The Egoist

The Egoist by George Meredith, published in 1879, is a tragicomic novel subtitled A Comedy in Narrative that satirizes egoism within Victorian high society. The story centers on Sir Willoughby Patterne, a narcissistic aristocrat obsessed with his own centrality, who repeatedly bungles romantic pursuits after being jilted by his first fiancée, Constantia Durham. He then pursues Laetitia Dale and Clara Middleton, both of whom ultimately reject his possessive control, exposing the folly of his self-absorption through sharp wit and psychological insight.