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 13
... true Comforter that leads into truth " ( Letters 2 : 228 ) . For Eliot , in the eight books of fiction that were to ... true commitment , whether to themselves or to others , is continually being tested by the absence of external ...
... true Comforter that leads into truth " ( Letters 2 : 228 ) . For Eliot , in the eight books of fiction that were to ... true commitment , whether to themselves or to others , is continually being tested by the absence of external ...
Page 56
... true enlightenment quite early in life . As is true in Adam Bede , the blame is everywhere and nowhere . Along each step of the way , the narrator has been careful to offer a defense of each man , entreating the reader not to be too ...
... true enlightenment quite early in life . As is true in Adam Bede , the blame is everywhere and nowhere . Along each step of the way , the narrator has been careful to offer a defense of each man , entreating the reader not to be too ...
Page 85
... true of Esther . This act of defiance , as well as tender recollection , constitutes Romola's first step into the world of activity , to apply , enrich , and also defy the circumscribed life of stoical scholarship . Savonarola , when he ...
... true of Esther . This act of defiance , as well as tender recollection , constitutes Romola's first step into the world of activity , to apply , enrich , and also defy the circumscribed life of stoical scholarship . Savonarola , when he ...
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