A Picture of 19th Century Womanhood

    Esther Summerson, the protagonist, and narrator of Dickens' 19th-century novel, Bleak House, is an interesting character. While other characters have questionable motives wrapped up in the Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce case, Esther shines forth as a light in the fog. Her character is at first scrutinized by readers, because of its blatant difference from the others. Is she really as selfless as she seems? Or is she just choosing to picture herself that way? Does she have an ulterior motive?

    But as the story continues, even the characters that feel they have a reason to spite Esther admit to the genuineness of her character. Miss Barbary, for example, tells child Esther:

        "Submission, self-denial, diligent work, are the preparations for a life begun with such a shadow on it. You are different from the other children, Esther, because you were not born, like them, in common sinfulness and wrath. You were set apart (Chpt 3;pg 3)."

    Many come to confide in her, knowing that she can be trusted with their life obstacles, without knowing (in most cases) that she has her own. Being an orphan (or, in this case, simply growing up without knowing who her parents were), and being raised by one who resented the job, has had such an impact on her character that she feels such warmth to help others. Perhaps because, whenever someone helped her, she was reminded of the fact that she didn't deserve it, so she feels the need to give back. Whatever the reason, her charity is a direct contrast to the greed around her, especially within the Court of Chancery.


I commented on Ian and Emory's posts.

Comments

  1. Ashlyn ScismNovember 2, 2021 at 10:43 AM

    I believe you are right in how you analyze Esthers character. She is so genuine and I think that takes those amour days her by surprise. Like her namesake she came from nothing and so treats everything she receives as the highest of compliments.

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  2. Brooke BradleyNovember 2, 2021 at 3:57 PM

    I think Esther is interesting as well, and I mostly agree with your assessment of her motives. I think if she were a real person, an argument could be made that no one's motives can be completely pure. However, she is a written character, and she can be whatever she was written to be. Despite whatever her motives are, she is a great person who acts in kindness.

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