# More Old Soldiers Than One explained — Bleak House

> Chapter companion for Bleak House by Charles Dickens.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bleak_house_se/chapters/xxvii-more-old-soldiers-than-one
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bleak_house_se
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