(1856) may be Charlotte M. Yonge's most popular novel. Like Yonge's other family sagas,
The Daisy Chaintraces the development of several siblings over decades (continued in its sequel,
The Trial). Ethel must relinquish her self-taught Greek, and even abjure spectacles, in order to be properly feminine: she must devote herself to domestic duties and pursue church-related missions. Yonge clearly regarded Ethel's indoctrination as an exemplary case of self-discipline over weak indulgence, and developed the character into a perhaps autobiographical case study in how to have a satisfying life as a spinster. Similarly, Ethel's brilliant brother Norman gives up his extraordinary academic career to become a missionary. The other May children undergo forms of moral training as…
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Citation: Schaffer, Talia. "The Daisy Chain". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 24 January 2002 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=1150, accessed 26 November 2024.]
