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The Death of Birds and Justice


Type: Gallery Image | Not Vetted



Miss Flite, within Bleak House, can be blantantly described as the "bird lady" in the novel, she is the collector of birds as they pertain to the lengthy and prolonged Jarndyce and Jaryndyce lawsuit. These birds act as symbol of those who have been intertwined within this case for as long as it has been enduring. Due to, of course, the mortal nature of these birds, death does come upon them, as do the individuals involved in the case, but it appears that the case itself is immortal. Release of these birds will only come when the lawsuit reaches its summation; however, the summation of this case came about through dismassal when Richard dies. The freedom of these birds, in ironic terms, was through the death of many. Within the days of Victorian London, a rare sight was the witnessing or discovery of a raven. Which has been presented with intrigue, as medival London housed a substantial population of ravens,in which held much superstition of death duirng those times. This reduced population within Victorian London offers some connection to that of Miss Flite's collection of birds, as the ravens upon the streets of London lessened, such could represent good fortunune to that of superstitious eyes. To those involved with the Jarndyce case, the reign of longevity and death remained stagnant with the presense of these birds. The release of the birds were of the cost of death, so is may no longer preside over them, as it was for the Londoners of the Victorian era.

For Image: Gosse, Philip Henry. The Raven. 1849, The Natural History of Birds, https://www.mimimatthews.com/2015/10/29/the-last-ravens-in-19th-century…

For Information: Matthews, Mimi. “The Last Ravens in 19th Century London.” Mimi Matthews, 29 Oct. 2015, www.mimimatthews.com/2015/10/29/the-last-ravens-in-19th-century-london.

Featured in Exhibit


Bleak House: Professions, Places, and Problems in London

Date


19th century

Artist


Philip Henry Gosse


Copyright
©public domain

Vetted?
No
Submitted by Josie Trombley on Sat, 10/03/2020 - 13:15

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