In our earlier readings of the book we understand Dickens to be an arrogant narrator while Esther was more humble and easier to relate to. Some may appeciate the imagery and descriptiveness that is offered by Dickens for it provides a visual view of what is taking place. Others admire how Esther is able to form a closer relationship with the reader and allow them to experience the plot first hand.
However, as we continue to read and meet new people we can see a new approach in Esther's descriptions. She seems to be developing a new found confidence. In her descriptions we can see that she is more critical and judgmental of the other characters. Why do you think she is becoming more bold? Could it be because of her maturing? I personnally am a fan of this judgemental Esther. She is still the Esther we all know, love and can relate to but now with a bit of edge. I wonder if this Esther will further develop as the book progresses.
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Melissa, this is a great insight. Can you give an example or two (I love quotes!) from the text where you see this newfound "edge" or critical voice?
ReplyDeleteEsther shows more criticism when she is describing both Mr.Prince Turveydrop and his father Mr.Turveydrop. In the second to last paragraph on pg.170 she is decribing Prince and in doing so she says "...he had a little innocent, feminine manner, which not only appealed to me in an amiable way, but made this singular effect upon me:that I recieve the impression that he was like his mother, and that his mother had not been much considered or well used." Why this quote stuck out to me in particular is because Esther is not only decribing him but also incorperating her own insight and making inferences about him. For example she doesnt just say he is feminine but also assumes that he is like his mother. Also when she is depicting the father she says things like he is fat and the reader doesnt get a pleasant image of him. Usually, Esther is not so bold that she'd describe another in such a light. With that said, one can conclude that Esther is in fact gaining a critical sense and confidence.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa. Let's throw it open. If you agree with Melissa about Esther's newfound "critical sense and confidence," where did you notice it? And why do you think she is gaining a voice?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Melissa's post, I see that she brings up a great point about Esther's voice in the story. I still do not however like Esther as a character BUT I do like the transition in her voice and how she is kind of in my eyes becoming aggressive and not so passive and calm.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that Esther is acquiring that Dickensian attitude because sometimes when I seem to be reading, and I know it's Esther who's narrating, I double check to see if it's not the Dickensian narrator. An example of where I see this is the paragraph on pg. 171 starting at line 14, this whole paragraph, when read aloud, sounds very much like Dickens because of the detail and criticism towards Mr. Turveydrop.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the reason behind Esther becoming more critical and judgmental lies in the fact that John Jarndyce, Ada, Richard, and Caddy have all relied on her. They've asked for her opinion. For her to advise them. John Jarndyce talks to her about Richard's future. Ada and Richard confide in her about their love as well as what their own future would hold. Even Caddy comes to tell Esther about Prince Turveydrop and their engagement.
ReplyDeleteAs more and more people confide in Esther and ask for her advice, it seems that the more Esther becomes confidant in her abilities. She voices her opinions in her writings rather than aloud, such as with Mr. Guppy's inappropriate behavior of always being there.
I agree, Esther is becoming rather critical. She has certainly changed considerably from when we first met her and she admitted she wasn't very clever. She has come a long way since talking to her doll locked up in her room. Perhaps us, her audience, have given her that confidence and ability to speak freely. Maybe she has been talking to us and narrating for so long that she has found her "real" voice? (Too much speculation? Perhaps.)
ReplyDeleteBut has living in London made Esther this critical? One perhaps has to be critical sometimes if one wishes to change, or reform, anything.
If she wasn't critical of the Turveydrops, we may have concluded she agreed with Mr. Turveydrop's opinions on manners and his ways that are stuck in the past. In this scene, it is necessary for Esther to be critical because she represents reform and subtle, gradual change. Dickens put a little of his voice into Esther in this scene because after all, she is the hero of his novel, and he can't have her be indifferent about people who are set in their ways.
Esther is not only becoming more critical of her surroundings, but she seems to be more aware that not everything is what it seems; more specifically, not everyone is who they appear to be. When Esther first arrives in Bleak House, she makes the mistake of paying Mr. Skimpole's debts. Because she was naive and ignorant of London's corruption, she did not think she had any reason to distrust Skimpole. We are now almost half-way through the novel, and Esther has finally begun to make her first-person narrator's point-of-view clearer. Esther's inablility to be aware of her emotions has begun to dissolve; she is no longer oblivious to to people's faults, and perhaps her own faults even. Perhaps this is Dickens' way of showing the readers of his time that they themselves must open their eyes. Through this first-person narrator, Esther, who is a member of Victorian society, more specifically, a resident of London, Dickens' has shown how easy it is to remain unmindful of the effects of ones own actions. As time passes by, people do become conscious of what they have done, but people only realize that they are the cause of society's problems once it is too late. (This theory may be a little farfetched, but I am curious about what you all think.)
ReplyDeleteYou all raise a really important point about the role that Dickens increasingly needs Esther to play if she is going to be the anchor of his giant social reform novel. She can't be someone who cries to her doll or who is oblivious to the shortcomings of others (particularly in the social responsibility department). But of course, she is also a relatively inexperienced young woman with a fair amount of childhood trauma. I would urge you to pay attention to both strains: her sure-footed social criticism and where her insecurities manifest themselves. Great comments, everyone!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the critical description of Mr. Turveydrop.
ReplyDeletecan we say that she has to "bear the weight of the world on her shoulders" because this story takes somewhat of a satirical turn on the role of women and their powerless nature in society. i mean trying to control things that do not concern them as opposed to dealing with their primary concerns in the household.
ReplyDeletecould esther's voice be the enigma which embodies BLEAK HOUSE?