Daniel Deronda Study Guide & Plot Synopsis

Daniel Deronda Plot Summary

Preview of Daniel Deronda Summary:

Gwendolyn Harleth is the oldest daughter of the widow, Fanny Davilow. She is also the favorite and accustomed to getting her way. As a young adult, she moves to an estate called Offendene with her mother and four sisters in order for the family to be near Mrs. Davilow's sister and her family, the Reverend and Mrs. Gascoigne. There, Gwendolyn soon attracts the attention of her cousin, Rex, who pledges his love for her. Gwendolyn refuses his offer but is soon courted by the heir to the baronetcy, Henry Mallinger Grandcourt. She is considering accepting the offer of marriage she is certain will be forthcoming but learns that Grandcourt has a mistress and several illegitimate children. The mistress believes that Grandcourt should do right by his illegitimate family and Gwendolyn goes away to visit with friends at a resort called Leubronn. There she meets a young man named Daniel Deronda....
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