Bleak House: Chapters 1 - 10

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Chapter Titles:

“Covering a Multitude of Sins”:

The titles of these chapters are little epigrams, rather than being a long sentence to summarise what is coming up. A literal instance of “covering up” is when Esther lays her handkerchief over the baby’s body. But bearing a possible deeper meaning in mind, Charles Dickenscould, with this title, be asking his readers to look beneath the surface of the obvious. Thus Esther’s handkerchief covers up the “sin” of the baby’s death, which was caused by neglect, and by a failure to properly address the problems of the poor. Mrs. Pardiggle represents all those who were guilty. She has no empathy whatsoever, and lives in her own busy vortex of Christian virtuosity, (as she sees it).

There is also another sense of the word “cover”. We “cover” (i.e. deal with) many other sins here. Mrs. Pardiggle’s sin is Pride. The brickmaker drinks, beats his wife and and neglects his family, and so on.

Esther’s handkerchief is an important motif.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

More words:

I do love the descriptions Charles Dickens uses, such as Mrs. Pardiggle’s “rapacious benevolence (if I may use the expression)”: an oxymoron which is so contrary that it makes us laugh. Or this astute observation:

“there were two classes of charitable people; one, the people who did little and made a great deal of noise; the other, the people who did a great deal and made no noise at all”

which feels much more like Charles Dickens’s acerbic wit than Esther’s! Esther’s language is usually straightforward and direct, so occasionally with a flash of inspiration like this one, it feels as if Charles Dickens cannot resist popping in a few of his own wry remarks. He is also using Esther as a mouthpiece here too, I think:

“I think the best side of people is almost hidden from us. What the poor are to the poor is little known, excepting to themselves and GOD.”

Surely this is Charles Dickens speaking.

I wonder where we are to go now. Perhaps, as Mr. Jarndyce says, to “spin off to dusty death”.

Over to you. There’s quite a bit of commentary today, so please read this first, so we can have a great discussion :)

[Diane]

I hate the Mrs. Pardiggles of the world, and there are plenty of them. They make such difficulties for the people who are really trying to help. Good to see Esther settling into her new role happily. It seems everyone around her thinks a great deal of her, yet she persists in thinking she is not very clever or effective.

[Luffy Sempai]

“I think the best side of people is almost hidden from us. What the poor are to the poor is little known, excepting to themselves and GOD.”

This quote may betray the fact that Esther no longer considers herself poor, which is perhaps true, because she is not part of the working class or underclass. But technically she has few possessions.

[Sam]

My only comment is on Dickens invented words of which "wiglomeration," being new to me, has become a favorite. For those of non English origin, it was fashion that powdered wigs would have been worn by members of the court and representatives of the petitioners, and if you replace the prefix of conglomeration with wig, you have the new word, but it also brings to mind other similar sounding words like abomination.

[Jim]

Chapter 8
Jarndyce has invented a marvelous word: Wiglomeration! A perfectly conceived term that captures the pernicious process that the lawyers have created, whereby the client is entangled in a swirling agglomeration of bewigged solicitors. It’s a curse, a disease, a maze and a conundrum, all rolled into one. At every corner, the hapless person who has once become “party” to it is faced with referrals, affidavits, filings, motions ad infinitum. There is no means of bringing it to a conclusion.
As if the perennial lawsuit were not burdensome enough, Jarndyce is also made to suffer the never-ending imposition of great flocks of penitents, all seeking financial contributions toward every conceivable cause. Topping the list is a Mrs. Pardiggle, surely one of the most outrageous characters Dickens ever dreamed up. She’s a supercharged version of Mrs. Jellyby. No one is safe from her demands for cash, even her five unfortunate sons, who seem to bloom out of her obsessive campaigning, like warts. Should there have been any doubt about the fraudulent nature of Mrs. Pardiggle’s philanthropy, it’s quickly dispelled by the abusive manner in which she imposes herself upon the unfortunate brickmaker’s household.

