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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Mrs. Jellyby's favorite cause is ___________.

2. What is Mr. Turveydrop's response to his son's impending wedding ___________.

3. What is the only thing the Jarndyce suit hasn't ruined, according to Gridley?

4. Although Mr. George has a sample of handwriting sought by Smallweed, ___________.

5. Tulkinghorn informs Lady Dedlock that ___________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Mr. Guppy so easily agree that his marriage proposal to Esther is now moot?

2. How could Esther feel responsible for Mr. Boythorn's sadness? In addition, what does this imply about Esther?

3. What is Mrs. Snagsby's problem? What is comical about her behavior at the "improvement" of Jo?

4. How did Gerge get so embroiled in the plot of this story? What is his role?

5. What is Mr. Guppy's interest in revealing the connection between Esther and Lady Dedlock? Why does he persist in getting involved?

6. How likely is it that Mr. Jarndyce would simply bow out and suggest Esther marry Woodcourt? Is this just common courtesy or this time in England?

7. What makes Lady Dedlock's past such a dreaded secret? Why do they go to such lengths to hide it and why is it threatening to have it revealed by Tulkinghorn?

8. The story has turned into a whodunit. Why is lady Dedlock suspected of murdering Mr. Tulkinghorn?

9. What foreshadows a relationship between Woodcourt and Esther in this chapter?

10. Describe Mrs. Jellyby's compassion for humanity. Is she a rational person?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 48 of Bleak House, Dickens refers to "upstart gas" that has begun to light the streets of London. Research the use of gas for public lighting and the replacement of whale oil. When did the change take place, and why? How did the two qualities of lighting compare. Was it truly a progressive change?

Essay Topic 2

The gap between the rich and poor seems extremely wide in Bleak House. Write an essay, using the story and its characters, that compares and contrasts the poorest with the wealthiest. Also, try to determine where Dickens' sympathy lay when he wrote Bleak House.

Essay Topic 3

Find two pieces of literary criticism on Bleak House that do not agree with one another. Write an essay that provides your own opinion of the criticisms, whether you agree or disagree with them, and why.

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