the neighborhood, including Mr. At the shooting gallery, Mr. George is musing over the meaning Snagsby, hear the news and flock to the pub. As Snagsby is of a letter. He reads it to Phil Squod. It is a reminder from greeting William Guppy and Mr. Weevle (Tony Jobling), he's Grandfather Smallweed that the remaining principal (over £94) surprised to see Mrs. Snagsby come in. Her manner is on his loan is due the following day. Mr. George says he's "accusing" and "rigid." Snagsby is upset by his wife's attitude already paid "half again" as much, what with interest and all, and is afraid she suspects him of "spontaneously combusting" and the loan has always been extended. They agree it sounds Krook. Since Snagsby himself doesn't know what he's involved like there will be no extension this time. Phil has an idea, in, he can't say for certain he isn't "implicated." Mrs. Snagsby though—just declare bankruptcy. Mr. George is appalled; takes her husband home, where he will be "safer." Matthew Bagnet stood surety for him and would be ruined if he did that. Just then, the Bagnets arrive. George looks so guilty Tony and Guppy take a walk in Lincoln's Inn Fields and discuss that Mrs. Bagnet quickly guesses what's wrong and begins to the "facts" of the case to prepare for the inquest. Guppy points get teary-eyed with concern for her family. George reads the out there is no need to tell anything more than the details letter to them and says he has just received it. George says he directly related to their discovery of Krook's remains. Tony would sell everything he has—and himself as well—if he agrees. Then Guppy tries to persuade Tony to continue living thought that would settle the debt. But he wouldn't get enough. in his room above Krook's shop so he can search his Mrs. Bagnet says she knows he's a good man, if "a little flighty," belongings and "find out what he really had got stored up and they should all "forget and forgive." George and Matthew there." The two men see a cab drive up. Their friend Bart head to Grandfather Smallweed's; their "primary object is to Smallweed is sitting next to the driver, and inside are his sister save and hold harmless Mr. Bagnet," who did not benefit from and grandparents. Grandfather Smallweed shouts a greeting the loan. On the way, Matthew tells George again how much he to Mr. Guppy and asks if the two men will carry him to the Sol's admires his wife, saying he wouldn't trade her for any riches. Arms. They do, and Bart and Judy Smallweed bring He never tells her, though, as "discipline must be maintained." Grandmother Smallweed as well. Once seated in the pub parlor, the elder Smallweed thanks Mr. Guppy and Tony for At the Smallweeds', George introduces Mr. Bagnet and asks "discovering the ashes of Mrs. Smallweed's brother." Krook, the meaning of the letter. George says he's ready to keep the who was 76, he says, would have nothing to do with the family, loan going as before. Grandfather Smallweed takes a vicious but since they expect he left no will, old Mr. Smallweed has pleasure in the whole discussion and tells Mr. George he and come to "look after the property." Smallweed's solicitor is Mr. his friend can take the matter up with Smallweed's lawyer. He Tulkinghorn, and he has already taken matters in hand. wants nothing more to do with Mr. George's "pipe-smokings and swaggerings." Many "men of science and philosophy" arrive to view the scene and discuss the phenomenon of spontaneous combustion. George and Matthew go directly to Mr. Tulkinghorn's, but the Finally the coroner arrives and holds his inquest, again at the lawyer won't see them. They wait anyway. More than an hour Sol's Arms. Mr. Guppy gives his evidence and is "moved on like later, Mr. Tulkinghorn's client leaves his office; it's Mrs. a private individual," but not before he sees Mr. Smallweed Rouncewell. She notices the two men, though can see only padlock the door to Krook's shop. "With a sinking heart" he Matthew's face, as George is turned away. Mrs. Rouncewell goes to see Lady Honoria Dedlock and tells her he doesn't says her "heart warms" to see military men as she once had a have the letters and thinks they have "been destroyed with the handsome son "who went for a soldier." Finally, Mr. Tulkinghorn person" he was to have gotten them from. Lady Dedlock agrees to see them. Coldly Tulkinghorn says they must pay the

money or "be sued for it." Mr. George asks for "a private word" saw him reading the letters by the fire; his coat and cap are still with Tulkinghorn and offers to show Tulkinghorn Captain on the chair where Tony saw him put them. Since the greasy Hawdon's handwriting as long as he can "bring [the Bagnets] soot and stinky oil that have contaminated the building and the through this matter." It is agreed Mr. George will leave the immediate area came from Krook's spontaneous combustion, handwriting sample with Mr. Tulkinghorn for several days, and by the time the two men find him, he has already been dead for the loan will be returned to "its old footing" and, furthermore, several hours. Moreover, Tony thinks he was holding the letters Bagnet will "never be troubled" until Mr. George's "means [have when it happened, so William concludes they probably burned been] exhausted." They draw up a contract to this effect, and with him. Guppy knows he must tell Lady Dedlock; when he Mr. George turns over the sample—the last "letter of does in Chapter 33, he is honest and straightforward, with instructions" he received from his captain. none of his usual confusing legalese and no nervous fidgeting. Again, this makes him likable and even admirable. That evening Mr. George has dinner with the Bagnets, but he is "not good company." Mrs. Bagnet hopes it was nothing she But Mr. Guppy is still watching Lady Dedlock carefully and said earlier and assures him she had confidence in him the sees no relief in her face when she hears the letters have been whole time. George thanks her and calls Woolwich over. He destroyed. Because readers now know she is nothing like the tells the boy to treat his mother well so, when he's a man, he'll bored, chilly image she projects, they know she is probably know he "never marked a sorrowful line in her face." Then he deeply disappointed not to recover the letters memorializing hurriedly goes out to smoke his pipe in the street. her relationship with Hawdon.

Readers might think Mr. George is feeling depressed at the Analysis end of Chapter 34 because he has been maneuvered into giving Tulkinghorn the sample of Captain Hawdon's Near the beginning of Chapter 32, the narrator describes the handwriting. But this turns out not to be the case. His "tainting sort of weather"; it's "sinking to the spirits" and gives comments to the Bagnets' son, Woolwich, indicate instead that Weevle "the horrors." The air is thick and greasy; it smells of he is thinking about his mother and the pain he caused her in someone's cooking meat that has gone bad. Weather is often a his youth. But what has brought this on? Perhaps it was the symbol of something, and generally the air in poorer areas is meeting with Mrs. Rouncewell, who seems to be a client of connected with contagion, but here it turns out to relate to Tulkinghorn's; she spoke to Bagnet about her son who joined Krook's spontaneous combustion. This isn't discovered for the army, calling him "good in his bold way." Apparently that several hours, though. son caused his mother pain. Although Mr. George seemed not to be paying attention while Mrs. Rouncewell was talking, his The very last thing Tony knows that Krook did was sing to change in mood begins after the encounter with her. As soon himself. Tony could hear it through the floorboards. The song as she leaves, Matthew encourages George to "cheer up." he hears Krook singing, which Tony says is "the only song Readers can't help but wonder what he did to his mother and, if [Krook] knows," foreshadows the old man's death. It's "about he was listening when Mrs. Rouncewell talked, why he kept his Bibo, and old Charon, and Bibo being drunk when he died." It is back to her. After all, he is usually very polite. a song written in the mid-18th century about a drunkard who dies and his conversation with Charon, the ferryman of Greek mythology who takes the dead across the Rivers Styx and Chapters 35–36 Acheron to the underworld.

In Chapter 32 readers again see the likable side of William Guppy. With Tony, who is a friend rather than someone he Summary wants to impress—whether a powerful person or Esther—he is relaxed and open. He even makes jokes. But it's clear he's still pining for Esther and is perfectly happy to pressure Tony to Chapter 35 help him get what he needs to further his plot—whatever it may Esther Summerson is delirious for days, imagining she is be—with Lady Dedlock. It's clear Krook died shortly after Tony

"labor[ing] up colossal staircases" even though she is vaguely Boythorn's house. There, after sending Charley to bed, Esther aware she's in her bed and Charley Neckett is beside her. Then looks in a mirror for the first time since her illness. What little she becomes so weak that she is completely calm and doesn't beauty she may have had is gone, she thinks, but she won't let mind if she dies. The turning point comes when she sees light herself feel bitter. She decides anything between her and Allan and realizes she will be able to see again. One day Esther asks Woodcourt is "irrevocably past and gone" but keeps the where the mirror is, and Charley goes into the other room and flowers he'd given her, which she had dried and pressed. cries. Esther realizes she has been badly scarred. When she's well—though still weak—John Jarndyce visits her; he treats her One day Esther visits one of her favorite spots, where she is with even greater affection than before. She realizes the sitting on a bench enjoying the view of Chesney Wold Hall, scarring means nothing to him, which comforts her. Jarndyce when Lady Honoria Dedlock joins her. Lady Dedlock tells Esther that Richard Carstone has been writing to him approaches with "outstretched hands" and an expression on because he could not write to Esther, but he "wrote coldly, her face Esther "had pined for and dreamed of [as] a little haughtily, distantly, resentfully." Richard is suspicious of child" but never seen. Lady Dedlock sits beside her, and in her Jarndyce because the Jarndyce case pits them against each hand is the handkerchief Esther had left at Jenny's. Esther's other. Jarndyce understands this "is not his fault" but the heart beats wildly. Lady Dedlock hugs her and, weeping, falls case's fault—Richard has been drawn in by the lure of Jarndyce "on her knees" and cries, "Oh, my child, my child, I am your just as others have before him. wicked and unhappy mother! Oh, try to forgive me!" Esther begs her to get up, says she forgave her long ago, and says Esther decides to go to Lawrence Boythorn's house for a short her "heart overflow[s] with love for her." Lady Dedlock says visit to get stronger and get used to the change in her she was "frantic" when Esther was ill; she had just learned her appearance. Before she leaves, though, Jarndyce arranges a child was alive. But for Esther's sake, this is the only time they visit from Miss Flite, who had walked the 20 miles from London can speak. She has written Esther a letter and gives it to her, to see her when she was still very ill. Miss Flite, with Charley's telling her to destroy it after reading it. Lady Dedlock fears her help to keep the story straight, tells Esther that Jenny had just husband's lawyer, but she must go her "dark road" alone. Still, stopped them to tell them a veiled woman had come to her she gives her permission for Esther to tell John Jarndyce—as cottage to ask about Esther's health and had taken Esther's long as she doesn't tell Lady Dedlock she has done so. The handkerchief, which Jenny had kept with her dead baby's two women stay together a little longer; then Lady Dedlock things, "as a little keepsake." Esther thinks it might have been walks back into the woods. Caddy since she knows Caddy has been there often to check on her. Miss Flite also tells Esther about her family; her father, For an hour Esther sits there; finally she feels calm enough to her brother, and her sister all died while waiting for their case go back to the house, where she goes to her room and reads to be settled in Chancery. After that she began going to court the letter. Esther was thought to have died at birth, but Lady herself and found she couldn't stay away. She blames "the Dedlock's sister saw she was alive. She never told Lady influence of the mace and seal" and warns Esther she has Dedlock, choosing instead to raise the child in secret. When seen the same influence at work in Richard. Miss Flite has one Lady Dedlock first saw Esther at church, she thought her child final piece of news: Allan Woodcourt has been shipwrecked, would have looked like Esther. There is more in the letter, but but he survived and "saved many lives." She has brought Esther will reveal it later. After reading the letter, she burns it Esther a newspaper article about it. and is left feeling she brings a "load of trouble for others." That evening, she takes a walk near the Dedlocks' house and while Esther is grateful that, although she had sometimes thought passing under the Ghost's Walk she hears her own footsteps; it Mr. Woodcourt was in love with her, he never told her; if they occurs to her she is the one who will "bring calamity upon the had pledged their love to each other, she would have had to stately house" and her footsteps are the ones "haunting it." She write him now to break it off because of her scars. hurries back to Boythorn's house and her room. Two letters are waiting for her: one from Ada Clare, who is arriving the next day, and one from John Jarndyce. The tone of the letters Chapter 36 cheers Esther, and she realizes the circumstances of her birth are not her fault. Esther Summerson and Charley Neckett stay at Lawrence

The next afternoon Esther walks out to meet Ada's coach but Miss Flite also has news about Allan Woodcourt. He is being changes her mind and rushes home, worrying about the effect praised as a hero. This is guaranteed to make Esther love him her scars will have on her "sweet girl." When Charley calls out more, but she also thinks he deserves an unscarred wife. As that Ada is there, Esther hides in her room, where Ada finds usual, what matters to her is the happiness of others and not her. But Ada looks at her just like always—"all love, all her own happiness. fondness, all affection. Nothing else." Dickens is sneaky about revealing what Lady Dedlock wrote in her letter to Esther. No doubt she says things that would give Analysis away answers Dickens doesn't want to provide yet. If the third- person narrator were in charge of this chapter, no explanation Esther is only a few years older than Ada, but she is much would be needed here, but because Esther is the narrator, more mature. Her refusal to see Ada is what prevents Ada Dickens is forced to offer some excuse for not letting readers from becoming ill and prevents the disease from spreading know what she learns when she learns it. throughout the household. Despite being aware of this, Ada is overcome by her emotions and begs to see Esther anyway. She lacks Esther's imagination and foresight—a foresight Chapters 37–38 Esther maintains in spite of the blindness the disease has caused. Fortunately, Esther recovers her health and her sight. Summary Esther learns, though, that the very thing she feared would happen to Charley has happened to herself: she is left badly scarred by the disease. However, Esther is not vain. In fact, she Chapter 37 was never aware of her own beauty. Now, her main concern about the scarring is that it will upset the people she loves and Esther Summerson considers the conditions of her birth Lady change their feelings toward her. This doesn't happen. The fact Dedlock's secret and not her own, so she decides she will not that they continue to feel the same may indicate the scarring tell John Jarndyce except if there's a "great emergency." It's isn't as bad as Esther thinks it is. But later events will show her hard to keep the secret when Ada Clare asks about the physical beauty really has been lessened. So, why are Charley, Dedlocks. But Esther just says she and Charley Neckett Mr. Jarndyce, and Ada unaffected by Esther's scars? It is happened to speak with Lady Dedlock in the woods; Charley because their love for her is real; when they look at Esther, then tells them Lady Dedlock left the following day. they see her inner self—not a surface beauty that is only skin deep. This becomes a useful test for readers to use when A week later Charley passes Esther a message that Esther is gauging the true emotions of characters with regard to Esther. "wanted at the Dedlock Arms." When she gets there, Richard In Chapter 36 Lady Dedlock passes this test. When she Carstone is waiting for her. She is grateful when he doesn't approaches Esther she is concerned for her health but—like react to her smallpox scars. When Esther mentions Jarndyce, Charley, Jarndyce, and Ada—she is unfazed by the change in she can tell from the tone of Richard's reply that he's still angry her appearance. with her guardian. When asked, Richard says he likes being in the army "well enough" but is already thinking about getting In Chapter 35 Esther and readers learn some important out. Right now, he's on leave and hopes to see Ada. He learned information about and from Miss Flite. She talks about her where she is from Harold Skimpole, whom he has brought with family and how they have all died as a result of the Chancery him to Chesney Wold. Esther worries that Skimpole—with his case. She has survived only because she allows herself to be "airy dispensing with all principle and purpose"—is a bad somewhat mad. In a way she's like John Jarndyce and his influence on Richard. reaction to the east wind; it's worse for Miss Flite, though, because she exposes herself to Chancery every day. Still, Miss Esther brings Richard back to the house to see Ada; it is clear Flite is sane enough to recognize the warning signs in Richard she still "love[s] him dearly." But Esther is not so sure Richard and to alert Esther; in this, she is also like Mr. Jarndyce. loves Ada as much. She suspects the Jarndyce case overshadows everything else for him. He arranges to meet with

