Genre
Non-fiction Novel
Setting and Context
The book was set in Germany and it is written in the context of Victorian society.
Narrator and Point of View
Omniscient narrator
Tone and Mood
Exploring, doubting, indignant, unenthusiastic
Protagonist and Antagonist
Gwendolen is the protagonist of the novel.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is when the protagonist's family loses everything. During that time, she had also lost all her money in gambling. The family is in limbo and about to collapse.
Climax
The climax comes when Henleigh marries the protagonist despite her critical opinions about marriage. Initially, she opposed matrimony and argued that one can be happy without getting married.
Foreshadowing
Gradcourt's arrival in the small society foreshadowed Rex's disappointment. Later, Rex fell in love with her, but she rejected his offer, and he fell into depression.
Understatement
Marriage is understated. Initially, the protagonist thought that marriage was awful and disgusting. However, she late realized that she needed a husband.
Allusions
The story alludes to perceptions about marriage.
Imagery
The story commences with sight imagery when the author describes Daniel Deronda’s mind in when he imagines the beauty of the woman he falls in love with.
Paradox
The main paradox is that the protagonist gets married despite her initial denial.
Parallelism
The abusive nature of men parallels Henleigh’s lifestyle.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
Wealth is personified as a human who enhances happiness.
