The Daisy Chain, or Aspirations (eBook)

Charlotte Mary Yonge (1823-1901) was a prolific English novelist esteemed for her depictions of domestic life and the earnest implementation of Tractarian principles within her narratives. Yonge's literary career flourished with a corpus of over 160 works ranging from fiction to educational texts. Born into an Anglican family in Hampshire, her life and writings were significantly influenced by the Oxford Movement, an affiliation that is lucidly reflected in her prose. Her best-loved novel, 'The Heir of Redclyffe' (1853), was a paragon of Victorian virtue and piety, entrenching her reputation as a didactic author who conveyed moral instruction amidst engaging storytelling. The novel 'The Daisy Chain, or Aspirations' (1856) is another of her distinguished works that adeptly intertwine familial responsibilities with religious and social commitments, presenting a vivid portrayal of middle-class life. Yonge's narratives, characterized by an interplay of realism and moral discourse, often articulated themes of self-improvement and sacrifice, resonating with Victorian readers. Her legacy has been acknowledged by modern scholarship, which appraises her contributions to literary culture and her role in shaping Victorian social mores through her didactic yet entertaining prose.