The Quest for Anonymity: The Novels of George EliotIn a new treatment of Eliot's booklength fiction, Alley argues that from the very moment she adopted a male pseudonym through to the major epic and tragic novels of her later life, the transcendence of fame was her major consideration. Focusing on one novel in each chapter, the study shows how the plights of Eliot's heroines and heroes do not end in frustration but in an affirmation of anonymous achievement, "the growing good of the world." For Eliot, heroism emerges through disclosure, rather than grandly executed action, and since the revelation requires discerning effort on the part of those watching, both observer and observed are celebrated. |
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Page 39
... important moments , but the stress is placed not so much on what they do as on their faith in the unseen honor that imbues both their thoughts and actions . This is the heroism of anonymity . It is for this reason that it is not ...
... important moments , but the stress is placed not so much on what they do as on their faith in the unseen honor that imbues both their thoughts and actions . This is the heroism of anonymity . It is for this reason that it is not ...
Page 59
... important paradox Eliot develops throughout the novel , the continuity and discontinuity between past and present . For exam- ple , Eliot's early analysis ( book 1 , 12 ) of St. Ogg's insists that “ the giant forces that used to shake ...
... important paradox Eliot develops throughout the novel , the continuity and discontinuity between past and present . For exam- ple , Eliot's early analysis ( book 1 , 12 ) of St. Ogg's insists that “ the giant forces that used to shake ...
Page 91
... important suggestion is that Ro- mola's perception is now approaching Piero's ; she sees into people , into their strengths and faults , and forms , in her mind , a balanced and universal image . Alive , Bardo was only to serve as a ...
... important suggestion is that Ro- mola's perception is now approaching Piero's ; she sees into people , into their strengths and faults , and forms , in her mind , a balanced and universal image . Alive , Bardo was only to serve as a ...
Contents
Acknowledgments | 9 |
Scenes of Clerical Life and the Art of Indirect | 27 |
Heroic Perception in Adam Bede | 40 |
Copyright | |
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achieve acknowledge action Adam Adam Bede Aeschylus allusion anonymous heroism apparent artist balance becomes begins better called Casaubon chapter character clear close comes complete context continuity create critics Daniel Deronda death develop Dorothea earlier early effect Esther example experience fact father feeling Felix female fiction final Floss frequently George Eliot given gives Greek tragedy growing Gwendolen hand hero heroic human ideal imagination important Irwine later learned light living look Lydgate Maggie male means memory Middlemarch Mill mind moral narrative narrator nature never novel offers once past perceive perhaps present Press reader reading represents role Romola scene seems seen sense serves shows Silas Silas Marner soul speaks spirit story suffering suggest sympathy things thought tion tragedy true turn University vision voice whole woman writes