[Jenny]

Esther and her quiet determination remind me of Amy Dorrit quite a bit.
I feel so sad for the bricklayers wife- her husband doesn't seam to even care the baby has died!

[Jenny]

I love this quote from Esther as well "I thought it best to be as useful as I could, and render what kind services I could, to those immediately about me; and to try to let that circle of duty gradually and naturally expand itself"

[Paul]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Before the conversation ends, Mr. Jarndyce looks hard at Esther, and asks her if she would like to ask him anything, but she says there is nothing. She has complete trust in him."

When I read this particular sentence, it seemed to me that Jarndyce had worded the question in a very specific way. To me, it sounded like there was something quite specific he felt that Esther should know and would want to know but that he was not prepared to divulge the information to her until she asked him about it.

[Fiona]

I found the opening paragraph of this chapter just beautiful. Esther watches the view from her window slowly emerge through first light as it disclosed the scene over which the wind had wandered in the dark, like my memory over my life…. Beautiful prose.

John Jarndyce quotes a rhyme to Esther, calling her ‘the good little woman of our lives here’. She says this led to her having several nicknames, two of which have interesting backgrounds.

Mrs Shipton, usually known as Mother Shipton, was a famous seer or prophesier and healer. She was born in 1488 in a cave near Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, and was said to have foretold many future events, such as the Great Fire of London in 1666. Her story can be found at https://mothershipton.co.uk

Dame Durden was a popular song at the time the novel was written.

Dame Durden kept five servant maids
To carry the milking pail,
She also kept five servant men
To use the spade and flail.

Interestingly, Gabriel Oak plays this song in Thomas Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd.

Dickens is merciless with his account of do-gooding Victorian philanthropists. I wrote a paper on this subject for my Masters, not that I can remember a great deal now! What I do remember though is that many of them did a great deal of good in times when there were no social services to help those unable to help themselves. It would be such a shame if they were all tarred with the same busybody brush.

The last paragraph of this chapter is intriguing. Are we to meet Jenny’s friend again?

[Fiona]

Paul - I agree with you. I thought so too and felt frustrated that she didn’t take the opportunity.

[Paul]

Bionic Jean wrote: "New Characters:

Mrs. Pardiggle:

Unlike Mrs. Jellyby, Mrs. Pardiggle is not based on anyone in particular. She merely represents the type of women who “agitate, agitate, and work away at a Mission..."

As I read the description of Mrs Pardiggle, it occurred to me to take sympathy with Mrs Jellyby who wasn't even in the same league when it came to being odious, sanctimous, self-righteous, self-serving, holier-than-thou, pushy, pompous, and bombastic. The brickmaker, obviously without two pennies to rub together, was clearly not the target of a solicitation for a contribution to Pardiggle's many charities. So then one must conclude that she was on a mission of proselytizing and spreading her version of faith and goodness to a man who was definitely a rather dissipated brute.

There is no love lost between my thinking and organized religion and I'll admit that Mrs Pardiggle (and the present day version, door-to-door missionaries, televangelists, or shrieking, bible-thumping pastors) all put my teeth on edge and bring my blood to a boil.

Full marks to Dickens for his extraordinary ability to write in a way that evokes such a powerful emotional reaction.

[Paul]

Bionic Jean wrote: "“there were two classes of charitable people; one, the people who did little and made a great deal of noise; the other, the people who did a great deal and made no noise at all”
"

... which is why it is always a good rule to judge people on the basis of what they do as opposed to what they say AND, of course, to bear in mind that one's own conduct will (or should be) judged in the same fashion. It's certainly not hard to see in which class Dickens was placing Pardiggle.

[Paul]

Fiona wrote: "Paul - I agree with you. I thought so too and felt frustrated that she didn’t take the opportunity."

For my money, the two most obvious questions Esther might have posed to Jarndyce were:

1) Who are my parents?
2) What is our relationship that you would choose to bestow such generosity on me?

[Fiona]

Paul wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Paul - I agree with you. I thought so too and felt frustrated that she didn’t take the opportunity."

For my money, the two most obvious questions Esther might have posed to Jarndyce ..."

