Bleak House Three-Act Plot Analysis

Act I

Esther comes to London with her past shrouded in mystery, but her future so bright she's gotta wear shades.

Act II

Tulkinghorn, Bucket, Guppy, and Smallweed start investigating the connections between Esther and Lady Dedlock.

Act III

Suicidal, Lady Dedlock runs off, knowing that her secret is about to be revealed. Esther and Bucket set off on an ultimately fruitless search to find her before she kills herself.