Esther the next morning for "an unreserved conversation." In and Vholes ride off together. Ada tells Esther she will always the morning, he's a little late. As Richard and Esther walk in the love Richard and "think of him at all times—never of her own Chesney Wold grounds, he tells her he cannot rest until the delights." As Esther recalls these words, she imagines she Jarndyce case is settled. She reminds him Mr. Jarndyce told sees Ada on the shore at the end of her journey. him not to count on it, and Richard says she is "blind": Jarndyce is "an interested party," and he may want Richard to remain ignorant of the case because it suits him to do so. Richard suggests Jarndyce only pretends to be indifferent to the case Chapter 38 so other suitors will "become lax about their interests." Richard Esther Summerson has some business to attend to in London has written to Jarndyce to say they should "be at issue openly relating to the letter given her by Lady Honoria Dedlock. As a [rather] than covertly." Esther says Jarndyce has already told "pretext" for going up to the city, she visits Caddy Jellyby. her about the letter "without an offended or angry word." Caddy, she learns, is happy in her marriage. Mr. Jellyby visits Richard "soften[s]" somewhat toward Jarndyce but tells her he daily, but—although they are "good friends"—Mrs. Jellyby will "devote" himself to the case and "make it the object of [his] keeps away, as if she might be contaminated by the absurdity life." He says that, when the case is over, he and Jarndyce may of Caddy's marrying a "dancing-master." Because Prince get back to "natural relations." He wants Esther to explain all Turveydrop is so overworked, Caddy is teaching dancing and this to Ada and tell her he will be looking after her interests, learning how to play piano and violin as well. Caddy and Prince too. Also, as long as she remains a ward of the court, he won't have four apprentices—three boys and a girl—whom Caddy ask her to marry him again. Esther asks if Richard is in debt teaches to dance while Prince plays the accompaniment. Mr. again. He is and is relying on the inheritance to get him out of Turveydrop, Caddy says, chats with Mr. Jellyby about the debt. Prince Regent, which her father likes. What's more, Mr. Over breakfast Esther tells Ada what Richard has said and her Turveydrop keeps Peepy Jellyby amused with "little errands." own fears for him. Ada is saddened but more optimistic than Esther's business involves William Guppy, and she takes Caddy Esther. She writes him a letter expressing her own faith in with her to his house. Mrs. Guppy shows them into the sitting "cousin John" and begs Richard "to desist" in working on the room, where Mr. Guppy is reading. They are expecting Esther case if it is for her sake. She also writes he is "free" to "find since she wrote in advance. Esther asks to speak with Guppy some one [he] will love much better than [his] first fancy," and alone. When Caddy and Mrs. Guppy have left, she raises her she knows that person would rather be with him poor but veil. Guppy turns red. He finds it hard to speak and backs happy than rich but anxious and obsessed with the case. The away. He reminds her that she turned down his proposal and, letter does not change Richard's mind, though. But he and resorting to legalese, hopes she will confirm that, which she Skimpole visit again, and the four go for a walk. While Richard does. Esther reminds Guppy he had been going to "make and Ada walk ahead, Esther asks Skimpole not to encourage discoveries" about her and asks him not to do so. Guppy looks Richard. But Skimpole is unconcerned; he cannot take "glad to be able to do something" for Esther and "most responsibility for anything or anyone, he says. Suddenly ashamed and very earnest." He swears he'll "act according to Richard recognizes someone and hurries to meet him. It is Mr. [Esther's] wish! [He'll] never go another step in opposition to Vholes, Richard's "friend and legal advisor." Vholes had gotten it." Even after Caddy and Esther leave, Guppy runs after them Skimpole out of a debt and then paid Skimpole £5 to introduce several times to get Caddy to witness Esther's agreement that him to Richard, Skimpole tells Esther. Vholes came to tell any engagement is out of the question and to ensure it's clear Richard the Jarndyce case is scheduled to be discussed Esther "may rely upon [him] in every respect save and except tomorrow. Richard goes to collect his belongings from the pub, the tender passion only." leaving Vholes with Esther and Ada. Vholes habitually speaks in a low voice and has a "lifeless manner." While walking back to the house, they learn he is the widowed father of three Analysis daughters and supports his own father as well, which makes it "indispensable that the mill should be always going." Richard As predicted by Miss Flite, Richard is falling under the soon arrives with a gig to drive them to meet the coach, and he influence of Chancery. Already, Esther sees it has destroyed

his relationship with Mr. Jarndyce. Despite Jarndyce's unfailing unaware Mr. Tulkinghorn has already drawn a connection affection and support for Richard, Richard has come to see between Guppy and Lady Dedlock. She wants to ensure him as an adversary in the case rather than as a friend and Guppy can't make trouble for her mother, but this may already cousin. Even though he has no money of his own, Richard feels be unavoidable. he must hire his own lawyer because he can't trust Jarndyce's lawyer, Conversation Kenge, to represent his interests fairly. Like Mr. Gridley and Miss Flite, Richard also wants to attend Chapters 39–42 Chancery whenever the Jarndyce case is scheduled to be discussed. Mr. Vholes tells Esther bluntly Richard's presence will make no difference, but Richard wants to attend, so Vholes Summary keeps him informed about the case. Richard, who is on leave from his army posting to Ireland, has only a limited time, but he chooses to spend it in court rather than with Ada. Esther sees Chapter 39 he is no longer as in love with her as he was; his feelings are being taken over by his obsession with Jarndyce and Jarndyce. Vholes and his client, Richard Carstone, have returned from Sadly, despite Mr. Jarndyce's attempts to keep it from court. Richard "looks the portrait of young despair" and happening, Richard is becoming like Gridley and Miss Flite, and complains, "Again nothing done!" Vholes counsels him to be Esther fears it will turn out badly for him. patient and hopes to "impart" to Richard some of his "insensibility." He must remain, he explains, "cool and Esther makes two interesting observations about Skimpole. methodical." The vacation is about to begin, so for several One is that he is diverting, which is what makes his company months, nothing further can happen with the case. Vholes attractive to both Jarndyce and Richard. But Jarndyce is a informs Richard he doesn't leave town for the vacation and will mature person with a clear understanding of what the be available in his office. This cheers Richard, who places great Jarndyce case can do to a person. He allows Skimpole to trust in Vholes. Richard feels John Jarndyce is the divert him but never lets the Jarndyce obsession overwhelm "embodiment of the suit ... that every new delay and every new him. Richard is young and headstrong and convinced he can disappointment is only a new injury from John Jarndyce's change what others haven't. He takes comfort in Skimpole, but hand." Vholes admits reluctantly that Jarndyce has not been doesn't see he is allowing the case to cloud his judgment in "active" in the suit and Jarndyce's interests are "not identical every way. Esther also realizes Skimpole uses being "a child" to with" Richard's. Vholes reminds him he will be charging for the avoid taking any responsibility—whether financial or typical costs not covered by "the taxed costs allowed out of emotional—and it is useless to ask him to do so. He will always the estate" and asks for a £20 deposit on account, which it is put his own needs before those of others. In fact, in exchange clear Richard cannot easily afford. for £5, Skimpole has been instrumental in Richard becoming more involved in the case by introducing him to a lawyer, Mr. Richard leaves Vholes's office and walks up Chancery Lane Vholes. and across Lincoln's Inn Fields, thinking how different he is to the boy he was when he first saw this place. He passes William When Mr. Guppy sees Esther's scarred face in Chapter 38, he Guppy and Mr. Weevle (Tony Jobling) without noticing them. fails the test. He immediately makes her confirm she turned Mr. Guppy says he's glad to be rid of Richard. Then he says down his proposal of marriage. This is not necessarily because Bart Smallweed has left Kenge and Carboy's to work with his he is a thoroughly superficial person. It is also because he grandfather, who is still sorting through the papers and rubbish never knew Esther. They have met on only a very few at Krook's. He wants to see for himself, so he and Tony are occasions and always professionally. Until he made his going to Krook's to collect Tony's things. Guppy asks whether proposal, they had never even had a personal conversation. He Tony thinks it at all possible the letters were not destroyed that was in love with her looks, not with her. night; Tony "shakes his head." Guppy tells him he would burn In Chapter 38 readers learn something more about the any papers that even resembled the ones in question. contents of Lady Dedlock's letter to Esther. This is how Esther Every morning Grandfather Smallweed, Mrs. Smallweed, Judy knew she should approach Mr. Guppy. Unfortunately Esther is

Smallweed, and Bart Smallweed arrive at the rage and bottle when the lawyer's name is mentioned. Another cousin shop at 8:00 a.m. They stay until 9:00 p.m. "rummaging and mentions he's heard Tulkinghorn had to go to "that iron place" searching, digging, delving, and diving among [Krook's] to give his "legal opinion" about something; he thinks treasures." The neighbors speculate about what they're finding Tulkinghorn is likely to stop by with news. Mercury informs Sir and sort through what they throw out. Everyone is curious Leicester that Mr. Tulkinghorn is already there and having when Mr. Guppy and Mr. Weevle turn up and knock on the dinner. The news delights Volumnia, who has missed him so door, but general opinion turns against them when they are much she "had almost made up [her] mind that he was dead." A "admitted." The room is even dirtier and messier than before, shadow crosses Lady Dedlock's face, making it look as if she and the "traces of its dead inhabitant" make it "ghostly." Mr. wished he were. A gunshot sounds. Volumnia cries, "What's Guppy is surprised to see Mr. Tulkinghorn there. The elder Mr. that?" and Lady Dedlock answers, "A rat ... and they have shot Smallweed says they haven't found much they can sell and him." allows Weevle to go upstairs to his former room. Weevle indicates to Guppy that he did not see any sign of the papers Mr. Tulkinghorn enters and gives Sir Leicester the bad news Krook was to hand over to them on the night he died, and they that his two candidates have been defeated three to one. The begin clearing the room. Tulkinghorn arrives and wants "a cousin says this is what comes of giving votes to the "mob." word" with Guppy, who, he says, is fortunate to have friends in The lawyer also says Mr. Rouncewell, although he did not run high places. Guppy replies that, as long as he does his job, his himself, was "very active" and had "great influence" in the friends are of no concern to anyone, including Tulkinghorn. election. What's worse, he was "assisted ... by his son." Sir Tulkinghorn comments to Tony that he seems to "take a strong Leicester is horrified and sees this as the undoing of society. interest in the fashionable great," and notes the portrait of There is "cousinly indignation." Lady Dedlock assures Sir Lady Honoria Dedlock is a "good likeness" but lacks "force of Leicester she has no intention of "parting with" Rosa. Mr. character." Then he wishes them "good day" and goes. Guppy Tulkinghorn, however, remarks "these people are ... very proud" admits to Tony that between himself and Lady Dedlock "there and are likely to "abandon" the girl themselves. He tells the has been undisclosed communication and association" but he story of a "wealthy and beautiful" woman who was once cannot say more; he asks him "to bury it without a word of engaged to a captain in the army and, while she didn't marry inquiry." him, she bore his child. This woman had taken in the daughter of a townsman. When the woman's story came out, the townsman took the girl from her "as if from reproach and Chapter 40 disgrace."

The British government is in a bit of a muddle. Knowing the Dedlock family will be needed, Mrs. Rouncewell has prepared Chapter 41 the house at Chesney Wold. Thomas, a groom, mentions to her that Lady Honoria Dedlock has not been well since the last Alone in his room in one of the turrets, Mr. Tulkinghorn feels time she passed through; she "has kept her room a good deal." "satisfied." Rather than work, as he had planned, "he opens the French window and steps" onto the roof. He is pacing there The next evening, Sir Leicester Dedlock and his wife arrive when he gets a shock: Lady Dedlock is looking at him from "with their largest retinue," as do the Dedlock cousins and outside his door. various others. Bob Stables and other cousins canvass the area, and Volumnia Dedlock chats and dances with Sir Both enter his room. "There is a wild disturbance ... in her eyes." Leicester's guests. Sir Leicester himself "moves among the He can't tell if it's "fear or anger." They talk. He told her story to company, a magnificent refrigerator." Sir Leicester controls let her know he knew, but he has known for only a few days. two seats in parliament; he names his candidates, and they are No one else knows, but if they did, Rosa might suffer. Lady elected. But the party in general has spent "hundreds of Dedlock wants to prevent that. Mr. Tulkinghorn finds it thousands of pounds" to ensure their victory, Sir Leicester tells interesting that Lady Dedlock's "power and force ... are Volumnia, who wonders whether Mr. Tulkinghorn's services astonishing." She asks if there is anything he requires of her have been required. Lady Dedlock, who comes down from her and offers to "write anything ... that [he] will dictate." room only later in the day, is seated nearby and takes note Tulkinghorn says nothing is necessary. She tells him she will

Copyright © 2019 Course Hero, Inc. Bleak House Study Guide Chapter Summaries 58 leave Chesney Wold tonight, taking nothing with her from this Analysis life. She is not even wearing her own dress. She asks him to let that be known. He tells her not to. She is about to defy him, but In Chapter 39 readers see Mr. Vholes at work. While he didn't he threatens to raise the alarm immediately if she does. He force Richard to hire him and turn against John Jarndyce, he explains he has not decided what to do next. His main concern uses his influence to exploit Richard's fears about the Jarndyce is Sir Leicester, whose "reliance upon [her] is implicit" and who case. As Richard says, if anyone—including Vholes—had told might be "driven out of his wits or laid upon a death-bed." If she him when Jarndyce first took him in that his cousin would act runs away, he says, the Dedlock "family credit" would be against his interests, he would never have believed it. But in the ruined. He promises he "will take no step without forewarning" meantime he has learned more about the case. Rather than her. She agrees to his terms. After she leaves, he goes to study hard and learn the law, Richard has read the case papers sleep, but she stays up pacing and hearing the steps on the and come to know the case much in the same way as a Ghost's Walk. layman, such as Miss Flite, Mr. Gridley, or Tom Jarndyce. He knows enough to see the various heirs will inherit more or less, Chapter 42 depending on which version of the will is accepted and how it's interpreted. So Richard knows just enough to make him Mr. Tulkinghorn is returning to his chambers in Lincoln's Inn vulnerable to Vholes. Vholes, who has a lot of people Fields when he meets Mr. Snagsby in the hall. Mrs. Snagsby is depending on him, needs to earn as much money as possible, a jealous woman, he explains, and Hortense came to the shop so he plays on Richard's worries at the same time as his words and threatened to keep calling on him until she was allowed in say he remains neutral. For example, he states that John to see Mr. Tulkinghorn, whose clerk has been keeping her Jarndyce is "not active in" the case as if that were a tactic away. So far, Hortense has made good on that threat, by designed to injure Richard's chances. In fact, Jarndyce stays "hovering" around Cook's Court. Tulkinghorn tells Snagsby out for his own sanity. He wishes only for the case to be "This shall be stopped" and apologizes for Snagsby being resolved. Richard once knew this but has contracted the "inconvenienced." If Hortense appears again, Snagsby is to madness associated with the Jarndyce case. Vholes knows send her to Tulkinghorn's. Tulkinghorn is determined to deal this and makes use of it. harshly with Hortense. Once again, in Chapter 39 readers see Mr. Guppy's strength of Tulkinghorn is about to go to the wine cellar when someone character and discretion. He made a promise to Lady Dedlock knocks at his door. It's Hortense. She is angry and seems and is doing his very best to fulfill it by trying to make sure her about to spring at him; he recoils slightly, which makes her letters to Captain Hawdon have been destroyed. When smile "contemptuously." She says he has treated her "mean approached on the subject by Mr. Tulkinghorn, Guppy and shabby" by "attrapp[ing]" her to get information. He says absolutely refuses to explain his presence at the Dedlocks' he paid her. She takes out the two sovereigns he gave her and London home. Tulkinghorn may know Guppy and Lady Dedlock throws them on the floor. Hortense says he used her hatred of share a secret, but he will never know what—at least not from Lady Honoria Dedlock to get information about Lady Dedlock. Mr. Guppy. Now she wants him to find her a position or to employ her Chapter 40 begins with the British government suffering under himself "to pursue her, to chase her, to disgrace and to the Ministerial Crisis of 1851. No one party had enough votes to dishonor her." She says it is what Tulkinghorn does. The lawyer form a government, so at the end of February 1851, the prime will not "concede" her demands; he tells her to take her money minister, Lord Russell, resigned. Under pressure from Queen and go. He threatens to have her put in prison if she pesters Victoria, he returned to office 10 days later. But the British him or Mr. Snagsby again, describing how the police "carry government remained in a state of flux, with power shifts troublesome people through the streets in an ignominious between the various parties and factions within them. In 1855 manner, strapped down on a board." She whispers that she will another ministerial crisis followed. There continued to be "prove" him to see if he dares. She leaves angrily, and frequent changes in leadership, throughout the 1850s and Tulkinghorn fetches himself a bottle of wine to enjoy. 1860s until William Gladstone became prime minister in 1868. What caused this realignment of government? Parliament had

passed a Reform Act in 1832. Among other changes, this act At Bleak House, Ada Clare, John Jarndyce, and Esther often discuss Richard Carstone. Mr. Jarndyce never blames him and got rid of some rotten boroughs (precincts that were tries repeatedly through letters and visits to "clear away those represented but largely unpopulated, leaving the choice of clouds" of "suspicion and misunderstanding." Finally he decides MP to one family or even one person, just as was the case in to let him be. Esther expresses her concerns that Richard is Chesney Wold, where the Dedlocks had traditionally seeking advice and encouragement from Skimpole, but proposed a candidate who was then rubber-stamped by the Jarndyce is certain Skimpole is no more than an amusement small local population); for Richard. Ada wants to know what made Skimpole "such a gave the vote to tenants and leaseholders paying a certain child." Since Jarndyce wants to prevent Skimpole taking any amount each year; and more money from Richard, he suggests they visit him at home. gave more seats to growing cities, which meant more Perhaps the girls will understand him better then. influence came into the hands of industrialists. Skimpole has been living in Somers Town for a long time, but Sir Leicester speaks for many of the aristocracy, who saw their the house looks rundown and uninhabited. Much of the house influence lessening, when he says, "upon my honor, upon my is unfurnished, but Jarndyce leads them to a room furnished life, upon my reputation and principles, the floodgates of with "shabby luxury." There is Mr. Skimpole lounging on the society are burst open, and the waters have ... obliterated the sofa in his dressing gown and drinking coffee. This would be landmarks of the framework of the cohesion by which things Skimpole's "consulting room" if he practiced medicine. are held together!" Jarndyce tells Skimpole that, when he goes places with Richard, he shouldn't let Richard pay. Jarndyce will give In Chapter 40 the killing of a rat following so close on the Skimpole money to give Richard for the outings. Skimpole isn't mention of Mr. Tulkinghorn plants a seed of suspicion that the to say it's from Jarndyce, though. He is also to avoid crafty old lawyer may not last out the novel. Several of the encouraging Richard with regard to the Chancery case. The narrator's comments in Chapter 41 add to that impression. He more time they spend with Skimpole, his wife, and three says for instance, "the last great secret to the many secrets of daughters, the more Mr. Jarndyce seems to sense the wind the Tulkinghorn existence." Why would this great secret be the moving to the east. He gives Mrs. Skimpole some money. "last" if it does not mean he won't live much longer? Then at the end of chapter, the narrator remarks, "And truly when the Skimpole, who is avoiding an angry baker who lent the family stars go out and the wan day peeps into the turret-chamber, some armchairs the family damaged, goes back to Bleak finding him at his oldest, he looks as if the digger and the House with Jarndyce, Ada, and Esther—leaving, as Esther spade were both commissioned and would soon be digging." notes, his wife and daughters behind without a thought that This is a very clear reference to his grave. Readers have been now he leaves them to encounter the baker. At Bleak House, forewarned. Skimpole is playing fragments of songs at the piano when Sir Leicester Dedlock arrives. He is concerned that Lawrence Boythorn gave Mr. Jarndyce and the ladies the impression they Chapters 43–45 would not be welcome to visit the house at Chesney Wold. He also apologizes that a Mr. Skimpole was prevented "from examining the family pictures [at] leisure." Jarndyce introduces Summary Skimpole, and Sir Leicester issues him an open invitation to Chesney Wold. He repeats his invitation to Mr. Jarndyce and the ladies and leaves. Esther has been so upset by his visit that Chapter 43 she has to go to her room to recover her "self-command."

