Bleak House Characters

Esther Summerson

A young woman raised by a strict and horrible aunt, Esther narrates her own half of the novel,...

Mr. John Jarndyce

John Jarndyce is a wealthy man who lives in Bleak House. His main goal in life is to do good for...

Lady Dedlock

A woman at the very height of society, Lady Dedlock is a master of self-possession and poise....

Richard Carstone

A promising young man, Richard is an orphan who stands to gain a potential fortune in the...

Ada Clare

Ada – Jarndyce's ward, Richard's cousin and eventual wife – is sort of a...

Mr. Tulkinghorn

A prominent and menacing lawyer to the rich and powerful, Tulkinghorn sniffs out Lady Dedlock's...

Inspector Bucket

Inspector Bucket is one of the first ever police detectives. Seriously. He sets the tone for the...

Jo

Oh poor, sad Jo. He can't even afford an "e" at the end of his name. He is so pathetic and...

Sir Leicester Dedlock

A rich and powerful Baronet, Sir Dedlock is at the top of the London social and economic world....

Miss Flite

A half-delusional but very nice old woman who faithfully comes to the Chancery Court every day,...

Mr. George

A retired army trooper, Mr. George runs a shooting gallery and gym, where he trains would-be...

Mr. Guppy

A law clerk at the office of Kenge and Carboy, Guppy is Esther's first suitor. He is also the...

Caddy Jellyby

The put-upon daughter of the crazed philanthropist Mrs. Jellyby, Caddy aspires to a more normal...

Mrs. Jellyby

Mrs. Jellyby is a philanthropist who is so obsessed with setting up settlements in Africa that...

Skimpole

A self-described man-child, Skimpole is a parasitic mooch who lives a life completely free of...

Mr. Smallweed

An angry, paralyzed old man, Smallweed is a money-lender whose only emotion is greed and whose...

Mr. Snagsby

Snagsby assigns the freelance legal copying work Nemo was doing before he died. He's a small,...