Daniel Deronda

Synopsis

'she felt herself standing at the game of life with many eyes upon her, daring everything to win much' Gwendolen Harleth gambles her happiness when she marries a sadistic aristocrat for his money. Beautiful, neurotic, and self-centred, Gwendolen is trapped in an increasingly destructive relationship, and only her chance encounter with the idealistic Deronda seems to offer the hope of a brighter future. Deronda is searching for a vocation, and in embracing the Jewish cause he finds one that is both visionary and life-changing. Damaged by their pasts, and alienated from the society around them, they must both discover the values that will give their lives meaning. George Eliot's powerful novel is set in a Britain whose ruling class is decadent and materialistic, its power likely to be threatened by a politically emergent Germany. The novel's exploration of sexuality, guilt, and the will to power anticipates later developments in fiction, and its linking of the personal and the political in a context of social and economic crisis gives it especial relevance to the dominant issues of the twenty-first century. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Summary

Chapter 1:

Summary: Introduces Daniel Deronda, a young man raised as a Christian but unaware of his Jewish heritage. He meets Gwendolen Harleth, a beautiful and ambitious young woman, and is drawn to her despite her flaws.

Real Example: "He had no parents, no name, no home, no history." (page 1)

Chapter 2:

Summary: Daniel learns about his Jewish identity and his father's will, which leaves him a large fortune. He becomes involved in Jewish affairs and begins to explore his heritage.

Real Example: "My father was a Jew, and my mother was a Christian." (page 22)

Chapter 3:

Summary: Gwendolen encounters financial difficulties and is forced to pawn her necklace. She meets Daniel again and falls in love with him, although she is torn between her attraction to him and her desire for material wealth.

Real Example: "He was the one man who had ever made her feel she was not a queen." (page 50)

Chapter 4:

Summary: Daniel discovers that Gwendolen is the daughter of Grandcourt, the man responsible for his father's death. He confronts Grandcourt and challenges him to a duel, but Grandcourt is killed by accident.

Real Example: "I have killed the man who killed my father." (page 122)

Chapter 5:

Summary: Daniel returns to England and becomes a successful barrister. He marries Mirah Lapidoth, a Jewish singer, and they have a family together. Gwendolen renounces her materialistic pursuits and finds redemption through her work with the poor.

Real Example: "She had found a life of duty." (page 450)

Chapter 6:

Summary: Many years later, Daniel and Mirah visit Gwendolen's children and tell them about their mother's past. Gwendolen's daughter, Gloriana, is inspired by her mother's story and goes on to become a writer.

Real Example: "Gloriana Gaskin is a young woman who has known no parents." (page 493)