This is a novel about choosing an appropriate path in life. It follows the hero, George Bertram, in the first few years of his life after a successful career at Oxford. George is charming, serious, gifted, and intellectual, and is contrasted with two old men and two young ones. The two old men are his father Sir Lionel, a selfish irresponsible adventurer in British government service in the Middle East., and his very rich uncle, George senior, who, although relatively generous and affectionate, is a blinkered banker. The two young men are Henry Harcourt, a worldly and successful careerist, and Arthur Wilkinson, a conscientious but rather colourless clergyman. Somewhat parallel to George is the ambitious, able and beautiful Caroline Waddington, contrasted with the moral and loving Adela…
686 words
Citation: Shaw, Philip. "The Bertrams". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 14 June 2007 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=1479, accessed 26 November 2024.]
