How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I think it came on "for further directions"--about some bill of costs, to the best of my understanding, which was confused enough. But I counted twenty-three gentlemen in wigs who said they were "in it," and none of them appeared to understand it much better than I. They chatted about it with the Lord Chancellor, and contradicted and explained among themselves, and some of them said it was this way, and some of them said it was that way, and some of them jocosely proposed to read huge volumes of affidavits, and there was more buzzing and laughing, and everybody concerned was in a state of idle entertainment, and nothing could be made of it by anybody. After an hour or so of this, and a good many speeches being begun and cut short, it was "referred back for the present," as Mr. Kenge said, and the papers were bundled up again before the clerks had finished bringing them in. (24.87-88)
Look at the way Esther struggles to figure out what's going on in the Court. She tries to be as specific as possible: there is the official, technical language that she is trying to use in context and also define ("for further directions," "in it," "referred back for the present"); and she has counted the number of solicitors ("twenty-three") and timed the proceedings ("an hour or so"). She gives up on describing the actual content of the speeches: all we see is the confusion of some people arguing this way and some "that way." Then she changes tactics and works on the emotional description: check out her shock at the way the lawyers are laughing at something that so tragically affects the lives of people she knows.
Quote #8
"My dear," said she as she carefully folded up her scarf and gloves, "my brave physician ought to have a title bestowed upon him. And no doubt he will. You are of that opinion?"
That he well deserved one, yes. That he would ever have one, no.
"Why not, Fitz Jarndyce?" she asked rather sharply.
I said it was not the custom in England to confer titles on men distinguished by peaceful services, however good and great, unless occasionally when they consisted of the accumulation of some very large amount of money.
"Why, good gracious," said Miss Flite, "how can you say that? Surely you know, my dear, that all the greatest ornaments of England in knowledge, imagination, active humanity, and improvement of every sort are added to its nobility! Look round you, my dear, and consider. YOU must be rambling a little now, I think, if you don't know that this is the great reason why titles will always last in the land!"
I am afraid she believed what she said, for there were moments when she was very mad indeed. (35.112-117)
Sometimes the novel goes into full-on mockery mode. This passage is meant to be read tongue-in-cheek, because back then England really didn't regularly give titles for non-military achievements – something Dickens clearly thinks is "very mad indeed." Why? Well let's see, who would stand to get such a title for excellence and general awesomeness if they were given out to people for "imagination" and "active humanity"?
Quote #9
"Miss Summerson," stammered Mr. Guppy, "I--I--beg your pardon, but in our profession--we--we--find it necessary to be explicit. You have referred to an occasion, miss, when I--when I did myself the honour of making a declaration which-- [...] My intention was to remark, miss," said Mr. Guppy, "dear me-- something bronchial, I think--hem!--to remark that you was so good on that occasion as to repel and repudiate that declaration. You-- you wouldn't perhaps object to admit that? Though no witnesses are present, it might be a satisfaction to--to your mind--if you was to put in that admission."
"There can be no doubt," said I, "that I declined your proposal without any reservation or qualification whatever, Mr. Guppy."
"Thank you, miss," he returned, measuring the table with his troubled hands. "So far that's satisfactory, and it does you credit. Er--this is certainly bronchial!--must be in the tubes-- er--you wouldn't perhaps be offended if I was to mention--not that it's necessary, for your own good sense or any person's sense must show 'em that--if I was to mention that such declaration on my part was final, and there terminated?
"I quite understand that," said I.
"Perhaps--er--it may not be worth the form, but it might be a satisfaction to your mind--perhaps you wouldn't object to admit that, miss?" said Mr. Guppy.
"I admit it most fully and freely," said I.
"Thank you," returned Mr. Guppy. "Very honourable, I am sure. I regret that my arrangements in life, combined with circumstances over which I have no control, will put it out of my power ever to fall back upon that offer or to renew it in any shape or form whatever, but it will ever be a retrospect entwined--er--with friendship's bowers." Mr. Guppy's bronchitis came to his relief and stopped his measurement of the table. (38.51-61)
This is the scene where Guppy wants to make sure the disfigured Esther is not going to hold him to his offer to marry her. Shmoop is loving that he needs her to rephrase everything she says in more legal terms. "I understand" isn't good enough, so she has to rephrase it to the more formal "I admit." It's always funny to see Guppy speak as though examining a witness, and this conversation takes this to a hilarious new extreme.