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Bleak House · Character

Old Mr. Turveydrop

A vain, idle man who lives off his son's labor, a model of 'deportment'.

minor

Also known as old Mr. Turveydrop, the elder Mr. Turveydrop

First appearance: xiii esther s narrative

Old Mr. Turveydrop shows up with force in Deportment. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Obsessed with 'deportment'; lives off his son's labor and believes himself a gentleman.
In the storyDeportmentOpen this moment free

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In Deportment: Obsessed with 'deportment'; lives off his son's labor and believes himself a gentleman. Later, in Esther's Narrative: The model of deportment; initially dramatic about the engagement but eventually gives…

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See Old Mr. Turveydrop in xiii esther s narrative

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Old Mr. Turveydrop sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

MGMr. GeorgeESEsther SummersonSLSir Leicester …PTPrince Turveyd…MGMr. GuppyOMOld Mr. Turveydrop

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Minor Figures and Background Characters
  • Chancery and Mystery Core
  • Protagonist
  • Philanthropy and Domestic Neglect

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

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

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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In the story

Old Mr. Turveydrop appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Old Mr. Turveydrop unlock in the free preview.

See Old Mr. Turveydrop in xiii esther s narrative
Who is Old Mr. Turveydrop in Bleak House?