Charlotte Yonge, The Heir of Redclyffe

Talia Schaffer (Queens College, CUNY)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.07: English Writing and Culture of the Victorian Period, 1837-1901.
Vol. editors: Gillian Fenwick (University of Toronto), Jessica Gossling (Goldsmiths College, University of London)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1853

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Novel

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The Heir of Redclyffe

(1853), Charlotte M. Yonge's first highly successful novel, is the allegorical tale of Sir Guy Morville, who must use his Christian magnanimity to control his inherited faults of temper and self-will. Guy comes under the guardianship of the Edmonstone family, where he falls in love with pretty little Amy (Amabel) and forges a close friendship with the caustic, crippled son Charlie. Meanwhile, the eldest daughter, dignified Laura, contracts a secret engagement with their cousin Philip. Philip's unconscious conceit and envy bias him against Guy. Yet Guy not only nobly forgives him but actually sacrifices his life to nurse Philip in a fever, ending their feud. After Guy's martyrdom, Philip devotes himself to repentance for his injustice. With its emphasis on chivalry,

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153 words

Citation: Schaffer, Talia. "The Heir of Redclyffe". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 24 January 2002 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=635, accessed 26 November 2024.]

Charlotte Yonge, The Heir of Redclyffe

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