Daniel Deronda


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(1876)



Let thy chief terror be of thine own soul:
There, 'mid the throng of hurrying desires
That trample on the dead to seize their spoil,
Lurks vengeance, footless, irresistible
As exhalations laden with slow death,
And o'er the fairest troop of captured joys
Breathes pallid pestilence.


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For anyone who enjoys reading long books, Daniel Deronda is a wonderful read. It is amazing that this writer had to pose as a man in order for her books to be accepted. She comments on social conditions, particularly in the upper classes of 19th century England. Disgusted at the way Jews were treated she set herself to the task of finding out as much as she could about the Jewish religion before and while writing this book. She then does much to overturn commonly held views that Jews were inferior to other races. In her writing she espouses the cause of a Jewish homeland long before the advent of Zionism, the birth of Hertzl, and even before Lord Lionel Rothschild was able to swear a Jewish oath in Parliament, rather than a Christian oath. One will have many happy hours reading this book.--Submitted by Marilyn Delevante

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Recent Forum Posts on Daniel Deronda

Reading Daniel Deronda...

I am reading Daniel Deronda right now and I have to say, I am just a bit confused. First of all, the title is Daniel Deronda, but so far there isn't too much about him; it looks like the book is more about Gwendolin Harleth and what a sensitive shrew she is. Gwendolin is really bugging me right now, I mean, I get it that she is amazingly beautiful, has a hard time feeling closeness for anyone except her mother, and is rather frightened of Grandcourt, but what else? It's kind of disappointing after such a strong and beautiful beginning. What does everyone else think? Does Daniel Deronda pick up the pace later, or does it focus on looks, feelings and education of two people for the entire novel? I have to say this for it though, the novel has an uncanny ability to make one want to keep reading in order to find out what will happen next. Thoughts?


Daniel Deronda discussion.

Ive been reading this for over a week now , while Ive had a chance ( slow reading for me ) but I have a few thoughts I wanted to share as I go along. ( oh and this is another ccount for the litnet challenge!!) 1) Gewdoline in MAlory Towers resembles this Gwendoline very much in charcheter and looks - Did enid blyton base her on Eliots charcater? 2) The anti sematisim is quite stong from the beging ( I know that is a poin sopmewhere bu its kind of shcocing in away)-- somewhat remindis me of certain attitudes found in Ivanhoe. 3) What is it with vicorians and dogs? They demostrate how heartless aperson is with how they realte to dogs. Grandcourt in this case and whats his facce in Oliver Twist. for two examoles. There were other exmples I ave come across. Anyway anyone who wants to discuss this here is a place. :D


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