Bleak House

About Bleak House

Bleak House (1852-53) by Charles Dickens is an indictment of the English Chancery court system told through the life-tale of the protagonist, Esther. Sir Leicester Dedlock’s wife Honoria had a daughter by her lover Captain Hawdon before she was married, which is not known to Sir Leicester. Lady Dedlock believes her daughter is dead. The daughter, Esther, is, in fact, alive and being raised by Miss Barbary, Lady Dedlock's sister. Esther does not know Miss Barbary is her aunt. After Miss Barbary dies, John Jarndyce becomes Esther's guardian and assigns the Chancery lawyer "Conversation" Kenge to take charge of her future. After attending school for six years, Esther moves in with him at Bleak House where her life takes an interesting turn.