Mr. Smallweed /// Brooke Bradley

Something I really appreciate about Bleak House is the way Charles Dickens names his characters. A prime example of this is Mr. Smallweed. Mr. Smallweed is a mean and vindictive man. One terrible thing that he did was telling Mr. George (the day before) that all of his debt was due the next day. This sent Mr. George into a frenzy; he did not have this money readily available. He tried to persuade Mr. Smallweed to give him more time. He replied saying, “I'll smash you. I'll crumble you. I'll powder you. Go to the devil!” (Dickens 338).Then, Mr. Tulkinghorn has to get him out of this mess, although it ends up pretty costly for Mr. George. This is only one instance in which Mr. Smallweed behaves terribly. This name, although not subtle, is fitting for the type of man Mr. Smallweed is. He is small because he treats others as though they are small. This makes him insignificant, in the sense that he is not making any sort of positive impact on anyone. Also it is possible that deep down, he feels small and wants to bring others down to his level. I believe the second part to the inspiration of this name is the invasiveness of his personality.He is like a weed in the sense that his presence is not desired, but nonetheless he is there. He is persistent and obnoxious, just like a weed.

Comments

  1. Emmett BryantNovember 8, 2021 at 8:37 PM

    I think your assessment of names is spot on. When I think of "small," Mr. Smallweed fits the bill. When I think of the attributes of garden "weeds," Mr. Smallweed behaves just like them. I cannot help but think that Dickens snickered as he named this character, realizing just how fitting and ironic his name is. -Emmett Bryant

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  2. Bug OlsenNovember 8, 2021 at 8:45 PM

    Not only are Dickens's names spot on, but I think that the ways in which he characterizes his characters are immaculate as well. As we have discussed in class, he has mastered the art of ventriloquism, as well as the elements of direct and indirect characterization, and these sections truly showed his skill.

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  3. Emily ThullesenNovember 8, 2021 at 9:39 PM

    This is something I find truly fascinated and also humorous. Dickens creates his characters as almost exaggerated in ways that provide comic relief, and the names are a perfect example. However, he still manages to create astounding characters and reveal the deeper themes in his novels beneath the lightheartedness.

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