Exactly, Paul.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Paul wrote: "When I read this particular sentence, it seemed to me that Jarndyce had worded the question in a very specific way. To me, it sounded like there was something quite specific he felt that Esther should know and would want to know ..."

Excellent point Paul - you've picked up a nuance beautifully - and suggested 2 of the possible interpretations.

[Kathleen]

I too became irate at Mrs. Pardiggle--the worst character yet, in my opinion. And what she is doing to her sons may be worse than Mrs. Jellyby letting hers fall down the stairs.

And I also thought "wiglomeration" is up there with some of Dickens best word creations.

That sentence toward the end that Jean quoted: “What the poor are to the poor is little known, excepting to themselves and God" made me think.

To most of us now, poor or not, the reliance of poor people on each other is widely known, and this is due partially to Mr. Dickens writing about the poor (as well as future artists and that now in some places anyway we aren't quite as segregated by economic class as they were.) How odd it seemed, from my current perspective, to hear that this would be a surprise to anyone.

[Kathleen]

Fiona wrote: "Paul - I agree with you. I thought so too and felt frustrated that she didn’t take the opportunity."

Me too. I was frustrated, and found it a little hard to believe that she wouldn't have had a burning desire to know.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Diane, Fiona and Paul - yes the Mrs. Pardiggles of this world are indeed unbearable, Charles Dickens made his opinion quite clear in the letter by him that I shared part of.

Jenny - Nice thoughts about Esther.

Sam and Jim - Thanks for picking out one of the lovely words invented by Charles Dickens Wiglomeration.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Fiona - Nice post ... you have actually anticipated me as I have a post all prepared on Esther's nicknames, with links and illustrations! I think it's slotted in for the end of this installment.

However, I'd already posted 7 information posts today: the summary with 4 illustrations plus 6 more posts, including the character topics we're discussing but also the original case Jarndyce and Jarndyce is based on. So I thought there were ample topics and didn't want to overwhelm everyone!

So no worries, we'll definitely be picking up on "Dame Durden" & Co. in a few days.

(And now I'm really hoping you'll volunteer to lead a read during the summer!)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Kathleen - "the reliance of poor people on each other is widely known, and this is due partially to Mr. Dickens writing about the poor ... How odd it seemed, from my current perspective, to hear that this would be a surprise to anyone."

Oh yes, indeed, good point! We can get so swept up by his stories that we can forget his tireless campaigning, and how effective it was.

"[I] found it a little hard to believe that [Esther] she wouldn't have had a burning desire to know."

There are several things operating here:

1. Esther has such a low self-image that she keeps all such questions to herself, and also tries not to think about it. You might remember that only once or twice did she feel brave enough to even ask her stepmother/aunt.

2. She does not know Mr. Jarndyce. Even though she likes what she has seen of him so far, she has known him less than 3 days. Would you or I feel comfortable asking a relative stranger such things?

3. (&4) Even if we trust both these characters - and it does look as if we are intended to - we do not know whether what each of them saying is "the whole truth".

[Natalie]

Paul, Fiona, and Kathleen - I felt the same way about Mrs. Pardiggle and Mrs. Jellyby! I think Mrs. Pardiggle's treatment of her children is causing more harm that Mrs. Jellyby. (Though neither are great!) Mrs. Pardiggle's children were little hellions!

I was not a fan. Naughty children are never amusing to me. I felt bad for poor Esther putting up with their pinching on their walk.

...they looked absolutely ferocious with discontent.

This one line did make me laugh, because I could feel his pain, being forced to sit through something painfully dull.

Alfred glowered at us as if he never could, or would, forgive the injury of that night.

I also couldn't help but laugh at Mrs. Pardiggle. I found her highly amusing even though she is full of rapacious benevolence. (I loved that phrase, Jean!)

She was a formidable style of lady with spectacles, a prominent nose, and a loud voice, who had the effect of wanting a great deal of room.

…for she seemed to come in like cold weather and to make the little Pardiggles blue as they followed.