Esther Summerson lives in constant fear that somehow she That night Esther asks to speak with Jarndyce. She first wants will lead to her mother's "betrayal." If at all possible, she avoids to know what he knows about Lady Honoria Dedlock and her even hearing Lady Honoria Dedlock's name. Still, she thinks of sister, but he knows nothing about what parted them. He tells her all the time. her, though, it was Lady Dedlock's sister whom Boythorn nearly married. Out of the blue, she wrote to him and called off

Copyright © 2019 Course Hero, Inc. Bleak House Study Guide Chapter Summaries 60 the marriage, saying "from the date of that letter she died to Chapter 45 him." Esther cries, "What sorrow have I innocently caused!" and explains Miss Barbary was that sister and Lady Dedlock was One morning Esther sees Mr. Vholes, looking like "a long thin Esther's mother. Jarndyce is shocked, but his only concern is shadow," entering Bleak House. Soon afterward Charley for Esther, who wonders how she can ever "show him how Neckett comes to find her: John Jarndyce wants to talk to her. [she] bless[es] and honor[s] him." She finds Jarndyce with Mr. Vholes, who has brought "an ugly report" of Richard Carstone. Richard is badly in debt; Mr. Chapter 44 Vholes has even "made some advances out of pocket" to cover some of the "unpleasantnesses." He fears "Mr. C." may have to "part with his commission." Jarndyce says he cannot help since The next morning Esther Summerson tells John Jarndyce the Richard would not accept it. Vholes agrees. He has not come in rest of what was in Lady Honoria Dedlock's letter. Her guardian a professional capacity and will not be charging for this visit. knows Mr. Tulkinghorn by reputation and believes he is "a He only thought, as a father and as a son, they should know. dangerous man." Esther also tells him about William Guppy but Richard is currently stationed in Deal, on the English coast, not says she has "perfect confidence in his silence." The other far from London. Esther proposes she should go see him there. person she worries about is Hortense, but Jarndyce tells her Jarndyce offers Mr. Vholes lunch, but the lawyer declines due not to worry since she may only have been looking for work. to digestive problems. He reminds Esther not to mention his He promises to do anything he can for her mother. name to Mr. C. and leaves. Jarndyce also broaches a subject he has kept quiet until now. Ada gives Esther a letter for Richard but does not go with her. He says he wants to write Esther a letter, but he will give it to Charley is Esther's "traveling companion," and they leave for her only if she is completely confident he will never change in London that afternoon and take the mail coach to Kent that his treatment of her. If she has no doubts, she is to send same night. It's a misty morning when they reach Deal, and the Charley Neckett to him in a week to collect the letter. A week town looks "dull." They find a hotel, bathe, and have an early passes, and she sends Charley. Before reading the letter, breakfast. As they eat, the fog over the sea rises, revealing Esther thinks back over her life and how happy she is. She boats of all types, including "a large Indiaman just come home." sees that "all this happiness [shines] like a light from one Charley asks a lot of questions about the Indiaman, and Esther central figure"—John Jarndyce. She reads the letter three tells her how such ships are sometimes shipwrecked, as was times before setting it down. In it Jarndyce asks her to "be the Allan Woodcourt's ship. mistress of Bleak House." He asks her to take time to consider the difference in their ages and all other factors before Esther and Charley go to the barracks; Esther hopes to speak answering. She feels he has offered a way for her to thank him to Richard before he can prepare himself. The guard takes her for everything, and yet she feels "as if something for which to Richard's room. The room is a mess of "clothes, tin cases, there was no name or distinct idea were indefinitely lost." She books, boots, brushes, and portmanteaus strewn all about," goes into the next room, takes the dried flowers Allan and Richard is just as unkempt. Richard is delighted to see Woodcourt gave her out of the book, and burns them at a Esther and asks after Ada. He was just writing a letter to candle. Esther, he says, crumpling it up. He's going on leave in an hour and will be selling his commission. He no longer trusts even More than two weeks later, Harold Skimpole finally leaves Vholes unless he is "at his back." He admits he "can't be sane" Bleak House. Esther, Ada Clare, and Jarndyce are to go out for and "abandon" the case. When Esther gives him Ada's letter, a ride. Esther comes downstairs early and finds Jarndyce at he takes it to the window to read and comes back with "tears the drawing-room window. She asks when he would like the in his eyes." Ada has offered him her inheritance, which would answer to his letter. "When it's ready," he tells her. Esther says just cover his debts and allow him to stay in the army. "Ada's is it's ready, puts her arms around his neck, and kisses him. The a noble heart," says Esther. Richard first despairs and then three go riding, and Esther says nothing to Ada of what has rallies and says angrily that Jarndyce "stepped in to estrange" transpired between Jarndyce and herself. Ada's heart from him. Esther stops him from going on. Richard says then he is "weary of" the army. Vholes has suggested he

consolidate his loans; after selling his commission, he should grapes grown by a gardener who sells them for a living. "have a balance in [his] favor." Esther realizes she can say Skimpole takes the grapes and tells the gardener's man not to nothing to change his mind. wait for payment "if [his] time is of any value." Jarndyce seems to find this childlike, but it can also be seen as blatant theft. Esther and Charley walk along the beach toward the hotel, When Jarndyce tells Skimpole not to encourage Richard in where Richard is to meet them. They stop and watch some pursuing the Chancery case, Skimpole says it's Richard who officers who land in a boat from the Indiaman they had seen does the encouraging; Skimpole only admires the bright that morning. Suddenly Esther rushes them back to the hotel. prospects Richard tells him about. Of course, as Esther She had seen Allan Woodcourt among the men and didn't want recognizes later, this is encouragement. If he were truly a him to see her scarred face. Back in her room, she slowly friend to Richard, he would be questioning the brightness of calms herself down. When she hears the officers come into the the prospects, not admiring it. As much as Skimpole professes hotel, she sends a note to Mr. Woodcourt. He comes to like his wife and daughters, he is perfectly happy to leave immediately, and Esther can tell he feels sorry for her. They them to face the anger of the baker whose armchairs the talk about Miss Flite. He says he will not be going back to sea family has damaged. Even his own family's wellbeing is as he had come back as poor as he had been before. Richard unimportant to him whenever it becomes inconvenient. joins them, and Woodcourt seems to gather all is "not going well with him." Woodcourt has dinner with them and, finding a Esther sees Richard is continuing his descent into despair. He moment with Esther before she leaves for London, asks about is deeper in debt and has lost interest in yet another Richard. Esther confides that Richard is estranged from Mr. profession. (This leaves, as Richard himself points out, only one Jarndyce and "entangled in the ill-fated Chancery suit." Mr. more option—the church—and that seems unlikely to attract Woodcourt finds Richard changed; he looks anxious, weary, him.) What disarms Esther is Richard's complete candor about and in despair. He promises Esther he "will be a true friend to" his condition. He agrees with almost everything she says but is Richard. When he rejoins them, Richard, too, suggests he and unwilling to do anything to halt his fall. He is in the grip of Woodcourt meet in London. As they leave in the coach, Esther Chancery, and that overrides all common sense. It is fortunate sees again the look in Woodcourt's eye that tells her how sorry Woodcourt arrives back in England at that precise moment and he is for her. offers to take Richard in hand.

In another way, Woodcourt has returned one day too late. Analysis Esther has agreed to marry her guardian. But, although she loves Allan Woodcourt, she cannot regret her decision on that These three chapters explore the profound changes going on account. After all, she sees the look of sorrow on Woodcourt's in Esther's life and the factors influencing those changes. face when he sees her smallpox scars, and, even though she Despite her youth she has accepted a maternal role in Ada's interprets this as his feeling sorry for her rather than some and Richard's lives, and her responsibility toward them forces selfish sorrow, she still feels he cannot care for her in the same her to analyze their situations and the motives of the people way she had once hoped. She doesn't, however, take into they associate with. As a result she must take what are account Woodcourt may have other reasons for sorrow sometimes uncomfortable steps to address the problems she regarding her. He tells her he has returned as poor as he was recognizes. before he set out. It is likely he still feels he cannot offer her the comfortable life she deserves and cannot therefore ask her One such problem is Skimpole's influence on Richard, who is to marry him. What's more, readers cannot know what his clearly suffering. Jarndyce gives excuses for Skimpole but may mother may have been writing to him about Esther and not really understand him. He doesn't believe Skimpole could Jarndyce. Readers already know she clearly foresaw the have meant any harm by introducing Richard to Mr. Vholes. possibility of a relationship developing there and went out of The proof, he says, is that Skimpole told Esther about it her way in Chapter 30 to discourage any interest on Esther's himself. He takes Skimpole at face value, believing the man's part. self-representation. But Esther sees beyond all that to a basic self-centeredness that places no importance at all on the Just what are John Jarndyce's feelings for Esther? He has interests of others. In an act typical of him, Skimpole has some clearly been deeply interested in her since he met her—without

revealing his identity as her benefactor—in the coach on the young lady, ... a good friend" took him in but he ran away in the way to Greenleaf. But at that point, he cannot have been in night. Allan "shrinks" from Jo "with a sudden horror." Jenny love with her. She was only 13, after all, and his love and continues that the "young lady" got sick, too, and "lost her admiration for her have grown during the years she spends beautiful looks." Allan says he's "heard of" the story and has to with him. He appears to be someone who quickly becomes compose himself before he can speak. Jenny wonders why he attached emotionally to those who need him, and, at 13, Esther seems to feel such an aversion to the boy. Jo tells them he just needed him badly so he opened his heart to her. By the time got to Tom-all-Alone's that morning. He was going to wait until she is 19 and comes to live at Bleak House, however, Esther is dark and then go to ask Mr. Snagsby to give him "somethink." mature and can take care of herself, Bleak House, and Allan pushes him to explain why he left the woman who was so everyone who lives in it (and then some). She is an adult, and kind to him, and Jo bursts into speech. He didn't know she was he comes to love her as a friend and as the family he has never sick, he would never have hurt her, and "he'd sooner have had had. She is the one he confides in and looks to for advice. It is his unfortnet ed chopped off than ever gone a-nigh her." Then very possible he does love her as he has wished he might love he cries and says he "dustn't" say more. Allan insists, and Jo a wife, so he asks her to marry him. But as usual, his love is says he "was took away." Jo won't name the person who took selfless, and his generosity extreme. He will not only be him; he believes the man has eyes and ears everywhere. Finally content but completely happy with whatever choice she he "whispers a name" to Allan, who wonders what Jo had done. makes. Nothing, says Jo, except not moving on and giving his information at the "inkwhich"; but now he's going to move on "to the berrying ground." The man put Jo in the hospital to get Chapters 46–47 better and then gave him some money and told him to "tramp," but not to come within 40 miles of London. Allan tells Jo he'll find the boy somewhere better to hide and has Jo follow him Summary out of the slum.

Chapter 47 Chapter 46 Jo follows Allan Woodcourt through the streets, staying in the Chapter 46 begins at dawn in Tom-all-Alone's. Allan shadows on the other side of the road. When Allan finds a Woodcourt finds a woman sitting on a doorstep and examines breakfast stand, he beckons the boy over and gets him some a bad bump on her forehead. It's Jenny. She's waiting for her buttered bread and coffee. But the boy has no appetite. Allan husband, who "got into trouble last night." Jenny tells Allan feels his pulse and his chest and then gets him some wine from they're from St. Albans, and Allan says he knows "something of a tavern, which seems to help. Jo eats some more. Jo tells it." He checks to make sure Jenny has enough money to pay Allan about "the lady in the veil." Allan decides to go to Miss for her room, and they part. Flite for advice on where to hide Jo, but finds Krook's shop shut. Judy Smallweed is guarding the door and sends him to Next, he sees "a youth whose face is hollow and whose eyes Mrs. Blinder's; Miss Flite is living there now. have an emaciated glare" and who is dressed in rags. He's trying to avoid being noticed. Allan thinks he's seen the boy Miss Flite is delighted to see her "dear physician" and delighted before but can't remember where. Soon, he hears people to help him out. She suggests they take Jo to Mr. George's. As running behind him and turns. The woman is chasing the boy she talks about "General George," it turns out he knows Esther and yells for Woodcourt to "stop him." When they finally corner Summerson, which seems like a good omen to Allan. At the the boy in a dead-end passage, Jenny calls the boy Jo and shooting gallery, Mr. George immediately pegs Allan for a cries, "I have found you at last!" sailor. Allan tells George all he knows about Jo and says Jo wouldn't go to a hospital or a workhouse. He is too afraid of Allan remembers Jo now; he was the boy brought to the someone he thinks is "everywhere, and cognizant of inquest to testify about Nemo. Jenny explains Jo was with her everything." George asks the man's name, and Allan tells him in St. Albans when he was very ill. She couldn't keep him, but "a it's Bucket, the detective. Allan explains Jo needs a place to

