Before embarking on her career as a novelist, Eliot worked as a translator and editor. In the early 1850s, she moved to London and began collaborating with the prominent literary journal The Westminster Review. During this period, she became closely associated with some of the most important intellectual and literary figures of the time, including philosopher and critic John Stuart Mill and novelist George Henry Lewes, with whom she would later form a lifelong partnership.

Her translation of David Strauss's Life of Jesus (1846) marked her first major contribution to the intellectual scene. This translation was controversial for its critical approach to traditional Christian doctrine, and it earned her both praise and condemnation. Eliot’s increasingly progressive ideas on religion, social justice, and morality would be reflected in her later works.

Major Works

Eliot's literary legacy is built upon a series of complex novels that delve into the inner workings of human emotion, social pressures, and moral dilemmas. Some of her most significant works include:

1. Adam Bede (1859)

Eliot’s first novel, Adam Bede, was published in 1859 and was met with immediate success. Set in the rural countryside of England, the novel explores themes of love, betrayal, and redemption. The story revolves around the titular character, Adam Bede, a carpenter, and his relationships with two women, Hetty Sorrel and Dinah Morris. The novel’s exploration of morality, social class, and personal responsibility became a hallmark of Eliot’s literary style. Through Adam’s story, Eliot examined the struggles of ordinary people and the consequences of their actions, painting a rich portrait of rural life and its complexities.

2. The Mill on the Floss (1860)

Published a year after Adam Bede, The Mill on the Floss is another of Eliot’s seminal works. The novel tells the story of siblings Tom and Maggie Tulliver, who grow up in the small town of St. Ogg’s. The novel explores themes of childhood, identity, social expectations, and the clash between individual desires and societal norms. Maggie Tulliver, one of Eliot’s most complex and memorable characters, struggles with her intellectual and emotional development in a society that seeks to constrain her. The novel is known for its deep psychological insight into its characters and its nuanced exploration of the conflict between self and society.

3. Silas Marner (1861)

In Silas Marner, Eliot tells the story of a reclusive weaver who has been unjustly accused of a crime and shunned by society. The novel focuses on his transformation from a bitter, isolated man to a loving father after he adopts a child. Silas Marner is often seen as a tale of redemption and the healing power of love, and it is one of Eliot’s most accessible and beloved works. Through the character of Silas, Eliot delves into themes of forgiveness, community, and personal transformation. shutdown123