Summary Analysis Pathos dominates the story at this point as Jo’s suffering intensifies and Esther herself is stricken. Jo’s disappearance and Esther’s blindness are dramatic and seemingly important developments, and as such, they excite our interest in seeing how things will turn out. The illness contracted in turn by Jo, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 31 – Nurse and PatientSummary and Analysis Chapter 30 – Esther’s Narrative
Summary Analysis The “happy ending” for Caddy and Prince foreshadows the happy marriage later on of Esther and Allan Woodcourt. The mention of Allan prevents readers from forgetting about a character who will become more and more important but who is not now a part of the action. A traditionalist […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 30 – Esther’s NarrativeSummary and Analysis Chapter 29 – The Young Man
Summary After Guppy leaves, Lady Dedlock breaks into tears as she realizes that her daughter is alive. Her sister (Miss Barbary) lied about the child’s having died shortly after birth. Analysis In this chapter, Lady Dedlock, one of the book’s principal figures, learns a fact so momentous that all of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 29 – The Young ManSummary and Analysis Chapter 28 – The Ironmaster
Summary Analysis In his portraits of Sir Leicester’s poor but proud relatives, Dickens mildly satirizes those who use their rich “connection” as the basis for building unreal attitudes or expectations. Satirized also is Sir Leicester’s immense pride. The man keeps his mind proudly closed on the subject of change, on […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 28 – The IronmasterSummary and Analysis Chapter 27 – More Old Soldiers Than One
Summary Angry, Tulkinghorn says that he wants nothing to do with the man who harbored Gridley, a “threatening, murderous, dangerous fellow.” A clerk, passing by, hears this phrase and mistakenly supposes it applies to George himself. Analysis Readers are inclined to view George Rouncewell even more favorably now that he […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 27 – More Old Soldiers Than OneSummary and Analysis Chapter 26 – Sharpshooters
Summary Analysis This chapter draws George Rouncewell into the line of action involving Tulkinghorn’s hounding of Lady Dedlock. The chapter is typical of Dickens’ serio-comic art in general: it mixes Dickens’ humorous treatment of Phil Squod with the ominous note sounded by Tulkinghorn’s obsession.
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 26 – SharpshootersSummary and Analysis Chapter 25 – Mrs. Snagsby Sees It All
Summary Analysis Cold, jealous, emotionally weak women like Mrs. Snagsby create a character background against which the realized femininity of Esther and Ada is all the more impressive. The sharp contrasts also create a dramatic effect and, at the same time, give Bleak House the variety found in real life.
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 25 – Mrs. Snagsby Sees It AllSummary and Analysis Chapter 24 – An Appeal Case
Summary Richard takes fencing lessons from “Mr. George” (Rouncewell), the shooting gallery owner, who mentions that one of his customers is Gridley. Gridley is, in fact, a dying man who has taken refuge in the gallery. Mr. Bucket, disguised, arrives and tries to cheer Gridley, but to no avail. Exhausted […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 24 – An Appeal CaseSummary and Analysis Chapter 23 – Esther’s Narrative
Summary Analysis This chapter creates artistic unity by returning to several characters, themes, and subplots already established. Failing to find new employment, Hortense acquires further reasons for being upset and unbalanced. The theme of Richard’s restlessness and irresponsibility appears once more. The subplot of Caddy’s adventures is continued, and Dickens […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 23 – Esther’s NarrativeSummary and Analysis Chapter 22 – Mr. Bucket
Summary When Jo is located, he is taken to Tulkinghorn’s, where he identifies Hortense as the lady who gave him the gold coin. However, when he sees the woman’s hands and hears her speak, he changes his mind. The detective is now certain that the disguised woman who asked Jo […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 22 – Mr. Bucket