Copyright © 2019 Course Hero, Inc. Bleak House Study Guide Chapter Summaries 63 stay, and Allan will pay for it in advance. Phil Squod comes up Analysis to George and winks at him; George offers to let Jo stay with them. He would want money only for the boy's "rations." Allan In Chapters 46 and 47 Jo finally experiences kindness without warns George that Jo's condition is so poor he probably won't it being taken away from him. When Allan Woodcourt finds him recover. Phil takes Jo out to get him a bath and some clothes. on the street in Tom-all-Alone's, Jo is already close to death. Miss Flite leaves to attend court, and Allan goes to get "some Allan realizes saving him is a long shot. But even a few days of restorative medicines." On his return, George tells him that, safety, comfort, and companionship—a few days without being based on Jo's description, the boy must have been taken to Mr. "moved on"—is something he has never experienced before. Tulkinghorn's rooms. Tulkinghorn, he says, is "a confoundedly Up until this chapter, Jo has barely managed to keep himself bad kind of man ... a slow-torturing kind of man." It is fed; he has lived on the street as long as he can remember. Tulkinghorn who now holds George's loan, and Tulkinghorn Readers already know Nemo treated him kindly but could give keeps George "prowling and dangling about him as if [George] him very little because he was so poor. Jenny and Liz treated was made of the same stone as himself." If there were any him kindly, but also had nothing of their own to give. Snagsby chance of a fair fight between them, Tulkinghorn would "go gave what he could, but his wife—a supposedly Christian down." woman—prevented him from doing more for Jo. Jo's first real Allan returns later with Mr. Jarndyce, and Jo again tells his chance came when Esther took him in, but Inspector Bucket story. His breathing is more difficult than earlier. He asks them, put an end to that. if they are passing Mr. Snagsby's "jist to say to Mr. Sangsby Jo himself, once he is settled at the shooting gallery, is happy. that Jo, wot he known once, is a-moving on." Allan goes to He often laughs. It's only the people around him who are sad. Snagsby's, and when Snagsby hears about Jo's health, he says But for Jo, things couldn't be better. He's warm, clean, and he'll go to see the boy that evening. Jo is happy to see him, and comfortable; he has access to food and drink; and the people Mr. Snagsby is so "touched" he leaves half a crown for Jo. around him offer companionship and even affection. He is When Jo tells him how comfortable he is and how sorry he is treated like a human being. Above all, he knows he's safe: no for what he did, Snagsby leaves another half crown. Jo one will ever tell him to "move on" again. explains about making Esther sick and says she visited him today and how kind she, Mr. Jarndyce, and Mr. Woodcourt Bucket himself was not cruel to Jo, of course. The detective have been. Mr. Snagsby lays down another half crown. Jo paid him for his cooperation in Tulkinghorn's investigation and wants to know if Snagsby can write "precious large," and the took him to the hospital, where he recovered from smallpox. stationer says he can. After Jo dies, he says, he wants But Bucket did nothing to relieve the greater problems—Jo's Snagsby to write a note to Mr. Woodcourt to say how sorry Jo living conditions and his lack of education or training. So, while is and he hopes Mr. Woodcourt, who was crying about it, can Bucket was not on Chadband's level (talking at him rather than forgive him. He thinks he might if the writing is very large. Jo giving him material help), he put protecting other thanks "Mr. Sangsby." Mr. Snagsby leaves another half crown considerations before Jo's long-term welfare. What were those and departs, never to see Jo again. considerations? Jo tells Allan that Bucket told him to keep away from London, so readers can infer the detective doesn't Several days pass. Phil nurses Jo, and Jarndyce and want to risk his revealing what he knows about the woman in Woodcourt visit often. Mr. George looks in and chats with the the veil. But several people already know the story, so why is it boy as well. The boy wakes up one day to find only the doctor so crucial to keep Jo quiet? in the room with him. Allan asks if he knows a prayer. Jo says he's heard them, but the people praying always seem to be Esther herself doesn't appear in these two chapters; she visits talking to themselves. The boy nods off and then wakes and Jo but once, and readers know of this visit from Jo, who tells says it's time; he wants to go to the burial ground to be buried Mr. Snagsby about it, not from the narrator. Readers might with Nemo. "By and by," says Allan and promises to have the speculate that Esther limits her visits because it is hard for her boy buried there. Allan says a few words of the Lord's Prayer to be around Allan when she knows they can never be and has Jo repeat them. As they pray, the boy dies. together. This may not be Allan's opinion, though. In Chapter 46, when Allan realizes Jo is the boy who infected Esther and then disappeared, he is obviously upset. He even has a hard

time looking at Jo or talking to him civilly. It is not until after he is now "void" but refuses to say when he will tell Sir Leicester realizes Jo didn't leave of his own accord that Allan begins to the truth about her. Perhaps tomorrow. After he leaves, Lady relax toward the boy. In Chapter 47 Jo tells "Mr. Sangsby" that Dedlock is restless and goes out for a walk. She says she will Woodcourt cried about Esther's illness—and more than once; be gone an hour or more. this is something else the narrator doesn't tell us directly. But readers can certainly infer Allan still cares deeply for Esther. Tulkinghorn goes home. He crosses "a little prison-like yard" on his way to the wine cellar and thinks what a fine, quiet night it is. Shortly, though, the quiet is disturbed by the sound of a Chapters 48–49 gunshot. Pedestrians pause, dogs bark, and people look out their windows, but nothing can be seen. Soon everything is quiet again. Early the next morning, Mr. Tulkinghorn's body is discovered face down on the floor. He has been "shot through Summary the heart."

Chapter 48 Chapter 49

As Chapter 48 opens, Sir Leicester Dedlock and Lady Honoria It is Mrs. Bagnet's birthday—the one day she is forbidden from Dedlock are at their house in London. Lady Dedlock is cooking, cleaning, or doing any work at all. The family takes haughtier and more beautiful than ever. Mr. Tulkinghorn is as care of everything. After the Bagnets eat the barely edible silent as ever. One morning, Lady Dedlock tells Rosa she has meal Matthew has cooked, Mrs. Bagnet has to sit still and written to Mr. Rouncewell to come and take Rosa away. She watch the family clean up, which they manage to do on time. has done this because she wants Rosa to be happy. Rosa Mr. George is expected at 4:30 p.m. cries. That afternoon, Mr. Rouncewell arrives and is shown in to see Lady Dedlock and Sir Leicester; Mr. Tulkinghorn is also George is on time, but Mrs. Bagnet soon realizes he looks pale there. Rouncewell finds Lady Dedlock colder and more distant with shock. He tells them Jo has died and apologizes because than the last time they met. She asks whether his son has "it's not birthday talk." Then he gives the "old girl" a brooch as a conquered his "fancy" for Rosa; Mr. Rouncewell thinks not. In present. She loves it and asks him to "fasten it on." His hand is that case, Lady Dedlock says, Rosa "had better go." It is shaking so much, though, that he cannot manage, and Mrs. agreed Mr. Rouncewell will take Rosa with him immediately. Bagnet fastens it herself. George says Jo's death made him They send Mercury to fetch the girl, who arrives upset and red- think of Mr. Gridley, and then he thought of "a flinty old rascal eyed. Tulkinghorn remarks that she seems to be "crying at who had to do with both"—referring to Mr. Tulkinghorn. After a going away." Rouncewell says she's "inexperienced" and pipe or two, George relaxes, and Matthew proposes his annual "knows no better." Rosa "sobs out" how happy she was with toast. Lady Dedlock, Rouncewell gently calls her a "silly little puss," Unexpectedly, Mr. Bucket appears in the doorway. He asks and Lady Dedlock says with seeming indifference, "There, George how he's doing, heartily greets the family, and admires there, child! You are a good girl. Go away!" Mr. Rouncewell and even kisses the children. Mr. Bucket is welcomed to the leaves, taking Rosa with him. gathering, and he endears himself to the entire Bagnet family, That night Sir Leicester is busy with political matters, so Lady complimenting Mrs. Bagnet on her youthful looks, making Dedlock has dinner alone in her room. Mr. Tulkinghorn asks if comments on the house and yard (while making sure the yard she will "receive him." He is displeased she has acted out of has no exit), asking Woolwich to play the fife, and even singing character, which he feels is not in keeping with their a song for everyone. George begins to cheer up, and Matthew agreement. He now thinks she is "not to be trusted." He doesn't invites Bucket to next year's celebration. Bucket takes a note understand how Rosa had so much "importance or value" that of the date. When George stands up to leave, so does Bucket. Lady Dedlock would risk everything for her. Tulkinghorn thinks, On the way back Bucket keeps his arm through George's. As "This woman understands me," and she "is a study." Neither they're passing a pub, he pulls George in, leads him into a speaks for a long time. Tulkinghorn finally says their agreement parlor, and closes the door behind them. He is taking George

into custody, he says, and wants to know if George has "heard nothing he passes says, "Don't go home," either. When he gets of a murder." Bucket says Tulkinghorn was shot last night and home, none of the figures in the painting on his ceiling say to he suspects George might have done it. Where was George at him, "Don't come here!" 10:00 p.m. last night, he wants to know. George realizes he was there, in Lincoln's Inn Fields. Bucket says George and Chapter 49 reveals more about Mr. Bucket—or seems to. The Tulkinghorn have been heard arguing. Sir Leicester has offered question is whether readers can believe he is what he claims to 100 guineas' reward, and Bucket would like to earn it. George be. He is either an accomplished actor or a very friendly man. agrees to come quietly and holds out his hands to be cuffed. Bucket turns up at the Bagnets' using the excuse of looking for Bucket drapes a cloak around George's shoulders so no one a violoncello for a friend; since he arranges to come back the can see the handcuffs and pulls his hat down lower so his face next morning to look at instruments, that may be true. But it's is hidden. Then the two men continue their walk. also possible he won't return at all. The detective quickly ingratiates himself with the Bagnets, complimenting Mrs. Bagnet and delighting the children; he tells jokes and sings Analysis songs. Even Mr. George finds himself liking the detective. Is it all an act? Or is Bucket capable of being sincerely jovial and From the moment Lady Dedlock meets Rosa, she treats her friendly even though he's planning to arrest his new friend, Mr. with affection and kindness. Readers learned early that Lady George, as a murder suspect? Bucket enjoys the children and Dedlock has a longing for children; whenever she sees children tells the Bagnets how much he and his wife wanted children. with their parents, she becomes restless. When she makes Does he really like children so much? Is he really childless? Rosa her personal maid—which puts the proud professional Even his earlier treatment of Jo doesn't supply an answer. lady's maid Hortense out of a job—her ladyship begins treating Bucket helped Jo by taking him to the hospital, but his warning Rosa almost as if she were her own daughter. Rosa becomes a to stay away from London left Jo terrified. When Mr. Bucket surrogate child for the daughter Lady Dedlock believes died as arrests George, he has brought along a cloak so people will not a newborn. Even after she learns Esther is that daughter, she see the handcuffs; he has even brought a second pair of continues to feel maternal toward Rosa. So when Rosa comes handcuffs in case the first pair is too tight. He seems to be a under threat from Mr. Tulkinghorn, Lady Dedlock puts Rosa's good detective and an honorable and considerate man, but it's happiness ahead of her own and ships her off to be schooled still hard to know how much to believe or how to interpret his by Mr. Rouncewell and ultimately to marry Watt, whom Rosa motivations. loves. Lady Dedlock is aware this may trigger punishment from Tulkinghorn, but she knows the lawyer may give away her secret at any time even if she keeps Rosa with her. No matter Chapters 50–52 the cost to herself, she wants to make sure Rosa is safe from the fate Tulkinghorn warned against in the little fable he told Sir Leicester in Chapter 40. The real Lady Dedlock is a very Summary different person from her public persona of haughtiness and boredom. Chapter 50 As Chapter 48 moves toward its climactic ending—Tulkinghorn's murder—Dickens makes liberal use of In Chapter 50 readers learn Caddy Jellyby has a baby foreshadowing. The "famous clock" in the Dedlocks' home tells daughter named Esther; Caddy's health is "delicate," and the the lawyer the correct time but, according to the narrator, baby is sickly. When Esther Summerson returns to Bleak should have said "Don't go home." Tulkinghorn then remarks to House from Deal, she gets a note from Caddy, asking her to his watch, which is two minutes off, "At this rate, you won't last visit. Esther travels to see her every day for three days. Then my time." This is a more subtle example of foreshadowing; the John Jarndyce proposes that all of them—Esther, Ada Clare, watch is very likely to outlast him since the lawyer's remaining and himself—go up to London to stay for a while. He also time can be measured in hours. The narrator suggests the proposes getting Allan Woodcourt to look in on Caddy to offer watch should have "ticked" the same reply: "Don't go home." a second opinion. Getting the feeling Ada still hopes Esther The following paragraphs continue in this vein. No one and

and Allan will become a couple, Esther decides she must tell Esther's concern that Ada's "little property would be absorbed Ada she is "going to be the mistress of Bleak House." The next by Mr. Vholes." day is Ada's birthday, so Esther waits until midnight and then wishes Ada happy birthday and tells her the news. On the day after Esther's attempt to comfort Ada, there is still a "shade" between them. Esther suggests they go to see The following day they move into their usual lodgings in Richard. Surprisingly, Ada hesitates. There are tears in her London, and for the next eight or nine weeks, Esther spends eyes again. Although they have not been to Richard's before, most days—and even some nights—looking after Caddy. Ada Ada knows exactly how to get there. They enter without sometimes goes with her. During their time together, Esther knocking and find Richard "poring over a table with dusty tells Caddy, too, "about Bleak House." Sometimes Prince bundles of papers" from the Jarndyce case. Richard tells them Turveydrop comes in and plays the violin, sometimes Mrs. Woodcourt was just there and "the place brightens whenever Jellyby comes and talks about her African work, and once a he comes, and darkens whenever he goes again." Richard day Mr. Turveydrop blesses Caddy with his presence, telling speaks hopefully about the case, which Esther finds her to think of her own needs before his and then going off to "distressing" because his hopefulness is of a kind that is walk in the park and have a "hotel dinner." In the evenings Mr. "hungry and eager, and yet so conscious of being forced and Jellyby visits, sitting with his head against the wall, staring at unsustainable." He admits he gets "so tired" of the "weary, the baby. Mr. Woodcourt has become "Caddy's regular weary work." attendant." Esther usually goes home while he's there, but she's sure he still feels sorry for her. Ada kneels beside Richard and tells Esther she will be staying with Richard, "her dear husband." They have been married Just as Caddy is beginning to recover, Esther notices a change more than two months. Ada sobs and asks if Esther and in Ada—a "quiet sorrow." Esther wonders if Ada is sad because "cousin John" will forgive her. Esther reassures her. Esther is of Esther's "Bleak House" news, so she tries to be extra both happy and sad for them and wonders how she missed the cheerful to show she's happy. About this time, her guardian signs. After she leaves, Esther cries, feeling "so desolate to be consults with her about Mr. Woodcourt. He thinks Woodcourt going home with no hope of seeing her there." Jarndyce is not is likely to set off on another journey in order to find better- at home when Esther gets back. Esther tells Charley Neckett paying work. As they talk, she looks up and sees Ada is crying. about Ada and Richard, and together they walk back to She takes her upstairs and tries to comfort her, not realizing Symond's Inn; Esther wants to assuage her loneliness by Ada has problems of her own she is keeping from Esther and silently hovering around Ada for a moment. While they are Jarndyce. there, Vholes comes out of his office and looks up at Richard's windows before leaving. When they get home again, Jarndyce is there. He guesses Ada and Richard are married; rather than Chapter 51 anger, he feels pity for Ada—for both of them.

In Chapter 51 readers find out that upon arriving in London from Deal, Allan Woodcourt goes to Mr. Vholes's office to get Chapter 52 Richard Carstone's address. Before divulging the address, Mr. Vholes tells Woodcourt at great length that Richard will need Allan Woodcourt arrives to tell Esther Summerson and John money if Vholes is to continue to work for him in any capacity Jarndyce that Mr. George has been arrested for the murder of beyond what would be paid for by the estate. Then he informs Sir Leicester Dedlock's lawyer. Esther remembers her mother Woodcourt that Richard lives next door. Woodcourt finds was afraid of him. None of them believes Mr. George is guilty, Richard sitting with a book open in front of him but not reading. but they understand the evidence against him. All three go to Before Richard notices him, Woodcourt observes "the visit Mr. George in prison. When they arrive in George's cell, haggardness of his face and the dejection of his manner." As Esther offers him her hand. He realizes immediately that they they talk, Richard tells Woodcourt he is obsessed with the believe in his innocence. Jarndyce wants to hire a lawyer for Chancery case, but he wants "to see Ada righted" and not only George, but George doesn't want one. He doesn't "take kindly himself. Woodcourt tells Esther Summerson this about the to the breed." George tells them Bucket has searched his same time she begins looking after Caddy Jellyby. It awakes shooting gallery and will naturally have found a number of guns

that have been fired recently. George figures a lawyer would marriage. Also, Ada has suddenly left the household to live with tell him to keep his mouth shut, but he doesn't want to. He Richard, which means Esther and Jarndyce will be alone wants to tell the truth. If they convict him and hang him anyway, together. Esther now seems willing to set their relationship on at least he will have been honest. It's a consolation that "no a different—less platonic and slightly more intimate—footing, relations will be disgraced ... or made unhappy." telling Jarndyce she "will do all she can to make [Bleak House] happy." However, Jarndyce's reply is given in the same Matthew Bagnet and Mrs. Bagnet arrive with a basket of food. "fatherly" tone as ever, which disappoints Esther and makes Matthew asks his wife to tell George his opinion, and she says her feel inadequate: "I feared I might not quite have been all I they don't agree with George; he should take all the lawyers had meant to be since the letter and the answer." Did she "the gentleman recommended." Mrs. Bagnet indicates to misread Jarndyce's feelings for her before he wrote the letter? Esther that Esther and her friends should leave but wait for her Or has Jarndyce pulled back because he sees how she and outside. They get up to leave, and Mr. George remarks that Woodcourt feel about each other? Perhaps he was sounding when he was outside Tulkinghorn's the night he was murdered, her out about Woodcourt when they talked about Caddy's he saw someone who looked so like Esther that he almost care, and is now backpedaling so as not to stand in their way. spoke to her. The woman was coming downstairs as he went Esther interprets Allan's feelings toward her as pity, but up; she was wearing "a loose black mantle" with "a deep perhaps Jarndyce recognizes them as something very fringe." Esther shudders and feels caught between a sense of different. obligation and a refusal to believe there was any reason to be afraid. Mr. George frequently says he has "no relations," but the Bagnets know this is untrue. Mrs. Bagnet picked up on Outside the prison, the Bagnets join them. Mrs. Bagnet is in George's talk in Chapter 34 with Woolwich about not tears. She is determined to find George's mother and sets out disappointing his mother and must have asked Matthew for for Lincolnshire. Jarndyce praises her for being "honest and details of their visit to Tulkinghorn's office. When she heard genuine." about how George kept his back turned on Mrs. Rouncewell and how his mood shifted after that chance meeting, she put two and two together. Unlike another wife in the story, Mrs. Analysis Snagsby, Mrs. Bagnet's addition is accurate, as will be seen in Chapter 55. As Esther picks up her narrative in Chapter 50, the plot goes back in time. The action in these three chapters runs roughly George's account of what he saw outside Tulkinghorn's office parallel to the story the narrator told in the last four, Chapters on the night of the murder provides another suspect. He saw 46 to 49. someone who looked like Esther coming down the stairs as he was going up them. It wasn't Esther, so who was it? Readers The relationship between John Jarndyce and Esther is not know Lady Dedlock was out on her own that night, and it has what might be expected of a couple who are engaged to be often been remarked by many characters that Esther looks a married. For instance, when Esther tells Ada about her lot like Lady Dedlock. So was Lady Dedlock there, too? One engagement, she does not talk about marrying Jarndyce but other person has also been confused with Lady Dedlock: Jo about becoming "mistress of Bleak House." That is also how mistook Hortense for his "veiled lady" until she pulled back the Jarndyce phrased his proposal in his letter to Esther. Just what veil. Since he saw her figure and not her face, could George is their relationship? They are clearly affectionate, though the have seen the French woman instead? Readers have no idea affection on Jarndyce's side seems to be paternal rather than what she has been up to since her angry encounter with romantic; Esther still describes it as "fatherly." She shows no Tulkinghorn in Chapter 42. romantic interest in Jarndyce, either; her motivation for accepting his proposal seems to be gratitude. She still addresses him as "guardian." At the end of Chapter 51, though, Chapters 53–54 Esther seems to be testing the nature of their relationship. She has spent a lot of time observing the affection between Prince and Caddy, which may have changed her expectations about

