Mary Olivier (Masterplots II: British and Commonwealth Fiction Series)
At a glance:
- Author: May Sinclair
- First Published: 1919
- Type of Work: Impressionistic realism
- Time of Work: 1865-1910
- Setting: Essex and Yorkshire
- Principal Characters: Mary Olivier, Emilius Olivier, Caroline Olivier, Mark Olivier, Jimmy Ponsonby, Maurice Jourdain, Mr. Sutcliffe, Richard Nicholson
- Genres: Long fiction, Impressionistic literature
- Subjects: Maturation or coming of age, Freedom, Family or family life, Tradition, Love or romance, Twentieth century, Gender roles, Nineteenth century, Literature, Religion, Individuality, England or English people, Women, Human behavior, Women’s rights, Unitarianism
- Locales: England, Essex, England, Yorkshire, England
The Novel
Tracing Mary Olivier’s evolving consciousness from her first memory of lying in her crib at the age of two, May Sinclair stresses the basis in experience of her protagonist’s psychological development. Mary’s earliest memories are of sharing her parents’ bedroom, of being attracted to her mother’s breast and repulsed by her father’s lifted nightshirt. She senses the tension that exists between her parents and creates a scene when, carried down to the family dinner table, she is forced to sit on Emilius’ lap and sip from his glass of port. Mary recognizes...
[The entire page is 2061 words long]
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