By a peculiar thermometric adjustment, when a woman's talent is at zero, journalistic approbation is at the boiling pitch; when she attains mediocrity, it is already at no more than summer heat; and if ever she reaches excellence, critical enthusiasm drops to the freezing point.
In George Eliot's critique within "Silly Novels by Lady Novelists," he highlights the paradoxical relationship between a woman's literary talent and the reception she receives from journalists. Specifically, when a woman’s skills are minimal, she is often praised excessively, reaching a boiling point of approval. This illustrates a bias in how female writers are perceived, suggesting that mediocrity is more readily accepted and rewarded.
As women improve their craft and reach a level of excellence, however, the enthusiasm from critics tends to diminish drastically, akin to freezing temperatures. This reflects a systemic issue in literary criticism that undermines women's achievements, indicating that the more skilled a woman becomes, the less she is appreciated. Eliot’s observation critiques the unfair standards and expectations placed on female authors, emphasizing the complexities they face in a male-dominated literary world.