Summary Chapter 54

Mr. Bucket breakfasts heartily and then meets with Sir Chapter 53 Leicester Dedlock. Sir Leicester is moving slowly; his gout is acting up. Mr. Bucket locks the door so they won't be Mr. Bucket is busy investigating. He is at Sir Leicester disturbed. Then he tells Sir Leicester he has solved the case Dedlock's London house, then at Chesney Wold, and then in and the culprit is not the soldier but a woman. He tells Sir Lincoln's Inn. He is never at home. Although his wife is "a lady Leicester to prepare himself, to think of his family—right back of natural detective genius," he doesn't seek her out. Lincoln's to Julius Caesar. He assures Sir Leicester that he should not Inn Fields is crowded with carriages on the day of the funeral, worry about Bucket knowing things about Sir Leicester's though most are empty and have been sent to represent the "family affairs." When Bucket mentions Lady Honoria Dedlock, bereaved. Mr. Bucket is sitting unseen in one of the empty Sir Leicester says he'd prefer his wife to be left out of the carriages and surveying the scene, while Mrs. Bucket stands conversation, but Bucket says that's impossible: "She is the where he "stationed" her, on the steps of Mr. Tulkinghorn's pivot it all turns on." Bucket then tells the story of Mr. house. While he watches, he sees a bag of Tulkinghorn's "noble Tulkinghorn's investigation of Lady Dedlock—about Nemo secrets" being carried out. Then the procession moves off. having once been her lover, his death in poverty, and Lady When it stops, Bucket slips out of the carriage and goes to Sir Dedlock's visit to his grave while wearing Hortense's clothes. Leicester Dedlock's house. He lets himself in with a key. He also knows Lady Dedlock went to Tulkinghorn's on the Mercury gives him a letter that has arrived for him. It is the night he was murdered and passed Mr. George on the stairs. sixth he has received in the last 24 hours and contains the Sir Leicester goes pale. He speaks slowly and with some same two-word message: "Lady Dedlock." difficulty, wondering why Tulkinghorn never said anything to him about this. Bucket tells him to ask his wife. After dinner Bucket meets with Sir Leicester, Volumnia Dedlock, and one of the Dedlock cousins. Sir Leicester assures There is a noisy disturbance in the hall, and Mr. Bucket opens Bucket he will take care of Bucket's expenses during his the door. He tells Sir Leicester they should let in the "people investigation; he is dedicated to bringing "to light" whoever now in a wrangle with your footmen"; Bucket will deal with "struck down" someone "who was ever faithful." Bucket's them, and Sir Leicester should just nod when he indicates. In expression seems to hold "a touch of compassion." Volumnia come Mercury and another footman carrying Grandfather wants to know if "that dreadful soldier" will be convicted and if Smallweed in his chair, followed by Mr. Chadband, his wife (the "he had any accomplices," but Bucket refuses to comment. former Mrs. Rachael), and Mrs. Snagsby. Grandfather The cousin believes it's better to hang the wrong man than no Smallweed tells them about a bundle of letters found in Krook's one at all. Sir Leicester asks Volumnia not to ask so many shop; they had been written to Krook's lodger—Captain questions but let Bucket do his job. Bucket says he expects to Hawdon—and signed "Honoria." The letters also make get some key information in a few hours. He warns them they reference to their child. He gave the letters to Tulkinghorn and "have no idea ... what games goes on" in families, even "high wants them back now. Smallweed says if George had anything families." Bucket says he may have the case wrapped up by to do with the murder, "he was only an accomplice." Suddenly morning. Mr. Bucket is angry and threatening. He bends close to Mr. Smallweed and warns him not to interfere with his case; he He stops to talk with Mercury next, first asking whether the knows "the right time to stretch [his hand] out and put it on the footman has ever worked as an artist's model. Bucket says he arm that fired that shot." Smallweed apologizes, and Bucket has a friend in the Royal Academy who would love to paint becomes friendly again. He has the letters, he says. Smallweed Mercury. He makes other conversation as well, interspersing wants £500 for the bundle of letters; Bucket tries to negotiate questions about Lady Honoria Dedlock. She comes in as they about the price, with Sir Leicester nodding his agreement are talking and goes to her room. Bucket learns Lady Dedlock appropriately, but without effect. The Chadbands also want went out about 9:30 on the evening of the murder and was money for their silence. Mrs. Chadband recounts how she wearing "a loose black mantle, with a deep fringe." helped raise "Miss Hawdon, her ladyship's daughter" while working for Lady Dedlock's sister. Mr. Bucket offers £20, but

Mrs. Chadband laughs it off. Mrs. Snagsby just wants the false sense of security, Dickens tells the story in such a way as confirmation of her deductions regarding her "false husband" to mislead readers about just who is about to be arrested. with the final goal of ending their marriage. The detective tells Bucket's interrogation of Mercury at the end of Chapter 53 Mr. Smallweed and the Chadbands he will contact them about Lady Dedlock's headaches and her solitary walk on the "tomorrow or the next day." night of the lawyer's murder and his conversation with Sir Leicester in Chapter 54, in which he explains what his After the visitors leave, Mr. Bucket recommends Sir Leicester investigation for Tulkinghorn into Lady Dedlock turned up, lead "buy this up," which he thinks can be done "pretty cheap." Then the reader to believe he's getting ready to arrest Lady Dedlock. he says, "the party to be apprehended is in this house" and will He tells Sir Leicester that Lady Dedlock was seen on be arrested in Sir Leicester's "presence." He assures the Tulkinghorn's stairs at the approximate time of his murder and baronet it will be done quietly, and he'll come back later to talk Tulkinghorn had been about to tell Sir Leicester about her past. about "the nobbiest way of keeping it quiet." He rings and, when Mercury comes in, whispers something to him. Soon, Sir Leicester, whether or not he also believes his wife is about Hortense is shown in. Bucket closes the door and stands to be arrested, is extremely upset by these revelations, and against it. Bucket introduces Hortense as his lodger. Hortense suffers a stroke. It begins before Bucket can finish telling Sir says Mrs. Bucket brought her here, and she expected to find Leicester everything, and it is unlikely the detective has even Mrs. Bucket in this room. Bucket tells the Frenchwoman to sit any idea what has happened. He is busy fending off the down and be quiet. Still, as he talks, she keeps interrupting to blackmail attempts from Grandfather Smallweed and Mr. correct his story or to complain it is all lies. Bucket reviews her Chadband and then, with his arrest of Hortense, the real history with Lady Dedlock and Tulkinghorn, and her murderer. Sir Leicester follows all this, so at least his mind is persecution of Snagsby. Bucket says he never believed relieved. But he is still worried for his wife. He knows her George murdered the lawyer, but it was his duty to arrest him. position in society will be destroyed, and he is concerned for But while watching Hortense eating supper that night, he had a her. Although he is very proud of his family and of his own flash of intuition that she had done it. He then spent all his time position in society, what matters most to him is Lady Dedlock. investigating while his wife kept Hortense at home, unaware he He does not hesitate to forgive her anything, as readers was investigating her. Hortense, he says, framed Lady Dedlock. recognize in the final words of Chapter 54: "oblivious of his Sir Leicester begins to rise at this but then sits again. Mrs. suffering, he can yet pronounce her name ... in a tone of Bucket saw Hortense writing the letters incriminating Lady mourning and compassion rather than reproach." Dedlock. She also found the rest of the paper Hortense used as wadding in the pistol she shot Tulkinghorn with. After the When Volumnia last entered the story a dozen chapters earlier, funeral, Hortense took Mrs. Bucket for tea in the country and Dickens began fleshing out her personality. He indicated she threw the pistol into a nearby "piece of water"; the detective was particularly fond of Mr. Tulkinghorn; yet, at the same time, had the water dragged, and the pistol was found. Mr. Bucket she seems to have become engaged to be married. The handcuffs Hortense and takes her away. narrator talks about the sun shining on "the chaste Volumnia, bestowing a dower of fifty thousand pounds upon a hideous Sir Leicester stays in the chair for a while and then gets up old general with a mouth of false teeth like a pianoforte too full with difficulty. He takes a few steps and stops, staring at of keys, long the admiration of Bath and the terror of every nothing. He sees a vision of his wife, who "has been a stock of other community." Her fiancé gets another mention in Chapter living tenderness and love" and "cannot bear to look upon her 53. While she's telling Mr. Bucket how devastated she is ("her cast down from the high place she has graced so well." Saying nerves are unstrung forever"; "she has not the least her name, he slowly falls to the ground. expectation of ever smiling again"), she is simultaneously sending a cutely folded note to her fiancé: "she folds up a cocked hat for that redoubtable old general at Bath, Analysis descriptive of her melancholy condition." Volumnia may be a poor cousin, but she knows how to suppress her feelings as Chapters 53 and 54 bring Mr. Bucket's investigation of Mr. well as anyone in the aristocracy. Tulkinghorn's murder to a conclusion. But just as Bucket allowed his arrest of Mr. George to lull his chief suspect into a It is unclear what Mrs. Snagsby has to add to Bucket's

investigation or how she can threaten Lady Dedlock. Despite Rouncewell meets with Lady Honoria Dedlock and tells her she this she tags along with Grandfather Smallweed and the has found George, and he is in prison for murdering Mr. Chadbands when they come to threaten money out of Sir Tulkinghorn. Mrs. Rouncewell begs her, "If you can say but a Leicester in Chapter 54. Perhaps she wants only to vent her word to help to clear him, say it!" Her ladyship is confused, irrational anger with her husband. In any case, readers can wondering what she can say to help. Mrs. Rouncewell says she compare the effectiveness of her investigation with the got a letter last night, when the step of the ghost on the effectiveness of Tulkinghorn's and Bucket's. Mrs. Snagsby has Ghost's Walk was "awfullest" and leaves the letter for her unearthed all the details but has ended up deducing that Jo ladyship to read. The letter contains "a printed account of the was Mr. Snagsby's son. When she and her cohorts leave, Mr. discovery of the body ... shot through the heart" with her name Bucket tells Sir Leicester that Mrs. Snagsby was used "by all written under it alongside "the word 'murderess.'" She drops sides" and has unknowingly done a lot of harm by "bringing the paper and does not pick it up. odds and ends together." It is likely she came just to fill in missing bits of the story and provide a little comic relief. Sometime later a servant announces William Guppy. Lady Dedlock picks up the paper, and is holding it as Mr. Guppy comes in. He has come to warn Lady Dedlock. He asks Chapters 55–56 whether she has had a visit from Miss Barbary's old servant or from "a person without the use of his lower extremities, carried upstairs similarly to a guy?" When she says no, he assures her these people were here. He has come to suspect the letters he Summary thought destroyed weren't and the people he mentions came here to "make money of it." He promises he will not return again. After he goes, she rings and asks Mercury whether Sir Chapter 55 Leicester has had any visitors. He says yes and describes them. They match Guppy's description. After Mercury goes, In the early hours of the day that Mr. Bucket will arrest Lady Dedlock despairs. Her husband knows everything, and Hortense, Mrs. Bagnet and Mrs. Rouncewell are in a chaise soon her shame will be common knowledge. On top of that, traveling toward London. Mrs. Rouncewell is holding Mrs. someone has accused her of Tulkinghorn's murder. She used Bagnet's hand and kissing it from time to time in gratitude for to wish Tulkinghorn were dead, but now she sees his death has finding her and bringing her to her son, George. She is sure released the information he had on her. She sees "no escape George never contacted her because he never "rose to be an but in death." Lady Dedlock writes a note to Sir Leicester officer" and didn't want to "be a disgrace" to his family. She stating her innocence. She says she went to Tulkinghorn on recalls how much Sir Leicester used to like George when the night of the murder to beg him not to keep torturing her but George was a boy. Mrs. Bagnet tells Mrs. Rouncewell how to tell her husband right away. But his house was dark, and no much George regrets not having been a better son. Mrs. one answered the door. She hopes he can forget her, and Rouncewell vows to do all she can to make sure George gets "writes this last adieu." Leaving "all her jewels and money," she the lawyers he needs to clear himself of the murder charge. puts on a dress and veil, and goes out into "the shrill frosty Mrs. Bagnet wonders why her traveling companion keeps wind." murmuring "My Lady!" to herself. Shortly after daybreak, the chaise arrives in London, and the two women make their way to the prison. There, mother and son reconcile. Mrs. Chapter 56 Rouncewell insists George must "yield up his case the greatest lawyers that can be got," and he agrees. He asks Mrs. Bagnet Volumnia Dedlock arrives at the Dedlocks' London mansion, to acquaint his mother with Esther Summerson and John lets herself in, and goes to the library. As she walks around it, Jarndyce. George also asks his mother not to tell his brother she trips over her cousin and screams. The household is about his plight, at least for the time being. She agrees. aroused. They can't find Lady Honoria Dedlock, but they do find her note. Sir Dedlock has been moved to his bed. It is dark Before going home to her family, Mrs. Bagnet delivers Mrs. before he begins to respond to his surroundings. He can only Rouncewell to the Dedlocks' London mansion. There, Mrs. whisper, and his whispers don't make much sense. Mrs.

