| Lesser Lives discusses the life of Mary Ellen Meredith, wife of the novelist George Meredith and daughter of Thomas Love Peacock, her unhappy marriage, her love affair with the painter, Henry Wallis, and the child she had with him. The book also gives biographical sketches of Peacock, talking about his marriage in Whales, his wife's mental problems, and his long business career, Wallis, discussing his life after Mary Ellen's death, her daughter Edith by an earlier marriage, as well as a little about Meredith himself. In general the book tries to shed some light on the plight of a woman in an unhappy marriage in the 19th century. | ||
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Plot & Themes Romance Yes Kind of romance: Family, hate Yes Struggle with: - Husband The difficult family member - expects to be obeyed in all things Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899 Subject of Biography Gender - Female Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - British Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 () Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Century: - 19th century Writing Style Book makes you feel? - thoughtful If this is a kid's book: - Age 16-Adult How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 0-25% of book |
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