Lady Dedlock and Esther—Lily Caswell

 In Chapter 36, it’s finally revealed that Lady Dedlock is Esther’s mother. I think it’s sort of obvious that Esther is perceptive based on the rest of the book. Lady Dedlock approaches Esther while she’s out walking and Esther immediately sends Charley away. Lady Dedlock is described by Esther as having “a something in her face that I had pined for and dreamed of when I was a little child; something I had never seen in any face; something I had never seen in hers before.” (Dickens, p 448)

I think it says something about Esther’s character that she almost immediately knows something is up with Lady Dedlock. Facial expressions can often give away a person; I’ve been told quite a few times to “quiet my face.” I also have a very selective poker face; the only poker face I can almost always guarantee I have is when I am performing on the piano.


I commented on Emily Otts’ and Emily Thullesen’s blog posts.

Comments

  1. Braylan StringfellowNovember 9, 2021 at 8:41 AM

    The power someone can have with just a look is incredible. I’ve been told i have an incredible poker face and because of that people who are meeting me for the first time think I’m pissed off at something. Most of the time I’m not but this does completely change the way they interact with me until the really get to know me.

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  2. Emory CooperNovember 9, 2021 at 9:38 AM

    I agree, Lily, that Esther perceived some sort of connection between Lady Dedlock and herself, even before she understood fully what that connection was. Furthermore, I see where the facial expressions would help give the connection away. I wonder, though: is this bond created merely through empiricism, (physical sense experience), or is there an element of instinctual, subconscious knowledge as well?

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