The Spoiled Child: What Happened to Gwendolen Harleth?

While the wounded psyche of Gwendolen Harleth in Daniel Deronda has been the topic of much speculation, critics seem to have missed the key to the puzzle. The only adequate explanation of Gwendolen's hysterical outbursts and crippling dread, which seem so disproportionate to her circumstances, is her experience of incest at the hands of her step-father. This explanation is not only hinted at in the novel, it flows like a sinister stream throughout the novel, clarifying the action and adding a vital dimension to an already intricate text.