Reading Journal: Bleak House (Serial #1)

After a month-long spate of YA paranormal romance, I've decided to delve into a chunkster classsic (one of the goals I set for myself in 2010). I thought about trying Middlemarch again, but I thought maybe for my first chunkster I'd try a book I hadn't failed at twice already.

So I chose Bleak House, by Charles Dickens. Last year I read The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher, which, along with analyzing one of the first "trial of the century" phenomenon, also analyzed the new obsession with detectives and crime solving in the 1800s. This book pulled heavily from Collins' The Woman in White and The Moonstone as well as Inspector Bucket from Bleak House.

I've only just finished the first four chapters of the novel, which was the first section published as a serial. I'm going to try and write about each section of the serial, for your benefit, but mostly for mine--I've got to try and keep everything straight!



Chapter 1: In Chancery

• The most noticeable (and interesting) part of this chapter is the pains Dickens went through to set the scene. Close to six paragraphs are dedicated to describing the fog-laden, dreary weather. We get it.
• This chapter introduces the on-going and never-ending suit of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. It's apparent that, other than tons of paper, a name of infamy, and misery to those involved, this suit has produced nothing substantial over the years.
• There is mention of two young people who will be given to the care of their cousin--but it's not really clear what is going on.

Chapter 2: In Fashion

• Introduces us to Lady Dedlock and Sir Leicester Dedlock.
• Mr. Tulkinghorn, the Deadlock's lawyer, arrives to discuss matters dealing with Jarndyce and Jarndyce. We learn that Lady Dedlock has some kind of claim in the suit.
• Mr. Tulkinghorn is about to tell the Dedlocks what has occured in the suit, but Lady Dedlock interrupts by fainting.

Chapter 3: A Progress

• And with chapter 3, I feel the story has finally begun. Or at least a true narrative begins to take shape.
• Dickens moves into first person and begins the story of Ester Summerson. She is a character clouded in mystery, but she is not aware of it. Her godmother tells her that she and her mother were a disgrace and ruined her life--she is a bastard and an orphan.
• When her godmother dies, Ester learns from Mr. Kenge that she was actually her aunt. She is told that Mr. Jarndyce has arranged to place her at a school where she will be educated and learn to be a governess. At this school, Ester is well-liked.
• After about six years, Mr. Jarndyce arranges for Ester to become a companion to a young lady he is taking on as a ward. She is taken to Mr. Kenge's law firm where she meets Ada Clare and her distant cousin Richard Carstone, both of who are orphans.
• This is where the narrative intersects and the reader realizes that this is the meeting the Chancellor refers to in the first chapter. The Chancellor approves Mr. Jarndyce's request to have Ester and Ada live at Bleak House.
• As they leave they are accosted by an old lady that is clearly familiar with the suit they know nothing about.

Chapter 4: Telescopic Philanthropy

• The group spends the night at Mrs. Jellyby's, a woman who dedicates her life to causes at the detriment of her children and home.
• Much of Ester's nurturing nature is revealed in this chapter, as the Jellyby children fall for her immediately and she feels compelled to mother them.
• The oldest Jellyby daughter comes to Ester in the night and confides that she is unhappy and cries herself to sleep at Ester's side.

Generally,

I'm really still waiting for the main plot to begin. And what is with the secrecy of the Jarndyce suit? If it is so well known, why don't any of the main players seem to know anything about it? Where do the Dedlocks fit into the Ester narrative? When will something happen?