THE ORDEAL OF RICHARD FEVERAL (1859) was Meredith's first major novel and caused much scandal. However, it brought praise in 'The Times' as well as the friendship of Carlyle. The book, in which Meredith found his strength as a novelist exhibits clearly for the first time his theory of 'comedy' and the growing luxuriance of his style. Richard Feveral's father, the arrogant and obtuse Sir Austin, devises a 'system' for young Richard's education, which consists of keeping the boy at home and trusting to authoritarian parental vigilance. The slow collapse of the 'system' and Richard's struggle for freedom and knowledge, form the underlying theme of the book.
