Books to Consult—Life of Bulwer Lytton, by his Son. Bulwer Lytton's Letters. T. H. S. Escott: Edward Bulwer. Lewis Melville: Victorian Novelists. J. F. Molloy: Famous Plays.
Bulwer Lytton was a personage in society in his day. Contrast his life with that of his contemporaries, Thackeray and Disraeli. Compare Vanity Fair and Coningsby with Pelham. Distinguish between Bulwer Lytton and his son, who was viceroy of India and author of the once-popular Lucile. Explain why Bulwer Lytton's plays have more vitality than his novels.
VIII—GEORGE ELIOT
1. The Story of Her Life—Materials for her novels in her early life. Evangelical training and later change in her religious views. Life with Lewes and his encouragement of her writing. Literary friendships. Marriage to Cross.
2. Scenes from Clerical Life, and Silas Marner—Story of the appearance of the Scenes and of her nom de plume. Reading from Silas Marner.
3. Adam Bede—Study of Retribution. Felix Holt—Study of labor. Readings.
4. Mill on the Floss—Study of family life. Middlemarch—Study of selfishness. Readings.
5. Romola—Study of historic Florence. Daniel Deronda—Study of the Jew. Readings.
6. Comparison of George Eliot with Thackeray, Dickens, and Trollope—Her ethical quality as a writer.
Books to Consult—J. W. Cross: Life of George Eliot. Oscar Browning: Life of George Eliot. Mathilde Blind: George Eliot. C. S. Olcott: George Eliot: Scenes and People in Her Novels, illustrated from photographs. Also essays by Sir Leslie Stephen, E. H. A. Scherer, E. Dowden, R. H. Hutton, and Henry James.