Robert Elsmere (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Mary Augusta Arnold
- First Published: 1888
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Social realism
- Time of Work: 1882-1886
- Setting: Westmoreland, Oxford, Surrey, and London, England
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
- Subjects: Husbands, Wives, Love or romance, Nineteenth century, Music or musicians, Marriage, Religion, Ministry or ministers, England or English people, London, Religious life
- Locales: London, England, Oxford, England, Surrey, England, Algiers, Algeria, Westmoreland, England
Characters Discussed
Robert Elsmere, an eager young clergyman who combines strong intellectual interests, particularly in history, with a drive for social reform, particularly improvements in the conditions of the poor. He is swept away by Catherine Leyburn’s saintliness and purity and determinedly pursues her, although she has little tolerance for the wide-ranging thought that engages him. As part of his ministry in Surrey, Elsmere creates educational programs for his parishioners and confronts the region’s leading landowner, Squire Wendover, with the miserable state of...
[The entire page is 1055 words long]
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