Ethical Criticism of George Eliot's Novels

Author: Du Jun / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features: In 1843, through Mary Ann Evans (later known as George Eliot), she met the 62-year-old Dr. Robert Browning. After Dr. Browning's daughter, Ruska, married Charles Heneage, Dr. Browning invited Eliot to become a lodger in his household. At the time, Ruska was attempting to translate David Friedrich Strauss's The Life of Jesus into English, but the work remained unfinished. In 1844, Eliot took up the task and completed the translation over two years, which was published by the bookseller John Chapman in 1846. The Life of Jesus was one of the most influential religious works among British readers at the time, though Eliot did not publish her real name as the translator. Later, when people learned of her true identity as the translator, Eliot began to gain a small reputation in London. Soon after, she started writing articles for Browning's The Coventry Chronicle.
Dr. Robert's health had always been poor, and Eliot became his family nurse. Over the following years, Dr. Robert grew gentler toward Eliot, but in his will, he left her very little inheritance. On Wednesday, March 30, 1849, Dr. Robert passed away. Eliot was deeply grieved and lonely. She wrote in her diary, "What am I to do without my father? It seems as if my moral nature has left me. Last night I had a terrible hallucination that the world's conventions were trying to control me." Caring for her ailing father in his later years and grieving after his death left Eliot physically and emotionally exhausted. Shortly after the funeral, persuaded by the Brawns, she accompanied them on a trip to France and Switzerland. After the Brawns returned home, Eliot stayed alone in Geneva until early 1850. Upon returning to England, she lived with her brother and sister for a while before joining the Brawns for seven months. At a party, she met John Chapman, a publisher and bookseller in London, who had also published The Life of Jesus. Having read Eliot's translation, Chapman admired her work and asked her to write an article for The Westminster Review. Eliot completed the article in November and personally delivered it to Chapman in London. At Chapman's invitation, she became a lodger in his household.
Chapman's household included his wife, Susanna, their children, and a family tutor, Elizabeth Taylor, who had a close relationship with Chapman. At the age of 29, Eliot, with her unmarried status and the meager inheritance left by her father, found herself in a difficult position. In Victorian England, women had no social standing, especially educated women with little wealth, whose talents had no opportunity to be recognized. They could only express themselves anonymously or under male pseudonyms. However, the determined Eliot had already decided on her future path: she would stay in London, support herself, and change her name to Marian Evans. Chapman was tall, handsome, and charming. After Eliot moved in, he often sought her advice on matters. As their time spent alone together grew, so did suspicions and gossip, particularly from Chapman's wife and mistress, who were jealous of their closeness. One day, Susanna happened to see her husband holding Eliot's hand, and the conflict escalated. Susanna and Elizabeth Chapman protested, forcing him to ask Eliot to leave his home.
Eliot suffered her first emotional setback and left Chapman's household, returning to Coventry. In 1851, Chapman acquired ownership of The Westminster Review, and he urgently needed an editor—one he could trust and who was willing to conceal their identity. Eliot became his choice, and he persuaded her to return to London. Though he knew it would be difficult to convince Susanna and Elizabeth to let Eliot stay, he eventually gained their agreement. Eliot moved back to Chapman's home on 142 Queen Victoria Street. This time, Eliot had grown wary of Chapman and (prearranged) a pact with him: their relationship would be strictly professional. She adhered to this agreement. For two years, she edited The Westminster Review anonymously, publishing ten issues. With remarkable talent, she quickly became an experienced manuscript editor and the main planner of the journal. She corresponded with authors, discussed manuscripts, proofread, and wrote book reviews on philosophy and religion, gradually showcasing her knowledge and talent. Her hidden identity led people to speculate that she was a highly educated elderly woman. More importantly, the editorial work gave her the opportunity to meet prominent figures in the intellectual world. She associated with many famous writers and scholars of the Victorian era, such as Charles Dickens, James Frederick, Harriet Martineau, John Stuart Mill, and philosopher Herbert Spencer. Her dedication transformed The Westminster Review into a leading literary journal in Britain, once again making it a vital publication for intellectuals, as it had been under the renowned editor John Stuart Mill. In reality, Eliot had become the journal's true leader.
During this period, there were also developments in her personal life. It is said that she fell in love with philosopher Herbert Spencer (1820–1903), but Spencer was only interested in her intellectual insights, preferring to engage in philosophical discussions rather than emotional intimacy, as he found her unattractive. Though Eliot was not conventionally beautiful, most who met her liked her, drawn to her expressive face and eyes, her gentle and pleasant voice, and her sharp mind. Despite her professional success, Eliot, now 33 and still unmarried, longed for family and love, which left her feeling despondent and physically frail, plagued by terrible headaches. In 1851, she met the person who would profoundly impact her life—George Henry Lewes. Eliot and Lewes gradually fell in love, and from 1853, they began a 20-year cohabiting relationship. At the time, Lewes had been separated from his unfaithful wife, Agnes, for many years but was unable to divorce her due to various reasons. Lewes was not strikingly handsome, but his outgoing personality and sharp intellect made him well-liked. He was a philosopher, drama critic, novelist, scientist, and editor, the author of The History of Philosophy (1854–1856) and The English Women Novelists (1852). At the time, he was also contributing to The Westminster Review. Many ideas in his works inspired Eliot, and it was under his encouragement that she began her literary career. Thus, Lewes was both the discoverer and supporter of a great writer, while his own brilliance had long overshadowed hers.
P8-10