『ダニエル・デロンダ』グエンドレン物語：キリスト教の遺産と科学の和解

Abstract

The present paper aims at making clear how George Eliot attempted a reconciliation between Christian world＇s view and scientific rationalism. If we focus our attention to the text of Gwendolen, the heroine＇s matrimonial tragedy in Daniel Deronda, we become aware that the author＇s own view of human depravity is graphically illustrated through her insightful portrayal of the heroine＇s death in life in her marital impasse. The readers are invited to participate in the process of Gwendolen＇s youthful belief in free will turning into a bitter disappointment and disillusionment with life＇s reality. We recognize in this drama a plot of the protagonist＇s dawning sense of law through her suffering and sorrow. Thus we are shown into the inner mechanism of the heroine＇s conscience being forged by the tragedy. The textual analysis illuminates that the discourse of the heroine＇s inner drama is rich in imaginative power owing to a complex interweaving of traditional Christian phraseology and scientific one.