Girton College

Girton was the first college for women at Cambridge University. It opened in 1869 and was first located in Hitchen, but moved to the village of Girton in 1873 (closer to Cambridge). There are references throughout the novella to Girton.

Paternoster Row

Considered the heart of the publishing trade, this is a street in the City of London near St. Paul's Cathedral. The City is the historic financial district of London. It is suggested in the novella that Gertrude has made many trips here with manuscripts or at least sent many manuscripts by mail, hoping and failing to get them accepted for publication.

Campden Hill

This is where the Lorimer sisters live at the very beginning of the novella. It's in South Kensington, near Holland Park. South Kensington is an affluent area of London. 

Queen’s Gate

This is where the Devonshire family lives, good friends of the Lorimers. Gertrude and Phyllis stay here while they figure out where to set up their photography shop. It's in South Kensington, near Kensington Gardens and the Royal Albert Hall. South Kensington is an affluent area of London. 

Questions for tutorial 1

In the few chapters we have read, Dorothea is described as a non-conventional woman who has a great pursuit of knowledge and religion. Both Mr Brooke and Celia see her uniqueness as a woman and it is brought up repeatedly in the story. It is hinted that Dorothea knows the unconventionality of her and is somehow proud of seeing things others are not aware of (i.e. the soul of others.) What is the significance of bringing out the notion of someone's soul (e.g. Casaubon's soul) help develop and shape Dorothea's personality and the readers' impressions of her?

Question for tutorial 1

In the few chapters we have read, Dorothea is described as a non-conventional woman who has a great pursuit of knowledge and religion. Both Mr Brooke and Celia see her uniqueness as a woman and it is brought up repeatedly in the story. It is hinted that Dorothea knows the unconventionality of her and is somehow proud of seeing things others are not aware of (i.e. the soul of others.) What is the significance of bringing out the notion of someone's soul (e.g. Casaubon's soul) help develop and shape Dorothea's personality and the readers' impressions of her?

Question

What role does the narrative voice play in the tension between Dorothea's pusuit of intelligence and knowledge, and her position as a woman who is bound by her sex and dependence on the men in her life? 

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