Bleak House - The Story of Mr. Bucket

A detailed Summary of Bleak House - The Story of Mr. Bucket

Bleak House - The Characterization of Mr. Bucket

The characterization of Mr. Bucket is developed throughout the novel Bleak House, beginning with his introduction in chapter XXII. Within Bleak House, Dickens introduced the first detective in English Literature: Inspector Bucket. Hired by lawyer Tulkinghorn to inquire into Lady Dedlock's secret past and later to investigate Tulkinghorn's own murder he appears quite frequently towards the last half of the novel. There is speculation that Dickens based Mr. Bucket on real life detective Charles F. Field, a member of London's new police force, who was described to have an interposing forefinger to add emphasis to his conversation (much like that of Mr. Bucket). Later, Dickens wrote a letter to the newspaper denying that Mr. Bucket was anything more than a fictional character. After Lady Dedlock's disappearance, Sir Leicester hires Mr. Bucket to find her. Mr. Bucket later uncovers the will that is instrumental in clearing up the Jarndyce and Jarndyce chancery case.

While Mr. Bucket is introduced well into the core of the novel, one may assume (at the time), that he is simply another character that Dickens has chosen to present to us with no explanation as to why. In fact, you wi

ll notice that Mr. Bucket is introduced during an inquisition involving Mr. Snagsby at Mr. Tulkinghorns chambers, and soon forgotten, until Jo is discovered lying on his death bed and it is discovered that Mr. Bucket is the one to have taken him from the loft on that late night. It is at this point, that

we begin to discover the true rationale and importance behind this great character. There is a lot of mystery and intrigue to be found in Mr.Buckets role in Bleak House. According to little Jo, "He is in all manner of places, all at wunst." Mr. Bucket seems to appear in the strangest of times and circumstances. For example when he appears at the house of the Bagnets "unannounced and unexpected", on the day of Mrs. Bagnets birthday, to "celebrate", and then after leaving, to arrest Mr. George for a murder that he did not commit.

Overall, Mr. Bucket makes the novel Bleak House complete by portraying the classic detective in a story of mystery, intrigue, murder and romance. He brings together the mystery of an illegitimate child with the death of her great mother, the murder of an infamous lawyer, and tries to save a little boy's life, all while collecting the clues and information to lead to the arrest of the true murderess. Mr. Bucket is a very vivid character that makes and completes this great novel.

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Approximate Word count = 939
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English