Diana of the Crossways: A Novel :: Free Essays Online

Diana of the crossways A rawBefore reading Diana of the Crossways it is important to understand the facts surrounding the animation of George Meredith, as corresponding elements can be found in many a(prenominal) of his works. George Meredith was born on February 12, 1828 in Portsmouth. During his early years he face several accounts of hardship. His mother died when he was hardly five years of age. abruptly after her death, George Merediths father, Augustus, inherited a failing business and heavy debts from his avow father. Augustus was forced to declare bankruptcy and travel to London to earn a living, leaving young Meredith in the care of relatives. At age fifteen, Meredith go to the Moravian school at Neuwied on the Rhine. He remained there for less than two years accounting for his only formal education. Meredith was apprenticed to Richard Stephen Charnock who introduced Meredith to his literary electric circuit of friends. Among them were Edward Peacock and his sister bloody shame Ellen Nicolls. Mary Ellen Nicolls can be draw as having lively intelligence and wit. This seems to characterize many of Merediths heroines. They married in 1849, but they had very little success as a couple. Since they were some(prenominal) intelligent and demanding they desired more from the relationship. In 1858 Mary Ellen Nicolls eloped with artist enthalpy W in allis ending her relationship with Meredith. From here, Meredith married his second wife Marie Vulliamy who was the contrast of Mary Ellen Nicolls. She was a very practical, domestic woman who was a good hostess and housekeeper. It is quite ironic that Meredith would desire a helpmeet relationship when all of his works surround the independent, headstrong woman. Meredith was an energetic man who would frequently turn out around a weight nicknamed the beetle for exercise. In the 1870s Meredith began to develop symptoms of locomotive ataxia, which crippled him. In 1892 Meredith was elected president of Th e Society of Authors, a fix that was previously held by Alfred Lord Tennyson. In 1905 he was awarded the Order of Merit. all over the years, Meredith became increasingly disabled and deaf before passing away on May 18, 1909 (Casal, The Victorian Web).During his lifetime Meredith produced fifteen novels, eight poetry collections, and innumerable minor works most of which are out of print today. His exceed work is characterized by brilliant insights, carefully chosen diction, and powerful imagery. Diana of the Crossways is rich and interesting with realistic characters that come alive for the reader.