I still think Mr. Skimpole the most contemptible character we've met so far. Just seeing his name makes my blood boil! It bothers me how the characters find him so entertaining. I hated his whole thing about bees, basically saying "what's the point of working, when I'm so well taken care of being lazy?"

[Euphrasie]

Chapter 7
As many have discussed, I thought the animal's impressions of the interminable rain at Chesney Wold were quite insightful! I love all the different viewpoints - and now we have animals too. :)
By presenting the "old vs new" theme from Mrs. Rouncewell's perspective, we see what all this change is like to her and are more sympathetic to how her world must be changed by industrialization. Like someone above mentioned - the Dedlock "claim to fame" is quite amusing "never having done anything to distinguish themselves for seven hundred years"! Good for Rosa to be competent at presenting the house! I'm sure that is a lot of information to need to remember.
Hmmmmm - Mr. Guppy and Lady Dedlock's picture... What can that mean? And that is quite the foreboding ghost story. I like what someone mentioned above about the footsteps sounding through time - meaning both over many years and being able to hear them despite the clock.
Chapter 8 - Beautiful line about the wind and Esther's memories! And I love the phrasing of the line that Esther has "responsibility of the tea pot"!
Hearing Esther's delightful description of Bleak House right after reading about the Dedlock house made me wonder how that latter house would sound through her narration. Would Esther see the beauty of rain?
What a great name for a study - the growlery! Maybe we moderns should make more use of such a room - do our growling there before it gets to the point of growling at people!
It was very nice of Mr. Jarndyce to (at least attempt to) explain the lawsuit - for Esther and the readers. And it seems that Esther and Mr. Jarndyce understand each other well; they're both very trusting of each other.
When Mrs. Pardiggle came on the scene, I was glad that Esther had seen Mrs. Jellyby first. There are so many types of people one can (as the reader and in real life!) get frustrated at.
I have a feeling something will come of this trip to the bricklayer's.
Also Ada's response to finding out the baby was dead was so unexpected to the family that it seems it did good - in releasing the family to stop and think and grieve. Such a contrast between her genuine response and Mrs. Pardiggle's lecturing and only seeing what she wanted to see.
Oh my - like many others have said, I'm quite looking forward to see how this all ties together!

[Natalie]

I loved the scene at the brickmaker’s house. It’s one of my favorites so far. There was so much emotion wrapped up in one little scene.

There was the humor of Mrs. Pardiggle taking them into “religious custody.”

I mean into religious custody, of course; but she really did it as if she were an inexorable moral Policeman carrying them all off to a station-house.

And then there was the utter sadness in the death of the baby and the mother’s grief. It highlighted how tragic life can be for those without money, education, or even hope, but it also highlighted the goodness of people.

She also had upon her face and arms the marks of ill usage. She had no kind of grace about her, but the grace of sympathy; but when she condoled with the woman, and her own tears fell, she wanted no beauty. I say condoled, but her only words were "Jenny! Jenny!" All the rest was in the tone in which she said them.

I thought this scene was so utterly beautiful. It was sweet how Esther and Ada cared for the mother and shared in her grief, but I was so touched by this woman taking care of her neighbor when she had so little of her own and even at risk to her safety. It reminded me of the song in Prince of Egypt, “Through Heaven’s Eyes.” There’s a line in there that speaks of how they share everything they have, “when all you’ve got is nothing, there is a lot to go around.”

I loved these quotes that a couple of you have already shared. (Just sharing again, so you know which ones I mean.)

I think the best side of such people is almost hidden from us.

...there were two classes of charitable people; one, the people who did a little and made a great deal of noise; the other, the people who did a great deal and made no noise at all.

[Natalie]

Kathleen, Paul, and Fiona - I too was surprised that Esther didn't take advantage of asking Mr. Jarndyce some questions. Those were good points to consider that you brought up, Jean.

When I read that part I was thinking how I would feel in Esther's place. I would want to know so badly, but I'd also be afraid of upsetting my benefactor. Esther is dependent on his good will for the new, comfortable position she is in. I'd probably be too nervous to ask any questions.

