Changed Wedding Plans// Emily Otts

    Bleak House has many complicated marriages within its story. Richard and Ada get married when told not to, Lady Deadlock keeps secrets to keep her marriage, and Mr Guppy is denied one. The strangest possible marriage, however, has to be between Esther and Mr. Jarndyce. Back in the day, it was not seen as odd, but in today's terms, it definitely is. But it does not go through, for multiple reasons. 

    As much as Esther loves Mr. Jarndyce, she does not love him as a wife would love her husband. She loves him as a daughter loves her father. It is shown time and time again how he is much more of a parent figure to her than a love interest. The real love interest of Esther's in Mr. Woodcourt, who learns that he truly loves her. "I learned in a moment that he loved me. I learned in a moment that my scarred face was all unchanged to him. I learned in a moment that what I had thought was pity and compassion, was devoted, generous, faithful love. O, too late to know it now, too late, too late." (Chapter 61, Bleak House). Esther is heartbroken to know this so lately, since she has already agreed to marry Mr. Jarndyce. She cries over this fact, hoping she can get over in quickly. 

    Things become much more fortunate for her when, in Chapter 64, Mr Jarndyce gives Woodcourt a home, wanting to make Esther the mistress of that home instead. Since having heard Mr. Woodcourt's feeling for Esther, Mr. Jarndyce realized Esther would be much happier with Mr. Woodcourt, and give him her hand in marriage. Mr. Jarndyce goes back to being her guardian and father instead of her fiance. 

    I think this shows a lot about Mr. Jarndyce. By proposing marriage to Esther, he had good intentions. He wanted to make her happy, knowing taking care of the house made her happy. Seeing that another man made her happier, he was loving enough to give that to her as well. Mr. Jarndyce was truly loving to Esther and only wanted the best for her. He truly did love her like a father. 

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  1. Emma LandryNovember 15, 2021 at 3:05 PM

    I agree that Mr. Jarndyce truly had the best intentions when it came to Esther. He ultimately wanted what was best for her, and all of his decisions for her were made in a spirit of love. Even though his intentions to marry her felt a bit "icky" from my 21st century perspective as well, he was redeemed for me by having no hesitation to give Esther away to the one she truly loved. He had no desire to keep her trapped in a situation that might not benefit her as much as another. I was happy to see his delight in giving her a happy ending and that the father-daughter relationship was fully restored.
    -Emma Landry

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  2. Taylor ViceNovember 15, 2021 at 7:58 PM

    For me, Mr. Jarndyce was one of my favorite characters. He always seemed to want the best for Esther, Richard, and Ada, even if he came off as cold or strict sometimes. As long as he got respect, he treated them with respect. He was a father figure to all three, and even if he was engaged to Esther, he still ended up being like a father to her and wanting her to be truly happy, even if he knew it was not with him. In my opinion, Mr. Jarndyce always planned to care for the three in any way he could. // Taylor Vice

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  3. Samantha TNovember 15, 2021 at 9:57 PM

    Mr. Jarndyce was one of my favorite characters. His intentions were always for the best of those around him, even to a fault when it came to Mr. Skimpole. He took his role as guardian seriously and proved it in his actions. His love for Esther is admirable, even his desire to marry her so she could do what she loves. Which is only made more admirable when he redoes an entire house to her tastes so she can live in her own Bleak House with the man she loves.

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