They say that there are two things you should never talk about at a dinner party: religion and politics. Well, too bad – you can't get away from either in this book, as much of it is dedicated to exploring the Jewish religion and all of the social and political buzz surrounding it. What is referred to as the "Jewish Plot" is one of the most central and distinctive aspects of the novel – Daniel Deronda is one of the first English novels to portray its Jewish characters in a favorable and sympathetic light.
Questions About Religion
- Which characters are accepting of different religions? Which characters are not? How do they show it?
- How is Mirah strengthened by her relationship with her religion? How is she limited by it?
- Compare and contrast the ways in which Mordecai and Klesmer are either assimilated into or kept separate from society because of or in spite of their Jewish identity.
- How do you think the novel would have been different if Daniel hadn't found out he was Jewish?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Daniel Deronda is a novel about religion.
Daniel Deronda is about the search for one's true identity; religion is only one component of it.