Class Description
George Eliot’s fourth novel, Romola, superimposes Victorian themes and concerns onto the religious, political, and personal lives of 15th-century Florence. The result is a literary experience like no other; a challenging yet fascinating exploration of language, idealism, vision, and ambition, as the title character wrestles with the multiple power structures she is born into.
This class invites participants to immerse themselves in the world(s) of the novel by reading and discussing it in consecutive parts, as originally published.
Steven J. Venturino, PhD, the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism, has led classes at the Newberry Library and taught at Loyola University Chicago.
Materials List
Required:
- George Eliot, Romola. Penguin Classics, 2005. ISBN: 978-0140434705
First Reading:
- For the first session, please read the novel’s “Proem” and chapters 1-5. Please do not read the introduction.
Cost and Registration
Eight sessions, $305 ($274.50 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
Support the Newberry
Your generosity is vital in keeping the library’s programs, exhibitions, and reading rooms free and accessible to everyone.
Make a Gift