Who Esther Summerson is
Esther Summerson grows up believing that her existence is a cause of shame.
She tells her own story, giving a personal view of life at Bleak House. Her account sits alongside a wider view of London, the courts, fashionable society, and poverty.
How Esther Summerson changes
John Jarndyce offers Esther a new life when he brings her into his generous household. There she becomes the companion of Ada Clare, a young ward of the court.
Esther finds purpose in caring for others, and her friendships take her beyond the comfort of the house. She enters homes where poverty, neglect, and sickness leave people with little protection.
Esther Summerson and the others in the story
Esther shares John Jarndyce's household with Ada and Ada's cousin, Richard Carstone. Their guardian urges all three not to place their hopes in the inheritance lawsuit.
As Esther's story develops, her uncertain family history becomes increasingly connected with Lady Dedlock's guarded life. This connection draws her personal account into the novel's wider family mystery.
Questions
Who is Esther Summerson?
Esther Summerson is a young woman who narrates her experiences in Bleak House and cares for those around her.
How does Esther know Ada Clare?
Esther becomes Ada's companion after John Jarndyce brings her to Bleak House.
How is Esther connected to Lady Dedlock?
Esther's uncertain family history links her story with Lady Dedlock's private past. The nature of that connection forms part of the novel's mystery.