The Ethics of George Eliot's Works

"The Ethics of George Eliot's Works" by John Crombie Brown is a late 19th-century analysis focusing on the ethical and moral teachings woven into George Eliot's novels, especially her focus on selflessness and Christian morals that go beyond what society expects. Brown sees Eliot as a major moral guide of her era, seeing her characters and stories as examples of difficult ethical choices people face. The essay starts with Brown's thoughts at the end of his life, sparked by a talk about Eliot's books. Brown looks at the main ideas in Eliot's writing, such as the difference between personal happiness and a stronger sense of morality shown by her characters. He thinks Eliot's stories are ways to share important truths about responsibility, love, sacrifice, and what it means to live for something bigger than yourself, paving the way for a deep study of her literary impact.