[Natalie]

Fiona - I loved that opening line as well!

...the dark places in my room all melted away, and the day shone bright upon a cheerful landscape…

I like this imagery. To me it signified the darkness of Chesney Wold melting away as we return to the brightness of Bleak House.

I liked this line from Esther. It got me wondering how many times we’ll see this play out in the novel. It could also apply to Esther herself. She had a rough beginning with little love or light, but she’s grown into a kind, caring person.

But so from rough outsides (I hope I have learnt), serene and gentle influences often proceed.

Also, Fiona, thank you for sharing that background information on Esther's names! When I read that part, I was wondering if there would be any connection to the "old lady" we've met in previous chapters.

[Natalie]

Jean - I love that you share all these real life examples that Charles Dickens uses for inspiration. It's so fascinating. It was fun to learn more about Jarndyce and Jarndyce and Dickens had so many great phrases describing it!

It's about nothing but Costs now.

I also appreciate you pointing out the chapter titles, as I tend to forget about those. I hadn't really considered how that title might apply to this chapter. Lots to think about...

[Natalie]

I caught these references to paper, a common theme that so many have pointed out.

...over and over again, of everything that has accumulated about it in the way of cartloads of papers (or must pay for them without having them, which is the usual course, for nobody wants them)...

...poring over the wicked heaps of papers…

...who seemed, as I judged from the number of her letters to Mr. Jarndyce, to be almost as powerful a correspondent as Mrs. Jellyby herself… (in reference to Mrs. Pardiggle)

[Natalie]

Sam - I liked that word "wigolmeration" too! I didn't make the connection between "wig" and "conglomeration." Thank you for pointing that out!

How mankind ever came to be afflicted with Wiglomeration, or for whose sins these young people ever fell into a pit of it, I don't know; so it is."

[Sara]

This chapter was so poignant in both its beginning and end, and the contrast so stark. Esther opens by surveying the beautiful world she now inhabits and ends seeing the squalor that is just a short walk away.

I, for one, love John Jarndyce and trust him. He seems the soul of kindness to me in what he does. He is one of those who makes no noise while he is doing good for others.

I had no idea this case was based on a real one, Jean. How amazing, and how sad. One would expect this to be an exaggeration, and it is not. I read the wiki article you gave the link to, and the man was living in the basement of his mansion with his dogs--I immediately thought of Howard Hughes. Sometimes excessive wealth is just a burden.

I really love Dickens' descriptions: Here and there an old tub was put to catch the droppings of rain-water from a roof, or they were banked up with mud into a little pond like a large dirt-pie. Who else would think of the dirt-pie?

Esther's failure to ask any questions is a testament to her confidence in John Jarndyce and helps to maintain the mystery. This author is clever as the Dickens. :o)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Natalie - "I like this imagery. To me it signified the darkness of Chesney Wold melting away as we return to the brightness of Bleak House...."

Lovely!

Sara - "as the Dickens" LOL! And isn't it staggering that any court case could last for 90 years?!

[Fiona]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Fiona - Nice post ... you have actually anticipated me as I have a post all prepared on Esther's nicknames, with links and illustrations! I think it's slotted in for the end of this installment.

H..."

Jean. Sorry! Your post will have so much more information than mine though. I’ll really look forward to that.

[Petra]

Paul, I also thought there was a very specific reason that Jarndyce asked this question to Esther. He knows something about her past. She missed an opportunity.
Perhaps she's not ready for the knowledge yet? Or, as says, she may be unsure of herself and perhaps Jarndyce and not comfortable enough to ask, or think about what to ask.

Esther's parentage and past seems pivotal, in some way, to this story. It's puzzling and interesting that this little orphan girl is so important to something that she's deliberately not been told about.

Fiona, thank you for the information on Mrs. Shipton.
This makes Esther's nickname very interesting. Is she also some sort of seer in this story?

Natalie, I also do not find Mr. Skimpole entertaining and don't understand why everyone finds him such a harmless character and lets him stay.
While eating and living under a roof, he openly talks down to his benefactors about their lifestyles and the efforts they put into earning their livings (which he mooches off of).

