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Felix Holt
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Felix Holt: Week 4: Chapters 22-28
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In some senses, our central characters even if like Eliot’s other novels, Treby Magna itself is more the focus as a whole. They do have feelings for each other, Esther wanting to win his approval, by becoming the better version of herself he sees her as; Felix while having feelings for her sees his mission as something different in life, where love and marriage have no place; and also himself in a position where he can’t really provide for someone who seems to deserve a luxurious existence. Whether and how they find a meeting point remains to be seen.
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It would seem to be fairly clear now that Bycliffe has some sort of claim to the Transome estate but the details and Jermyn’s exact role (other than getting rid of Bycliffe and now keeping Esther’s existence to himself as a hold over the Transomes) is still to become clear. But what happens if Esther does end up with the property; what of her relationship with Felix or indeed Mr Lyon?
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This far from the more serious theological notes it seemed to start on, with Mr Lyon’s proposal, turned out to be one of the lightest moments in our story so far with both Rev Debarry and his curate fleeing the challenge, one through pompousness and false superior claims, and the other quite literally!
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Christian gave us some things to think about as well this week, not only as to the secret and Esther’s claims but also as to his own role in the matter, and what he’s really planning from all this, for money certainly is important to him.
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Here is my favourite quote from this section - or from the whole book as far as we have got:So our lives glide on: the river ends we don't know where, and the sea begins, and there is no more jumping ashore.
The context of it is just a little detail: that Esther finds herself walking through town with Felix. It is such a beautiful image for how small steps change the course of our lives without us realising what is happening.
Regarding the timeline: The novel began on September 1st, 1832. We know that the election period ran from December 8, 1832, to January 8, 1833. These dates got me interested in following the timeline of events.
The debate is set to take place 'on a mild November morning'. If we are in the middle of November, 2 1/2 months have passed since the beginning, and it is about a month - let's say plus or minus a week - until election day.
The exact date of the election was set by regional authorities within the period, so we don't know the exact date of voting in Treby yet. As far as I understood it, only the universities voted in the last week, so we can safely assume that Treby votes in December.
sabagrey wrote: "Here is my favourite quote from this section - or from the whole book as far as we have got:So our lives glide on: the river ends we don't know where, and the sea begins, and there is no more jumping ashore..."
I also loved this metaphor as well as enjoying the whole section of the book.
Felix, for all his unconventional qualities, seems to be like a magnet that Esther can’t and doesn’t want to resist. The scene when she finds herself knocking on Mrs. Holt’s door is so timeless and the subsequent conversations result in the two of them coming much closer together.
There are revelations a plenty in this section, but it is the personal revelations of Felix and Esther that I want to focus on.The author seems to contrast the decorative superficiality of Byron’s verses with Felix’s own ‘poetic’ perception of life and the world around him. Both Esther’s and Felix’s perceptions during their walk were so descriptive of their feelings.
’The (Esther’s) favourite Byronic heroes were beginning to look like last night's decorations seen in the sober dawn. So fast does a little leaven spread within us—so incalculable is one personality on another.’
’ "See how beautiful those stooping birch-stems are with the light on them!" said Felix. "Here is an old felled trunk they have not thought worth carrying away. Shall we sit down a little while?"’
Esther’s vanity seems to have been thrown off like one of her fine blue dresses, in the way that she walks out with Felix through the town past friends and associates and sits with him on the old log.
During that outing, both were troubled by the presence of the other. For Felix, the trouble was deeper down, because he felt so confident about his future, a future that didn’t include Esther. And yet his actions revealed to Esther that he did have feelings for her even if they were buried deep so that they would not interfere with his plans.
For Esther her inability to keep away from Felix was almost as shocking a revelation as the knowledge of her real father.
’ Esther had been so long used to hear the formulas of her father's belief without feeling or understanding them, that they had lost all power to touch her. The first religious experience of her life—the first self-questioning, the first voluntary subjection, the first longing to acquire the strength of greater motives and obey the more strenuous rule—had come to her through Felix Holt. No wonder that she felt as if the loss of him were inevitable backsliding…’
Will either of them be able to ignore the growing influence that each has on the other?
Trev wrote: "I also loved this metaphor as well as enjoying the whole section of the book.."I agree, the scene between Felix and Esther is so beautifully written. For me, the secret of the writing - and the dialog - is expressed in these words:
Their words were charged with a meaning dependent entirely on the secret consciousness of each. Nothing had been said which was necessarily personal.
And toward the end, I loved particularly this piece of fine 'womanthink' - crooked and unabashed by contradictions:
The conviction that Felix willed her exclusion from his life was making it plain that something more than friendship between them was not so thoroughly out of the question as she had always inwardly asserted.
Lady Clementina wrote: "The secret and Esther’s claimIt would seem to be fairly clear now that Bycliffe has some sort of claim to the Transome estate…… But what happens if Esther does end up with the property; what of her relationship with Felix or indeed Mr Lyon?.."
Because of Esther’s new found awareness of the world around her, there is some irony in the revelation that Mr. Lyon is not her real father. Her appreciation of him seems to have increased greatly, knowing now how much he has done for her and her mother.
