Summary As soon as Allan Woodcourt arrived in London, he went to Mr. Vholes to get Richard’s address. On that day, the pompous, wordy Vholes relentlessly pursues the theme that Richard needs money (as does Vholes, if he is to continue as Richard’s legal counsel). Learning finally that Richard lives […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 51 – EnlightenedSummary and Analysis Chapter 50 – Esther’s Narrative
Summary Caddy and Prince Turveydrop have a baby girl, but Caddy is ill and feels sure that she will get better if Esther visits her. Esther makes three visits, and then Mr. Jarndyce suggests that it would be more convenient all around if he, Ada, and Esther all went to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 50 – Esther’s NarrativeSummary and Analysis Chapter 49 – Dutiful Friendship
Summary Mr. Bagnet is preparing a birthday dinner for his wife. George Rouncewell has been invited; at precisely 4:30 in the afternoon he arrives, still somewhat distracted and depressed by the death of little Jo, but also delighted to be in the company of amiable old friends. Unannounced and unexpected, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 49 – Dutiful FriendshipSummary and Analysis Chapter 48 – Closing In
Summary In the peril of her life, Lady Dedlock is resolved never to yield or droop. She continues to appear, as before, in high society and arranges for Rosa to leave. This latter action surprises and dismays Tulkinghorn, and he tells Lady Dedlock that their agreement is no longer in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 48 – Closing InSummary and Analysis Chapter 47 – Jo’s Will
Summary Allan and Jo continue to walk. At a breakfast stall, Jo, although he has become a starveling, is able to eat only a tiny amount. Examining the boy, Allan finds him quite ill and gives him a little wine, which helps. Jo is then able to eat, and as […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 47 – Jo’s WillSummary and Analysis Chapter 46 – Stop Him!
Summary Walking in Tom-all-Alone’s toward dawn, Allan Woodcourt sees a woman (Jenny, the brickmaker’s wife from St. Albans) with a badly bruised forehead. She allows him to treat it. Continuing his walk, he catches a glimpse of a shabbily dressed boy (Jo), whom he vaguely remembers. A few moments later, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 46 – Stop Him!Summary and Analysis Chapter 45 – In Trust
Summary Vholes (Richard’s attorney) appears unexpectedly at Bleak House one morning. The news he bears is that Richard is broke and may lose his army commission. Esther goes to visit Richard at Deal, in Kent, taking Charley with her, as well as a letter in which Ada offers Richard her […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 45 – In TrustSummary and Analysis Chapter 44 – The Letter and the Answer
Summary Mr. Jarndyce promises to assist Esther and her mother in every way possible. He agrees that Tulkinghorn is a dangerous person. In the same conversation, Mr. Jarndyce tells Esther that one week later she should send Charley to his room for a letter, which he will have written by […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 44 – The Letter and the AnswerSummary and Analysis Chapter 43 – Esther’s Narrative
Summary For fear of increasing her mother’s peril, Esther refrains from writing to her or trying to see her. Worried about Skimpole’s influence on Richard, she and Ada discuss that situation with Mr. Jarndyce. Jarndyce says that in order to understand Skimpole better, the three of them should visit the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 43 – Esther’s NarrativeSummary and Analysis Chapter 42 – In Mr. Tulkinghorn’s Chambers
Summary Returning to London, Tulkinghorn meets Snagsby; the latter complains of being harassed by Lady Dedlock’s former servant Hortense. She is frantic to find Tulkinghorn. When she does locate him, she protests bitterly at having been used by him (she now sees that she was tricked into giving him information […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 42 – In Mr. Tulkinghorn’s Chambers