Houses Symbol in Bleak House

Throughout Bleak House, houses represent the inner lives of the people who live in them. This was a trope which was common in both Victorian fiction and in the popular Gothic novels of the previous century, which influenced many 19th-century writers. For example, Mr. Jarndyce tells Esther that he has inherited Bleak House itself from Tom Jarndyce, and that the house was in a state of chaos and disrepair when it came to him. This reflects Tom Jarndyce’s madness, brought on by his involvement with Jarndyce and Jarndyce. The renovations and reparations which Mr. Jarndyce makes to the house reflects the restoration of order through Mr. Jarndyce’s calm, benevolent, and sensible personality. Mrs. Jellyby’s house too, reflects her inner life and is utterly neglected because her mind, and therefore her domestic activity, is used up elsewhere. Meanwhile, the new Bleak House, into which Esther and Mr. Woodcourt move is a beautiful den of flowers and growth, which represents the fruition and growth of their love and their pleasant future together.

Houses also take on their owners’ characteristics, in the form of ghosts or presences, which is demonstrated by Nemo’s room, which begins to feel haunted by the writer after his death there. Nemo’s room is a gloomy, decrepit room, which reflects the writer’s destitution and inner turmoil, and the horror and loneliness of his situation is conveyed to the reader through the description of the two windows which look into the bed and seem to be appalled by what they see. This is similarly demonstrated in the houses that belong to the Dedlocks, which take on the stiff, immovable, and yet outdated feel, of this seemingly immovable dynasty.

Houses Quotes in Bleak House

The Bleak House quotes below all refer to the symbol of Houses. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Social Mobility, Class, and Lineage Theme Icon

What should I have suffered, if I had had to write to him, and tell him that the poor face he had known as mine was quite gone from me, and that I freely released him from his bondage to one whom he had never seen!

Related Characters: Esther Summerson (speaker), Mr. Jarndyce, Jo, Mr. Woodcourt

Related Symbols: Houses

Page Number and Citation: 429

Explanation and Analysis:

‘I dread one person very much.’
‘An enemy?’
‘Not a friend. One who is too passionless to be either. He is Sir Leicester Dedlock’s lawyer; mechanically faithful without attachment, and very jealous of the profit, privilege, and reputation of being master of the mysteries of great houses.’

Related Characters: Esther Summerson (speaker), Lady Dedlock (speaker), Sir Leicester Dedlock, Mr. Tulkinghorn, Captain Hawdon / Nemo

Related Symbols: Houses

Page Number and Citation: 437

Explanation and Analysis:

‘I am resolved. I have long outbidden folly with folly, pride with pride, scorn with scorn, insolence with insolence, and have outlived many vanities with many more. I will outlive this danger, and outdie it, if I can. It has closed around me, almost as awfully as if these woods of Chesney Wold had closed around the house; but my course through it is the same. I have but one: I can have but one.’

Related Characters: Lady Dedlock (speaker), Esther Summerson, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Captain Hawdon / Nemo

Related Symbols: Houses

Page Number and Citation: 437-438

Explanation and Analysis:

The way was paved here, like the terrace overhead, and my footsteps from being noiseless made an echoing sound upon the flags. Stopping to look at nothing, but seeing all I did see as I went, I was passing quickly on, and in a few moments should have passed the lighted window, when my echoing footsteps brought it suddenly into my mind that there was a dreadful truth in the legend of the Ghost’s Walk; that it was I, who was to bring calamity upon the stately house; and that my warning feet were haunting it even then.

Related Characters: Esther Summerson (speaker), Lady Dedlock, Sir Leicester Dedlock

Related Symbols: Houses

Page Number and Citation: 440

Explanation and Analysis:

Heaven knows what he sees. The green, green woods of Chesney Wold, the noble house, the pictures of his forefathers, strangers defacing them, officers of police coarsely handling his most precious heirlooms, thousands of fingers pointing at him, thousands of faces sneering at him. But if such shadows flit before him to his bewilderment, there is one other shadow which he can name with something like distinctness even yet, and to which alone he addresses his tearing of his white hair, and his extended arms.

Related Characters: Lady Dedlock, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Mr. Tulkinghorn, Mr. Bucket, Mademoiselle Hortense

Related Symbols: Houses

Page Number and Citation: 629-630

Explanation and Analysis:

Houses Symbol Timeline in Bleak House

The timeline below shows where the symbol Houses appears in Bleak House. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...in fashionable circles, has returned to London after a brief stay in her husband’s country house in Lincolnshire. She has returned to the city to escape the constant rain and the... (full context)

On the day after Miss Barbary’s funeral, the smart-looking man visits the house again and asks to see Esther. The man introduces himself as Mr. Kenge and seems... (full context)

Philanthropy, Social Responsibility, and Kindness Theme Icon

...to Reading, and Mrs. Rachael coldly dismisses her. Mrs. Rachael remains behind in Miss Barbary’s house, which has been left to her. (full context)

