Bleak House: Chapter 36 Summary & Analysis

Esther and Charley travel together to Mr. Boythorn’s house in Lincolnshire. Mr. Boythorn is away, so they have the house to themselves. Esther is delighted with the property, and she and Charley spend a long time exploring the grounds. That night, before she goes to sleep, Esther steels herself to look in the mirror for the first time. She is shocked by her changed appearance but resolves to overcome her reservations and be grateful for her situation.

The only consideration which bothers Esther is the thought of Mr. Woodcourt and how he will take the change. She has kept his flowers but decides to dispense with all romantic notions and to remember him fondly. Ada plans to join Esther and Charley in a few days, and Esther wants to be fully recovered before her friend arrives. She resolves therefore to spend as much time outside as possible, and she and Charley spend all day riding the pony that Mr. Boythorn has left for them.

The villagers are friendly with Esther, and she and Charley find that they are never short of company. Esther’s favorite place to walk takes her through the grounds of Chesney Wold, and she particularly likes the spot known as the Ghost’s Walk. Esther likes to rest here during her walks and likes to sit on a nearby bank which is crowded with violets. Esther has heard the legend of the Ghost’s Walk from Mr. Boythorn and though she is fascinated by the house, and by the Dedlock family history, she does not visit Chesney Wold because of her strange awkward feeling about Lady Dedlock.

One day, while Esther sits in her favorite spot, she notices a figure coming towards her and is shocked to find that it is Lady Dedlock, who rushes towards her with a face full of concern. Esther is so startled that she calls Charley, and, when she does this, Lady Dedlock immediately stops and regains her haughty composure. She tells Esther that she has heard of her illness and hopes that she is better now. Esther thanks her and says that she is. Lady Dedlock suggests that Charley go back to the house and that she should walk a while with Esther.

When Charley has left them, Lady Dedlock sits down beside Esther and Esther is amazed when Lady Dedlock produces the handkerchief, which she left with Jenny. Lady Dedlock bursts into tears and kneels before Esther. She confesses that she is her mother and begs Esther to forgive her. Esther is shocked but forgives her mother instantly. She tries to raise her up but Lady Dedlock says that she cannot be redeemed; she is a married woman, and Esther is her secret shame. She can only reveal herself to Esther for long enough to give her a letter and then she must never speak with her again.

Esther asks if anyone knows the secret and Lady Dedlock replies that she dreads that one man does—a mercenary, unfeeling man who seeks nothing but power and social privilege. This man is Mr. Tulkinghorn. Although Mr. Tulkinghorn suspects nothing yet, Lady Dedlock knows that he is always watching and that he cares nothing for her or for anyone but himself. Esther asks if there is no one who can help Lady Dedlock, but she again insists that she is beyond redemption. She tells Esther that she may tell Mr. Jarndyce—who is very kind—but no one else. Before she bids her daughter farewell, she implores Esther to believe that she loves her despite the mask of coldness she wears.

Esther walks home slowly, stunned by her ordeal, and hides her tears from Charley. She tells her maid that she will go to bed early and, once in her room, reads Lady Dedlock’s letter. It tells Esther what she already knows: that she was raised by her aunt, Miss Barbary. Esther burns her mother’s letter and, as she does so, is haunted by her aunt’s cruel words, which she remembers from her childhood.

That evening, after dark, Esther goes out walking alone and walks through the Dedlock cemetery behind Chesney Wold. She wanders from here through the grounds and ends up on the Ghost’s Walk. She hears her own footsteps on the flagstones and is suddenly horrified by the realization that she is the omen in the story who will bring ruin to the Dedlock line. She runs from the house, back through the grounds, shaken with horror and despair.

When Esther arrives home, however, she has a letter from Ada. This note is full of kind words, and Esther remembers how loved she is and is grateful for the friends in her life. She wakes up the next morning anxious and excited over Ada’s arrival. She is half afraid that Ada will reject her when she sees her altered face. Her fears are allayed when Ada arrives and throws herself into Esther’s arms, delighted to see her old friend.