Rouncewell is with him. Finding he can't make himself created a scandal in the family, but he has never regretted understood with speech, he gestures for something to write their marriage.) If Lady Dedlock knew all this, it's very possible with. It takes him some time, but he scrawls, "Chesney Wold?" she wouldn't have left. She is leaving not to avoid She tells him he's in London, and the doctors agree he'll be capture—especially since she knows she is innocent—but to better the next day. His written questions ask about Lady shield her husband from the fallout when her past becomes Honoria Dedlock. His old housekeeper tells him she went out common knowledge. What readers learn from her actions and before he was discovered and then gives him his wife's letter. It her letter in Chapter 55 is that, even if Sir Leicester was not is an hour before he writes out, "Mr. B." He means Mr. Bucket. Lady Dedlock's great love, she cares deeply for him and is grateful to him for his years of devotion. Until now, Dickens has Fortunately, Mr. Bucket is waiting downstairs, having promised focused on Sir Leicester's love for his wife, but on his wife's to update Sir Leicester. He is brought to the bedroom for a frustrated desire to be a mother. Because she does care for private meeting, attended only by Mrs. Rouncewell. Upon Sir Leicester, it is likely Lady Dedlock would not have left if she reading the letter, he immediately understands Sir Leicester had known her husband was lying comatose on the library floor wants him to find Lady Dedlock and says he must begin the as she slipped out the door; if she had known, she would have search immediately. He seems to understand Sir Leicester's stayed to look after him. every gesture, expression, and sound. And soon has taken money for expenses and promised to keep an account of When Sir Leicester is found in Chapter 56, he begins to them. As he's buttoning his coat, Bucket guesses the old recover almost immediately, but it's a slow recovery, which woman is Mrs. Rouncewell and says George is free without a leaves him aware but unable to communicate easily or clearly. stain on his name. Bucket promises Sir Leicester he will "say It is Mr. Bucket who comes to the rescue again. With his blend everything as is kind and forgiving on [his] part," and leaves the of observation, deduction, and intuition, he quickly figures out room. everything Sir Leicester wants to say. Bucket's hunt for Lady Dedlock will finally bring him into close contact with Esther in His first stop is Lady Dedlock's room, where a search produces the next chapter. (Before now, he has met her only fleetingly.) Esther Summerson's handkerchief. He pockets it and leaves With close to 100 characters in Bleak House, it is remarkable the house. His next stop is the shooting gallery, where he gets how all but a few of the most minor (largely associated with the Esther's address from George. On he goes. At his next stop he fashionable or with government) ultimately meet Esther and finds John Jarndyce just going to bed, tells him he found become subject to her appraisal. Esther's handkerchief in Lady Dedlock's room, and shows him the letter Sir Leicester received from his wife. He wants to take Esther with him so, when he finds her, Lady Dedlock will realize Chapters 57–59 he's "friendly." Jarndyce goes to fetch Esther. While he waits for her to dress, he visualizes the people and places around him, but doesn't see Lady Dedlock. The narrator knows, however, and describes "a lonely figure ... miserably dressed" Summary who wanders through the night near the brick kilns in the wind and snow. Chapter 57

Analysis In Chapter 57 when John Jarndyce explains why Mr. Bucket needs her, Esther Summerson is "thrown into ... a tumult of alarm, and hurry and distress." When she joins the detective, he Chapter 55 again loops back in time. Its action parallels the shows her the letter Lady Honoria Dedlock left for her events in Chapter 54. husband. At Bucket's prompting, Esther says she can't think of Readers already know Lady Dedlock has been cleared of all anyone her ladyship would confide in. After some thought, suspicion of murder, Hortense is the source of the letters however, she suggests Mr. Boythorn. Bucket has the carriage accusing Lady Dedlock, and Sir Leicester cares more for his drive on, and soon they come to the police station. There he wife than he worries about scandal. (After all, just marrying her gives a description of the missing woman, and it is copied and

distributed. Esther finds Mr. Bucket "kind and gentle" and feels seeking. Finally Bucket decides to turn around and "follow the "a confidence in his sagacity." other." Esther is "in an agony"; she wants to go on by herself to look for her mother. Bucket understands but asks, "Would I put When they drive on from the station, it is in a hired carriage. you wrong, do you think?" He wants her to "rely upon [him] for Their first stop is by the river. Something has been pulled from standing by [her], no less than by Sir Leicester Dedlock, the river, but it is not what Esther feared, and they continue Baronet." Finally she agrees, and they rush back toward their journey. Bucket stops the carriage frequently to go into London. any pubs still open or to talk to toll-takers. A few miles before they reach St. Albans, he gives Esther a cup of tea and tells her Lady Dedlock is "on ahead." It's 5:00 or 6:00 a.m., and she Chapter 58 "passed through ... on foot" about 8:00 or 9:00 the night before. He asks the driver to "try a gallop." Mr. Bucket asks Meanwhile in London the Dedlock household are saying Lady Esther if she remembers taking Jo along this road one night. Honoria Dedlock has gone down to Lincolnshire. But the She wonders how he knows about this, and he explains he was fashionable rumor mill is already talking about a Dedlock the man she passed on the road. He had followed Jo to try to divorce. Her disappearance is even being talked of in keep him from telling everyone about the woman in the veil. Parliament. Esther realizes he is making conversation to distract her from her mother's plight. They arrive at Bleak House, where, despite At the Dedlocks' London house, Sir Leicester Dedlock has had the early hour, the smoke is rising from the chimney. Bucket his bed moved near the window so he can watch the "driving turns the conversation to Harold Skimpole. Skimpole was the snow and sleet ... throughout the whole wintry day." Mrs. one who told him where to find Jo—and all for a £5 note. Rouncewell spends a lot of time with him but can say only Esther considers this "treacherous" and "passing the usual there's no news yet from Mr. Bucket. When Mrs. Rouncewell bounds of his childish innocence." Bucket warns her that leaves the sickroom, Mr. George is waiting to comfort his people who say they know nothing of money are only after mother. She is certain Lady Dedlock will never return, certain yours, and people who say, "in worldly matters I'm a child," are the Chesney Wold ghost has "walked her down." She worries just trying to avoid being held responsible. They ring the bell about who will tell Sir Leicester. George finds her ladyship's and ask whether anyone has been at the house, but no one rooms feel cold and deserted and fears his mother might be has. Bucket says they will go to the brickmakers' cottages right—Lady Dedlock is not coming back. While Mrs. Rouncewell next. is away, Volumnia Dedlock takes her turn at Sir Leicester's bedside, but she does not know what's going on, so she can't Liz, Jenny, and their families are now sharing a house near the really talk with him. Still, it keeps Volumnia from going out and kilns. Esther and Bucket find them eating breakfast, though gossiping about the family. Now she compliments Mrs. Jenny is missing. Grudgingly, her husband tells Esther the lady Rouncewell on the "soldierly" bearing of her son. Hearing this (meaning Lady Dedlock) rested on the stool Esther's sitting on agitates Sir Leicester, so Mrs. Rouncewell explains it is her for an hour or two. Then she and Jenny left. He says Jenny younger son Volumnia is referring to; George has come home went to London, and the lady "went right away nor'ard by the and is downstairs right now. Sir Leicester wants to see him high road." Liz's husband allows her to tell Esther the lady immediately. looked "pale and exhausted," and "her voice was hoarse." As Esther and Bucket leave, Liz's eyes meet Bucket's. As they Soon George comes in. Sir Leicester is glad to see him and continue north, it begins snowing hard, and progress is slow. wonders why he doesn't want people to know his true identity. Again, the detective chats with everyone they meet. When they George admits he did "his duty under discipline." Sir Leicester change horses, he learns "she came on" there. He adds, says he "had a sudden and bad attack" that has numbed his "There's not a doubt of the dress by this time, and the dress body and confused his speech. Remarkably clearly, he says he has been seen here." and his wife had "a slight misunderstanding" and his wife "found it necessary to make a journey" from which he expects But by the next time they change horses, there have been no her to return soon. Now he wishes to make a statement while sightings for a while, and so it continues. They go north for he can that all three of them can witness—he is "on unaltered several more stages, but there's no word of the woman they're terms with her" emotionally and materially. From then on,

George stays with Sir Leicester alongside his mother. shoes and setting them to dry. Then he turns to Mrs. Snagsby and begins to explain her mistake to her. He tells her Esther is It gets dark, and Sir Leicester gets more and more upset as the young lady being discussed last time he talked to her. time passes, wondering why Mr. Bucket does not return. Esther doesn't know what he means, but Mrs. Snagsby seems Eventually everyone goes to bed except George and Mrs. to. He says Jo, Nemo, and Mr. Snagsby were all "mixed up in Rouncewell, who stay with Sir Leicester. George patrols the the same business, and no other" and that Mrs. Snagsby has house every half-hour. Volumnia, who cannot sleep for worry been running "her ... head against a wall." But that's not all. about the health of Sir Leicester and the annual support he Someone "in a wretched state" has come there tonight, spoken pays her, finally allows herself to be talked into going back to with Guster, and given Guster a paper. Mrs. Snagsby hid, bed at 4:00 a.m. When George returns from each round, Sir watched them, and afterward "pounce[d] upon that maid- Leicester asks him if there is news, but there never is. At dawn, servant ... with such severity that ... she goes off and keeps off, George extinguishes the candles and opens the curtains so Sir when a life may be hanging upon that girl's words." Woodcourt Leicester can resume his watch. comes in with a paper for Bucket. Bucket sends Mrs. Snagsby to help bring Guster around.

Chapter 59 Bucket shows Esther the paper. She identifies the handwriting as Lady Honoria Dedlock's. It's a letter to Esther, and she In Chapter 59 Esther Summerson and Mr. Bucket return to the reads it to the detective. The first section was written at the outskirts of London at about 3:00 a.m. Mr. Bucket has only cottage. She came there to get a final look at "the dear one" recently begun to make inquiries again. At Islington they leave and "to elude pursuit." She says she "bought" the men's help their carriage and get a cab. Esther has been fretting about but Jenny helped for Esther's sake. The next section was following Jenny rather than her mother but trusts the written later and says exposure and exhaustion will save her detective's instincts. Bucket praises Esther for being "as mild from committing suicide. The last section says she hopes to as she's game, and as game as she's mild," which makes her "a remain unidentified so she will "disgrace [Sir Leicester] least"; queen" to his mind. As they ride through the city, they "seek out she is trying to reach a place that "has been often in my mind." the narrowest and worst streets," stopping for him to consult Bucket sends Esther to find out more from Guster. Guster says fellow police officers and various informants. After one such she was coming back from an errand when a "common-looking consultation, he asks Esther if she will "walk a little way." They person" asked her for directions. The woman looked "so enter Chancery Lane. The clocks strike 5:30. wretched, that [Mr. Snagsby would] have given her half a crown." She wanted to know where "the poor burying ground" Suddenly Esther hears her name. It's Allan Woodcourt, who was. Hearing this, Mr. Bucket looks alarmed. Then the stranger has already heard from John Jarndyce about her late night asked Guster to send a letter for her. The woman went in the journey. He puts his cloak around Esther and asks to go with direction Guster had indicated, and Mrs. Snagsby grabbed them. Allan has been with Richard since 10:00 the previous Guster and scared her. evening; Richard had been feeling "depressed and faint," but is now sleeping. Bucket, Esther, and Woodcourt set out through the predawn streets. When they get to the burial ground, Esther sees Jenny Mr. Bucket tells Woodcourt they are going to Mr. Snagsby's. lying on the step in front of the gate and starts to run toward When they get there, they hear Guster crying. Apparently she's her. The men hold her back, and the detective tells her "they been having seizures all night, as Bucket's fellow police officer changed clothes at the cottage" and the woman who tells them. Bucket and the other officer go into the stationer's. continued north "went on a certain way ... to deceive and then Soon Bucket returns to ask Esther to come sit by the fire and turned ... and went home." She can't grasp what he's saying. Woodcourt to look after Guster. Guster, he says, has a letter She wants to go to Jenny and find out where her mother went. Bucket wants. Inside, Mr. Snagsby shows them to Guster's The men decide Esther has "a higher right" to touch the room, asking his wife "to wave ... hostilities for one single woman than they do. She goes to her and looks at her face. It's moment." Mrs. Snagsby looks "astonished" and stares at her mother, and she's "cold and dead." Esther. Bucket sends Mr. Snagsby to help Woodcourt with Guster; he then settles Esther by the fire, taking off her wet

Analysis of the stationer are in keeping with the man as readers have experienced him in Snagsby's interactions with others, especially Jo. Until now, readers have wondered about whether Bucket is a compassionate person doing a sometimes unpleasant job or a Snagsby's present sad and frightened demeanor might well be cold-hearted cop who pretends to be friendly and rectified after this visit since the detective explains bluntly to understanding. It's often hard not to like the detective, but he Mrs. Snagsby not only where she has been mistaken about her also appears to trick people a lot, which makes it hard to trust husband and what's going on but also how her jealousy has him. In Chapter 57 Esther, with her incisive understanding of caused extra suffering for Guster and may have cost someone others' characters, gives us a reliable reading. He is "kind and else her life. Esther comments on the powerful sincerity with gentle" and wise. But she also notices how "agreeable and which he says this. Readers can only hope Mrs. Snagsby takes merry" he is when he's looking for information and how it to heart. "watchful" and businesslike he is when he returns to the carriage.

Chapter 58 sees Sir Leicester reunited with George Chapters 60–62 Rouncewell, who—just as with Mrs. Rouncewell—was always his favorite of the two Rouncewell boys. From the moment they meet again, George is helpful and compassionate with Sir Summary Leicester, seeming to know intuitively what he needs. As with Phil Squod, Mr. Gridley, and Jo, George immediately sees what is needed and provides it. When Sir Leicester learns George Chapter 60 has tried to remain undiscovered, he protests, just as any reader might: why? He does not find George's explanation very In Chapter 60 John Jarndyce tells Esther Summerson they will satisfactory. A sterling army career is nothing to be ashamed be staying in London so they can be near Ada Clare and keep of. Although George is the same man in Chapter 58 as he is tabs on Richard Carstone. Allan Woodcourt has been coming throughout Bleak House, Sir Leicester is not. The Sir Leicester every morning to talk with Jarndyce; he is worried about of this chapter is the one who loves Lady Dedlock—a simple, Richard but does not think he is physically ill. straightforward man whose concern is for others and not for Jarndyce asks Mrs. Woodcourt to stay with them, and she himself. His concern for George is that George recognize what accepts the invitation. He wonders how Esther likes her. She is good in himself, not accept the prejudices of society where finds her less disagreeable this time than last but would still soldiering is concerned. It is an interesting position for like her to leave. But Jarndyce says it's convenient for Allan someone who is normally such a staunch supporter of tradition Woodcourt; he can visit her often. Despite her misgivings, and the status quo. Esther agrees to let Mrs. Woodcourt stay longer. Esther asks In Chapter 59 Esther meets Mr. Snagsby and records her first whether Woodcourt has decided to try working abroad again, impression of him. Until now, readers have seen him through but Jarndyce thinks he won't. He thinks Woodcourt will get a the eyes of the third-person narrator with his critical tongue-in- position as a doctor for the poor in Yorkshire. cheek descriptions of Snagsby's idiosyncrasies—for example, Richard is using Ada's money to pay for his lawyer, Mr. Vholes, how he has a distinctive cough to communicate his reactions and it is "melting away." Ada is quieter than she used to be, but to a variety of situations and how he plunks down a half crown "cheerful and hopeful." Miss Flite visits them every Monday whenever he feels sympathy or pity for someone. Here, though, evening. One Monday Esther meets Miss Flite leaving as Esther describes him as "a scared, sorrowful-looking little man Esther arrives. Miss Flite says Richard "has had a long day in ... who seemed to have a naturally polite manner and spoke court" and is still with Mr. Vholes, whom Miss Flite considers a meekly." Mr. Bucket also provides a clear description of "dangerous man." Miss Flite also confides to Esther that she Snagsby's most obvious qualities when he says to him, "You're has made Richard the executor of her will. Before Mr. Gridley's a man of urbanity and suavity, you know, and you've got the death, she had intended to appoint him. Also, Miss Flite has sort of heart that can feel for another." These verbal sketches added two more birds to her collection and calls them the

Wards in Jarndyce. She runs through the names of her birds, Richard. Five years later Skimpole dies, leaving a diary that is looking troubled. When Richard arrives a few minutes later, Mr. published claiming he was a child victimized by society, Vholes is with him, having been invited to dinner. While Richard including Jarndyce, whom he characterizes as "the incarnation and Ada see about the meal, Mr. Vholes talks with Esther about of selfishness." Richard. Esther has the impression Richard is "wasting away beneath the eyes of this adviser and [Vholes has] something of Richard's condition continues to worsen. Soon only Esther and the vampire in him." Vholes tells Esther he considers Richard Allan Woodcourt call on him and Ada. Sometimes Jarndyce and Ada's marriage "ill-advised." As they eat, Esther observes meets Esther nearby and walks home with her. One night she Richard and finds his "youth and youthful beauty [has] all fallen is late leaving to meet Jarndyce; Woodcourt walks her to the away." He barely eats and is irritable. Shortly after dinner, meeting place, but Jarndyce is not there. They wait 30 Vholes returns to his office, and Richard says so often what a minutes; then Woodcourt walks her home. When they arrive, "good fellow" Vholes is that Esther thinks he has "begun to both Jarndyce and Mrs. Woodcourt are out. Woodcourt seizes doubt" his lawyer. the opportunity to declare his love for Esther. All Esther can think is "too late." She tells him she "is not free to think of" his Later Mr. Woodcourt joins them and takes Richard out for a love because she is promised to Jarndyce. They say goodnight walk, leaving Esther and Ada alone together. Ada says she to each other and goodbye to any talk of a future together. married Richard thinking she might manage to convince him to stop following the Jarndyce case so closely; but even if she hadn't harbored that hope, she would still have married him. Chapter 62 But now she thinks she may have something "with greater power than mine to show him his true course and win him Esther Summerson goes to her room, takes out John back." She likes to think of a future when his daughter or son Jarndyce's proposal letter, and sleeps with it on her pillow. In will take pride in Richard as a father. But sometimes she the morning she tells her guardian she is ready to be "mistress experiences a "dread ... that he may not live to see his child." of Bleak House" whenever he wants. He suggests "next month," and she agrees.

