Bleak House by Charles Dickens

Bleak House - Published in monthly parts Mar 1852 - Sep 1853


Bleak House Dickens' ninth novel, illustrated by Phiz, was intended to illustrate the evils caused by long, drawn-out suits in the Courts of Chancery. Dickens had observed the inner workings of the courts as a reporter in his youth and observed that "The one great principle of the English law is to make business for itself". Bleak House is often considered Dickens' finest work although not his most popular.

Mini Plot:
The case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce, in the High Court of Chancery, has been going on for a long time. The current Jarndyce, John, owner of Bleak House, has little hope of gaining anything from it. On her aunt's death Esther Summerson is adopted by Jarndyce and becomes companions to his wards, Ada Clare and Richard Carstone. Carstone has hopes that the chancery case will make his fortune.

As the story unfolds it is revealed that Esther is the illegitimate daughter of Captain Hawdon and Lady Dedlock. When the Dedlock's lawyer, Tulkinghorn learns of this, and tries to profit by the information, he is murdered by Lady Dedlock's former maid. Lady Dedlock flees and later dies at the gates of the cemetery where Hawdon lies buried.

John Jarndyce has fallen in love with Esther and asked her to marry him. She consents out of respect for Jarndyce but during the engagement she falls in love with Allan Woodcourt. When Jarndyce learns of her feelings for Allan he releases her from the engagement and she marries Woodcourt. The chancery case comes to a close with court costs eating up all of the estate. Carstone, who has married Ada, dies in despair.

Principal Characters:
Esther Summerson
Miss Barbary
Mrs Rachael
John Jarndyce
Mr. Tulkinghorn
Kenge
William Guppy
Lady Dedlock
Sir Leicester Dedlock
Volumnia Dedlock
Ada Clare
Richard Carstone
Miss Flite
Krook
Gridley
Harold Skimpole
Snagsby
Rev Chadband
Mrs. Jellyby
Caroline (Caddy) Jellyby
Mr. Turveydrop
Prince Turveydrop
George Rouncewell
Phil Squod
The Bagnets
Mrs. Rouncewell
The Badgers
The Smallweeds
Neckett
Charlotte (Charley) Neckett
Rosa
Tony Jobling (Weevle)
Jo, the Crossing Sweeper
Jenny
Hortense
Allan Woodcourt
Vholes
Mr. Bucket
Nemo (Capt Hawdon)


Bleak House Locations

1. Lincoln's Inn - Kenge and Carboys offices, Jarndyce and Jarndyce heard at Lincoln's Inn Hall, also at Westminster Hall
2. Cursitor Street: Sol's Arms Tavern
3. Cursitor Street: Krook's Rag and Bottle Shop - Miss Flite, Gridley, Nemo (Capt Hawdon), and Tony Jobling (Weevle) residence
4. Cooks Court: Snagby's Law Stationer Shop
5. Thavie's Inn - Jellyby's home
6. Hatton Garden - Jellyby's home after bankruptcy
7. Lincoln's Inn Fields - Tulkinghorn's residence
8. Symond's Inn - Vholes' office, Richard and Ada's residence after marriage