Cambridge Companion to George Eliot

The Cambridge Companion to George Eliot is a comprehensive guide to Eliot's life and writing, featuring new chapters by distinguished scholars and accessible essays on her novels. It explores themes of money, philosophy, religion, politics, gender, and science, providing valuable insights for scholars and students.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This second edition of The Cambridge Companion to George Eliot includes several new chapters, providing an essential introduction to all aspects of Eliot's life and writing. Accessible essays by some of the most distinguished scholars of Victorian literature provide lucid and original insights into the work of one of the most important writers of the nineteenth century, author most famously of Middlemarch, Adam Bede, The Mill on the Floss, and Daniel Deronda. From an introduction that traces her originality as a realist novelist, the book moves on to extensive considerations of each of Eliot's novels, her life, and her publishing history. Chapters address the problems of money, philosophy, religion, politics, gender, and science, as they are developed in her novels. With its supplementary materials, including a chronology and an extensive section of suggested readings, this Companion is an invaluable tool for scholars and students alike.

George Eliot ({PHONE}) was an English novelist and poet who is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the Victorian era. Her works, such as Middlemarch, Adam Bede, The Mill on the Floss, and Daniel Deronda, are known for their complex characters, intricate plotlines, and exploration of social and cultural issues.

The Cambridge Companion to George Eliot is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to Eliot's life and work. It includes essays by leading scholars in the field, providing insights into her literary influences, writing process, and the social and historical context in which she lived. The book also includes a chronology of Eliot's life, a bibliography of her works, and an extensive section of suggested readings for further study.

One of the key themes in Eliot's writing is the exploration of gender roles and social hierarchies. Her novels often feature strong female characters who challenge traditional gender norms and seek to assert their independence and autonomy. For example, in Middlemarch, the character of Dorothea Brooke is a young woman who becomes a successful businesswoman and political activist, while in Adam Bede, the character of Elizabeth Bede is a strong-willed woman who defies the expectations of her society and pursues her own dreams.

Eliot's writing is also deeply influenced by her religious beliefs and her understanding of the human condition. She was a member of the Anglican Church, and her religious beliefs are often reflected in her works. For example, in Daniel Deronda, the character of Gwendolen Harleth is a young woman who struggles with her faith and her desire for social and political change.

Another important aspect of Eliot's writing is her use of realism and naturalism. She was a pioneer in the use of these literary styles, and her works are known for their detailed portrayal of the social and cultural life of the Victorian era. For example, in Middlemarch, Eliot provides a vivid and detailed portrait of the town of Middlemarch and its inhabitants, including their relationships, marriages, and social interactions.

In conclusion, The Cambridge Companion to George Eliot is an essential resource for scholars and students of Victorian literature and culture. It provides a comprehensive and authoritative introduction to Eliot's life and work, and includes essays by leading scholars that provide insights into her literary influences, writing process, and the social and historical context in which she lived. The book is also filled with supplementary materials that will be valuable to scholars and students alike.

Weight: 518g
Dimension: 230 x 161 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316644157
Edition number: 2 Revised edition