Tidbits

CH 35

Esther points out an extremely depressing tidbit about English life and times. Mr. Woodcourt, despite being heroic and generally a superb human being, has no chance of being knighted. Why? Because he is not rich and not nobility. This revelation is very depressing as it shows how bias the whole society is towards the elite, whether they deserve it or not. Dickens makes a very strong statement in this chapter with the condemnation of social order.

CH 36

Lady Dedlock is a hard to read character. She reveals herself, and her relationship, to Esther in this chapter. Yet, she insists that their relation be kept a secret. It would bring great shame upon Lady Dedlock and the family. I can’t help but wonder if it is at least partially her own reputation and fortune she is looking after by asking it be kept secret. Does she truly love Esther above everything else? It is hard, if not impossible to say with how Lady Dedlock is represented.

CH 37

The whole idea that once the J vs J court case gets its claws into a person, the person is trapped comes up in this chapter. Richard who once was a good, if lazy, person has become enraptured with the case. This leads him to spend money on more lawyers and his frame of mind begins to weaken. The idea of money or winning is what the case represents. Dickens uses this case as a warning not to be greedy or gamble. Richard is gambling by placing his faith and future on the hope that money will wrought from the resolution of the case.

CH 38

Shallow and a money-grabber accurately describes Mr. Guppy. Although Esther has no intention of looking for another proposal from him, he makes it blatantly clear of his disinterest in her. Her now disfigured face is a major turn off for Guppy. It is a good thing Esther was so adamant about not becoming engaged to him earlier in the story because it would have been a mistake. Guppy is just another person Esther has to navigate around in her life. He is placed in the story as a challenge for Esther to overcome.

CH 39

Nothing ever seems to go away in Bleak House. When Guppy goes back with his pal to Krook’s building, they try and take a quick peek around, hoping to find some letters left from him. They are unsuccessful but the Smallweeds are also noticeably there. They aren’t cleaning up or anything like that. They are searching for something. That something is unspoken, but I would guess it to be any letters or writing left over from Captain Hawdon. Why are they searching so intensely? Who are they working for? My guess would be that they were payed off by Tulkinghorn.

CH 40

The ignorance of the wealthy and the nobility is showcased in this chapter. Sir Dedlock declares that he is against any type of reform in social structure or any people from lower classes getting representation. He thinks of the lower classes as stupid, uninformed, and not really worthy of consideration. Somehow Dedlock and his cronies are still in charge, despite the overwhelming numbers of the lower class. It is clear that the third person narrator is disgusted with Dedlock and nobility in general. They use him to exemplify the product of an unfair system.

CH 41

Tulkinghorn is one interesting guy. He holds power over Lady Dedlock, but he refrains from using it. The patience he posses is astounding, as is his apparent lack of emotion. His ambition in cornering a noble family displays tenacity. Dickens rights this character as an example of someone who rises from lower class and gains advantage over the ruling majority. He is an example of an underdog becoming top dog in society,

CH 42

Hortense is an angry, determined woman. Her desire for revenge is enough to match Tulkinghorn’s tenacity. Her complete denial of anything but personal revenge is impressive. She is a more emotionally-driven version of Tulkinghorn. Perhaps Dickens inserted her into the story to show contrasted versions of revenge.

CH 43

Sir Leicester and Skimpole liking each other is irony at its finest. Skimpole is a moocher and Leicester a rich man who proclaims the superiority of the upper class. Skimpole easily takes advantage of Leicester, putting him in a superior position mentally, if not socially.

CH 44

Esther becomes engaged to Mr. Jayndyce, but in typical eccentric Jarndyce fashion, he writes a letter to herand says nothing about it face to face. When Esther replies with an affirmative, he is happy and calls her the Mistress of Bleak House. Not really a term of endearment, but she accepts this with her usual grace and goodwill. It is strange that he offers to marry her without more ‘love’. It seems like he almost feels like it is his obligation to do so, but one willingly done.

CH 45

Poor Esther. She has become engaged to Jarndyce and seeing Woodcourt in this chapter is a blow to her. She thought of before when her appearance may have enabled her a shot at Woodcourt. Her denial of any future with him is a bit depressing, as it is clear she still harbors secret feelings for him. This is obvious as she describes locking away old feelings ect in the last sentences. The author in this chapter plays on the romantic side of the story, with Esther playing the tragic heroine.

Ch 46

Poor Jo. His life has been such a bummer. From living in Tom’s-All-Alone to infecting one of the only people who has ever been nice to him. His life is the epitome of hopelessness and unecessary misery. He is the innocent victim of a society that cares nothing for those without power.

CH 47

Mr. George is the kind of fellow whom you hope succeeds. He always appears to be out of luck, money, or some other essential. Yet, he is chivalrous, kind, and a genuinely good person. Despite his own troubles he helps Jo in his final, depressing days. George is a representation of making the best out of any situation.

CH 48

Tulkinghorn is totally murdered by Lady Dedlock. She is very set on protecting the family name and her reputation. Plus she must feel very cornered by Tulkinghorn’s threats. It is not fleshed out, but my bet is that she killed Tulkinghorn, or at least got someone to do it for her.

CH 49

Bucket is quite the actor. He is able to convince an entire family, without really lying, that he is a friend of Mr. George. His whole nice guy routine is very genuine if a bit strange. It makes you wonder if Dickens has any surprises in store with regards to Buckets true character and motives.