Chapter 61 Mr. Bucket comes in at that moment; he has brought Grandfather Smallweed with him. Smallweed has taken over

Esther Summerson has seen Harold Skimpole several times Krook's "premises" and has found something among the many when she visited Ada Clare and Richard Carstone. She worries papers there—"a paper with the signature of Jarndyce to it." It's he will take more money from Richard and his "careless gaiety a will, and Bucket recommended it be given "to this present Mr. [is] too inconsistent with ... the depths of Ada's life." Ada Jarndyce" in the hope that "if it should prove to be valuable," agrees. So Esther goes to Mr. Skimpole's to ask him to stop Smallweed will receive a reward. Bucket insists Smallweed visiting the young couple. Before she can manage to state her hand over the paper. It's "singed upon the outside and a little request, he "anticipate[s] it," saying he goes nowhere where he burnt at the edges, as if it had long ago been thrown upon a will find pain for himself or cause it for others, so there is no fire and hastily snatched off again." Jarndyce says he'll look reason for him to go there again. Oddly, he reduces the into the value of the paper and reward Smallweed if it is definition of pain to financial pain. Esther tells Skimpole she warranted. Jarndyce doesn't look at the paper and doesn't was "surprised to learn" he knew who took Jo away from Bleak intend to; he'll give it to his solicitor. Bucket leaves, taking House and "accepted a present on that occasion." She feels it Smallweed with him. was wrong "to betray [John Jarndyce's] confidence for a Jarndyce and Esther go to see Conversation Kenge and give bribe." But Skimpole says he can't be bribed because he him the paper. It is a valid will made later than any other in the attaches no value to money and argues Bucket was "blamable" case. Kenge sends William Guppy to fetch Mr. Vholes and then for offering him money; all he did was place his trust in Bucket explains the will reduces John Jarndyce's inheritance and and take it. He then walks Esther and Charley Neckett home. increases Ada Clare's and Richard Carstone's. Vholes arrives,

This is the last time Esther sees Skimpole. His relationship with and Kenge shows him the paper. The two men agree it is "a Jarndyce cools due to Skimpole's continuing to prey on very remarkable document" and "will be an unexpected and

interesting feature" when court resumes the following month. gone to bed early. This gives Allan the opportunity to declare his love for Esther. Of course she is engaged to Jarndyce and can't officially return his love no matter how much she wants Analysis to. In all of this, Esther does not express any concern about Jarndyce standing her up; nor does she worry about him or Because Esther is writing her segments of the story years anyone else in the household. She knows the future, and after the events, she already knows what is going on, but readers can guess this was a setup arranged by Jarndyce to readers don't. The character generally tries to keep readers leave Esther and Allan alone together. At the end of the from knowing things she didn't know at the time the events chapter, Esther cries and says it is out of the "triumph" of took place. In Chapter 61 she makes an exception when she hearing him say he loves her. Is she kidding herself when she explains what will happen with Harold Skimpole. Not only does says her path will be easier than his? Or is she say the friendship between him and Jarndyce will end, but she—typically—trying to buck herself up and put aside her she says he will die in five years and leave a diary saying how sorrow? "selfish" Jarndyce and others were toward him. In this way, Esther can drop Skimpole from the rest of the novel. Since he In the morning Esther finally pushes Jarndyce to set a date for has no role in the events, this makes sense. But readers would her to become "mistress of Bleak House," and he does. They wonder about him if he just disappeared, so Dickens makes agree to marry in a month. At no point do they begin to use sure they have that information to wrap up loose ends. Also, first names, as would be normal between an engaged couple. the information Esther gives confirms what she, Mr. Bucket, Nor do they share a romantic kiss. It's a very odd way for a and readers already know—Skimpole is completely self- man in love to act. Yet, he does love her; both readers and centered and cares nothing for others. In fact, he doesn't even Esther suspected that long before he proposed. like other people; he just uses them. Anyone who tries to get Jarndyce is consistent in one thing, anyway—his refusal to him to take any responsibility becomes "selfish." become involved with the Jarndyce case. He won't even read Esther's opening to Chapter 60 is more typical. She says Mr. the paper Smallweed discovers. When Kenge says the will Jarndyce has invited Mrs. Woodcourt to stay with them in leaves him less and his two young cousins more, he is perfectly London. It seems an odd thing for him to do especially since content; he would be content to inherit nothing to benefit Esther has just lost her mother and is ill from the shock and Richard and Ada. This is the generous, open-hearted John probably from the physical and mental stress of the hunt for Jarndyce readers know. Lady Dedlock. After all, Esther and Mrs. Woodcourt didn't particularly get along before. Moreover, they have no particular relationship. Still she does say they're getting along better now, Chapters 63–65 and Jarndyce says Mrs. Woodcourt is fond of Esther. Perhaps he invited her because Allan Woodcourt spends a lot of time there; he says he sees Woodcourt every morning. But if that's Summary the reason, why doesn't Esther the narrator say so? She's being secretive for some reason, which is often the case where Woodcourt is concerned. It sounds like Jarndyce has arranged Chapter 63 for Woodcourt to get a job offer in Yorkshire, a poor region well north of London and St. Albans, although again Esther At the start of Chapter 63, Mr. George has given up his doesn't say this explicitly. shooting gallery and moved to Chesney Wold to look after Sir Leicester Dedlock. Today he goes to see his older brother. Then in Chapter 61 something very atypical happens. Jarndyce When he asks for Rouncewell's, he learns there's a bank, a arranges to meet Esther to walk her home from Ada and factory, and house by that name. A workman directs him to the Richard's but doesn't turn up. This means Woodcourt has to factory, where he sees a young man who looks like he did at walk her home. When they arrive, both Jarndyce and Mrs. that age. He assumes it is his nephew and asks to see the Woodcourt are out, and the two young people are alone. young man's father. The young man takes him to the office and Where is Charley Neckett? Apparently she is out also or has

asks what name to give. "Steel," says George. When "Mr. Steel" to the house the next morning, the garden has been designed introduces himself as someone who once knew Mr. like hers at Bleak House. The house is a "rustic cottage," and it Rouncewell's brother in the army, Mr. Rouncewell immediately is decorated and furnished in exactly her style. She loves it but recognizes him and greets him with joy. He invites him to a worries that having so many reminders of her around him will family party; his son, Watt Rouncewell, is going to marry Rosa. make Allan Woodcourt sad. Jarndyce leads Esther to the They invite him to the wedding, too, and ask him to give away porch and points out the name of the house: Bleak House. the bride. Mr. Rouncewell wants George to join his business, Jarndyce then tells her he realized she and Woodcourt were in but George says his "plans are made." He asks his brother's love. He wants above all for her to be as happy as possible. advice on how to get their mother to cut him out of her will. He Now he is her "guardian and ... father." He told Woodcourt thinks it wrong he should come back after staying away for yesterday. But he told Mrs. Woodcourt when he invited her to years and reduce the amount Mr. Rouncewell's children would London, and he believes she has come to love Esther as much receive. But Mr. Rouncewell tells him their mother would never as he does. He also says that the night Allan told her he loved do that; George should just accept any inheritance and then her, he did so with Jarndyce's knowledge and reported back to pass it on in his own will. Jarndyce. Suddenly Allan is beside Esther, and Jarndyce says to him, "Take from me a willing gift, the best wife that ever man George asks his brother to take a look at a letter he has had ... Take with her the little home she brings you ... Let me written to Esther Summerson and offer his opinion of it. The share its felicity sometimes, and what do I sacrifice? Nothing, letter tells Esther three things: (1) among Mr. Tulkinghorn's nothing." It is agreed Allan and Esther will marry in less than a papers was found a letter to Mr. George asking him to deliver a month. letter to Lady Dedlock, though before she had married; (2) the letter had been meant "as a proof for handwriting only"; and (3) Allan, Esther, and Jarndyce return to London together. William if he had known Captain Hawdon was alive, he would have Guppy has come to the house three times to see Esther, and "shared his last farthing with him." He closes by saying he she tells Jarndyce about his earlier proposal. When Guppy esteems Esther's "qualities ... above all others." Mr. Rouncewell calls again, they have him sent in. His mother is with him, as is says the letter is a little formal, but acceptable. It is sent with Tony Jobling. Guppy announces he has passed the bar and is the factory post. Mr. Rouncewell accompanies George on the now an attorney. Also, his mother has an annuity. He has taken first stage of his journey back to Chesney Wold. In the morning a house that will also be his office. Tony will be his clerk. each brother goes his own way. Finally, Guppy comes to his point and renews his proposal, and Jarndyce says it's "very magnanimous." It is Jarndyce who gives Esther's reply—a "decided rejection." Guppy is Chapter 64 incredulous, and his mother is furious. She keeps telling Jarndyce if her son isn't good enough, to get out and find In Chapter 64 John Jarndyce gives Esther Summerson £200 someone who is. Together William and Tony remove Mrs. to prepare for her wedding. She is hoping for a quiet wedding; Guppy, who is still yelling that Jarndyce and Esther should get perhaps they might not tell anyone about it until they are out. already married. The only person she tells is Mrs. Woodcourt, who approves. The only thing she and her guardian disagree about is the new Jarndyce will—she is hopeful, while he is not. Chapter 65

Courts are nearly back in session when Jarndyce is called to In Chapter 65 the Jarndyce case is finally to be heard again, Yorkshire "on Mr. Woodcourt's business." Soon afterward he and Esther Summerson cannot quench her hope that "it might writes to Esther, asking her to join him there. She arrives at lead to some result." Allan Woodcourt and Esther are on their night, and he tells her over supper he has bought and fixed up way to Westminster Hall, where court is to meet that day, when a house for Allan Woodcourt to thank him for all his efforts with Caddy Jellyby comes by in a carriage and stops to Jo and with Richard and Ada. He wants Esther to have a look congratulate them. As a result they arrive at court a little late. and determine "whether things were all as they ought to be." It's so crowded they can't get in, and something has happened Esther cries and insists "with pleasure." She is still crying in bed that amuses many of the "professional gentlemen"; some of that night, and is not certain it's "with pleasure." When they go the younger ones are "doubled ... up with laughter." They ask

someone what case is being heard. He says Jarndyce and professional status (Jobling) and private expectations (elderly Jarndyce and that it's "over for good." They meet Conversation mother with an annuity of her own). Like the first time, he goes Kenge and Mr. Vholes, who are walking out together. Kenge about proposing in a very lawyerly fashion, building his case on tells them the new will was not discussed. As he speaks, Allan facts and numbers. But why does he want her so suddenly? realizes "the whole estate is found to have been absorbed in Dickens does not explain this beyond Guppy's statement that costs." Mr. Vholes says, if they are looking for Richard "the image [he thought] had been eradicated from [his] 'eart is Carstone, he is in court "resting." Allan tells Esther to go to not eradicated. Its influence ... is still tremenjous." It is likely that John Jarndyce with the news and then meet him later at Ada seeing Esther again in Kenge's office a few weeks earlier Clare's. (Chapter 62) set him thinking about her again. Moreover, if he wants a wife who will keep his house and business going well, Jarndyce is pleased to have the case over and done with, but Esther would be a logical choice. The scene is a humorous he feels sorry for Richard and Ada. At Ada's, Allan tells Esther one, but readers know more about Guppy than they did the that Richard had wanted to speak to the judge but couldn't first time he proposed. because his mouth was full of blood. When Richard realizes Esther is there, he says how happy he is for her and Allan. With the Jarndyce case finished and nothing left to hope for, Later Jarndyce arrives and comes to Richard, who breaks into Richard feels cleansed and ready to "begin the world." But it is tears and says Jarndyce is a "good man." Richard says he has not the beginning his loved ones hope for. He dies of learned a hard lesson, but must now begin in a new way. He tuberculosis on the very day the Jarndyce case ends. But would like to see Allan and Esther's house, and everyone before dying, he apologizes to Ada, thanks Esther and Allan for agrees it's just the thing. He apologizes to everyone and says, their unfailing support, and makes peace with Jarndyce. He is "I will begin the world!" He dies in Ada's arms. free of the clutches of Chancery and can at least die in peace.

Later Miss Flite comes to Esther crying and says she has Kenge calls the Jarndyce case "a monument of Chancery "given her birds their liberty." practice." This is an statement of dramatic irony that can be interpreted in three ways:

Analysis On the surface he means it was a large and fascinating case from which professionals learned a great deal. Once again George expects to be judged harshly. That's why From Kenge's point of view—and that of other professionals he invents a name, meaning to gauge his brother's reactions to involved in the case—it was a large and lucrative case from him before admitting his own identity. But Mr. Rouncewell which they earned a great deal. doesn't seem to think George did anything wrong. He's just From the point of view of the suitors in the case, especially glad to see him. He also knows George was their mother's Richard and Ada, it was a disaster that robbed them of favorite son but feels no resentment. George was obviously money they should have inherited and destroyed the life of always well loved by those closest to him. Mr. Rouncewell at least one of them. wants George to come and work with him and is somewhat At the end of Chapter 65 Miss Flite says she has freed her taken aback that George would want to join the household at birds, which she had always intended to do when the Jarndyce Chesney Wold. It is likely George doesn't know yet that there case finally ended. But readers will remember that in Chapter are ill feelings between Mr. Rouncewell and Sir Leicester. Still, 14 Krook remarked that, when they were freed, "the birds that there are close family connections between the very traditional have never been caged would kill 'em." Two of the freed birds household of Chesney Wold and the modern one of were the Wards in Jarndyce, and one of the actual wards in Rouncewell's—not just the brothers (and their mother) but Jarndyce has already died. Rosa, too, who will always think with love on the person Sir Leicester loved most.

In Chapter 64 Guppy renews his proposal and seems to think Esther should be pleased to have him, given her disfigurement. He has even brought witnesses who can attest to his

working and doing well, and Mr. Turveydrop is unchanged; the Chapters 66–67 two remain close.

Allan and Esther have added a growlery to their house for her Summary guardian's use, and he is a part of their extended family—Allan's best friend, Ada's and little Richard's father, Esther's "dear guardian." The wind is never in the east. Ada still Chapter 66 wears black but no longer looks sad. Her son, Richard, calls both Ada and Esther "mama." Allan is loved and appreciated by Sir Leicester Dedlock now lives full time at Chesney Wold. He his patients, and so is Esther. One night Allan comes home and has brought Lady Honoria Dedlock's body home to lie in the asks what Esther has been thinking. She confesses she was family mausoleum with his ancestors. Sir Leicester, attended thinking about her "old looks" and "it was impossible that by Mr. George, sometimes visits her there. Lawrence Boythorn [Allan] could have loved [her] any better, even if [she] had tried to end the feud, but Sir Leicester was offended to think retained them." Allan tells her she is "prettier now." But Esther Boythorn did it because of his illness, so Boythorn continues thinks everyone around her is so beautiful, she doesn't need to the feud to humor him. Boythorn, though, sees how both men be. have loved and lost two sisters. Mr. George lives in one of the lodges by the stables, and Phil Squod keeps everything polished brightly. Matthew Bagnet and Mrs. Bagnet visit Analysis sometimes with their family. Sir Leicester is getting old and blind; it won't be long before he, too, joins his ancestors. In typical Dickensian fashion, Chapters 66 and 67 wrap up Volumnia Dedlock reads to him about the politics of the everyone's story that remains unfinished. Chapter 66 focuses moment; she has discovered she stands to inherit something if on those tied to Chesney Wold, and Chapter 67 deals with the anything should happen to Sir Leicester. For that she puts up people surrounding Esther. with the boredom of being there. The Dedlock cousins tend to George has brought life to Chesney Wold, but not into the hall visit only during "the shooting season." itself. Like the aristocracy, things there are becoming darker, slower, unused, and empty. There is a distinct sense that when Chapter 67 Sir Leicester dies, his class will go with him. This is not true, of course, but his death is a sign of things to come. The picture of It has been seven years since Allan Woodcourt and Esther Chesney Wold is in stark contrast to the mood and images Summerson married. Richard Carstone's son was born not surrounding George when he visited his brother in Chapter 63; long after his death and was named Richard. Ada Clare and there everything was bustling. The factory was producing iron young Richard stayed with Allan and Esther at their Bleak in many forms, the workers were filling the city, and the family House until she grew strong again. Then she went to stay with was growing and reaching out to other countries to John Jarndyce at the original Bleak House, where she always reinvigorate its knowledge. George, however, has chosen the referred to him as guardian—as do the children to this day. way of life he left behind as a young man. He is not about to let Esther and Allan have two daughters. his mother or Sir Leicester down again.

