The Evolution of the Madonna in Romola
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Keywords
George Eliot; Romola; Madonna
Department
English
Major
English Literature
Abstract
In George Eliot’s novel Romola her titular character transforms from a beautiful young noblewoman to a personification of the Christian Madonna. This essay traces Romola’s extraordinary evolution into a Madonna figure by examining the key moments in her life which push her to transition from a dependent young woman content to live under the control of her father and her husband to a strong matriarchal figure. As the novel unfolds, the situations faced by Romola, which range from her husband Tito’s many betrayals to encountering a plague stricken village, push her towards her transformation into her Madonna persona which in turn gives her not just autonomy, but authority over her own household.
Faculty Mentor
Constance Fulmer
Funding Source or Research Program
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Presentation Session
Session B
Location
Plaza Classroom 190
Start Date
24-3-2017 3:45 PM
End Date
24-3-2017 4:00 PM
The Evolution of the Madonna in Romola
Plaza Classroom 190
In George Eliot’s novel Romola her titular character transforms from a beautiful young noblewoman to a personification of the Christian Madonna. This essay traces Romola’s extraordinary evolution into a Madonna figure by examining the key moments in her life which push her to transition from a dependent young woman content to live under the control of her father and her husband to a strong matriarchal figure. As the novel unfolds, the situations faced by Romola, which range from her husband Tito’s many betrayals to encountering a plague stricken village, push her towards her transformation into her Madonna persona which in turn gives her not just autonomy, but authority over her own household.