CH 50

Caddy Turveydrop’s ill health is a plot device to make more interaction between the main characters and Mr. Woodcourt. This is a bit bittersweet for Esther because she (it’s obvious) still likes Woodcourt, but is resolved to be focused only on Jarndyce.

CH 51

Richard looks positively sick. His appearance is described as ‘shrunken’ and diminished. It is clear that the case is sucking the life out of him. Esther is no fool and recognizes this clearly. The nature of the court is killing a once healthy person during the course of this book. Dickens uses Richard as another example of the evils cause by the Chancery court.

CH 52

Because Mr. George is the picture of morals and everything good, he denies lawyers. In Bleak House, anyone who abstains or rejects lawyers are essentially good. This confirms the idea that George is not the murderer because of his righteous nature.

CH 53

Mr. Bucket is cunning but hides it behind a schmoozing and charming exterior. His role is that if an outsider/newcomer bringing to light all the secrets of the Jarndyce and Esther case. His fresh outlook and new opinions allow him to think in a way that others more accustomed or intertwined with the case cannot.

CH 54

Mr. Bucket accuses/states that women are more vicious to each other when displeased than when a man is in their bad graces. This notion is interesting because it pits women vs. women, instead of women vs. men. Maybe it stems from being trapped in a male-dominated society, so anger and action upon a female are less likely to be criticized.

CH 55

A touching reunion between Mr. George and his mother Mrs. Rouncewell, the housekeeper of Chesney Wold is featured in this installment. Dickens likes to throw these heartwarming scenes in to lighten the mood and attract readers who might be bored by the seriousness.

CH 56

Lady Dedlock is on the run! She hopes to escape her fate by suicide or escape. That she would choose to run instead of stay and face her husband or the consequences does nothing to improve opinion of her character. It is also a blow against women in this book, that Dickens thought she would try to escape.

CH 57

An allusion to a great musician is made by Mr. Bucket. Michael Jackson, King of Pop is referenced in this historical fiction. He is described as wearing a blue velvet waistcoat with pearl buttons. Even this mention of attire is similar to MJ’s interesting wardrobe.

CH 58

The Dedlock relatives are vultures in English clothing. Volumnia, a particularly moochful specimen, hopes only that Dedlock has interest in her. She probably is wishing that Sir Dedlock likes her enough to giver her money or scam him out of some if that doesn’t work. Relatives are supposed to care about family, but Dickens makes it clear that the nobility have no such morals. This is more proof of the corruption of the powerful rich class.

CH 59

Mr. Woodcourt is compassionate and gentle with Esther. Even Bucket is quite soft. The shock is huge for Esther and the impact of Lady D’s death is going to be large. The reason Lady D had to die, as a part of the plot, is because she would be a burden for Esther, whereas dead Esther can mourn peacefully.

CH 60

The Wards in Jarndyce are two of Miss Flite’s birds. That is mightily disturbing. They are caged in by the Chancery J vs. J suit metaphorically in the birds. It seems like Richard will never get out of the Chancery claws now that he is in court everyday. Perhaps he’ll be destined to become like Miss Flite, the crazy person obsessed with the case.

CH 61

“Responsibility… has always been below me.” – Harold Skimpole

Slimy, weasely, and irritating are just a miniscule amount of adjectives that describe Skimpole. His ability to steer people off their subject choice or any unpleasant topic is stellar. However, considering Esther’s gentle disposition, she gives him a verbal lashing. She explicitly states to stay away from the Carstones. This scene shows how much Esther has grown. When she entered the Jarndyce household, she could have never been so bold. As she matures with the story, Esther becomes more able to handle the world and affairs. It is a definite coming of age scene.

CH 62

 Jarndyce is so unimpressed with Kenge and Vholes that his usually kind manner is very abrupt. They talk of a new document like it will actually go anywhere in making the case close. Jarndyce isn’t fooled. His complete lack of interest is an indicator of the honesty the lawyers are showing. His moral compass is accurate because of his nature as a character of honesty and goodness.

Ch 63

 Mr. George and his relatives are the perfect example of a fully functional family. Even though George has been gone a long time, he is welcomed with open arms back into the families good graces. This whole dynamic is much different than that of most of the other families in the book including Jarndyce, Sommerson/Dedlock, and Smallweed.

CH 64

Woodcourt, Esther, and Mr. Jarndyce have something in common. They are all delighted when they can make other people happy. Generosity is a constant and visible part of their lives. From Jarndyce building them a house, to Esther helping Jo, and finally to Woodcourt charging nothing for his services as a doctor to the poor, they are united in this characteristic.

CH 65

The birds of Miss Flite are set free. This is probably one of the most exciting, inspirational, and happy moments of the entire book. The evil the Jarndyce case has wrought upon anyone and everyone connected to it is over. No longer can it influence lives or take Hope (the bird) away from people. This, if nothing else, constitutes a happy ending for many in the book.

CH 66

Sir Dedlock, although in ill health, has a relatively happy ending. Despite the scorch on the family honor, it is clear he loved Lady Dedlock. Frequently visiting the family mausoleum, he still mourns her. His genuine innocence regarding the poor population makes him just ignorant, not evil. Dickens reflects this in Dedlock’s ending. He doesn’t die, but he does lead a far lesser life.

Ch 67

Everything on the inside matter, appearances are trifling. That is Esther’s final message to us in her last recounting of her tale.