The knowledge that her real father may still be alive and that he may be linked to the Transome estate only seems to give her cause to worry.
I enjoyed the variety in these chapters and really had a good laugh at the curate fleeing town to avoid debating Mr. Lyon. The softening of the relationship between Esther and Felix is lovely, especially during their walk through the countryside. Felix continues to resist acknowledging his love for Esther so as to not compromise his ideals - why do I think that stubborn, high minded attitude may also soften before the novel ends? The tension is ratcheting up due to Christian’s sneaking around, but one good consequence is that we are beginning to see the true depths of Esther’s character in her growing appreciation of Mr. Lyon.
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It would seem to be fairly clear now that Bycliffe has some sort of claim to the Transome estate…… But what happens if Esther does end up with ..."
The encounter with Felix has certainly brought out her better (perhaps true) nature. Though I do think she always did love Mr Lyon, her appreciation of him wouldn't have likely been as much as it now is (as you note Trev)
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So our lives glide on: the river ends we don't know where, and the sea begins, and there is no more jum..."
I agree Sabagrey. It was a beautiful image, and also perhaps an indication that even the two (despite their intentions) don't know where life will take them.
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The debate was such good fun; I did feel for poor Mr Lyon though, not only did all his preparation go to waste, but he was denied the satisfaction of discussing the issues he genuinely wished to. Philip Debarry I appreciated a fair bit after this episode.
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So our lives glide on: the river ends we don't know where, and the sea begins, and the..."
Esther has certainly gained a new perspective on life or at least learnt to look at it though a different lens since she met Felix but in terms of acknowledging their feelings, I think it has been hardest for him since he sincerely does believe that his purpose comes first and love has no place in it. But now it's wormed it's way into his heart and he doesn't quite know what to do.
Lady Clementina wrote: "I did feel for poor Mr Lyon though, not only did all his preparation go to waste, but he was denied the satisfaction of discussing the issues he genuinely wished to.."I love the way Mr. Lyon's character is depicted, with just a tiny hint of good-natured mockery. The little minister who thinks in perfectly articulated discourse, for whom oratory is the daily bread, ... but who is a little bit wanting in commonsense: The scene where Felix asks him about his glasses, and his response, is pure gold.
Nancy wrote: "The softening of the relationship between Esther and Felix is lovely, especially during their walk through the countryside. Felix continues to resist acknowledging his love for Esther so as to not compromise his ideals - why do I think that stubborn, high minded attitude may also soften before the novel ends?."I thought that Felix has been remarkably open about his feelings for Esther-inviting her out for a walk, sitting staring up at her while they talk in the woods, asking her to take his arm to walk home with no obvious reason-not because she appears tired or faint. He is only stating that his life may not be able to include a wife as a way of refusing to commit himself to her. Esther has in a way made a commitment in agreeing to walk out with him so publicly-which is how I interpreted that metaphor about going down the river and then out to sea-she has made a public choice and can't step off the boat onto the shore.
I'm still somewhat confused about the estate. In chapter 25 there is mention of Harry Scaddon being somehow mixed up in the estate (isn't that Christian's real name?) and then later that Bycliffe is somehow involved and then we have Trounsem-or is he a red herring? I will just wait either for this group or for Eliot to reveal all!
I have to say that while she is described as having been supportive of women's rights, for whatever reason Eliot doesn't here particularly portray women in general, aside from Esther, in a beneficial light. Her women tend to be meek and focused on trivial things. I imagine she must have felt that highlighting the result of society's constraints on women's minds and behavior would be more enlightening to readers than populating the novel with stronger women.
Brian wrote: "Her women tend to be meek and focused on trivial things.."I think Eliot, with Esther's voice, tells us why the women are - or have become - what they are:
“A woman can hardly ever choose in that way; she is dependent on what happens to her. She must take meaner things, because only meaner things are within her reach.”
Esther certainly starts out 'focused on trivial things', but we don't know yet where she will end up.
The greatest scene to date is Esther's passionate reaction to her father when he tells her that he is actually her step-father.
Brian wrote: "The greatest scene to date is Esther's passionate reaction to her father when he tells her that he is actually her step-father."In case you haven’t seen this before, here is the illustration relating to part of that scene.
” 'Father, I have not been good to you; But I will be, I will be,' said Esther, laying her head on his knee."
Thanks so much for posting this, Trev. It’s such a beautiful illustration of a touching scene.
Trev wrote: In case you haven’t seen this before, here is the ill..."No I hadn't Trev. Thanks for sharing it.
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In case you haven’t seen this before, here is the ill..."
Thanks for sharing, Trev. No illustrations in my copy!
Still running behind, but there were parts here which were easier to read than the political and religious discussions. I liked the surprising scene between Esther and her (step-)father and of course the walk and talk with Felix. I had judged him negatively because of always knowing better and disparage Esther, but here he appears to see his own faults too. I also liked that Esther reminded Felix of women being in a totally different position than men regarding their life decisions.
