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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was disappointing, to say the least.
"The men of St Ogg's were not at all brave my any means: some of them were even fond of scandal - and to an extent that might have given their conversation an effeminate character, if it had not been distinguished by masculine jokes, and by an occasional shrug of the shoulders at the mutual hatred of women."
The themes Eliot touched upon were ground breaking, and to some extent are still relevant. However, the sexism and racism that pervades the life of St Ogg's residents do not make the plot of the novel anymore interesting. The life of Maggie Tulliver, it seems, is the basis of the entire novel; which would make a captivating read (the life of Jane Eyre is an excellent example), except nothing of note happens to her.
The theme of misogyny reoccurs throughout the text. Eliot has remarkable insight into the prejudices and barriers that faced the women of her time. I'm sure she would have been astonished to find these 19th century values are still prominent in the 21st century. The four men the story centres around, Mr Tulliver, Phillip Wakem, Tom Tulliver and Stephen Guest, all serve to disappoint Maggie and complicate her life. In this way, the novel perfectly captures the complex relationship shared between a woman and the male influences in her life.
Additionally, the ending is incredibly frustrating! Many subplots remain unanswered, and the narrative arc is undermined.
I understand how this book has been elevated into the literary canon, however, it does not make it any easier to read in a modern context.
"The men of St Ogg's were not at all brave my any means: some of them were even fond of scandal - and to an extent that might have given their conversation an effeminate character, if it had not been distinguished by masculine jokes, and by an occasional shrug of the shoulders at the mutual hatred of women."
The themes Eliot touched upon were ground breaking, and to some extent are still relevant. However, the sexism and racism that pervades the life of St Ogg's residents do not make the plot of the novel anymore interesting. The life of Maggie Tulliver, it seems, is the basis of the entire novel; which would make a captivating read (the life of Jane Eyre is an excellent example), except nothing of note happens to her.
The theme of misogyny reoccurs throughout the text. Eliot has remarkable insight into the prejudices and barriers that faced the women of her time. I'm sure she would have been astonished to find these 19th century values are still prominent in the 21st century. The four men the story centres around, Mr Tulliver, Phillip Wakem, Tom Tulliver and Stephen Guest, all serve to disappoint Maggie and complicate her life. In this way, the novel perfectly captures the complex relationship shared between a woman and the male influences in her life.
Additionally, the ending is incredibly frustrating! Many subplots remain unanswered, and the narrative arc is undermined.
I understand how this book has been elevated into the literary canon, however, it does not make it any easier to read in a modern context.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is an interesting one. It took me ages to finish, and yet I felt quite immersed and interested in the narrative. When I did eventually get there, the ending struck me as unexpected. We never get to see the decision Maggie makes - does she finally decide to do what she desires or will she revert back into pleasing the expectations of her family/community - we don't know. It's an ending that is easy to dislike at first. But, maybe that's the point. Maybe we are meant to feel frustrated in the fact that these characters, especially Maggie, don't necessarily grow or change or achieve anything. That's the way it is sometimes. Maggie is a pretty passive character - things happen to her, she cries, then she moves on, only to be met with another trouble. Again, isn't this the way it is sometimes (all of the time). The lack of improvement arc or growth arc, whatever you want to call it, is sort of, unexpectedly refreshing. I suppose I do like it after all. Something holds me back from ranking this higher, but I'm not sure what that is: because it was sort of dense? Because it was full at times? Because the characters were often incredibly frustrating? Because of Phillip's ending? Maybe...
I really liked this book--probably my favorite Eliot I've read, particularly the first half. The longing, out-of-place Maggie is a wonderfully vivid and sympathetic heroine, and I love Eliot's portrayal of her childhood. The love plot is not, I think, quite as strong as the first half, but the ending is effective and moving, despite how mad it made me.
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Struggled to get into it. The prose is very well-written and the relationships are compelling, but there was just a spark missing...very hard to explain.
Definitely not my favourite Victorian novel. I enjoyed some of the themes and some of the scenes in the second half, but I found the pacing strange and very slow at the start, and the ending frustrated me.