Ethical Criticism of George Eliot's Novels

Author: Du Jun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: In 1843, through Mary Ann Evans (later known as George Eliot), she met Dr. Robert Browning, a 62-year-old poet. After his daughter, Ruska Browning, married Charles Hennell, Dr. Browning invited Eliot to become a boarder in his household. At the time, Ruska was attempting to translate David Friedrich Strauss's The Life of Jesus into English but had not completed it. In 1844, Eliot took over the work and spent two years translating it, 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, but Eliot did not sign her real name as the translator on the book. Later, when people learned the true identity of the translator, Eliot began to gain a small reputation in London. Soon after, she started writing articles for the Coventry Chronicle for Browning.
Her father, Robert, had always been in poor health, and Eliot became his family nurse. Over the following years, her father gradually softened toward her, but in his will, he left her very little inheritance. On March 30, 1849, Wednesday, her father passed away. Eliot was deeply grieved and lonely. She wrote in her diary, "What will I do without my father? It seems my moral nature has left me. Last night I had a terrible hallucination that worldly ideas were trying to control me." Caring for her ailing father in his later years and the grief of his death left Eliot physically and emotionally exhausted. Shortly after the funeral, persuaded by the Brownings, she accompanied them on a trip to France and Switzerland. After the Brownings returned to England, she stayed alone in Geneva until early 1850. Upon returning to England, she lived with her brother and sister for a while before joining the Brownings 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 greatly and asked her to write an article related to it for the Westminster Review. Eliot completed the article in November and personally delivered it to Chapman in London, where she was invited to become a boarder in his household.
Chapman's household included his wife, Susan, their children, and a family tutor, Elizabeth Taylor, with whom Chapman had a close relationship. 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 those like Eliot, who had little wealth and were knowledge women whose talents had no opportunity to be displayed. They could only express themselves anonymously or under male pseudonyms. However, the determined Eliot had decided on her own path. She resolved to 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 the speculation and gossip, causing resentment from Chapman's wife and mistress. One day, Susan happened to see her husband holding Eliot's hand, and the conflict escalated. Susan and Elizabeth, and Chapman had no choice but to ask Eliot to leave his house.
Eliot suffered her first emotional setback and left Chapman's household, returning to Coventry. In 1851, Chapman bought the Westminster Review, and he urgently needed an editor—a trusted behind-the-scenes contributor willing to conceal her identity. Eliot became his choice, and he persuaded her to return to London. Though he knew it would be difficult to convince Susan and Elizabeth to let Eliot stay, he eventually succeeded. Eliot moved back to 142 Strand in London. Unlike before, Eliot now understood Chapman's true nature and agreed with him to maintain only a professional relationship. She adhered to this agreement. For two years, she edited the Westminster Review anonymously, publishing ten issues. With her 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, allowing her knowledge and talent to shine. 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 corresponded with and interacted 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 England, once again making it a vital publication for intellectuals, which had previously been renowned under the editorship of John Stuart Mill. In fact, Eliot had become the journal's true head.
During this time, there were also personal developments in her life. It is said that she fell in love with philosopher Herbert Spencer (1820–1903), but Spencer was only interested in her intellectual views, willing to engage in philosophical discussions but not in romantic relationships due to her unattractive appearance. 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, at 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 someone 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 for 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 became the discoverer and supporter of a great writer, while his own brilliance was often overshadowed by hers.
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