Scenes of Clerical Life (Oxford World's Classics)

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I'm so wrapped up with the Victorians, not least through reading this book, that I wrote a blog about it: This debut novel by George Eliot (Marian Evans) — actually three novellas — was written in 1857, sometimes referred to as the Age of Religious Novels. Anthony Trollope wrote Barchester Towers in the same year. "Janet's Repentance" has unusual themes for a Victorian novel: domestic abuse and a female alcoholic. It is apt to be so in this life, I think. While we are coldly discussing a man’s career, sneering at his mistakes, blaming his rashness, and labeling his opinions--’he is Evangelical and narrow’, or ‘Latitudinarian and Pantheistic’ or ‘Anglican and supercilious’--that man, in his solitude, is perhaps shedding hot tears because his sacrifice is a hard one, because strength and patience are failing him to speak the difficult word, and do the difficult deed. For an early work this story has amazing insight into human nature and behaviour, along with a detailed description of the place and time, and also usage of the language far more extensive than what one is used to during 20th century even before the sms era. George Eliot" (Mary Ann Evans, 1819-1880), painted aged 30 by Alexandre-Louis-François d'Albert-Durade (1804-1886)

The Sad Fortunes of the Rev. Amos Barton’ is the sketch of a commonplace clergyman, the curate of Shepperton, unpopular with his parishioners, who earns their affection by his misfortune—the death from overwork, childbearing, and general wretchedness of his beautiful gentle wife, Milly.Janet’s Repentance” is the final story in George Eliot’s “Scenes of Clerical Life” and it is a powerful exploration of redemption and forgiveness. The story follows the life of Janet Dempster, a woman who has been ostracized by her community due to her alcoholism and scandalous behavior. Despite her past mistakes, Janet is determined to turn her life around and seek forgiveness from those she has wronged. Through her journey, Eliot explores the themes of sin, redemption, and the power of forgiveness. The story is a poignant reminder that no matter how far one has strayed from the path of righteousness, there is always a chance for redemption and forgiveness. The Use of Symbolism in the Novella Overall, ‘Scenes of Clerical Life’ can be seen as a foundational work for George Eliot’s later writing. Its exploration of complex characters and social issues set the stage for the themes and ideas that would come to define her literary career. The Cultural and Historical Significance of ‘Scenes of Clerical Life’ First editions, complete as issued. A handsomely bound library set comprising all of Eliot's novels, two short stories, one poetry collection, one volume of her posthumously collected essays, and the three-volume biography by her husband J. W. Cross. One of the major novelists of the 19th century and a leading practitioner of fictional realism, George Eliot (1819-1880) was "the most extensively anthologized novelist among her contemporaries. Her writing evinces a strong belief in progress, which for her meant the gradual improvement of the world through difficult, often imperceptible human effort, sometimes characterised as meliorism. Her biographer Kathryn Hughes calls her the 'last Victorian' because she thought it possible to face the crises of her time without 'shattering in shards'" (Orlando). From 1868 through 1879, bookbinder Samuel Tout (1841-1902) operated in Nassau Street in Soho, London. He then worked in a bindery in Whitechapel with William Coward, continuing on his own after 1880. Tout was also a member of the early staff of Karslake's Hampstead Bindery, which opened in Charing Cross in 1898. Baker & Ross A3.2, A4.1; A5.1.a1, A6.1.a, A7.2, A8.1, A10.1.a, A11.1.a, A12.1.a, E1.1.a, E3.1.a, E11.1. Orlando: Women's Writing in the British Isles from the Beginnings to the Present, Cambridge University Press, online database. 12 works in 29 volumes, octavo (192 x 129 mm). Late 19th-century dark brown half morocco by Tout, spines with raised bands, gilt lettering and decoration in compartments, double gilt rules to boards, marbled sides and endpapers, top edges gilt, red silk book markers. Mill on the Floss bound without half-titles, vol. IV of Middlemarch bound without fly-title, vol. III of Daniel Deronda bound without errata and vol. IV without advertisement leaf. Occasional light rubbing to extremities, a few corners gently bumped, a little loss of leather to headcaps of four vols., contents mildly toned, internally clean. A very good set indeed, well-margined and bright. I received this from Blog A Penguin in return for which we had to post a review on the Penguin blog (which is now defunct, I think). It was easy because I loved this book and it made me wonder why I waste my time reading some contemporary stuff - most of which never warrants re-reading like the classics do. The characters in George Eliot’s ‘Scenes of Clerical Life’ are complex and multi-dimensional, each with their own unique personalities and relationships. The protagonist, Mr. Gilfil, is a kind and compassionate clergyman who is beloved by his parishioners. He is deeply devoted to his friend and former love interest, Caterina Sarti, who is now married to another man. Their relationship is complicated and fraught with tension, as Mr. Gilfil struggles to reconcile his feelings for Caterina with his duty as a clergyman.

The culmination is reached in “Janet’s Repentance.” By this time your heart has been pummeled by the first two “scenes,” and you are ready for a happy ending. But Eliot, true to form, has created a real life heroine and hero. They struggle with their own “sins” and their purgatory is harrowing, but this final installment ends with a beautiful triumph of the soul. Gray, Donald. 'George Eliot and her publishers' in ed. Levine, George. The Cambridge Companion to George Eliot. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. pp. 186–187. [2] Local lawyer Robert Dempster opposes Tryan and his kind of religion. Dempster hatches an anti-Tryan plan at the Red Lion pub, where he drinks steadily and heavily every night. Janet Dempster, Robert’s wife, supports her husband in his crusade until she meets Tryan one day. When they exchange glances, Janet recognizes the soul of a fellow sufferer. His wife wanted to discuss caste system of India, and was nonplussed when pointed out that her not requiring her sons or husband to help her in the kitchen but requiring or expecting any woman around irrespective of age, including any casual visitor or invited guests or new acquaintances, was caste system.In this book, the letters written by Lady Hester Margaretta Mundy Newdigate to her husband Sir Roger Newdigate are compiled and commented that had inspired Eliot's Scenes of Clerical Life. Mr. Gilfil’s Love Story” is a poignant tale of unrequited love and sacrifice. The story follows the life of Mr. Gilfil, a kind and gentle clergyman who falls in love with a young woman named Tina. However, Tina is already engaged to Captain Wybrow, a selfish and cruel man who mistreats her. Despite his love for Tina, Mr. Gilfil puts her happiness above his own and helps her to marry Captain Wybrow. Another important theme is the role of women in the Church. Eliot portrays the female characters in the story as strong and capable, but also limited by the patriarchal society in which they live. Mrs. Barton, in particular, is a complex character who struggles to support her husband while also asserting her own independence. In short, Eliot attempts to excise the modern sensibilities and assumptions of her audience – its sophisticated cynicisms and narrow interests she seems to assume – to embrace a narrative about an England now bygone or going: