Author Description
Lyndall, Schreiner's articulate young feminist, marks the entry of the controversial New Woman into nineteenth-century fiction. Raised as an orphan amid a makeshift family, she witnesses an intolerable world of colonial exploitation. Desiring a formal education, she leaves the isolated farm for boarding school in her early teens, only to return four years later from an unhappy relationship. Unable to meet the demands of her mysterious lover, Lyndall retires to a house in Bloemfontein, where, delirious with exhaustion, she is unknowingly tended by an English farmer disguised as her female nurse. This is the devoted Gregory Rose, Schreiner's daring embodiment of the sensitive New Man. A cause célèbre when it appeared in London, The Story of an African Farm transformed the shape and course of the late-Victorian novel. From the haunting plains of South Africa's high Karoo, Schreiner boldly addresses her society's greatest fears - the loss of faith, the dissolution of marriage, and women's social and political independence. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
The narrative centers on the intellectual and social awakening of Lyndall, an orphan navigating the restrictive gender norms and colonial pressures of late nineteenth-century South Africa. Raised on an isolated farm, Lyndall seeks autonomy and education, clashing with the rigid expectations of her environment. The story follows her departure for boarding school and her subsequent return, where she confronts the limitations placed upon her by society and her personal relationships. The narrative framework utilizes a realist approach to examine the internal lives of its characters against the backdrop of the Karoo plains.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Exploration of the 'New Woman' archetype in Victorian literature
- Examination of colonial exploitation and social hierarchy
- Critique of traditional religious faith and institutional marriage
- Portrayal of the 'New Man' through the character of Gregory Rose
- Vivid atmospheric descriptions of the South African high Karoo
- Focus on the psychological development of female independence
- Non-traditional character arcs that challenge contemporary social norms
- Integration of philosophical discourse within a domestic setting
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Discussion often centers on the novel's status as a foundational text for feminist literature and its bold departure from Victorian narrative conventions. Readers frequently highlight the stark, haunting quality of the Karoo setting, which serves as both a physical location and a mirror for the characters' internal isolation. Critics often note the intellectual depth of the dialogue, which prioritizes philosophical inquiry over traditional plot progression. The work remains a subject of study for its early articulation of women's social and political independence in a colonial context. Many readers find the unconventional character dynamics, particularly the relationship between Lyndall and Gregory Rose, to be a significant element of the book's enduring relevance.
Page Count:
321
Publication Date:
1998-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191611190
ISBN-13:
9780191611193
Historical Fiction
English
Colonial
South African
Feminist
Victorian
Classic Literature
Africa fiction
Fiction sagas
English & College Success
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