George Eliot's Early Novels: The Limits of Realism

George Eliot's early novels struggled with the esthetic challenge of reconciling her art and philosophy. U. C. Knoepflmacher examines her development of increasingly sophisticated forms of fiction to reconcile these conflicting orientations, revealing her literary antecedents and surrounding. He discusses each work in her first stage, bringing new attention to minor works and fresh insights to well-known works. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, commemorating its mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 284 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

This study delves into the intricate and profound journey of George Eliot, a prominent figure in the intellectual landscape of the nineteenth century, as she grappled with the esthetic challenges of harmonizing her art and philosophy. In her early novels, Eliot sought to recreate the tangible, temporal world she inhabited, while simultaneously seeking solace and reassurance for herself and her readers in the face of a godless modern world. U. C. Knoepflmacher, in this groundbreaking examination, explores Eliot's evolution as a fiction writer, tracing her artistic development from the flawed Amos Barton in 1857 to the harmonious balance achieved in Silas Marner in 1861. Through a comprehensive analysis of each work within Eliot's first stage, Knoepflmacher sheds new light on lesser-known pieces such as The Lifted Veil and Scenes of Clerical Life, while offering fresh perspectives on renowned masterpieces like Adam Bede, The Mill on the Floss, and Silas Marner. This title is proudly part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, a testament to the press's commitment to unearthing and elevating the brightest minds, ensuring their voices are heard, reaching wider audiences, and making a lasting impact. Drawing from a rich backlist dating back to 1893, Voices Revived employs print-on-demand technology to make high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again, reviving the legacy of intellectual excellence that has defined UC Press throughout its history. Originally published in 1968, this title continues to resonate with readers and scholars alike, contributing to the ongoing dialogue between art and philosophy in the nineteenth century.

Weight: 363g
Dimension: 216 x 140 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520306301