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Renee wrote: "I think that’s the key to understanding the mothers in the story. Both Mrs. Transome and Mrs Holt went from holding the reins on the family businesses to holding the position of elderly lady by the..."Great analysis, which hadn't been front of mind to me but makes perfect sense.
Renee wrote: "Both Mrs. Transome and Mrs Holt went from holding the reins on the family businesses to holding the position of elderly lady by the fire. ."yes, great analysis ... and the parallels go on: both are written by Eliot with what to me is ambivalence: there are sides in both their characters that make me withhold my sympathy.
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The only truly sympathetic character we have (that we don’t see developing as the novel progresses) is the Reverend Lyon… but, then, we were given a clear depiction of his backstory with Esther’s mother.
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Great analysis, Renee, and very true. Both mothers do indeed find themselves sidelined after having looked after their family's affairs independently for long, and suddenly their opinions count for nothing.
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Agreed here too; the fact that they are realistic in that sense, makes it the case that we can sympathise while also not liking them very much.
Renee wrote: "It’s definitely easier to sympathize with characters that at least seem to be growing, developing, and trying to examine themselves and their choices."A great point, Renee. I wonder whether it is Eliot's conviction that 'old character' equals 'no development'? It is a bit of a depressing thought when one is not so young anymore oneself ;-); and would it not be criticised as ageism nowadays?
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We may have a label for it. And we may be attempting to call out the behavior with that label, yet I feel increasingly invisible as I age. Outside the workplace… but even there, to a degree.
Renee wrote: "TI can’t speak to the author equating elderly with underdeveloped. I think both women developed in an area which most women of the time were not expected to ‘interfere.’ Now both have been sidelined by their sons and the expectations of society, and whatever business acumen they have developed is deemed valueless."I meant 'no development' as 'no further development', i.e. no growth, no 'character arc' in the plot.
Both women had their 'business', yes, but it was a botched thing in both cases: quackery in Mrs. Holt's case, and the make-believe authority of Mrs. Transome, while she allowed (had to allow) Jermyn to fleece her.
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Again, we have no indication that Jermyn did any greater disservice to the family estate as Mrs. Transome’s steward than he would have done if employed solely by her husband. The worst we can surmise is that, had she not dallied, she may have been able to get him fired without social disapprobation. But, then, there would have been no Harold to inherit.
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I can see that all three women are the products of the men around them more than the women. Esther’s growth begins because of the effects of her exposure to Felix and his ideas and comments. There was no such person in the lives of the other two. And Esther would likely have continued as she was if the trajectory of her story had continued as it was going before the introduction of these criticisms and ideals. (view spoiler)
So that I have to wonder at Eliot’s purpose. Is she indicating that the men of her age have a responsibility toward the education of women, if the gender is to develop beyond the typical expectations of the age?
Renee wrote: "So that I have to wonder at Eliot’s purpose. Is she indicating that the men of her age have a responsibility toward the education of women, if the gender is to develop beyond the typical expectations of the age?"I agree - that is also my 'great question'. Somewhere it was implied that the encounter with Felix took the importance of a religious awakening for Esther: her father's words and faith could not move her, but Felix could. ... so that we are led to think that a woman needs a man to guide and to enlighten her. And I wonder whether Eliot - of all people! - did hold that view.
Week Summary
With her plan to have a word with Felix on the day of Transome’s speech interrupted, Esther decides another day to make that meeting happen (even if she oscillates). Finally, using her watch that does indeed lose time, an excuse, she visits the Holt home where things proceed rather positively; in fact, by the time of the debate, we see that her ‘encouraging’ Felix has already given rise to some talk in town. But it is after she has learned the secret of her parents and Felix happens to drop by and take her for a walk that we see the real strength of feeling on both sides. Yet, Felix has his lofty ideals before him, doing actual hard work rather than things that require a façade or pretence or overlooking or turning a blind-eye to dishonesty, and perhaps in that ‘love’ can only serve as a distraction.
The debate meanwhile was a nice bit of fun, though not for poor Mr Lyon. Philip Debarry has a nice laugh over Mr Lyon’s request and is determined to honour it but his uncle of course refuses. Then a way out is found by the latter deputing his curate Mr Sherlock. But it seems curate is as scared of the contest as Rev Debarry and takes off at the last minute. The debate is not to come off, alas, but the whole episode left me rather liking Philip Debarry himself (he seems certainly better than Transome). Poor Mr Lyon though loses the satisfaction he desired.
Alongside, Christian now discovers that the young woman who he’d thought was Miss Jermyn was actually Esther Lyon, and then the likeness he’d seen previously begins to make sense as do Jermyn’s plans. He approaches Mr Lyon and makes all known, and now poor Mr Lyon is forced to reveal all to Esther. Esther’s reaction to it all I thought would have certainly won Felix’s approval, and one gets to see Esther beyond the frills and flounces that everyone else seems to associate her with. But Christian is determined to get to the bottom of things and tracks down Tommy Transoum through whom a few more details come to light. But what does he want out of this all—perhaps both monetary gain, and getting the better of Mr Jermyn.
Electioneering is gaining pace with placards and posters being pasted, and people’s interests being made known. It would seem Transome has made his mark.