The Egoist

George MeredithApr 2015

3.7

Word count: 170K words
Chapters: 39

Summary

The Egoist (1879) by George Meredith is a sophisticated, brilliantly written dissection of a self-absorbed young man of society and the very different women who fall within his sphere. In this comedy with serious overtones, Sir Willoughby, a highly eligible bachelor and the Egoist in question, courts, proposes to, and loses brides repeatedly, then wonders at his own inexplicable predicament. The answer might be encapsulated in the following epitaph: 'Through very love of self himself he slew.' A masterpiece of insight, wit, and style.

Editor's review

The Egoist, published in 1879, is George Meredith's representative work, dissecting through satirical comedy a privileged yet deeply narcissistic gentleman, Sir Willoughby. The novel unfolds around his absurd situation of repeatedly proposing and losing his fiancées, using the perspectives of numerous female characters to reveal how his "self-worship" leads to relational failure. The language is witty, the irony dense, the psychological portraiture delicate, and the observation of the Victorian marriage market and ideas of gentlemanliness keen. Its value lies in being both a social comedy and a fable about narcissistic personality; it suits readers willing to read slowly and appreciate English irony and dialogue. Because the sentences are complex and the discursive passages numerous, readers new to Meredith may need patience to adjust to his narrative rhythm.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Literary readers who love British Victorian novels
Readers interested in satirical comedy and psychological analysis of character
Humanities students studying marriage, gender, and gentlemanly culture
Learners willing to read classics slowly and appreciate ironic language

Not a good fit for

Readers of popular fiction seeking fast pace and strong plot
Beginners impatient with long discursive passages and complex syntax
Readers expecting a romantic love story to run throughout

Reading tips

Learn a little about Victorian ideas of marriage and gentlemanly culture before starting; the satire will be easier to grasp.
As you read, trace each of Willoughby's proposals and why it fails; the repetition of his narcissistic pattern becomes clear.
Pay attention to the female characters' dialogue and inner lives; they are the key perspective for dismantling the "egoist."
If the language feels difficult, read chapter summaries first, then closely read the key dialogue passages.

Copyright information
PRELUDE
CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XX
CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXII
CHAPTER XXIII
CHAPTER XXIV
CHAPTER XXV
CHAPTER XXVI
CHAPTER XXVII
CHAPTER XXVIII
CHAPTER XXIX
CHAPTER XXX
CHAPTER XXXI
CHAPTER XXXII
CHAPTER XXXIII
CHAPTER XXXIV
CHAPTER XXXV
CHAPTER XXXVI
CHAPTER XXXVII
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER XXXVIII
CHAPTER XXXIX
CHAPTER XL
CHAPTER XLI
CHAPTER XLII
CHAPTER XLIII
CHAPTER XLIV
CHAPTER XLV
CHAPTER XLVI
CHAPTER XLVII
CHAPTER XLVIII
CHAPTER XLIX
CHAPTER L

FAQ

Who exactly is the "egoist" in the title?

Mainly Sir Willoughby. He is privileged and self-important, yet his proposals and relationships repeatedly expose his self-centered way of acting; the novel satirizes this personality through his repeated failures.

Is this book difficult to read?

Somewhat. Meredith's sentences are convoluted, the irony dense, and the discursive passages frequent, so the pace is slower than in ordinary plot-driven novels. Read slowly, use notes or a guide if needed, and grasp the character relationships before savoring the verbal wit.

Is it a comedy or a tragedy?

On the whole it is a comedy with serious undertones. The plotting and characterization are full of irony and absurdity, but underneath it discusses how narcissism harms others and oneself, so there is room for reflection after the laughter.

Comments

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About the author

George Meredith Author · British · 1828–1909

George Meredith (1828–1909) was a British novelist and poet. He produced a substantial body of fiction and poetry over his career, with The Egoist and Diana of the Crossways among his best-known works. The Egoist is often regarded as the height of his art as a novelist, dissecting self-centredness and emotional relationships in a witty and elaborate prose style, and it makes a distinctive contribution to narrative technique and psychological portrayal in the English novel. His writing is marked by dense language, sharp irony and convoluted syntax, requiring patient attention from readers. Publicly available material on his translation and systematic study in the Chinese-speaking world is limited, and his works appear mainly in selected collections and specialised discussions, so his overall profile has yet to be fully presented. This entry summarises only his identity, representative works and stylistic features, without speculating about biographical details.