Review: "Belinda" by Maria Edgeworth
Belinda may be downloaded for free from our ebook catalog.
While it didn't keep my heart racing or the midnight oil burning like Fanny Burney's Evelina, this was still an entertaining read. Belinda, first published in 1801, is the story of a young woman who comes of age amid the distractions and dangers of London society. From her stays at both the extravagant, aristocratic Delacours and the sober, rational Percivals, she molds her views on love and marriage and much more.
During my reading, I sometimes thought the book should have been called Lady Delacour rather than Belinda. I found Lady Delacour an amusing character and greatly enjoyed her parts of the novel. There is an interesting back-story to which Edgeworth devotes and entire chapter about a Lady Delacour's wild days with estranged friend Harriet Freke. It includes a duel between women, cross dressing, and an angry town mob. I thought it would be quite interesting to read a whole novel about Lady Delacour's past!
But this is Belinda's story, and a delightful one it is. Belinda learns from the mistakes of others (and many does she witness) rather than rashfully committing the mistakes herself. From her tutelage by Lady Delacour and the Percivals, we see Belinda grow from a confused little girl into a confident young lady that is admired and eventually depended upon by all. In love, her suitors find they must grow and prove their worth to her, rather than the reverse.
In Belinda one can find some semblance to her contemporary and admirer, Jane Austen. Personally, I find Austen a tad bit more accessible, I suppose for the simple fact that Austen didn't tackle as many "touchy" issues as Edgeworth (such as interracial marriage, colonialism, and the above-mentioned female dueling and cross dressing!). But however outdated her treatment of these issues, the main story remains the same, which is an engaging one and highly recommended.
Discussion
Post a Comment
Support Free Ebooks
This is on my never ending lists of books to read!
I must read Edgeworth. I've been browsing through Austen's collected letters and in one of her letters she says how much she admires Edgeworth. I've still not read Burney either. Enjoyed your review.
She wrote quite a few novels, and now I'm wondering if we should look into publishing more from her. Has anyone read her other novels? Or maybe Austen made a suggestion in one of her letters?
Quick question: Does this edition (the girlebook version available online) follow the second edition, in which the interracial marriage is left intact? Or is it the edited third edition? Thanks in advance.
I believe it does follow the second edition. We likely got this text from Gutenberg, which has the 1857 edition. I'm not 100% sure which one this follows, but if you read CHAPTER XVIII "A Declaration", I believe that is the part that was previously edited out.
It does not include the interracial marriage. The transformation is wholly silly: just the name of the bridegroom is changed. I was disappointed by this episode in either version as not as deep a discussion of attitudes at the time. The class thing (servants marrying) seems more important than the race issue.
i am referring to the Girlebook version I got from Kindle.
Highly Recommend!
I have to say, I love this novel. While Belinda herself is a little dull, Lady Delacour is a wonderful character - clever, witty, headstrong, stoic and, at times, cruel. It's definitely her story - she's the one who grows and develops as a character. P.S. I always thought that Clarence Hervey is a really creepy hero. What he does with Virginia is wrong on so many levels.
You mentioned considering other including other Edgeworth novels in your catalogue - I adore HELEN and would recommend it as an interesting companion to BELINDA!
Many scholars focus their attention on the peculiarity of Edgeworth titling this novel "Belinda" when Lady D is obviously the main character (also, arguably the protagonist and antagonist together). However, readers must understand the complexity of Edgeworth's novel to truly understand why its entitled "Belinda". I won't give the argument away in full, but I will provide some clues for readers to determine on their own. Consider the following:
1. what is the purpose of the story? Meaning the stated purpose in the first chapter.
2. what is the difference and significance of Belinda possessing the secret versus Mariott?
3. We know Lady D and Hariet Freke were best friends before the story begins. We know why they're no longer friends. But, during this in between state, Lady D is already wounded and distraught, so why doesn't Lady D tell Freke?
4. Why does Lady D confide in B-- B is this young naive little girl sent to Lady D to be made marriageable, why does Lady D feel compelled to suddenly pull B into the mysterious boudoir and reveal her history to B-- when Lady D has 1) no reason to confide in B; 2) no proof that B is trustworthy; 3) that B is even a good-natured, honest, and kind person who will keep Lady D's secrets
5. Who is the catalyst for all the events in the novel?
6. Who is Lady D jealous of? Why?
7. Who gets Lady D to see a Doctor; to reconcile with her husband and daughter?
8. Who is the one person Lady D calls for when she is certain she is days away from death? why?
9. Who is the first person to stand up to Lady D and not be subjugated by Lady D's power and control?
Yes, Lady D is the main character; yes, Lady D is the center of the story and the center of everyone's world in the novel(for the most part), and yes, Lady D is the one who scholars focus most of their attention on; but, Lady D does not propel the story forward. Someone else does, who? Without this person, Lady D wouldn't change, Lady D would still be estranged from her daughter and husband, Lady D would still be a self-medicating opium addict with serious psychological and psychosomatic issues, Lady D would still be a fraud if it weren't for this other character.
That's why the novel is not named "Lady Delacour".
Awesome analysis, thank you! It's been so long since I read this one, need to get it out again.