by George EliotCharacters:
Adam Bede, a stern villages carpenter.
Hetty Sorrel, a farmer’s selfish nice.
Martin Poyser, a generous, kind farmer.
Arthur Donnithorne, the village squire.
Dinah Morris, a lovely woman preacher
The Novel:
Vain, empty-headed Hester Sorrel lives with farming Uncle Martin Poyser and sharp-tongued but kind aunt Mrs. Poyser. She is loved by village carpenter Adam Bede; but she becomes infatuated with a heartbreaker, young squire Arthur Donnithorne.
Arthur breaks off with her after ruining Hetty’s honor; broken-hearted, the girl decides to marry Adam Bede. Before the marriage however, she discovers herself with child, flees from home to seek Arthur, but fails to find him. Ashamed an bitter, she keeps away from Adam, delivers her baby and in a fit of despondency kills it. She is convicted of murdering her baby and sent to prison.
Adam learns to forget Hetty, and his gentle brother Seph tries to console him with the aid of Dinah Morris, a young Methodist preacher. Seph loves Dinah, but gradual association with the young woman inspires a new love in Adam. Dinah reciprocate Adam’s attentions and Seph, realizing the hopelessness of his love, wishes the two their happiness.
There are many incidents involving other people like Mr. Irwine the easygoing old parson; Bartlett Massey, the school master; and Mrs. Poyser with her untiring energy, her fine pride of respectability, her acid speech in contrast to her charity of heart.
Comment:
The novel carries of naturalness and grace in style; it also shows the development of the character and the destiny not only of Adam Bede, but also of the poor, tragic Hetty Sorrel. There are also beautiful descriptions of life on the Poyser farm which makes the reader feel her really is out in the country enjoying farm life.