A classic about a classic
Aug. 2nd, 2011 04:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
birdienlA little bit of literary criticism from Mrs. Bhaer aka Jo March:
(a conversation between Mrs. Bhaer and a young female student of their college)
'Speaking of writers reminds me that my ambition is to be a George Eliot, and thrill the world. It must be splendid to know that one has such power, and to hear people own that one possesses a 'masculine' intellect! I don't care for most women's novels, but hers are immense; don't you think so, Mrs. Bhaer?' asked the girl with the big forehead, and torn braid on her skirt.
'Yes, but they don't thrill me as little Charlotte Brönte's books do. The brain is there, but the heart seems left out. I admire, but I don't love, George Eliot; and her life is far sadder to me than Miss Brönte's, because, in spite of the genius, love, and fame, she missed the light without which no soul is truly great, good, or happy.' answered Mrs. Jo.
Little Men and Jo's Boys, L.M. Alcott (page 460)
I think I understand what she means, but I do not entirely agree with her. There is heart in George Eliot's novels. In some it may be a bit more difficult to find compared to Charlotte Brönte's books, but when one has read for example Silas Marner, you'll never doubt it again. Now ofcourse I don't know if Mrs. Bhaer was meant to have read that one already...
Anyway, which George Eliot novel shall I read this year? I've already read Middlemarch, Silas Marner and The Mill on the Floss. Any recommendations? For my 'yearly-Brönte-novel' I've already decided upon a Jane Eyre reread, in preparation of the new adaptation which is to appear in theaters in September here in The Netherlands.
(a conversation between Mrs. Bhaer and a young female student of their college)
'Speaking of writers reminds me that my ambition is to be a George Eliot, and thrill the world. It must be splendid to know that one has such power, and to hear people own that one possesses a 'masculine' intellect! I don't care for most women's novels, but hers are immense; don't you think so, Mrs. Bhaer?' asked the girl with the big forehead, and torn braid on her skirt.
'Yes, but they don't thrill me as little Charlotte Brönte's books do. The brain is there, but the heart seems left out. I admire, but I don't love, George Eliot; and her life is far sadder to me than Miss Brönte's, because, in spite of the genius, love, and fame, she missed the light without which no soul is truly great, good, or happy.' answered Mrs. Jo.
Little Men and Jo's Boys, L.M. Alcott (page 460)
I think I understand what she means, but I do not entirely agree with her. There is heart in George Eliot's novels. In some it may be a bit more difficult to find compared to Charlotte Brönte's books, but when one has read for example Silas Marner, you'll never doubt it again. Now ofcourse I don't know if Mrs. Bhaer was meant to have read that one already...
Anyway, which George Eliot novel shall I read this year? I've already read Middlemarch, Silas Marner and The Mill on the Floss. Any recommendations? For my 'yearly-Brönte-novel' I've already decided upon a Jane Eyre reread, in preparation of the new adaptation which is to appear in theaters in September here in The Netherlands.
