Bleak House by Charles Dickens is a long novel published in a series of 20 installments which were released over time. In producing this novel serially, Dickens’ decision making process is far more complex than it would have been if it were one novel from the beginning, written with a definitive ending. The style in which he chose to write it, however, makes for a fascinating study of Dickens’ working notes and how he chooses to unfold the rich details of Bleak House’s complex plot. Installment 14, which contains chapters 43-46, carries a relatively heavy plot load in the scope of Dickens’ novel. Being further along in the novel, most of the characters have been significantly developed (to the extent which Dickens chooses to), and there is space for where the connections between characters that have already been formed can be thwarted in a way which complicates the overall narrative arc. The central example of this that occurs in installment 14 is Mr. Jarndyce’s proposal to Esther Summerson. I argue that due to the surrounding context, this is the most ideal, and perhaps the only point in the novel where this plot development works to properly complicate the plot without undermining the novel’s ending.
Up until this point, several important preceding factors have been introduced: the first being that Mr. Jarndyce and Esther’s guardianship relationship has been developed from the beginning of the novel. Mr. Jarndyce took Esther in and became her guardian, giving her a place at Bleak House and payment for her education. Since Esther is an overly selfless character who easily feel indebted to people for even the small things they do for her, it comes as no surprise that Esther is constantly thanking Mr. Jarndyce for his kindness and going out of her way to modestly praise Mr. Jarndyce for his compassion towards her. It is also noteworthy to mention that the way in which Mr. Jarndyce choses to propose to Esther (via letter, which he gives her the agency to open on her own time, as she wishes, by having her send Charley to get it), emphasizes his selfless character. Jarndyce states:
“I will not write this something in my thoughts, until you have quite resolved within yourself that nothing can change me as you know me… If you are sure of that, on good consideration, send Charley to me this night week– ‘for the letter’. But if you are not quite certain, never send” (Dickens, 689).
In this sense, it becomes a more difficult decision on the part of the reader to decide what Esther should do: Mr. Jarndyce’s character has been clearly demonstrated to be noble, and from the lens of Esther’s narrative, Mr. Woodcourt’s affection seems unachievable. However, as we learn later in the novel, Esther’s perspective isn’t always trustworthy when it comes to judging how people perceive her.
Another necessary component is that Esther has experienced severe facial scarring from her illness. This is significant because this facial scarring has apparently impacted her overall beauty, and therefore has impacted her ability to believe that she is worthy of finding a suitable husband out of love, especially in a society in which women’s main asset was their beauty. Therefore, although Esther has developed romantic feelings for Mr. Woodcourt, she seems to feel throughout the novel that the possibility of marrying him is unattainable. Although this is likely largely tied to the overall immobility of women in the Victorian era and their lack of control especially in terms of marriage, this is also consistent with Esther’s over-the-top humility in thinking that she deserves less than others. This can be seen clearly in a quote made by Esther:
“But he [Mr. Jarndyce] did not hint to me, that when I had been better-looking, he had had this same proceeding in his thoughts, and had refrained from it. That when my old face was gone from me, and I had no attractions, he could love me just as well as in my fairer days” (Dickens, 691).
This quote demonstrates that she feels that she is receiving a love from Mr. Jarndyce that she is now incapable of receiving from someone her own age, let alone someone whom she has legitimate romantic feelings for.
Another necessary plot factor that has been established is that Lady Dedlock has finally been revealed to be Esther’s mother. Although is not disclosed to Mr. Jarndyce until after his proposal, it’s necessary that Esther has already realized this in order to lay the groundwork for Esther’s understanding of her true position within the household (and thus, her true relation to Lady Dedlock). It is unclear whether Esther not knowing that she is Lady Dedlock’s daughter would have affected her decision to accept Mr. Jarndyce’s proposal, however, it is an important component of the framework through which she weighs this decision.
In summary, a quote from Dickens’ working notes for installment 10 states: “Esther’s love must be kept in view, to make the coming trial greater (?) and the victory more meritorious”. This “love” seems to likely refer to Esther’s love for Mr. Woodcourt, which has details that waver throughout the middle to end of the novel. This means that the “coming trial” likely refers to the difficult decision Esther faces with Mr. Jarndyce’s proposal, and the way in which she questions throughout her engagement. The victorious ending would then refer to Esther’s eventual marriage to Mr. Woodcourt, which serves to symbolize the way in which love overcomes appearances.