Research prompt #3
Examples of foreshadowing
- Chapter 1: “Well may the court be dim, with wasting candles here and there; well may the fog hang heavy in it, as if it would never get out; well may the stained-glass windows lose their colour and admit no light of day into the place; well may the uninitiated from the streets, who peep in through the glass panes in the door, be deterred from entrance by its owlish aspect and by the drawl, languidly echoing to the roof from the padded dais where the Lord High Chancellor looks into the lantern that has no light in it and where the attendant wigs are all stuck in a fog-bank!
I think it sets the stage for the points dickens wished to make about the absurd empty headed way the court does its business.
- Chapter 5: "At all events, Chancery will work none of its bad influences on US. We have happily been brought together, thanks to our good kinsman, and it can't divide us now!" The old “nothing can stop us now” line, we’re all sure that will work out.
- Chapter 7: So the mastiff, dozing in his kennel in the court-yard with his large head on his paws, may think of the hot sunshine when the shadows of the stable-buildings tire his patience out by changing and leave him at one time of the day no broader refuge than the shadow of his own house, where he sits on end, panting and growling short, and very much wanting something to worry besides himself and his chain.
as it shows how the characters are slowly becoming as trapped as the horse is here. They distract themselves from time to time but they'll all wind up focusing their lives on the chancery case just as the horse worries about its chain. Unlike the horse though they appear to enjoy the chain.
4. Chapter 7: "Disgrace never comes to Chesney Wold," returns the housekeeper. Ominous if I do say so myself.
5. Chapter 13: Well! Richard said that he would work his fingers to the bone for Ada, and Ada said that she would work her fingers to the bone for Richard.
I have a suspicion that Ada will be the only one working herself to the bone.
Narrative structure
Ch 1. Is spoken from the third person narrator’s perspective. In this chapter the narrator describes the pauper barring bureaucracy of the courts and the bleakness of the weather outside. The stage is set to show the cold uncaring lives of London’s poor.
Ch 2. This chapter is also narrated by the third person narrator. The same harshness directed at the courts in the first chapter is now aimed at some of the more prominent characters. Effectively describing Sir and Lady Dedlock as being at the pinnacle of society.
Ch 3. This chapter is narrated by the first person narrator, Esther Summerson who unlike the snide nature of the third person, she is quite self-deprecating. In this section the narrator describes her beginnings which were really quite terrible. No amount of kindness has been afforded to this little girl until she is asked to go to boarding school.
Ch 4. This chapter is also narrated by the first person, Esther. She describes the nature of the Jellyby house during this time and the madness that seems to be contained in it. The stage is set to show how someone can care so much but be so wrong at the same time.
Ch 5. Narrated by the first person, Esther. The narrator describes more of the loopy nature of the Jellyby house. Progressing through the chapter more of the court case is revealed through the character Krook who ester describes as a pretty vicious sounding person. More of life in this period of London is also described, dreary and dark as usual.
Ch 6. Narrated by first person, Esther. The narrator describes a much greener happier looking scenery the further they get from the city. The narrator describes the new characters for example Harold Skimpole, who is either a child or an excellent con.
Ch 7. Narrated by the third person. The third person narrator once again sets a dreary tone describing Chesney wold, the Dedlock estate, and the characters that make up the home.
Ch 8. Narrated by first person, Esther. In this chapter the narrator describes the way life goes on for the many characters living in bleak house. Her own job is described along with the few days of life at bleak house. The narrator also describes her shock at the emotions of the very poor, as if they were incapable of such feelings.
Ch. 9 Narrated by the first person, Esther. The narrator begins by apologizing for being the narrator which is a common thread for Esther. The rest of the chapter the narrator spends describing the growth of the various characters in Bleak house. The love between Richard and Ada and Mr Jarndyces fried Mr Boythorn. Also marriage proposals?
Ch. 10 Narrated by the third person. The narrator sets out describing essentially a law stationary store and the characters that run it. Another family with a wife whose absolutely detestable. Detail is also paid in the description of the deceased copiers room.
Ch. 11 Narrated in the third person. Once again the third person narrator spends his time describing the working of society in london during this time. Between the doctors work and the work of the court to decide his death we find once again that its quite the dreary emotionless system. The ending description of Jo sweeping the cemetery is a shining example of the third person narrators penchant for depressing scenery.
Ch 12. Narrated in the third person. The narrator spends much of his time describing the people who come to stay at Chesney world and how detached they are from the realities of the poor and destitute.
Ch 13. Narrated in the first person, Esther. The narrator spends much of the time describing the growth of characters in Bleak house. The drive to get Richard a real job and the budding love between Ada and Richard.
Ch 14. Narrated by the first person, Esther. Much of this chapter is spent with the narrator catching us up with the happenings in the Jellyby house. We are introduced to Caddy’s fiance and Richards send off is described.
Ch 15. Narrated by the first person, Esther. The narrator spends time describing the pointless nature of many of the philanthropic groups trying to squander Mr Jarndyces money. The life of orphans is also described in more detail when the lives of the debt collectors children come into Esthers focus.
Ch 16. Narrated in the third person. The narrator spends much of this chapter pointing out the horrible lives the poor live in the slums. As usual the third person narrator delights in pointing out the inequalities of the rich and poor. Stomping bodies into shallow graves, that sort of thing.
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