“He was but three-and-twenty, and had only just learned what it is to love—to love with that adoration which a young man gives to a woman whom he feels to be greater and better than himself. Love of this sort is hardly distinguishable from religious feeling” (Chpt. 3, p. 39) Seth Bede has fallen in …
1. How can Eliot be considered a writer of realism? Chapter 17 of Adam Bede contains Eliot’s artistic manifesto. She claims her purpose is not to depict ideal characters but “the real breathing men and women” (Chpt. 17, p. 178) who are not always beautiful or virtuous. She compares her realism to Dutch paintings that …
George Eliot was born Mary Ann Evans on November 22, 1819, in Warwickshire, near Nuneaton, England, at South Farm, on the Newdigate estate, the third child of Robert and Christiana Evans. Her father was the manager of Arbury Hall on the estate. She was allowed access to the library there and was greatly influenced by …
Appearance vs. Reality Eliot uses the omniscient narrator against which to contrast the limitations of the individual point of view. The omniscient narrator, knowing everything about the characters, can expose their innermost thoughts to the reader. The characters, however, do not have this advantage. They deal with their preconceptions of each other and with their …
Animals and Angels Hetty Sorrel is described with natural metaphors, sometimes flower imagery, but most often animal imagery. For instance, she has a “beauty like that of kittens” (Chpt. 7, p. 84); she is a “kitten-like maiden” (Chpt. 7, p. 85); “a star-browed calf” (Chpt. 7, p. 85); she is compared to a “tempting dog” …
Alick Alick is the shepherd and head man at the Hall Farm. He has a ruddy face and broad shoulders and does not get along with Kester Bale. He has a rough, rude manner. Kester Bale Kester Bale is a handyman at the Hall Farm, proud of his work; for instance, thatching the ricks. He …
Summary of Chapter 55: Marriage BellsOne month later, Adam and Dinah are married. Mr. Burge’s workers are given a holiday; Mrs. Irwine and her daughters are in a carriage to shake hands with bride and groom after Mr. Irwine marries them. From the Donnithorne household come Mrs. Best, Mr. Mills, and Mr. Craig. The Poysers …
Summary of Chapter 54: The Meeting on the Hill Adam is patient with Dinah’s absence and silence for six weeks; after that, he feels he must go to Snowfield to get her answer. He borrows Jonathan Burge’s horse so he can get there faster. As he travels there, he remembers the sad journey in search …
Summary of Chapter 53: The Harvest Supper It is the time of country harvest, with the barley rolling by on the loaded wagons. The beauty of the country strikes Adam “like a funeral-bell” for “there’s a parting at the root of all our joys” (p. 315). It is the time of thanksgiving, though, and he …
Summary of Chapter 52: Adam and DinahAdam walks to Hall Farm while the family is at church. He does not go to church so he can speak to Dinah alone. Dinah blushes as usual when Adam enters. They are both awkward with each other, but finally Adam blurts out that he loves her. She trembles …