There's now three threads about charity: Mrs. Jellyby, Mrs. Pardiggle and Mr. Skimpole. Each thread shows a different sort of charity and the result of it, in a sense.

Sara, I'm also beginning to trust John Jarndyce. He does seem generous. Perhaps too much so?
I have questions about where he's getting his monies. He says that the case, of which he's the main benefactor (?), has already gone through the inheritance and is now costing monies.
He also gets copious amounts of mail requesting monies. No mention has been made yet, by Esther, about whether he gives to each of these requests (or has in the past).
Money is a big theme in this story: giving, requesting, demanding, expecting it.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Not at all Fiona - it's great to have so much enthusiasm :) (And I meant it about the read, if you'd like to pick one ...)

[Petra]

I found the scene at the Bricklayer's to be very emotional and touching, in many ways. These people are so destitute that they can't make any moves, have any dreams or thoughts.....they can only exist and absorb whatever comes their way.
The poor woman who watched her baby die in her arms while being read to and then not being able to say anything, just sit and wait for it all to end. Her plight is so desperate and only Esther and Ada saw that.

While I'm beginning to trust John Jarndyce as a good man with good intentions, I am sceptical about the situation at Bleak House as a whole.
It's so well run, the servants are so helpful & accepting of Esther (a person they don't know who suddenly has a position above them), the sun shines. It's a bit too pretty, too perfect. It almost reeks of "pulling the wool over one's eyes".

But , perhaps Dickens is just showing some very extreme extremes with the perfectness of Bleak House and the contrasting situation of the Bricklayer's home.

I'm just a bit suspicious of that perfectness.

[Tara]

Like so many others, I was rather horrifed by Mrs. Pardiggle. Jean, I was anxiously awaiting your post to see who the real-life equivalent was, so its disappointing that there is no such person. But I suspect that Dickens did in fact know people just like her, even if she is an amalgamation rather than a caricature of just one person.
Of course Mrs. Jellyby has her faults, with the neglect of her children being at the top of that list. But it can be very easy for one to get inured to their surroundings, almost being blind to them after a certain point. They are glaringly obvious to a stranger, but someone living under them would be practically immune. Mrs. Pardiggle however, believes herself the epitome of virtue, decrying the state of Mrs. Jellyby's household while similarly being oblivious to the destruction she is wreaking on her own children. I immediately thought of Munchausen by Proxy, a psychological disorder wherein caregivers, generally mothers, make their wards (mostly their children) ill to order to get attention and sympathy. The fact that she has a real opportunity to help a poor woman and her dying infant right in front of her face, and seems totally unaware of it, speaks volumes about her real character.

With regard to Esther not taking the opportunity to ask about her parentage. I wonder if some of that motivation is that she has finally found contentment and happiness, and feels no need to change anything about those circumstances. Certainly given everything her godmother told her about her parents, it would do nothing but bring her grief and sorrow. Why stir up the hornet's nest for curiosity's sake?

[Paul]

Tara wrote: "The fact that she has a real opportunity to help a poor woman and her dying infant right in front of her face, and seems totally unaware of it, speaks volumes about her real character."

Excellent observation!

[Greg]

What a lovely and heartbreaking chapter!

I loved the contrast between the charity of Ada and Esther, who brings some "little comforts" out of compassion and empathy, and the charity of Mrs Pardiggle, who has a fixed plan for what must be done, regardless of the reality she encounters.

As you say Jean, the knocking down of the furniture metaphorically shows the damage Mrs. Pardiggle leaves in her wake, but it also shows her utter cluelessness, her total lack of recognition. She is not even aware of the furniture she is knocking down, and she has no idea of how anyone is reacting to her or how she makes others feel.

By contrast, when Ada and Esther go back to leave their offerings, they do not need to be thanked or gratified; they do not linger to see their gifts acknowledged. They just leave them and go. They understand the grief around them and try not to intrude. Of course, it is Jenny's friend who knows best how to provide the real comfort, but Ada and Esther just want to do the little bit that they can.

