A Transitional Period

Abstract

While in Florence, George Eliot had been ‘fired with the idea’ of writing Romola, but lack of confidence, especially in undertaking a kind of novel which did not conform to her readers’ expectations, made her resolve ‘first to write another English story’ (28.viii.60). The only fiction she completed in the summer of 1860, after her return from Italy and before removing to 10 Harewood Square, was ‘Brother Jacob’. Whether she made progress in planning her other English story, or spent more time on Romola, is conjectural, for the idea of her new novel came to her in her new home, thrusting itself ‘between me and the other book I was meditating’. ‘Silas Marner, the Weaver of Raveloe’ unfolded as ‘a story of old-fashioned village life’ from ‘the merest millet-seed of thought’, and ‘came across my other plans by a sudden inspiration’. ‘It came to me first of all, quite suddenly, as a sort of legendary tale, suggested by my recollection of having once, in early childhood, seen a linen-weaver with a bag on his back; but, as my mind dwelt on the subject, I became inclined to a more realistic treatment.’ By the end of November little more than sixty manuscript pages had been written, but good progress was made after settling at 16 Blandford Square in December, and the novel was finished on 10 March 1861.