A study of characterisation in the novels of George Eliot

132.
I have been labouring the point in this section in order to foreground
the absolutist element in George Eliot's thinking. A later discussion
on the implications of her intellectual and moral ponition for
the success or failure of the novels will draw several conclusions from
this.
The argument so far has been concerned with George Eliot's concept
of morality and her belief in the possibility of moral development. The
absolutist element in her thinking has been revealed. It provides an
answer to the threat of individualistic self-interest and of a morality
which refuses to acknowledge social 3anctions and restraints. As a safeguard
against such "amoral individualism," 27 George Eliot, in common
with many other beleaguered nineteenth century thinkers, raised the standard
of duty. A character's acceptance or rejection of the successive
duties of his life becomes a signalling device to the reader informing
him of that character's moral stature. There are certain characters who
gladly embrace their duties, others who see in duty a way of providing
a framework for t heir lives which can free them "from the burden of
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choice when all motive (1~ bruised," and yet others who forcibly
reject any notion of duty other than to themselves. Let us now examine
this concept of duty which is sO fundamental to George Eliot's moral
thought.