...letter informs her that she will be removed from the school and sent to the house of her guardian, Mr. Jarndyce, where she will become the companion of a young ward... (full context)

...tells them that they will be under the care of a Mr. Jarndyce of Bleak House while they wait for the outcome of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. Ada and Richard, it appears,... (full context)

Passion, Obsession, and Madness Theme Icon

They are astonished to find that the house is filled with children, and that it is very dirty inside. The children are unwashed... (full context)

...Caddy only knows how to write letters. Esther listens politely and Caddy says that the house is a disgrace. Esther can see that Caddy is very upset and allows her to... (full context)

...out the rest of the word, which is “Jarndyce.” Krook then writes the words “Bleak House,” and Esther reads them to him. Krook seems pleased and leers at Esther as she... (full context)

...back to Mrs. Jellyby’s. From here, Esther, Richard, and Ada take a carriage to Bleak House. (full context)

Esther, Richard, and Ada make their way to Mr. Jarndyce’s house, but a passing coach stops their carriage, and the driver hands each orphan a note.... (full context)

Mr. Jarndyce shows the young people to their rooms, and they find that the house is rambling and strangely proportioned, and that the furniture comes from all over the world... (full context)

...pay, and the man replies that he will go to prison or to “Coavinses,” a house for those in debt. (full context)

In Lincolnshire, at Chesney Wold, the rain continues to fall. The house is quiet—Sir Leicester and Lady Dedlock are in Paris—and the horses in the stables and... (full context)

...room with his grandmother. Watt asks Mrs. Rouncewell about one of the maids in the house, who he thinks is extremely pretty, and Mrs. Rouncewell tells him that her name is... (full context)

...Rosa enters the room and tells them that two men have come to view the house. Mrs. Rouncewell is indignant because the house is not currently open to visitors, but Rosa... (full context)

The next morning, at Mr. Jarndyce’s house, Esther explores the grounds and begins her housekeeping duties. After breakfast—at which, she notes, Mr.... (full context)

Mr. Jarndyce explains that Tom Jarndyce was his uncle, and that the house once belonged to him. When Tom Jarndyce tried to solve the lawsuit himself, he gradually... (full context)

Esther remarks on what a transformation Mr. Jarndyce has produced in Bleak House, and Mr. Jarndyce happily tells Esther that he has great faith in her ability as... (full context)

Ada and Esther settle into their new life at Bleak House. They spend time with a circle of philanthropists—acquaintances of Mr. Jarndyce—and are amazed at the... (full context)

The house is on a very dirty street. Several poor people watch them as they pass and... (full context)

They set out the next morning. On the way, they pass a public house, in which they see the brickmaker, who is very drunk. When they arrive at the... (full context)

Life continues at Bleak House and Esther notices that Richard grows restless. She also notices, however, that he and Ada... (full context)

...that he earns a good salary at Kenge and Carboy, that he owns a little house in a pleasant spot in London, and that he would like to marry her. Esther... (full context)

Although the house is very crowded, Mr. Tulkinghorn’s room is always left unoccupied because he may arrive unannounced... (full context)

...remain behind in London, while Esther, Ada, and Mr. Jarndyce are to return to Bleak House. After their dinner at the Badgers’, Ada takes Esther aside and tells her that she... (full context)

...the group. She gives Esther a key and directs her to the top of the house, which is split into several lodgings. On the stairs, a man stops them and asks... (full context)

The houses in Tom-all-Alone’s are so dilapidated that they frequently collapse. Jo does not know where the... (full context)

...the painted Allegory, who points perpetually to the floor. A woman has just passed his house. She is dressed like a servant, but her face is covered, and she has the... (full context)

On the coach on the way up to Mr. Boythorn’s house, Mr. Skimpole tells them that the landlord has confiscated all of his furniture because he... (full context)

...works at Chesney Wold and that he is engaged to Rosa, Lady Dedlock’s maid. The house is quaint and the garden is very pretty. The walkway over which Mr. Boythorn and... (full context)

...a cold, furious scowl, takes off her shoes and begins to march back towards the house. Esther and Ada watch her go, confused. The groundskeeper laughs when he sees this and... (full context)

In Mr. Snagsby’s house, they prepare to have guests. Mr. Chadband, a minister, and his wife, Mrs. Chadband, are... (full context)

Mrs. Bagnet laments that George never married as she leads him into the house; he is always such a wanderer, she complains. Mrs. Bagnet’s daughters, Quebec and Malta, rush... (full context)

...Tulkinghorn becomes flustered. Mr. Tulkinghorn says that he never would have let George into his house if he had known of George’s connections with dangerous criminals. George is affronted and leaves... (full context)

The house remains silent as Mr. Guppy goes downstairs to leave. In Lady Dedlock’s room, however, she... (full context)

...wedding, Esther and Ada go with her to Mrs. Jellyby’s and try to make the house, and Mrs. Jellyby herself, look presentable. Mr. Jellyby cries when he sees them and tearfully... (full context)

