Daniel Deronda, Chapter 44 summary

What happens

1. Gwendolen thinks often of Deronda and samples difficult books, hoping to raise her understanding toward his.
2. Grandcourt restricts contact with her family, while she maintains the appearance of a satisfied wife.
3. Visiting Offendene without her husband, Gwendolen announces their departure for town and hears her uncle urge a political career for Grandcourt.
4. Mrs. Davilow describes a possible new home, and Gwendolen privately gives her thirty pounds for the girls.
5. Gwendolen believes Grandcourt visits Gadsmere and struggles with jealousy toward people whose situation also causes her remorse.
6. Grandcourt detects and exaggerates her inward opposition, taking satisfaction in overcoming it.

In this chapter

What to notice

The sentence identifies control as Grandcourt’s pleasure. It also distinguishes his awareness of opposition from any understanding of Gwendolen’s complex feelings.

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