Bleak House | Bleak House

At a glance:

Author: Charles Dickens
First Published: 1852
Type of Work: Novel
Type of Plot: Social realism
Time of Work: Mid-nineteenth century
Setting: London, Lincolnshire, and Hertfordshire, England
Principal Characters: John Jarndyce, Richard Carstone, Ada Clare, Esther Summerson, Allan Woodcourt, Lady Dedlock, Tulkinghorn, William Guppy, Snagsby, Krook, Jo
Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
Subjects: Murder or homicide, Nineteenth century, Social issues, England or English people, Blackmail, Lower classes, Inheritance or succession, Lawyers, Moral conditions, Mysteries, Victorian era or Victorianism, Courts or courtrooms
Locales: London, England, Hertfordshire, England, Lincolnshire, England

The suit of Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce was a standing joke in the Court of Chancery. Beginning with a dispute as to how the trusts under a Jarndyce will were to be administered, the suit had dragged on, year after year, generation after generation, without settlement. The heirs, or would-be heirs, of suits like Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce spent their lives waiting. Some, like Tom Jarndyce, blew out their brains. Others, like tiny Miss Flite, visited the court in daily expectation of some judgment that would settle the disputed estate and bring her the wealth of...

Bleak House | Bleak House

At a glance:

The Story:

Join eNotes