Bleak House · Character

Mrs. Jellyby

A tireless philanthropist for distant Africa whose own children, house, and husband dissolve into squalor beneath her oblivious, ink-stained gaze.

supporting

Also known as Jellyby

First appearance: Telescopic Philanthropy

As a supporting figure in Bleak House, Mrs. Jellyby is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Obsessively devoted to African philanthropy while neglecting her own household and children.

In the storyTelescopic PhilanthropyOpen this moment free

See Mrs. Jellyby in Telescopic Philanthropy Book page

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Introduced as the London hostess where Esther and Ada first lodge, Mrs. Jellyby devotes every waking hour to coffee-berry cultivation on the Niger while her household literally crumbles around her. Her daughter Caddy runs ragged as an unpaid secretary, and Mr. Jellyby is so thoroughly eclipsed that he is described chiefly as her husband. Dickens uses her to skewer charity that loves the far-off and ignores the near, a theme that shadows Esther's own ideas about duty and usefulness.

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The fuller portrait of Mrs. Jellyby sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mrs. Jellyby in Telescopic Philanthropy

Character Web

50 connections

A slice of how Mrs. Jellyby sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Family
Other

Character groups

Chancery and Mystery Core
Philanthropy and Domestic Neglect
Protagonist

+45 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This passage marks the dramatic climax because it depicts Esther’s psychological reversal from illness and los…

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Relationships

Mr. George
social · ambivalent
They are connected through the broader network of characters in the novel, with Mr. How this plays out →
Caddy Jellyby
family · negative
Mr. George
social · ambivalent
They are connected through the broader network of characters in the novel, with Mr. How this plays out →
Caddy Jellyby
family · negative
Mr. George
social · ambivalent
They are connected through the broader network of characters in the novel, with Mr. How this plays out →
Caddy Jellyby
family · negative

Mr. George
They are connected through the broader network of characters in the novel, with Mr. George occasionally interacting with Mrs. Jellyby's philanthropic circles.
Caddy Jellyby
Caddy is Mrs. Jellyby's neglected daughter, forced to manage the household while her mother obsesses over African philanthropy.
Mr. George
They are connected through the broader network of characters in the novel, with Mr. George occasionally interacting with Mrs. Jellyby's philanthropic circles.
Caddy Jellyby
Caddy is Mrs. Jellyby's neglected daughter, forced to manage the household while her mother obsesses over African philanthropy.
Mr. George
They are connected through the broader network of characters in the novel, with Mr. George occasionally interacting with Mrs. Jellyby's philanthropic circles.
Caddy Jellyby
Caddy is Mrs. Jellyby's neglected daughter, forced to manage the household while her mother obsesses over African philanthropy.

Relationship notes

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See Mrs. Jellyby in Telescopic Philanthropy

In the story

Mrs. Jellyby appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Jellyby unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Jellyby in Telescopic Philanthropy