Bleak House · Chapter
More Old Soldiers Than One explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. George visits the Bagnet family, reflecting on his solitary life. He later goes to Mr. Tulkinghorn's chambers, where he is dismissed after being associated with Gridley. Tulkinghorn and Smallweed then question George about Captain Hawdon's handwriting, but George refuses to cooperate, feeling overwhelmed. He returns to the Bagnets for advice, where Mrs. Bagnet is praised for her practical wisdom.
Themes in this chapter
Secrets and Identity
The search for Captain Hawdon's handwriting underscores hidden pasts and the power of documents to reveal secrets.
Family and Loyalty
The Bagnet family's close-knit support contrasts with George's solitary life, emphasizing loyalty and domestic bonds.
Bureaucracy and Dehumanization
Tulkinghorn's cold, methodical questioning and George's feeling of being 'smothered' reflect the dehumanizing nature of legal and bureaucratic processes.
Characters to notice
- Mr. George
Visits the Bagnet family, reflects on his loneliness, and later confronts Mr. Tulkinghorn about Captain Hawdon's writing, refusing to comply.
- Mr. Tulkinghorn
Angrily dismisses George for his association with Gridley and later questions him about Captain Hawdon's handwriting.
- Mr. Smallweed
Accompanies Tulkinghorn in pressing George for Captain Hawdon's writing, offering money.
- Matthew Bagnet
Hosts George for dinner, praises his wife's judgment, and advises George to follow her counsel.
- Mrs. Bagnet
Cooks dinner, receives a compliment from George, and is recognized as the family's practical advisor.
- Captain Hawdon
Mentioned as the former officer under whom George served; his handwriting is sought by Tulkinghorn.
Key passages
“A family home, however small it is, makes a man like me look lonely. But it's well I never made that evolution of matrimony.”
Seeing the Bagnets' family life makes George feel his own solitude, but he is glad he never married.
George reflects on his bachelorhood and loneliness after visiting the Bagnets.
“I am not a match for you gentlemen. Will you allow me to ask why you want to see the captain's hand, in the case that I could find any specimen of it?”
George feels outmatched by Tulkinghorn and Smallweed and asks why they want Captain Hawdon's handwriting.
George expresses his discomfort and curiosity about the request for Hawdon's writing.
“It was the old girl that brought out my musical abilities. I should have”
Mr. Bagnet credits his wife for developing his musical talents.
Bagnet acknowledges his wife's role in his musical career, though he maintains discipline by not admitting it to her face.