Summary Upstairs in Tulkinghorn’s room, Lady Dedlock confronts the lawyer. She demands to know why he told her story to “so many persons.” Tulkinghorn says that he wanted her to know that he was in on the secret. She indicates that she plans to leave Chesney Wold but wants to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 41 – In Mr. Tulkinghorn’s RoomSummary and Analysis Chapter 40 – National and Domestic
Summary Toward the end of the elections, the guests and distant relatives of Sir Leicester arrive at Chesney Wold, where Mrs. Rouncewell (the housekeeper) has been preparing for them. Although Volumnia is sure that the election has gone Sir Leicester’s way, Mr. Tulkinghorn dispels that illusion, announcing that the vote […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 40 – National and DomesticSummary and Analysis Chapter 39 – Attorney and Client
Summary Mr. Vholes, Richard’s far-from-honest lawyer, asks Richard for an advance of twenty pounds. Observing Richard, Weevle says to Guppy that Richard’s is a case of “smouldering” (rather than “spontaneous”) combustion. It occurs to Guppy that Captain Hawdon’s papers may have survived the incineration of Krook. Grandfather Smallweed (in the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 39 – Attorney and ClientSummary and Analysis Chapter 38 – A Struggle
Summary Soon after she returns to Bleak House, Esther decides to go to London to see Mr. Guppy. First, she visits Caddy and Prince Turveydrop. Taken aback by Esther’s scarred face, Guppy emphatically retracts his former marriage proposal to Esther. Esther obtains from him a promise to “relinquish all idea […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 38 – A StruggleSummary and Analysis Chapter 37 – Jarndyce and Jarndyce
Summary Analysis The motif of Richard’s course toward self-destruction continues. Dickens reinforces the reader’s critical attitude toward Richard by having the young man befriend another foolish and totally irresponsible human being, Harold Skimpole.
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 37 – Jarndyce and JarndyceSummary and Analysis Chapter 36 – Chesney Wold
Summary Analysis Joyful-tearful reunions are prevalent in Dickens’ novels, and in this chapter there are two such. Today many readers find such scenes “overdone,” “sentimental,” or “unrealistic.” But they pleased many readers in Victorian England, and Dickens sincerely believed that the expression of such sentiment, whether in fiction or in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 36 – Chesney WoldSummary and Analysis Chapter 35 – Esther’s Narrative
Summary Analysis Accepting her facial scarring without self-pity or bitterness, Esther becomes an even more likable heroine. Richard continues to make self-destructive moves. We are not allowed to lose sight of Allan Woodcourt or of Lady Dedlock’s difficult situation.
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 35 – Esther’s NarrativeSummary and Analysis Chapter 34 – A Turn of the Screw
Summary Analysis George Rouncewell continues to come across as a likable personality. The plot advances as Tulkinghorn at last receives a sample of Captain Hawdon’s handwriting. Clearly, from Tulkinghorn’s reaction when he receives the sample of Hawdon’s handwriting, he is planning mischief. Suspense is one of Dickens’ key elements here.
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 34 – A Turn of the ScrewSummary and Analysis Chapter 33 – Interlopers
Summary The following night, Guppy visits Lady Dedlock and says that he will be unable to deliver the Hawdon letters he promised to bring her. As Guppy leaves, he sees Tulkinghorn; the old lawyer immediately becomes suspicious. Analysis Dickens strengthens artistic unity by establishing, through Krook, a relationship between the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 33 – InterlopersSummary and Analysis Chapter 32 – The Appointed Time
Summary They sit waiting, more and more uneasily, in the room where Hawdon (Nemo) was found dead. Greasy soot continually falls from the air, the smell of burnt fat persists, and finally the two men discover a horribly offensive yellow liquid on one of the window sills. Weevle goes to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 32 – The Appointed Time