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 14
... living memorial " to Mr. Tryan , embodies this moment most clearly . When she overhears the minister praying with Sally , the narrator observes , " the most brilliant deed of virtue could not have inclined Janet's good - will towards Mr ...
... living memorial " to Mr. Tryan , embodies this moment most clearly . When she overhears the minister praying with Sally , the narrator observes , " the most brilliant deed of virtue could not have inclined Janet's good - will towards Mr ...
Page 118
... living memorial , just as Janet Dempster becomes Mr. Tryan's . To under- score the self - created irony of Casaubon's life , the narrator de- scribes his work both as " shattered mummies " ( ch . 48 , 519 ) and " withered in the birth ...
... living memorial , just as Janet Dempster becomes Mr. Tryan's . To under- score the self - created irony of Casaubon's life , the narrator de- scribes his work both as " shattered mummies " ( ch . 48 , 519 ) and " withered in the birth ...
Page 165
... living , quivering ball , with no definite limits . Its whole surface consisted of drops , closely cohering together . And those drops were all in motion , and changing , several passing into one , and then one splitting up again into ...
... living , quivering ball , with no definite limits . Its whole surface consisted of drops , closely cohering together . And those drops were all in motion , and changing , several passing into one , and then one splitting up again into ...
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