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Throughout the novel, archery symbolizes Gwendolen’s desire for control, independence, and self-determination, while her struggles with the sport and Grandcourt’s intrusion highlight the fragility of her autonomy within a patriarchal society. Gwendolen’s skill in archery initially reflects her confidence and belief in her ability to command her destiny. The bow and arrow symbolize her agency, allowing her to feel powerful and in control. However, her failures in mastering the sport reveal deeper insecurities and foreshadow her inability to navigate the larger challenges of her life. When Grandcourt observes her during archery practice, his silent, domineering presence disrupts her focus and diminishes her confidence, transforming the activity from an empowering pursuit into a moment of vulnerability. This interaction foreshadows his eventual control over her through marriage, where her sense of autonomy is further eroded.
Archery Quotes in Daniel Deronda
The Daniel Deronda quotes below all refer to the symbol of Archery. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 10
Quotes
That Mr Grandcourt might after all not appear on the archery-ground, had begun to enter into Gwendolen’s thought as a possible deduction from the completeness of her pleasure. Under all her saucy satire, provoked chiefly by her divination that her friends thought of him as a desirable match for her, she felt something very far from indifference as to the impression she would make on him. True, he was not to have the slightest power over her […] But that was no reason why she could spare his presence: and even a passing prevision of trouble in case she despised and refused him, raised not the shadow of a wish that he should save her that trouble by showing no disposition to make her an offer. Mr Grandcourt taking hardly any notice of her and becoming shortly engaged to Miss Arrowpoint, was not a picture which flattered her imagination.
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Chapter 58
Quotes
Something of this contrast was seen in the year’s experience which had turned the brilliant, self-confident Gwendolen Harleth of the Archery Meeting into the crushed penitent impelled to confess her unworthiness where it would have been her happiness to be held worthy; while it had left her family in Pennicote without deeper change than that of some outward habits, and some adjustment of prospects and intentions to reduced income, fewer visits, and fainter compliments.
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Archery Symbol Timeline in Daniel Deronda
The timeline below shows where the symbol Archery appears in Daniel Deronda. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9
...Gwendolen, while Gwendolen herself jokes confidently about her ability to captivate him at the upcoming Archery Meeting. Despite her mother’s concerns, Gwendolen remains focused on making her own choices and, as...
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...be more defiant. Still, she maintains a good relationship with Mr. Gascoigne, who enjoys practicing archery with her. Despite Gwendolen’s lively social presence, none of the eligible young men in the...
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Chapter 10
The Archery Meeting takes place on the picturesque grounds of Brackenshaw Castle, surrounded by lush greenery and...
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Chapter 11
During their first introduction at the Archery Meeting, Mr. Grandcourt’s appearance and demeanor surprise Gwendolen. Contrary to the vibrant and perhaps slightly...
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Grandcourt comments on how archery previously seemed dull to him but now interests him after seeing Gwendolen shoot, while Gwendolen...
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After the Archery Meeting, everyone attends a ball where Grandcourt asks Gwendolen for a dance. Grandcourt takes his...
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After the dance, the two join a group discussing a proposed picnic archery meeting at Cardell Chase, which would feature a more relaxed and poetic setting than a...
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Chapter 12
Two days after the Archery Meeting, Grandcourt sits at breakfast with Lush at Diplow, indifferent to everything around him. He...
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Chapter 13
Later, while returning home, Gwendolen thinks about the archery meeting scheduled for the following day. She knows that she will not be able to...
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Chapter 14
The next morning, Gwendolen wakes in high spirits, feeling confident and eager for the archery match at Cardell Chase. She looks forward to the event, expecting Grandcourt to continue his...
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...Lush, keeping his distance, busies himself assisting guests. When it is time to resume the archery, Gwendolen hurries to retrieve her bow, avoiding any chance of encountering Mr. Lush. A servant...
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