George Eliot's The Essays of "George Eliot" is a collection of literary essays written in the late 19th century, offering profound insights into human emotions, societal dynamics, and the essence of literature. The work, composed primarily of articles originally published in periodicals, provides a detailed exploration of the ideas and philosophies that established George Eliot as a leading female novelist of her time.
The preface addresses readers' curiosity by introducing Eliot's early writings and emphasizing her exceptional talent for analyzing human motives and character. It highlights her distinct voice, setting her apart from contemporaries who focused primarily on storytelling.
The opening essays delve deeply into the roles of women in society and literature. Eliot's perspective, illustrated through characters like Dorothea Brooke from her masterpiece Middlemarch, serves as a focal point. These discussions explore the gap between external appearances and internal realities and examine the constraints placed on women's lives. Through this, Eliot creates a rich dialogue about identity, societal expectations, and emotional depth.
This refined explanation underscores that Eliot's work transcends its era as a mere reflection of women's issues, serving as an insightful literary exploration of human and social nature.

PREFACE.
“GEORGE ELIOT’S” ANALYSIS OF MOTIVES.
THE ESSAYS OF “GEORGE ELIOT.”
I. CARLYLE’S LIFE OF STERLING.
II. WOMAN IN FRANCE: MADAME DE SABLE.
III. EVANGELICAL TEACHING: DR. CUMMING.
IV. GERMAN WIT: HENRY HEINE. [99]
V. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF GERMAN LIFE. [141]
VI. SILLY NOVELS BY LADY NOVELISTS.
VII. WORLDLINESS AND OTHER-WORLDLINESS: THE POET YOUNG. [205]
VIII. THE INFLUENCE OF RATIONALISM. [257]
IX. THE GRAMMAR OF ORNAMENT. [272]
X. ADDRESS TO WORKING MEN, BY FELIX HOLT.
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