In chapter six Ester criticizes Mrs. Jellyby's priorities.  Ester suggest that although Mrs. Jellyby's Africa project is noble, she should focus on her home before devoting herself to things outside the home. She says on page 113, "... it is right to begin with the obligations of home, sir; and that, perhaps while those are overlooked and neglected, no other duties can possibly be substituted for them?" Ester falls in line with the Victorian Idea that a woman's place is in the home and that should be her first and most important priority. I'm wondering if Dickens is suggesting there is a loss of this as there is more than one example of a woman who's family seems out of sorts because of her devotion to another cause. A good example is Mrs. Pardiggle, her boy's as Ester says were, "...such dissatisfied children"(Dickens, 143). Dickens suggest with these two characters that women should not be focused on things outside the home or their home and children will suffer. What does everyone else think of this idea. Do you think Dickens wanted women to stay home.