...Jenny and Liz have returned to London and that she met Jenny outside a physician’s house. She was there to buy medicine for an orphan boy who is ill. Esther is... (full context)

...walks there, she has the surreal feeling that she has undergone a transformation. The little house is just as dingy and foul as she remembers, and Jo lies ill in the... (full context)

...not paid. Astounded, George and Mr. Bagnet glance at one another and leave the Smallweed’s house as Mr. Smallweed calls for Judy to throw them out. (full context)

...delirium. Mr. Boythorn has written to insist that she must go and rest at his house when she is well enough to travel; he will be out of town for some... (full context)

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... (full context)

...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... (full context)

...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. (full context)

...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. (full context)

...informs them that Lady Dedlock has left, however, and that she has gone to her house in London. Not long after this, Charley appears again and tells Esther that she is... (full context)

...he finds it very poetic. Esther leads Richard and Mr. Skimpole back to Mr. Boythorn’s house and shows Richard into the living room where Ada is seated. Ada is very pleased... (full context)

...the end of the suit, but Richard says that he cannot live “in an unfinished house.” Esther recalls Miss Flite’s words and the story of old Tom Jarndyce. Esther tries to... (full context)

Esther returns to Bleak House and immediately travels up to London to visit Caddy and Prince. Caddy tells Esther that... (full context)

Esther takes Caddy with her to Mr. Guppy’s house and is invited in by Mrs. Guppy, his mother. Mr. Guppy is also present and... (full context)

...expects that the Dedlocks will assemble to discuss this calamity and she has prepared the house. In the sunset, the light shines in on the Dedlock portraits, which line the hall,... (full context)

They visit Mr. Skimpole the next day and find him having breakfast. His house is very dirty and cluttered, but he eats lavishly. Mr. Jarndyce brings up the subject... (full context)

...everything and everyone. Mr. Skimpole says that he will return with Mr. Jarndyce to his house. Mrs. Skimpole is ill, and an angry baker, whom Mr. Skimpole owes money to, is... (full context)

...and Ada walk around the garden, Esther notices Mr. Vholes on his way to the house. She keeps this from Ada because Ada hopes that Richard will soon grow bored of... (full context)

...The woman explains that the boy, Jo, has been ill and was staying at her house until a young lady very kindly took him home. Jo, however, ran away in the... (full context)

...moment, asks the boy where he has come from and why he left the lady’s house in the night. Jo says that he does not know where he comes from but... (full context)

Ada intends to remain with Richard and not go back to Mr. Jarndyce’s house, and Esther agrees that this must be the case. She tries to part with them... (full context)

...a strange coincidence. He thinks that he saw Esther the previous night outside Mr. Tulkinghorn’s house. Esther feels a chill at these words as she leaves the cell. (full context)

...these carriages and observes, from this spot, his wife on the steps of Mr. Tulkinghorn’s house accompanied by the lodger. After the funeral, Mr. Bucket goes to see Sir Leicester and... (full context)

...quite indignant at this possibility. From here, Mr. Bucket goes to another part of the house and discourses with one of the servants. He flatters the man and asks him if... (full context)

...Bucket rides to George’s gallery and finds the trooper has just returned from Mr. Jarndyce’s house. Mr. Bucket asks for the address and rushes off again for this destination. He rings... (full context)

...tells him that she met Lady Dedlock when she was a guest at Mr. Boythorn’s house. (full context)

The carriage stops at every public house along the way, and Mr. Bucket goes in and chats to the customers and to... (full context)

As they approach the house, Mr. Bucket points at Mr. Skimpole’s room and asks if he is often a guest.... (full context)

...they can tell her anything about Lady Dedlock—who Mr. Bucket says has been at their house recently—and Liz gives Esther a look as though she wants to speak to her privately.... (full context)

...yes. Lady Dedlock came to them to ask if the young lady was at Bleak House but left, after a short rest of about 20 minutes, when they said no. She... (full context)

...reads the first part of the letter, which states that Lady Dedlock went to Bleak House to see if she could have one last glimpse of Esther and to avoid pursuit. (full context)

...she timidly asks him if he still wishes to make her the “mistress of Bleak House,” and Mr. Jarndyce assures her that this is the case. They agree that in a... (full context)

...at a hotel. Mr. Jarndyce tells her that he has come here to arrange a house, which belongs to him but which he plans to give to Mr. Woodcourt, who has... (full context)

The next day, Mr. Jarndyce takes Esther to see the house, and she thinks that it is beautiful and exactly to her taste. He takes her... (full context)

...do not haunt Chesney Wold anymore. It is no longer a lively or a fashionable house and nothing much goes on within its walls, where Sir Leicester quietly lives out the... (full context)

Esther has been the “mistress of Bleak House” for seven years. Ada gives birth to a healthy baby, and the child helps her... (full context)

Bleak House

Charles Dickens

Houses Symbol Analysis

Houses Quotes in Bleak House

Houses Symbol Timeline in Bleak House