Esther Waters

Description

The writings of George Moore are widely known for their representation of the transition between moralist and realist styles in the late 1800s. While Victorian literature is often portrayed as taking a moral stance, with authors often aiming to create a clear definition of the “good” and “bad” in the story, or depict negative characters as being “evil” in nature and intent, Moore changed all of that.

He retained many of the Victorian values associated with style and delivery, but omitted any moralist, judgmental connotations entirely. Instead, his works are deep, powerful stories that make a clear statement while being presented in an unflinchingly blatant manner – the author presenting the facts without ever trying to side with his character or warp the story in an unnatural way to fit the mores and beliefs of the time.

Esther Waters is the story of a young single mother who not only succeeds in surviving through the harshest of times together with her child, but also overcomes many additional impediments down the line. From the premarital sex and pregnancy to Esther falling in with the wrong crowd later on and having to deal responsibly with the problem for the sake of her young child, the book is filled with realistic depictions of the harsh lives that women in the 19th century have lived.

Knowing that she has no hope for gaining an elevated social status without a husband, Esther still has the strength to make her own choices and live life her own way, despite her challenges weighing her down. This is an important transition in Victorian literature, when you consider other works, such as Elizabeth Gaskell’s Ruth, which deal with similar issues in very different ways.


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