Adeline Mowbray, or, The Mother and Daughter is a novel by Amelia Opie that was published in 1804. Many of the heroine's experiences are based on the unconventional life of Mary Wollstonecroft, an acquaintance of Opie. In the novel, Opie explores what might happen when a woman's idealistic philosophical beliefs conflict with society's notions about female sexuality.
Synopsisedit
The philosophically minded Adeline decides that marriage is an outmoded institution. She therefore refuses marriage to Frederic Glenmurray (modelled on William Godwin), and instead chooses to live with him as his sexual equal. Although Adeline is honourable, clever and honest, she faces social condemnation. She is disowned by her mother and by her respectable friends, and harassed by men who assume that she is sexually available. After Glenmurray dies, Adeline seeks protection by marrying the abusive Mr Berrendale, who ultimately abandons her and their daughter, Editha.
At the end of the novel, the ill Adeline is finally reunited with her mother. Adeline repents having transgressed society's expectations of women, and before she dies leaves instructions on how Editha is to be educated.
Receptionedit
During the nineteenth century, the novel was generally seen as a critique of the radical theories proposed by Godwin, Holcroft and Inchbald.[1]The Critical Review did, however, accuse Opie of idealising 'vice' by portraying the loving relationship between Adeline and Glenmurray so positively.[1]
Scholars have suggested that Opie's intentions with Adeline Mowbray were more subversive than they initially appeared. Although Adeline comes to support the institution of marriage, marriage is itself portrayed throughout the novel as something that can also cause women to suffer and be made vulnerable to men.[2] And although Adeline's repentance and premature death were common features of conservative novels about 'fallen women', Patricia A. Matthew argues that 'Adeline does not die the death of a fallen woman but of a female warrior on a domestic battlefield, setting the terms for her daughter's future'.[3]
Referencesedit
^ abEberle, Roxanne (2002), "Diverting the Libertine Gaze: Amelia Opie's Adeline Mowbray", Chastity and Transgression in Women's Writing, 1792–1897, Palgrave Macmillan UK, pp. 106–135, doi:10.1057/9780230509740_5, ISBN9781349428151
^Johnson, Claudia (1988). Jane Austen: Women, Politics, and the Novel. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
^Matthew, Patricia A. (2007). "Biography and Mary Wollstonecraft in Adeline Mowbray and Valperga". Women's Writing. 14 (3): 382–398. doi:10.1080/09699080701644915. ISSN 0969-9082.
January 01, 1970
adeline, mowbray, mother, daughter, novel, amelia, opie, that, published, 1804, many, heroine, experiences, based, unconventional, life, mary, wollstonecroft, acquaintance, opie, novel, opie, explores, what, might, happen, when, woman, idealistic, philosophica. Adeline Mowbray or The Mother and Daughter is a novel by Amelia Opie that was published in 1804 Many of the heroine s experiences are based on the unconventional life of Mary Wollstonecroft an acquaintance of Opie In the novel Opie explores what might happen when a woman s idealistic philosophical beliefs conflict with society s notions about female sexuality Synopsis editThe philosophically minded Adeline decides that marriage is an outmoded institution She therefore refuses marriage to Frederic Glenmurray modelled on William Godwin and instead chooses to live with him as his sexual equal Although Adeline is honourable clever and honest she faces social condemnation She is disowned by her mother and by her respectable friends and harassed by men who assume that she is sexually available After Glenmurray dies Adeline seeks protection by marrying the abusive Mr Berrendale who ultimately abandons her and their daughter Editha At the end of the novel the ill Adeline is finally reunited with her mother Adeline repents having transgressed society s expectations of women and before she dies leaves instructions on how Editha is to be educated Reception editDuring the nineteenth century the novel was generally seen as a critique of the radical theories proposed by Godwin Holcroft and Inchbald 1 The Critical Review did however accuse Opie of idealising vice by portraying the loving relationship between Adeline and Glenmurray so positively 1 Scholars have suggested that Opie s intentions with Adeline Mowbray were more subversive than they initially appeared Although Adeline comes to support the institution of marriage marriage is itself portrayed throughout the novel as something that can also cause women to suffer and be made vulnerable to men 2 And although Adeline s repentance and premature death were common features of conservative novels about fallen women Patricia A Matthew argues that Adeline does not die the death of a fallen woman but of a female warrior on a domestic battlefield setting the terms for her daughter s future 3 References edit a b Eberle Roxanne 2002 Diverting the Libertine Gaze Amelia Opie s Adeline Mowbray Chastity and Transgression in Women s Writing 1792 1897 Palgrave Macmillan UK pp 106 135 doi 10 1057 9780230509740 5 ISBN 9781349428151 Johnson Claudia 1988 Jane Austen Women Politics and the Novel Chicago University of Chicago Press Matthew Patricia A 2007 Biography and Mary Wollstonecraft in Adeline Mowbray and Valperga Women s Writing 14 3 382 398 doi 10 1080 09699080701644915 ISSN 0969 9082 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Adeline Mowbray amp oldid 1195772321, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
