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by George Eliot, copyright 1871.
I read this novel for a college class. Why else would I have subjected
myself to such a long-winded Victorian piece of literature? My first reading
was
wonderful! Since then, I have seen the 1994 miniseries of this literary masterpiece, and I have become interested in comparing the two.
Firstly, I can see how many scenes had to been eliminated to to satisfy a modern audience, who lack the sophistication to appreciate English literature having no desire to endure a plethora of puzzling dialogue. The modern day audience would rather see kissing than hear the story that led to the kissing. I loved the romance between Will Ladislaw and Dorothea. The chapters which contained these characters were the highlights, and I found myself paying attention to the chapters discussing their forbidden love. For example, in the following passage Dorothea is being painted by a German artist:
"Will was divided between the inclination to fall at the Saint's feet
and kiss her robe, and the temptation to knock Naumann down while he
was adjusting her arm. "
The anger Will feels, when the lonely artist repositions his beloved's arm, is priceless. This is continued in a later chapter when Will's longing for Dorothea becomes all the more plain to the reader:
"Will did not know what to say, since it would not be useful for him to embrace her slippers, and tell her that he would die for her."
George Eliot is a pseudonym for Mary Ann Evans, but since she was a female, she needed to hide her name from a critical public. Female authors were not respected enough to be widely circulated and read. Mary Ann was an extremely bright and motivated female from the very beginning. She disregarded the stereotypes to become a world-renowned writer. Interestingly enough, she dedicated this novel to her husband, George Henry Lewes. Yet, this couple was never married. Lewes was unable to get a divorce from his first wife, so he was Mary Ann's live-in partner. This detail gives the stories about marriage in the book a different light. Sure, the Lydgate marriage is a disaster, and the wife, granted is a manipulating shrew! Yet, at least, they have engineered the sacred bond of marriage. It is interesting to note the differences in marital situations. The Lydgates cannot communicate, and the wife is too selfish. The Casauboons cannot communicate either.
The foil for these unhappy couples is Fred Vincy and Mary Garth. This couple talks together; they laugh together; they share interests with each other; they even laugh at each other. Humor is so important to any healthy relationship, and Mary's wit is evident throughout this engaging novel, especially in the following conversation between Mary and her kind father:
"I wonder if any other girl thinks her father the best man in the world!"
"Nonsense, child; you'll think your husband better."
"Impossible," said Mary, relapsing into her usual tone; "husbands
are an inferior class of men, who require keeping in order."
Fabulous book! Delightful characters, snort-worthy! A gem to be treasured despite its length and wordiness!
©N. Kent Last Updated: February 5, 2008 mail Nicole Kent
