Bleak House

Bleak House

by

Charles Dickens

Mrs. Bagnet Character Analysis

Mrs. Bagnet is the wife of Mr. Bagnet and the mother of Woolwich, Quebec, and Malta. She is a very determined, practical woman, as well as a devoted wife and mother. She traveled the world with her husband while he was in the army and is used to managing with very little. Her children are named after the places they were born. Mrs. Bagnet runs a very regimented and orderly household and takes control for her husband in all matters of morality and business. Mrs. Bagnet is a close friend to George but laments that he has not married and has not lived a more settled life. At the end of the novel, it is Mrs. Bagnet who goes to fetch Mrs. Rouncewell, George’s mother, when George is falsely accused of Mr. Tulkinghorn’s murder, and brings about the reunion between mother and son.
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Mrs. Bagnet Character Timeline in Bleak House

The timeline below shows where the character Mrs. Bagnet appears in Bleak House. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 27
Passion, Obsession, and Madness Theme Icon
...outside. George thinks fondly that this is always how he finds her. The woman is Mrs. Bagnet . When she finally looks up and sees George, she exclaims that she wishes he... (full context)
Passion, Obsession, and Madness Theme Icon
Mrs. Bagnet laments that George never married as she leads him into the house; he is always... (full context)
Passion, Obsession, and Madness Theme Icon
Haunting, Guilt, and Destiny Theme Icon
Identity and Appearance Theme Icon
...is happy to give it, but only after George has joined them for dinner. While Mrs. Bagnet finishes the food, George and Mr. Bagnet go outside to smoke. They both agree that... (full context)
Passion, Obsession, and Madness Theme Icon
Haunting, Guilt, and Destiny Theme Icon
...George tells them of his dilemma and addresses himself to Mr. Bagnet, although he knows Mrs. Bagnet will answer. When George is finished, Mrs. Bagnet tells him to have nothing to do... (full context)
Chapter 34
Law vs. Justice Theme Icon
Midway through this conversation, they hear footsteps in the hall, and Mr. and Mrs. Bagnet appear at the entrance of the gallery. Mrs. Bagnet greets George warmly; they have come... (full context)
Law vs. Justice Theme Icon
...received the letter, he explains, and is just about to go to see Mr. Smallweed. Mrs. Bagnet quickly forgives George and admits that she knows he would never trouble them on purpose.... (full context)
Social Mobility, Class, and Lineage Theme Icon
Haunting, Guilt, and Destiny Theme Icon
...his usual cheerful self and even Malta and Quebec’s playful attention cannot raise his spirits. Mrs. Bagnet worries that he has taken her rebuke to heart, but George assures her that he... (full context)
Chapter 49
Passion, Obsession, and Madness Theme Icon
It is Mrs. Bagnet ’s birthday and Mr. Bagnet and the children go through their yearly ritual of doing... (full context)
Passion, Obsession, and Madness Theme Icon
Philanthropy, Social Responsibility, and Kindness Theme Icon
...George arrives. He is very pale and tells them that Jo has died. George gives Mrs. Bagnet her present and he and Mr. Bagnet light their pipes and drink a toast to... (full context)
Law vs. Justice Theme Icon
Identity and Appearance Theme Icon
...sits down to join the party and plays happily with Malta and Quebec. He compliments Mrs. Bagnet on her house and garden and asks her if the garden has another gate onto... (full context)
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Identity and Appearance Theme Icon
Mrs. Bagnet says that George has been feeling low, and Mr. Bucket commiserates with him. Mrs. Bagnet... (full context)
Chapter 52
Law vs. Justice Theme Icon
Haunting, Guilt, and Destiny Theme Icon
...opens and, a few moments later, they are alerted to the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Bagnet , who have just entered the cell. (full context)
Social Mobility, Class, and Lineage Theme Icon
Law vs. Justice Theme Icon
Haunting, Guilt, and Destiny Theme Icon
Identity and Appearance Theme Icon
Mrs. Bagnet , who has heard the conversation, urges George to take Mr. Jarndyce’s advice. Mrs. Bagnet... (full context)
Social Mobility, Class, and Lineage Theme Icon
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Haunting, Guilt, and Destiny Theme Icon
Mrs. Bagnet follows them outside and immediately bursts into tears. She composes herself quickly though, and tells... (full context)
Chapter 55
Passion, Obsession, and Madness Theme Icon
Haunting, Guilt, and Destiny Theme Icon
Identity and Appearance Theme Icon
Mrs. Bagnet and Mrs. Rouncewell sit in a carriage together and travel through a landscape of half... (full context)
Passion, Obsession, and Madness Theme Icon
Haunting, Guilt, and Destiny Theme Icon
Mrs. Bagnet explains that George is a good friend but that he is often in low spirits.... (full context)
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Passion, Obsession, and Madness Theme Icon
Haunting, Guilt, and Destiny Theme Icon
Mrs. Bagnet hopes Mrs. Rouncewell can persuade George to get a lawyer, and Mrs. Rouncewell says that... (full context)
Social Mobility, Class, and Lineage Theme Icon
Law vs. Justice Theme Icon
Passion, Obsession, and Madness Theme Icon
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George thanks Mrs. Bagnet profusely for bringing his mother to him and agrees to get a lawyer. He says... (full context)
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Haunting, Guilt, and Destiny Theme Icon
Mrs. Bagnet prepares to leave, and Mrs. Rouncewell says that she must go to Sir Leicester’s townhouse... (full context)