An Interpretation Of Eliot’s View On Religion In Adam Bede From The Perspective Of Feminism

George Eliot (1880-1819), is a famous British female writer of the Victorian times. She enjoys equal popularity with Dickens and Thackeray. Her master pieces are Adam Bede(1859), The Mill on the Floss(1860) and Silas Marner(1861). Eliot’s first novel Adam Bede was so welcomed by readers that it was reprinted eight times in a year.Eliot grew up in a family with strong religious atmosphere. With a deep influence of religion, she filled her works with deep moral preach. In Victorian times, the society was dominated by male, and Eliot was neither supporting nor opposing the trend, so scholars commented that Eliot is a moderate Feminist. In Adam Bede, we can find Eliot’s view on religion everywhere. The novel reveals the suppression of religion on the female, and by describing all kinds of characters as models for women, Eliot encourages women to perfect themselves, fight against religious oppression and control their own destiny. This thesis will give an interpretation of Eliot’s view on religion, especially Christianity, in Adam Bede from the aspect of Feminism based on systematic and complete analysis of the characters’features in the novel.This thesis firstly gives a general introduction of the social background of Eliot’s time and her life experience to make readers aware of the important factors which contribute to the formation of Eliot’s personal view on religion. Then the thesis gives readers a general knowledge of the theory of Feminism and Christianity, which have close relation with the thesis. Then a summary of Eliot’s view on religion and a remark from the perspective of Feminism are given by analyzing the main characters’ religious views and performance. Finally the reason for the formation of Eliot’s view on religion is given by further analysis. A further research of Eliot’s view on religion can help readers improve their capability to appreciate literature and have a better understanding of Eliot’s intention in her writing, also of the fact that the characters in the novel made different choices about the other and themselves because of the effect of writer’s view on religion.