Four Years of Novel Reading | Page 8

Tom Pinch go so long undeceived in Pecksniff?

SECOND NOVEL
Anne of Geierstein, by Sir Walter Scott.
Point to be noted (suggested-by Prof. R. G. Moulton}.
The supernatural element in the story; how much is intended to be real? how much self-deception? how much imposture?
Debate. Was the Yehme-Gericht, as described by Scott, a righteous institution? Essay. The character of Burgundy as painted in another novel of Scott's.
Difficulty Raised. How could such daughters come of such fathers as Anne and Queen Margaret, of Count Albert and King Rene?

THIRD NOVEL
A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens Point to be noted (suggested by Justin McCarthy, Esq., M.P.).
The author's description of a French mob in this novel contrasted with his description of an English mob in Barnaby Rudge.
Debate. Was the noble self-sacrifice of the hero within the range of human generosity?
Essay. The character of Carton as it develops under the influence of his pure, unselfish love.

FOURTH NOVEL
Westward-Ho ! by Charles Kingsley. Point to be noted (suggested by Prof. R. G. Moulton}.
Character contrasts in the same family (a study of the two brothers Leigh and their cousin Eustace).
Debate. The morality of the English expeditions against the West.

FIFTH NOVEL
Ninety-Three, by Victor Hugo.
Points to be noted (suggested by A. J. Grant, Esq., M.A.}.
1. That the book is without any important female character. How is the interest sustained without it?
2. Does the story strike you as characteristically French, and in what respects?
3. The character of the Marquis de Latenac as representing the best side of the ancient regime.
Debate. Was Cimourdain right in condemning Gauvain to death?
Essay. Victor Hugo's view of the Revolution.

SIXTH NOVEL
Vanity Fair, by Wm. M. Thackeray.
Points to be noted (suggested by Prof. O. Seaman).
1. Worldliness absorbs the art and charm of the novel. Becky at the worst nearly always fascinates. Virtue is made either dull or absurd. Amelia is a poor hysterical thing, and worships a snob. Lady Jane is a good-natured nonentity, and loves a prig. Dobbin, the real hero, has large feet, and is generally awkward. Keligion is made synonymous with cant.
2. Note two kinds of vulgarity in the attitude of the middle classes toward the aristocracy, (a) a fawning admiration, as shown by many of the characters; (6) an affectation of contempt, as shown constantly by the author himself.
3. The delightful balance of interest is due to Thackeray's power of reticence as well as of expression. Waterloo, for instance, is not made an excuse for fine writing or protracted description. The single line that tells of George Osborne's death is a stroke of art.
Character Sketch. Captain Dobbin.
Debate. Was Rawdon Crawley justified in condemning his wife?
Essay. The redeeming qualities in Becky Sharp.

SEVENTH NOVEL
Put Yourself in His Place, by Charles Reade.
Points to be noted (suggested by Miss Spence}.
1. Three main purposes of the author: (~) to show that in the struggle of capital and labor due consideration has not been given to the value of life; (6) the power of sympathy as an interpreter of the actions of others; (c) the cowardly and inhuman methods trade unions have resorted to.
2. That the interest of character is quite subordinate to that of incident. The dramatic and picturesque character of some of the situations: viz., the turning of the portrait in the hall at Raby; scene in the old church during a snow-storm.
Debate. Was Simmons right to keep silence on his death-bed?
Essay. The legitimate scope of trade unions.

EIGHTH NOVEL
Silas Marner, by George Eliot.
Points to be noted (suggested by G. L. Dickinson, Esq., M.A.}.
1. Note the gradual disappearance of village life such as that described in the book before improved communications, large factories, etc.
2. The change in Silas Marner' s character under the influence of the child he has adopted. This is the central motive of the book.
3. The nemesis falling on Godfrey in his childlessness by his wife, while all the time his illegitimate child is growing up near him, but unknown to him.
Debate. Is the effect of large industry an advantage or a disadvantage to human and social relations?
Essay. Nemesis.

NINTH NOVEL
Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bront‘.
Points to be noted (suggested by Dr. A. S. Percival).
1. The book is neither artistic nor realistic, yet it possesses an engrossing interest. On what does the interest depend?
2. The characters:
Jane Eyre, a woman of little human sympathy, upright by rule rather than from any impulsive love of right. Note the vulgarity of her distrust of Rochester during her engagement.
Rochester, a woman's false type of manliness. He has a certain nobility, though his roughness and coarseness detract from the strength of his character.
St. John Rivers, a selfish prig; his uprightness based purely on hope of future reward.
Debate. Can Rochester's conduct to Jane Eyre be justified?
Essay. The character of the author as revealed in the book.

TENTH NOVEL
Wives and Daughters, by Mrs. Gaskell.
Points to be noted (suggested by Miss Peard}.
1. Note especially with what subtlety the laws