Esther, Esther, Esther // Breanna Poole

 I find it interesting how we keep switching between the point of views of an omniscient narrator and that of Esther, especially in these chapters that we read for class this weekend. For Esther's storyline, her being the narrator fits spectacularly as she knows very little of what is happening around her, i.e. what's going on with the lawsuit and her past with Mr. Jamdyce. If we were to follow the omniscient narrator, I feel like we would already know this information and thus it would come less of a shock when we discover what these relationships are and what they mean for the characters going forward. 

 In my grand tradition of comparing things to other things, I suppose I would have to say this book is reminding me of Shakespeare's tragedies in many ways. As we discussed in class, the setting has a great deal of input in making the mood for a story, and the almost dreary weather that precludes over the characters gives me the feeling that this story will not end happily. Much like in a Shakespearean tragedy, there is a sense of foreboding that leaves you on the edge of your seat as you wonder what will happen next and when will the other shoe drop for our characters. 

I truly enjoy Esther as a character, which makes me believe something bad will most certainly happen to her, as all the most likable characters can never have a happy ending.  And Lady Dedlock most certainly will have something to do with. This plot thread of the two of them being.....bothered by the other for no discernable reason as far as Esther can tell is very interesting. It makes me believe also that Lady Dedlock knows something about Esther's past with the letter, and she just isn't sharing. 


P.S. I commented on Haylee and Song's posts. 

Comments

  1. Emma LandryNovember 1, 2021 at 8:52 PM

    I agree that Lady Dedlock is going to be instrumental in Esther's fate. The moment when they lock eyes chilled me to the bone. For some reason, I had not interpreted that the other narrator was an omniscient one. I thought it was some yet-to-be-revealed character, probably because of the references to Lady Dedlock as "my lady."
    -Emma Landry

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    1. Emma DNovember 2, 2021 at 12:00 AM

      I wondered that too - and oh my goodness when they make eye contact!! I've just started to believe that Lady Dedlock is really the "exhausted deity" she is described as in Chapter 13, especially as even the omniscient narrator treats her with reverence (but why, I do not know).

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