In Bleak House Dickens introduced one of the first detectives in English Literature: Inspector Bucket. Hired by lawyer Tulkinghorn to inquire into Lady Dedlock's secret past, Bucket later investigates Tulkinghorn's murder. Dickens based Bucket on real life detective Charles F. Field, a member of London's new police force. Dickens wrote several stories featuring Field (sometimes under the name of Wield) in his weekly journal Household Words, including On Duty with Inspector Field (June 1851).

Dickens sparked controversy in Bleak House when he has rag and bone dealer Krook die by spontaneous human combustion, a phenomenon where the human body catches fire as a result of heat generated by internal chemical action. Although scientists have denied the existence of this phenomenon, supposed cases of spontaneous human combustion are still reported today.

The Court of Chancery was founded during the reign of Richard II and in Dickens' time was a model of inefficiency. Properties tied up 'in Chancery' were not financially accessible to possible beneficiaries. The court was presided over by the Lord Chancellor, disputants in Chancery cases used solicitors to state their case to hired barristers who presented them in court. In Bleak House Richard Carstone hires Vholes as his solicitor in the Jarndyce and Jarndyce Chancery case.

St. Albans
Dickens located John Jarndyce's Bleak House near the old Roman town of St. Albans in Hertfordshire, about 20 miles north of London.

Bleak House - Published in monthly parts Mar 1852 - Sep 1853
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Dickens' ninth novel, illustrated by Phiz, was intended to illustrate the evils caused by long, drawn-out suits in the Courts of Chancery. Dickens had observed the inner workings of the courts as a reporter in his youth and observed that "The one great principle of the English law is to make business for itself." Bleak House is often considered Dickens' finest work although not his most popular.

Plot (contains spoilers)

The case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce, in the High Court of Chancery, has been going on for a long time. The current Jarndyce, John, owner of Bleak House, has little hope of gaining anything from it. On her aunt's death Esther Summerson is adopted by Jarndyce and becomes companions to his wards, Ada Clare and Richard Carstone. Carstone has hopes that the chancery case will make his fortune.

As the story unfolds it is revealed that Esther is the illegitimate daughter of Captain Hawdon and Lady Dedlock. When the Dedlock's lawyer, Tulkinghorn learns of this, and tries to profit by the information, he is murdered by Lady Dedlock's former maid. Lady Dedlock flees and later dies at the gates of the cemetery where Hawdon lies buried.

John Jarndyce has fallen in love with Esther and asked her to marry him. She consents out of respect for Jarndyce but during the engagement she falls in love with Allan Woodcourt. When Jarndyce learns of her feelings for Allan he releases her from the engagement and she marries Woodcourt. The chancery case comes to a close with court costs eating up all of the estate. Carstone, who has married Ada, dies in despair.

Principal Characters: Character descriptions contain spoilers Esther Summerson Miss Barbary Mrs Rachael John Jarndyce Mr. Tulkinghorn Kenge William Guppy Lady Dedlock Sir Leicester Dedlock Volumnia Dedlock Ada Clare Richard Carstone Miss Flite Krook Gridley Harold Skimpole Snagsby Rev Chadband Mrs. Jellyby Caroline (Caddy) Jellyby Mr. Turveydrop Prince Turveydrop George Rouncewell Phil Squod The Bagnets Mrs. Rouncewell The Badgers The Smallweeds Neckett Charlotte (Charley) Neckett Rosa Tony Jobling (Weevle) Jo, the Crossing Sweeper Jenny Hortense Allan Woodcourt Vholes Mr. Bucket Nemo (Capt Hawdon)

Bleak House Links: The Dickens Page The Victorian Web Bartleby.com Wikipedia - Bleak House PBS - Bleak House Soft Soaping Dickens: Andrew Davies, BBC-1 and 'Bleak House' - Robert Giddings examines the popular belief that were Dickens alive today he would be writing soap operas for television Lincoln's Inn - Kenge and Carboys offices, Jarndyce and Jarndyce heard at Lincoln's Inn Hall, also at Westminster Hall Cursitor Street: Sol's Arms Tavern Cursitor Street: Krook's Rag and Bottle Shop - Miss Flite, Gridley, Nemo (Capt Hawdon), and Tony Jobling (Weevle) residence Cooks Court: Snagby's Law Stationer Shop Thavie's Inn - Jellyby's home Hatton Garden - Jellyby's home after bankruptcy Lincoln's Inn Fields - Tulkinghorn's residence Symond's Inn - Vholes' office, Richard and Ada's residence after marriage

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