《英国文学》课程PPT教学课件（English Literature）Part VIII 4.George Eliot

1819-1880 novelist ÷one of the leading writers of the Victorian era

❖ 1819-1880 ❖ novelist ❖ one of the leading writers of the Victorian era

Henry James said of Eliot: ÷“She is magnificently ugly.-deliciously hideous.in this vast ugliness resides a most powerful beauty which,in a very few minutes steals forth and charms the mind,so that you end as I ended,in falling in love with her

❖ Henry James said of Eliot： ❖ “She is magnificently ugly-deliciously hideous.in this vast ugliness resides a most powerful beauty which, in a very few minutes steals forth and charms the mind, so that you end as I ended, in falling in love with her

Life Story Born ❖ Mary Anne Evans ❖ 22 November 1819 ❖ South Farm, Arbury, Warwickshire, England

the third child of Robert Evans The young Evans was obviously intelligent She was allowed access to the library of Arbury Hall,which greatly aided her education and breadth of learning

❖ the third child of Robert Evans ❖ The young Evans was obviously intelligent ❖ She was allowed access to the library of Arbury Hall, which greatly aided her education and breadth of learning

Upon her mother's death, she became her father's housekeeper until his death in 1849

❖ Upon her mother’s death, she became her father’s housekeeper until his death in 1849

Her life was severely constrained by convention, duty and religion. At the age of 30,she considered herself a spinster

❖ Her life was severely constrained by convention, duty and religion. ❖ At the age of 30, she considered herself a spinster

When Evans lost her religious faith,her father threatened to throw her out,although that did not happen. Instead,she respectably attended church for years and continued to keep house for him until his death in 1849

❖ When Evans lost her religious faith, her father threatened to throw her out, although that did not happen. ❖ Instead, she respectably attended church for years and continued to keep house for him until his death in 1849

Five days after her father's funeral,she travelled to Switzerland moved to London

❖ Five days after her father's funeral, she travelled to Switzerland ❖ moved to London

began writing Westminster c“8aiot Review Becomes assistant editor in 1851 ntn【t a member of London's literary circle GBad

❖ began writing Westminster Review ❖ Becomes assistant editor in 1851 a member of London’s literary circle