I am really glad (as Jean is) that Fiona pointed out how much good was done by these charitable organizations. Even today, there is the problem of people trying to do good without understanding what people actually need, but most charity is well meant. And I would think that callousness at the level of Mrs. Pardiggle would be the exception and not the rule! I don't think callously ignoring the pain all around is much better than the way of Mrs. Pardiggle. It is possible to try to help with genuine empathy and without arrogant blindness, rather with humility.

For me, there is truth and a great, great sadness in the lines:

"We both felt painfully sensible that between us and these people there was an iron barrier which could not be removed by our new friend. By whom or how it could be removed, we did not know, but we knew that."

It's so true. Trust is something earned over time and through close knowlege. There are many an "iron barrier" between various groups, of nationality or class, culture or sub-culture, that hold people apart. Only true knowledge can soften these barriers, and true knowledge takes the slow building of relationships and friendships. It takes trust, and it takes time.

[Petra]

I forgot to mention Esther's handkerchief. It's such a small object but has gotten a lot of mention that I feel it's going to play a larger role later in the novel. Which one of the characters we've met already will visit this home and pocket the handkerchief for some later purpose?
Or does it merely represent Society not seeing what is very thinly veiled from it? Society not seeing what it doesn't want to see?

[John]

I'm chiming in to ask why Mrs Pardiggle was allowed to visit at all against the wishes of the household? Was there truly some idea that one couldn't commit trespassing among the poor? I feel sorry for her children, who are certain to become misers as adults.

[Sara]

Petra wrote: "Paul, I also thought there was a very specific reason that Jarndyce asked this question to Esther. He knows something about her past. She missed an opportunity.
Perhaps she's not ready for the kno..."

When John is talking to Esther about the suit, he says "Although Bleak House was not in Chancery, its master was, and it was stamped with the same seal." which I assume means that the house itself comes from some other source of income that is not part of the Jarndyce legacy. I believe that explains that John also has other incomes and holdings that are outside the suit, which is why he is not in the same situation as the "mad woman".

[Sara]

Regarding Mrs. Pardiggle, she is an example of someone who does charity not for any good she can do for others but because it makes her feel superior and important. She bullies everyone around her, because in her mind she is the only one who knows anything of importance or how to achieve a goal. Of course, she never achieves the goals she states, because people reject her preaching without example.

Greg Great observations about how this applies to us today and I so agree that trust is something built over time and with a kind of contact that just coming in to minister and leaving (even when well-intentioned) will not provide.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Tara - "But I suspect that Dickens did in fact know people just like her, even if she is an amalgamation rather than a caricature of just one person..."

Yes - I'm positive you're right, evidenced by his letters, speeches and articles.

"[Esther] has finally found contentment and happiness, and feels no need to change anything about those circumstances... Why stir up the hornet's nest for curiosity's sake?"

Another good reason! It first perfectly with her character at this point.

[Petra]

Thanks, Sara. I hope that's the situation.

I have a niggle that has been popping up for me these last chapters. Perhaps someone can put my mind at ease and help explain the situation:

Esther comes to Bleak House as a companion to Ada. That's her expectation and understanding.
Within 24 hours of arriving, she's unceremoniously handed the house keys. While this may be a position of honour and trust, it happened without consultation or any mention beforehand.
Esther now has, in essence, two jobs: companion and head housekeeper.
One of her duties is to make tea for the household. There's mention that she's in the breakfast room but none that she's eating with the household. She leaves the breakfast room in the middle of breakfast, which makes me believe she's there to serve, not partake. She's a servant to her new "friends"; not an equal.

I'm insulted, in a way, for Esther. She's treated as a servant, no mention has been made (that we know of) of wages or compensation of any sort. She's a friend to Ada but she's not her equal if she's a servant.
With money being an important part of this book, is Esther being duped or taken advantage of in some sense? She hasn't been a part in the decision of taking on another job.
Is someone in Esther's position meant to be honoured by being handed this position? Or is she expected to believe it's an honour when it's not?

