The theme of this book is how best to educate a child. The subject’s mother deserts her husband, leaving young Richard behind. The boy is brought up by his father, Sir Austin Feverel, on strict educational principles.
Being secluded at home and subjected to this regime does not prevent Richard falling in love with Lucy Desborough, the niece of a neighbouring farmer. The young couple, facing the disapproval of Sir Austin, marry secretly and head to London. Their innocence is then exposed to the predatory ways of the metropolis. The crafty Lord Mountfalcon notices the couple and sends a courtesan to lure Richard away from Lucy. The couple separate and Lucy bears a child, unbeknown to Richard. Re-enter Sir Austin who is finally brought round to the approval of his daughter-in-law.
Richard is then badly wounded in a duel with Mountfalcon. Lucy goes mad and dies whilst her husband lies paralysed. It’s all very tragic. As readers we’re invited to believe that the two have been helpless victims of a system lacking in compassion.
At the heart of this novel is the question about how education shapes the lives of individual human beings. Should it be formal and highly systematised, or more open and free ranging? This question is still relevant today with education systems throughout the world taking many different forms. Experiments have taken place, for example at Summerhill School, founded by Alexander Sutherland Neill in 1921 (Summerhill School – Wikipedia).
This work of literature is highly self-conscious in its literary style and structure. It’s fair to say it demands an effort to get through. Many critics have thought the effort worthwhile. Check if this work is in stock at your local library here Home | South Lanarkshire Libraries (sllclibrary.co.uk).
480 pages in Forgotten Books
First published 1859
ISBN-13 : 978-1528171526
