The Lifted Veil
By: George Eliot
Horror was my familiar. Published the same year as her first novel, Adam Bede, this overlooked work displays the gifts for which George Eliot would become famous—gritty realism, psychological insight, and idealistic moralizing. It is unique from all her other writing, however, in that it represents the only time she ever used a first-person narrator, and it is the only time she wrote about the supernatural. The tale of a man who is incapacitated by visions of the future and the cacophony of overheard thoughts, and yet who can’t help trying to subvert his vividly glimpsed destiny, it is easy to read The Lifted Veil as being autobiographically revealing—of Eliot’s sensitivity to public opinion and her awareness that her days concealed behind a pseudonym were doomed to a tragic unveiling (as indeed came to pass soon after this novella’s publication). But it is easier still to read the story as the exciting and genuine precursor of a moody new form, as well as an absorbing early masterpiece of suspense. The Art of The Novella Series Too short to be a novel, too long to be a short story, the novella is generally unrecognized by academics and publishers. Nonetheless, it is a form beloved and practiced by literature's greatest writers. In the Art Of The Novella series, Melville House celebrates this renegade art form and its practitioners with titles that are, in many instances, presented in book form for the first time.
AI Overview
Comprehensive Overview of "The Lifted Veil" by George Eliot
Plot Summary: "The Lifted Veil" is a novella written by George Eliot, published in 1859. The story is told through the first-person narrative of its main character, Latimer, who announces at the beginning that his end is fast approaching. He decides to use his remaining time to recount the "strange story of my experience" to the reader.
The narrative unfolds through a flashback structure, starting with Latimer's childhood. As a sickly and dreamy child, he is exposed to subjects he dislikes, such as math and science, by his father. At the age of 19, recovering from a long illness, Latimer discovers he has a form of extrasensory perception, which he refers to as "superadded consciousness." This clairvoyance allows him to envision events before they occur.
One of his earliest and most significant visions is of his older brother, Alfred's, soon-to-be fiancée, Bertha Grant. Moments before meeting her, Latimer has a vision of the exact scene that unfolds in reality, including Bertha's appearance and her subsequent marriage to Alfred. This experience is so striking that it leaves Latimer faint.
The novella explores the consequences of Latimer's clairvoyance and his relationship with Bertha. Despite his initial infatuation with her, Latimer soon realizes that Bertha is self-centered and shallow, with a poisonous personality. Their marriage is marked by tension, with Bertha spending most of her time away from home and Latimer becoming increasingly isolated and obsessed with his visions of how their misery will conclude.
Key Themes:
- Extrasensory Perception: The novella explores the theme of extrasensory perception, particularly clairvoyance, and its impact on Latimer's life.
- Possible Life After Death: The story touches on the idea of life after death, as Latimer's visions often seem to predict future events.
- Power of Fate: The novella delves into the concept of fate, suggesting that certain events are predetermined and cannot be altered.
- Isolation and Alienation: Latimer's clairvoyance leads to his increasing isolation and alienation from society, as he becomes obsessed with his visions and the predicted outcomes of his life.
Critical Reception: "The Lifted Veil" has been subject to various interpretations and critiques. Some critics have noted that the novella is a departure from George Eliot's typical style, as it explores more speculative and supernatural themes. The work has been praised for its psychological depth and its exploration of the human condition through the lens of clairvoyance.
However, it has also been criticized for its somewhat disjointed narrative structure and the ambiguity surrounding Latimer's visions. Despite these criticisms, "The Lifted Veil" remains a significant work in George Eliot's oeuvre, offering insights into the human experience and the complexities of fate and perception.
Additional Resources: For further analysis and study, resources such as SuperSummary and GradeSaver provide detailed summaries and study guides that delve into the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the novella. Course Hero also offers a comprehensive study guide that includes analysis and discussion on various aspects of the text.