Charley Neckett has married the miller whose mill Esther can Life at Bleak House cottage as depicted in Chapter 67 also see from her window. Charley's sister, Emma Neckett, is forms quite a contrast to the Chesney Wold of Chapter 66. Esther's maid, and her brother, Tom Neckett, is apprenticed to Children are growing up, everyone is healthy and happy. Esther the miller. Prince Turveydrop has become lame, so Caddy gives some sad details in passing, such as the condition of her Jellyby has to work more than ever; still, she's happy. Their namesake, Caddy Jellyby's daughter, who is deaf. But this daughter, Esther, is deaf. Mr. Jellyby still visits Caddy regularly, seems to be Caddy's fate—to have to take care of everyone and Mrs. Jellyby, having given up on her African work, "has around her. Her father is too depressed to do anything; her taken up with the rights of women to sit in Parliament," which father-in-law is too vain; her husband, the dance instructor, is involves writing more letters than ever. Peepy Jellyby is now lame so he can't work; and her child is deaf. Caddy,

Copyright © 2019 Course Hero, Inc. Bleak House Study Guide Quotes 80 though, in spite of the impossible odds, is full of energy and is "It is right to begin with the happy in the knowledge that her efforts are appreciated. The child's condition can also be seen as an echo of Caddy's obligations of home ... and ... mother, whose philanthropic work kept her from hearing perhaps ... no other duties can anything Caddy said or speaking to Caddy directly as a human being. At least the child is not shutting Caddy out by choice, possibly be substituted for them." which in Caddy's book means there's still hope.

— Esther Summerson, Chapter 6 g Quotes When asked her honest impression of Mrs. Jellyby by John Jarndyce, Esther summarizes one of the beliefs she herself "The Court of Chancery ... has its lives by. This contradiction between a false philanthropy and neglect of those close to home is one of the themes Dickens decaying houses and its blighted explores in the novel. lands ... its worn-out lunatic in every madhouse and its dead in "It's about a will and the trusts every churchyard." under a will—or it was once. It's about nothing but costs now ... All — Narrator, Chapter 1 the rest ... has melted away."

A central theme in Bleak House is the evil done by Chancery, the court of equity, which is hardly equitable. Because the — John Jarndyce, Chapter 8 victims of Chancery could do nothing to help themselves—Chancery was supposed to be helping them!—the This is Mr. Jarndyce's explanation of the Jarndyce and term in Chancery came to be used in boxing to refer to a hold Jarndyce case for Esther. At this point, Mr. Jarndyce cannot in which one man catches his opponent's head under one arm know this, but he suspects it. This suspicion is one reason he and beats it with his other fist. refuses to be involved in the case in any way. He never goes to court, never discusses the case with his lawyer, and never reads any of the documents that are provided to him. "[Chancery is] ... being roasted at a slow fire; it's being stung to death "The best side of [poor] people is by single bees; it's being drowned almost hidden from us. What the by drops." poor are to the poor is little known,

— Tom Jarndyce, Chapter 5 excepting to themselves and God."

Tom Jarndyce, John Jarndyce's uncle, was well known in and — Esther Summerson, Chapter 8 around Chancery Lane. One day, in the pub across the street from Krook's shop, he took out a gun and blew his brains out. The first time Esther visits the brickmakers' cottages near St. This quotation explains why. Because Tom Jarndyce died Albans, she witnesses the death of a baby in its mother's arms before Bleak House begins, his words are quoted by Krook. and is deeply saddened. Mrs. Pardiggle, who took Esther and

Ada to the cottage, has already walked out, never noticing that Mr. Jarndyce utters this warning to Richard to not count on the the baby is dying. Esther realizes that society is largely blind to Jarndyce case. When he says it, he doesn't know Richard has its poor—even those, like Mrs. Pardiggle, who claim to want to already borrowed and gotten himself into debt. The final words help the poor. foretell Richard's death after the case ends.

"A person is never known till a "It [is] not the custom in England person is proved." to confer titles on men ... unless ... they consisted of the — Mrs. Blinder, Chapter 15 accumulation of some very large

Mrs. Blinder, the Necketts' landlady, says this of Mr. Gridley amount of money." while looking pointedly at Harold Skimpole. Mr. Gridley, despite his gruff ways and hot temper, is always good to "Coavinses'" — Esther Summerson, Chapter 35 orphaned children. In contrast, Mr. Skimpole seems friendly and entertaining, but really does not care at all about anyone Miss Flite thinks Allan Woodcourt should be given a title for but himself. saving people after his boat is shipwrecked. Esther agrees he deserves it, but is sure he won't get it. She reads the priorities "Live at his expense as much as of English society very accurately, at least in Dickens's opinion. you can, and take warning by his foolish example. That's the use of "I was rendered motionless ... by a such a friend." something in her face that I had pined for and dreamed of when I — Grandfather Smallweed, Chapter 21 was a little child."

This is the moneylender Mr. Smallweed's advice to his — Esther Summerson, Chapter 36 grandson, Bart, on the value of Mr. Guppy's friendship. Mr. Guppy has just bought Bart's dinner. Bart never quite manages After Esther's disfigurement by smallpox, Esther spends time to live down to his grandfather's image, but this could easily be recuperating at Lawrence Boythorn's cottage at Chesney the motto embraced by Harold Skimpole. Wold. One day while out walking, Esther and Lady Dedlock meet for the first time after Lady Dedlock learns Esther is her "Never give one lingering glance daughter. Lady Dedlock finally gets to share the maternal love she has had to keep locked away for decades, and Esther sees towards the horrible phantom that the love she had longed for so desperately as a child. has haunted us so many years. Better to borrow, better to beg, "The one great principle of the better to die!" English law is to make business for itself." — John Jarndyce, Chapter 24

— Narrator, Chapter 39 and now it will pass her and go on." The narrator explains that this is the reason the law may seem hard to comprehend to those who are not in the business of law. The many details and difficulties to be dealt with make — Mrs. Rouncewell, Chapter 58 things take longer, which makes more business for lawyers and therefore more money. Lady Dedlock has gone, leaving her suicide note for her husband, Sir Leicester, and Mrs. Rouncewell does not expect her back. For years Lady Dedlock has complained of hearing "We admire the people who the fateful footsteps of the Dedlock family ghost on the possess the practical wisdom we Ghost's Walk—the steps that foretell death in the family. And now that foretelling is about to come true. want ... Live and let live ... Live upon your practical wisdom, and "When all was still ... poor crazed let us live upon you!" Miss Flite came weeping to me

— Harold Skimpole, Chapter 43 and told me she had given her birds their liberty." Harold Skimpole often philosophizes about why "children" like himself are necessary. This is one of the statements of his — Esther Summerson, Chapter 65 philosophy of life in which he shows it is a balance: some like to labor, and others use the fruits of that labor. Miss Flite said at the start of Bleak House that she had promised herself she would let her birds go when the Jarndyce "Dead, your Majesty. Dead, my case came to an end. Now, at the end of the novel, the case has ended with the entire inheritance in the pockets of the lords and gentlemen ... Dead ... court and the lawyers. She has let the birds go, including her latest two—the Wards in Jarndyce. And that very day, born with heavenly compassion in Richard—one of the actual wards in Jarndyce—dies. your hearts. And dying thus around us every day." l Symbols — Narrator, Chapter 47

Jo dies because the state and the people who could have Krook's Shop helped him do not. The narrator speaks like a lawyer addressing the court but with heavy dramatic irony to remind readers of one of Dickens's themes in Bleak House: social Krook's shop symbolizes corruption and ineffectiveness; it criticism, especially of society's treatment of the poor. contains information of value, but the information isn't accessible. Krook is a hoarder, and, although illiterate, he hoards mostly old legal documents and other papers. Buried in "The step on the Ghost's Walk ... his stash are two important papers—a document related to the has been many a day behind her, Jarndyce case and a bundle of letters related to Lady

Dedlock's secret past. In his neighborhood Krook's nickname is aristocracy, the ghostly footsteps on the Ghost's Walk might the Chancellor because so much paper and stuff goes into his even be seen as foretelling the collapse of the aristocracy as it shop never to be seen again. The piles of papers around was known in Victorian times. Krook's shop are reminiscent of the stacks of papers carried in and out of court every time the Jarndyce case is scheduled to be heard in court. It's also a rag and bone shop, which reminds readers that Chancery reduces to poverty and skeletons those Weather who have died while waiting for their cases to be settled. The shop resembles the Chancery, too, because the secrets it contains have the power to destroy lives and fortunes. Much of the weather mentioned in Bleak House is dismal, symbolizing misfortune and misery: the fog exuding from Chancery, the drizzle muddying the London streets, and the Miss Flite's Birds east wind. The dank, grey, rainy weather at Chesney Wold represents Lady Dedlock's sad, lonely, bored life there. Wintry temperatures and snow are often associated with disease, such as Esther's smallpox. Miss Flite has a collection of songbirds she keeps in cages by a window in her room that symbolize captivity. They are On the other hand, though, when things are going well, the another symbol of Chancery. She has named them after the wind shifts and the sun shines. For instance when Jarndyce victims, effects, and features of Chancery, such as Hope (a shows Esther Bleak House cottage, which he has bought and victim), Madness (an effect), and Wigs (a feature). She intends decorated as a wedding present for her and Allan Woodcourt, to release the birds when the Jarndyce case finally ends, but it's "a most beautiful summer morning," and there's a "sweet she doesn't expect this to happen in her lifetime. Many of the west wind" (Chapter 64). birds have already died in captivity and been replaced—just as the original Jarndyce heirs have died (or killed themselves) while being held captive by Chancery and been replaced by their heirs. While held captive by Chancery, life is at a standstill. m Themes

Ghost's Walk Help versus Philanthropy

Victorian England saw an increase in philanthropic activities The Ghost's Walk symbolizes Lady Dedlock's downfall and the when the middle class and upper middle class expanded and end of the Dedlock line. The Dedlocks' stately home at women, in particular, found themselves with more free time on Chesney Wold has a long history, including the ghost of an their hands. Many of them filled that time by doing good works earlier Lady Dedlock who cursed the family, saying, "I will walk for those less fortunate than themselves. There were here, though I am in my grave. I will walk here until the pride of organizations to help just about any group—the poor, veterans, this house is humbled. And when calamity or when disgrace is the disabled, the mentally ill, prisoners; even variety performers coming to it, let the Dedlocks listen for my step!" (Chapter 7). and cab drivers. Many were tied to organized religion, The current Lady Dedlock has often heard the ghost's step as especially evangelical churches. Still other organizations have others, and it grows louder as the discovery of her secret focused on bringing civilization to outposts of the Empire. By and her own death draws nearer. Her fate is linked to Sir the 1850s, when Dickens was writing Bleak House, there was a Leicester's, and, although he partially recovers from his stroke, lot of controversy about the effectiveness of these many he is much weaker and closer to death. When he dies, his philanthropic organizations. As a famous author by the time he estate will pass to a cousin, but there seem to be few young was writing Bleak House, Dickens was deluged by requests cousins. Because the Dedlocks themselves represent the

from organizations wanting donations or other assistance. other lives are ruined. The theme of justice continued to be a recurring theme for Dickens, who returned to it in David In Bleak House, Dickens approaches this theme from two Copperfield and Little Dorrit, among other works. perspectives:

Are the philanthropists really helping the target group? Do they even care about the poor, for instance, or is their goal Love and Marriage to appear important and godly? In their devotion to their cause, are the philanthropists ignoring those closest to them and causing misery in their own families? Dickens himself knew the stresses that could destroy a marriage, and he explores both good and bad marriages in Bleak House at the various levels of society. Jenny and Liz are the wives of abusive brickmakers who drink a lot, perhaps Identity because there's so little work because bricks are now being produced industrially. Mrs. Jellyby neglects her family and her household, paying no attention when her husband loses his job The mysteries in Bleak House center on the question of and goes bankrupt. In contrast, the Bagnets admire and identity. Who is Esther Summerson? Who is her mother? Who respect each other, creating a stable home in which both they is Nemo, whose name means "nobody"? Who is Mr. George? and their children are clean and happy. Even the Dedlocks' But the issue goes beyond factual identity to the characters' marriage has redeeming aspects despite Lady Dedlock's perception of themselves. Mr. George conceives of himself as secrets and personal suffering; Sir Leicester adores her, and an irresponsible rover, but he can always be trusted and opens she is deeply grateful to him. Ada and Richard's marriage is his door to anyone in need. Richard cannot determine what blighted by his obsession with the Jarndyce case, whereas profession he wants to enter and keeps changing from one to Esther and Allan have a very successful marriage founded on another. Harold Skimpole creates a false identity of a light- shared love and a common commitment to helping others. hearted, childlike being with no concept of money, yet he is actually a calculating and self-centered freeloader who contentedly steals from others. Social Criticism

Law versus Justice Three aspects of mid-19th-century English society receive particular attention in Bleak House:

Class inequality: In London, the slums are unsanitary and Perhaps the most prominent theme in Bleak House is the breed disease and misery. The poor everywhere lack injustice of the Chancery Court system. Dickens often refers to education. They can't read or write; as Jo would put it, they the long vacations, the confusing language of the various legal know "nothink." Life expectancy is low, and a majority of documents, the vast number of documents involved in cases babies do not survive infancy. At the same time, the wealthy like Jarndyce and Jarndyce, and the many judges, officials, live in huge houses and busy themselves with gossip. lawyers, clerks, and copyists engaged in the process. Mr. Child neglect: The neglect may be societal, as with Jo, a Gridley—the man from Shropshire—loses everything to boy in Tom-all-Alone's who sweeps street crossings, and Chancery even though no one contested his father's will; in the Guster, a workhouse girl and the Snagbys' servant; it may end, his health is ruined, too, and he dies while being pursued also be parental, as in the case of the Jellybys and for debt. The Jarndyce case ends when court and legal costs Pardiggles, who ignore their children or force them to have completely eaten up the fortune involved. But before this participate in their philanthropic causes. happens, decades pass, there are several suicides, and still Ineffectual government: Parliament and the various

ministries are an old boys' network where the same but whose worst crime is to live off the work of his son and ineffective leaders drift in and out of power. They are more daughter-in-law. concerned with getting jobs for their relatives than with bettering conditions for their people. The various politicians who gather at Chesney Wold from time to time exemplify Suicide this issue. There is a lot of death in Bleak House, but that is an accurate reflection of the time. Suicide, however, is a motif that links to the two main plot elements—the Jarndyce case and Lady b Motifs Dedlock's past—and it points out the sense of despair central to the novel. In Chapter 1 the narrator says, "old Tom Jarndyce in despair blew his brains out at a coffee-house in Chancery Character Names Lane," a death directly attributable to the Jarndyce case. Mr. Tangle tells the Chancellor that Richard and Ada's grandfather

Dickens's use of characters' names to represent their committed suicide. And Richard dies as well, arguably from personality traits is well known, and he made no exception in overwork—his obsession with the lawsuit is the death of him. Bleak House. For example, Mr. Gusher is a popular motivational Lady Dedlock, too, submits to despair, disappearing into the speaker, so it is likely a lot of talk pours out of him and possible dark; clearly her purpose is to die. There are many other that he also gushes emotionally. Carstone is a type of mentions of suicide throughout, all building the sense that sandstone containing a lot of iron, so it's harder than some there is no way out of the novel's ponderous predicaments. other types of sandstone, which is generally easy to shape; but like carstone, Richard Carstone seems impervious to any attempt to reshape him to learn a profession or even to e Suggested Reading persuade him to ignore the Jarndyce case. Miss Flite keeps birds in cages, thus preventing them from using their power of Bloom, Harold, ed. Charles Dickens's Bleak House. New York: flight. Chelsea House, 1987. Print.

Dyson, Anthony Edward, editor. Dickens: Bleak House: A Fashion Casebook. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 1969. Print.

Hibbert, Christopher. Charles Dickens: The Making of a Literary Dickens introduces the world of fashion in Chapter 2, using the Giant. London: St. Martin's Griffin, 2009. Print. term to refer to the idle rich, many of them members of the aristocracy. Like Chancery, the world of fashion is isolated and Jordan, John O., ed. The Cambridge Companion to Charles insulated from the real world. Unlike Chancery, the fashionable Dickens. Cambridge: CUP, 2002. Print. set contains "many good and true people." The problem is that they live separately from the "larger worlds," and their Tambling, Jeremy, ed. Bleak House: Charles Dickens. London: fashionable clothing and lifestyle are signifiers of this divide; Palgrave Macmillan, 1998. Print. their clothes starkly contrast with those of the lower classes. The world of fashion stands not only apart but also in stasis. In Bleak House the representatives of the world of fashion are the Dedlocks and their circle of acquaintances. Some people want to be a part of this world, and the result is a dangerous new form of dandy, whom Dickens describes in Chapter 12 as wanting to turn back time to a feudal system in which the "picturesque and faithful" poor know and accept their place. He provides an example of the traditional dandy in Mr. Turveydrop (Chapter 14), whose sole interest is to look and act fashionable