The Rubicon

"The Rubicon" by E. F. Benson is a novel written in the late 19th century. This work explores themes of social class, marriage, and the personal struggles of its main character, Eva Grampound, as she navigates her feelings toward her potential suitor, Lord Hayes. Tensions between traditional values and modern sensibilities are evident in the relationships presented, particularly between Eva and her controlling mother and aristocratic expectations. The opening of the novel introduces the Professor of Ignorance, a reflective character foreshadowing the themes of judgment and self-awareness. As we shift to the picturesque Wiltshire town of Hayes, we meet Eva, who returns from a visit and contemplates her life choices amid familial pressures regarding her marriage prospects. The narrative gradually unveils her internal conflicts, revealing her ambivalence about conformity and love, making it clear she seeks a deeper meaning in life as she grapples with societal expectations and her own desires. From her interactions with her mother and uncle to her contemplations about Lord Hayes, the opening establishes a richly layered character poised on the precipice of significant life changes. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edward Frederic Benson was an English novelist, biographer, memoirist, historian and short story writer.