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Petra wrote: "I forgot to mention Esther's handkerchief ..."

YES! (to all your points). As I said in my post, the handkerchief is an important motif we need to watch, as is the title "Covering a Multitude of Sins".

[Natalie]

Sara - I love that different take on why Esther didn't ask any questions. That fits with her personality of wanting to please others.

Petra - I like how you pointed out the three different threads of charity that we've examined so far. It shows how false charity can do more harm than good.

I'll be honest, whenever I'm reading British classics about the wealthy, I never understand how they make money. Lol! Like in Pride and Prejudice, with Mr. Darcy's "10,000 a year." I always just assume that something is happening on their estates that brings in all the money while they go to parties and socialize. Haha!

I was thinking that I was glad Esther and Ada took over the requests for money, because I feel like Mr. Jarndyce would be far too lenient. He always seems willing to give whatever is asked of him.

Tara - Very good point about Mrs. Pardiggle being oblivious to what others actually need. It's very callous to always assume that "you know best!" what would actually help.

Greg - As always, I love reading your observations and insights!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

John wrote: "I'm chiming in to ask why Mrs Pardiggle was allowed to visit at all against the wishes of the household? Was there truly some idea that one couldn't commit trespassing among the poor? ..."

In short, yes :( Mrs. Pardiggle represented a wealthier, more powerful class (virtually everyone did to these brickmakers). They were itinerant workers, and were renting their house. If she had had a word with their landlord they could be thrown out on the street. They had no rights whatsoever.

[Bridget]

Petra wrote: "I forgot to mention Esther's handkerchief. Which one of the characters we've met already will visit this home and pocket the handkerchief for some later purpose?
Or does it merely represent Society not seeing what is very thinly veiled from it? Society not seeing what it doesn't want to see?.."

Petra The handkerchief could be doing both those things.
It's a metaphor and a plot point. That echoes back to Jean's comments about how so many things are being "covered" in this chapter.

I liked your skeptical thoughts about Mr. Jarndyce. Is he too covering something up? Of the many many sins in this chapter, I can't help wondering if Mr. Jarndyce hiding in the Growlery is also a sin? He is supporting Mr. Skimpole by giving him a place to live, but is he doing anything for the Bricklayer's family?

But then I look at how he has helped Richard, Ada and Esther and I have to agree with Sara said He seems the soul of kindness to me in what he does. .

I will have to remain undecided for now. It bothers me that he disappears whenever things get uncomfortable. That seems like a metaphor for Society as a whole refusing to look at the dark underbelly of the city where the bricklayer family lives. But Esther always refers to him as benevolent and that indicates he is a force for good in the novel.

[Sara]

I do not think Esther is being duped or taken advantage of, Petra. The housekeeping job is one of great importance and trust; one of honor. To be given that kind of recognition immediately is a testament to how important she is to her guardian. She is told to call him "guardian", so that indicates to me that she is definitely not thought of as a servant at all. Also, I did not get the impression that she did not have breakfast with the others, only that they were not down yet so she took time to go to the gardens before having her breakfast with them.

What she is receiving, if nothing else, is a place in a credible household, a position that prepares her for life, and of course her room, board and care. I think she is treated with the same respect and deference as Ada and Richard, even though her position is somewhat different, since they are of known parentage and a part of the family, while she is a ward of Mr. Jarndyce without that known connection.

This, of course, is just my read on the situation. Jean may know something that would contradict this view. If so, I am glad you asked the question, because I would want to have this right in my mind as well.

[Petra]

Thanks, Sara.
I do see all your points. Esther has friendship, room (a nice room) & board, safety, etc. But she's not asked about anything. She's told. Maybe that's what is niggling at me? Perhaps I'm putting a more modern spin on the situation?
I got the impression that she was serving at breakfast because she left the room while Skimpole was talking about bees. If she was eating breakfast with the family, would she have left the room?

(I think Jarndyce knows her parentage and is aware whether she's a part of the family or not. This position of housekeeper implies that she's not)