The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide

By Bright Summaries

Unlock the more straightforward side of The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!

This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne, a biography of the title character with a striking difference: he is not even born until the third of its nine volumes. Indeed, throughout this sprawling work, the narrator leads the reader on a series of lengthy digressions on subjects as diverse as philosophy, obstetrics and military strategy, and we learn relatively little about Tristram himself. The novel’s highly original approach to narrative, bawdy humour and incisive satire influenced numerous later writers, and it regularly features on lists of the greatest English-language novels ever written.

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• A complete plot summary
• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection

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• Language: English
• Publisher: BrightSummaries.com
• Release date: Apr 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9782808016216

Book preview

IRISH CLERGYMAN AND WRITER

Born in Clonmel, Ireland in 1713.

Died in London in 1768.

Notable works:

The Sermons of Mr. Yorick (1760), collection of sermons

A Sentimental Journey (1768), novel

Memoirs (1985), autobiography

Laurence Sterne was an Anglican clergyman. He studied at Cambridge and eventually graduated with an M. A. in 1740. In 1741, he married Elizabeth Lumley. They had one surviving daughter, Lydia, who after Sterne’s death published many of his unpublished sermons and letters. In 1760, the family moved to Shandy Hall in Yorkshire.

Throughout his life, Sterne was plagued by tuberculosis and undertook several journeys to France for his health. He also had several love affairs with other women. Both for this and for the contents of his works he was accused of inconsistency, being a representative of the church.

Although Sterne published several sermons and political writings, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, is the work that earned him perpetual fame even after his death. It was extremely successful and heavily discussed