Cecilia (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Frances Burney
- First Published: 1782
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Social realism
- Time of Work: Eighteenth century
- Setting: England
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism, Satire
- Subjects: Class conflict, Adolescence, Love or romance, Suicide, Marriage, Class consciousness, England or English people, Eighteenth century, Upper classes, Inheritance or succession, Greed, Moral conditions, London, Ethics, Money, Debtors or creditors
- Locales: London, England, Suffolk, England
Characters Discussed
Cecilia Beverley, a charming, benevolent heiress. To retain the fortune left her by an eccentric uncle, she must marry a man who will take the name of Beverley. During her minority, Cecilia is the ward of three distinct types of men named by her uncle. Her extended love affair with the son of one of the guardians brings her insult, near-poverty, temporary insanity, and finally happiness. Cecilia is the model heroine who reciprocates to those who befriend her, has compassion for those who would harm her, and is benevolent to those who need help.
...[The entire page is 1369 words long]
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