Circular structure in the novels of George Moore

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the novels of George Moore's final "canon." It covers A Modern Lover (although this novel does not remain in the final "canon," it is Moore's first and as such it rates study), A Mummer's Wife, Muslin, Esther Waters, The Lake, 1141oise and Abelard, and Aphrodite in Aulis. A few of Moore's short stories are considered, but only in passing. The thesis attempts to show that Moore's novels all have structures of one of the following three types, all modifications of the basic "circular structure." The protagonist of the novel ends where he began. The protagonist of the novel ends at a clearly defined point opposite of that where he began. The protagonist ends as either a or b and, more over, minor characters end either where they began or at opposite points. The final chapter of the thesis attempts to show that Moore's interest/in story-telling and in "eternal recurrence" justify the interpretations of the novels that are given. The thesis ends with a summary and conclusion, followed by an Appendix on Evelyn Innes and Sister Teresa.