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 104
... writes , " Utterly unsung heroism is a contradiction in terms , just as greatness must be named in at least one narrative to be known as such . The favored compromise in realistic fiction is that the protagonist's public fortunes not be ...
... writes , " Utterly unsung heroism is a contradiction in terms , just as greatness must be named in at least one narrative to be known as such . The favored compromise in realistic fiction is that the protagonist's public fortunes not be ...
Page 157
... writes , " the reader is repelled by having his reactions determined for him ; he feels himself , and not the character , to be a puppet manipulated by the author " ( 70 ) . He later qualifies this criticism by saying that the ...
... writes , " the reader is repelled by having his reactions determined for him ; he feels himself , and not the character , to be a puppet manipulated by the author " ( 70 ) . He later qualifies this criticism by saying that the ...
Page 159
... writes , " To a certain extent , I think Silas Marner holds a higher place than any of the author's works . It is more nearly a masterpiece ; it has more that simple , rounded , consummate aspect , that absence of loose ends and gaping ...
... writes , " To a certain extent , I think Silas Marner holds a higher place than any of the author's works . It is more nearly a masterpiece ; it has more that simple , rounded , consummate aspect , that absence of loose ends and gaping ...
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