Bleak House Analytical Essay

In her article “Bleak House as an Allegory of a Middle-Class Nation”, Stuchebrukhov argues the allegorical nature of characters in Dickens’ Bleak House as a means of dichotomizing outdated aristocratic Britain and Industrialism. She argues that Dickens’ idealism toward perfect equity does not undermine the novel as unrealistic but rather further establishes it as an allegory. Stuchebrukhov analyzes several notable characters, placing each in their respective category – aristocracy or lower class – as a means of showing how Esther acts as an intermediary character. Since Esther embodies Dickensian middle class values, she is able to attain a sort of legitimacy in becoming Mistress of Bleak House. Thus, Stuchebrukhov argues Dickens’ is highlighting the incongruity between aristocratic and middle class views of legitimacy, undermining the …show more content…
This definition is not her own but from Michael Hollington a scholar interpreting Dickens’ “Adorno and The Old Curiosity Shop” as an allegory. Therefore, not only does she provide her definition of an allegory but informs the reader that the concept of allegory in Dickens’ works is a familiar one. She adheres to this definition throughout her article, particularly through a close reading of parallel characters. Through her discussion of Chancery, characters of high status, and persisting iniquity, Stuchebrukhov succeeds in proving allegory is not about what is present, but what is absent. She adheres to this definition throughout her close reading for the text and only diverts from it in order to discuss Bleak House’s similarity to other famous allegories, as the former requires Dickens’ definition and the latter requires a comparative