Diana of the Crossways
Encyclopedia
Diana of the Crossways is a novel by George Meredith
which was published in 1885
. It is an account of an intelligent and forceful woman trapped in a miserable marriage and was prompted by Meredith's friendship with society beauty and author Caroline Norton
.
The heroine Diana Warwick says: "we women are the verbs passive of the alliance, we have to learn, and if we take to activity, with the best intentions, we conjugate a frightful disturbance. We are to run on lines, like the steam-trains, or we come to no station, dash to fragments. I have the misfortune to know I was born an active. I take my chance." Alienated from her husband Augustus, Diana begins a relationship with the dashing Lord Dannisburgh, which leads to a legal accusation of adultery
.
Diana, passionate and intelligent but hotheaded, becomes embroiled in a political as well as a social scandal (the politics are based on the troubled history of Robert Peel
's administration, and the 1845 Corn Laws
in particular). Eventually Diana achieves a sort of freedom, due to the timely death of her husband, which leaves her free to marry another and kinder man, Redworth, who has always loved and stood by her.
directed by Denison Clift
and starring Fay Compton
and Henry Victor
.
George Meredith
George Meredith, OM was an English novelist and poet of the Victorian era.- Life :Meredith was born in Portsmouth, England, a son and grandson of naval outfitters. His mother died when he was five. At the age of 14 he was sent to a Moravian School in Neuwied, Germany, where he remained for two...
which was published in 1885
1885 in literature
The year 1885 in literature involved some significant new books.-Events:*February 18 - Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is published for the first time*May 19 - Revised Version Old Testament published.*Thomas Hardy moves to Max Gate....
. It is an account of an intelligent and forceful woman trapped in a miserable marriage and was prompted by Meredith's friendship with society beauty and author Caroline Norton
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton was a famous British society beauty, feminist, social reformer, and author of the early and mid nineteenth century.-Youth and Marriage:...
.
The heroine Diana Warwick says: "we women are the verbs passive of the alliance, we have to learn, and if we take to activity, with the best intentions, we conjugate a frightful disturbance. We are to run on lines, like the steam-trains, or we come to no station, dash to fragments. I have the misfortune to know I was born an active. I take my chance." Alienated from her husband Augustus, Diana begins a relationship with the dashing Lord Dannisburgh, which leads to a legal accusation of adultery
Adultery
Adultery is sexual infidelity to one's spouse, and is a form of extramarital sex. It originally referred only to sex between a woman who was married and a person other than her spouse. Even in cases of separation from one's spouse, an extramarital affair is still considered adultery.Adultery is...
.
Diana, passionate and intelligent but hotheaded, becomes embroiled in a political as well as a social scandal (the politics are based on the troubled history of Robert Peel
Robert Peel
Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet was a British Conservative statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 December 1834 to 8 April 1835, and again from 30 August 1841 to 29 June 1846...
's administration, and the 1845 Corn Laws
Corn Laws
The Corn Laws were trade barriers designed to protect cereal producers in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland against competition from less expensive foreign imports between 1815 and 1846. The barriers were introduced by the Importation Act 1815 and repealed by the Importation Act 1846...
in particular). Eventually Diana achieves a sort of freedom, due to the timely death of her husband, which leaves her free to marry another and kinder man, Redworth, who has always loved and stood by her.
Adaptation
In 1922 the novel was adapted into a film Diana of the CrosswaysDiana of the Crossways (film)
Diana of the Crossways is a 1922 British silent drama film directed by Denison Clift and starring Fay Compton, Henry Victor and Joseph Tozer...
directed by Denison Clift
Denison Clift
Denison Clift was an American screenwriter and film director. He directed a number of British films during the silent era.-Selected filmography:Director* A Woman of No Importance * Sonia * Demos...
and starring Fay Compton
Fay Compton
Fay Compton was an English actress from a notable acting lineage; her father was actor/manager Edward Compton; her mother, Virginia Bateman, was a distinguished member of the profession, as were her sister, the actress Viola Compton, and her uncles and aunts. Her grandfather was the 19th-century...
and Henry Victor
Henry Victor
Henry Victor was an English-born character actor. Raised in Germany, Victor is probably best remembered for his portrayal of the strongman Hercules in Tod Browning's 1932 film Freaks. He originally was a leading figure in UK silent films...
.
See also
- Caroline Norton
- History of feminismHistory of feminismThe history of feminism involves the story of feminist movements and of feminist thinkers. Depending on time, culture and country, feminists around the world have sometimes had different causes and goals...