The Absentee | The Absentee

At a glance:

Author: Maria Edgeworth
First Published: 1812
Type of Work: Novel
Type of Plot: Social realism
Time of Work: Early nineteenth century
Setting: England and Ireland
Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
Subjects: Self-discovery, Genealogy, Class conflict, Love or romance, Nineteenth century, Social issues, Marriage, Rural or country life, Class consciousness, England or English people, Inheritance or succession, Landlords or tenants, Business or business people, Ireland or Irish people, Nobility
Locales: London, England, Ireland

Characters Discussed

Lord Clonbrony, an owner of large estates in Ireland who absents himself to live in London. He is ignored in fashionable circles, travels with questionable associates, and gets into embarrassing financial circumstances.

Lady Clonbrony, an Irishwoman who apes English manners and speech. She makes herself ridiculous in London. Her chief desire is to see her son marry an heiress.

Sir Terence O’Fay, an impecunious sponger who attaches himself to Lord Clonbrony.

The Absentee | The Absentee

At a glance:

Characters Discussed

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