Middlemarch LitChart

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Middlemarch
In many ways, Middlemarch resembles other sprawling realist
INTR
INTRODUCTION
ODUCTION novels of the nineteenth century, including works by Charles
Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Its attention to
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE ELIOT
rural life, political radicalism, and the oppression of women
George Eliot was the daughter of an estate manager in particularly resonates with the novels of Thomas Hardy.
Warwickshire. She received an unusually extensive education Middlemarch has been hugely influential on many generations
for a girl at the time, although only up until the age of 16. After of novelists since its publication, from Henry James, Marcel
this point she continued to read widely, the results of which are Proust, and Virginia Woolf to contemporary novelists such as
palpable in her writing, which is intellectually sophisticated and Hilary Mantel, Zadie Smith, and Min Jin Lee.
filled with references to a diverse array of knowledge. As a
young woman she became socially involved with a group of
KEY FACTS
agnostics and political radicals. She began translating works of
German theology into English and publishing short reviews in • Full Title: Middlemarch, A Study of Provincial Life
periodicals. She spent time living alone in Geneva before • When Written: 1869-71
moving to London, where she worked as the editor of a • Where Written: London, England
progressive literary journal named The Westminster Review.
• When Published: 1871-72
Eliot met George Henry Lewes in 1851. Lewes was in an open
marriage, and he and Eliot soon became a couple, traveling to • Literary Period: Nineteenth-century English novel
Germany together as a “honeymoon” and living as husband and • Genre: Realism; historical novel
wife, despite the fact that Lewes never divorced his previous • Setting: Middlemarch, a fictional town in the Midlands,
wife. This arrangement was the source of significant scandal at England, in the years 1829-32
the time. Eliot published her first short story at the age of 37 • Climax: When Will and Dorothea finally declare their love
and her first novel, Adam Bede, two years later in 1859. for one another and kiss during the thunderstorm
Middlemarch was published in instalments between 1871-72,
• Antagonist: There is no real antagonist; although John
and Eliot’s last novel, Daniel Deronda, was published in 1876. Raffles is the most villainous character in the book, he is
Lewes died in 1878 and after this Eliot married John Walter more of a wayward fool than an antagonist
Cross, again causing controversy because Cross was 20 years
• Point of View: Third-person narrator who occasionally
younger than she was. Eliot died of kidney disease in the same speaks in the first person, potentially conveying Eliot’s point
year of her marriage, 1880. of view
HISTORICAL CONTEXT EXTRA CREDIT

Middlemarch is set in 1829-32, forty years before it was written Ambitious goals. Writing Middlemarch featured on a list of
(and published). As a result it is considered a “historical novel,” George Eliot’s New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of 1869.
although some critics argue that the difference between when
it is set and when it was published is not significant enough to Superfans. Middlemarch inspires fervent devotion among its
warrant this term. In any case, Middlemarch is very attentive to readers. The New Yorker staff writer Rebecca Mead even
the historical events of the time, which play a significant role in published a book of her own entitled My Life in Middlemarch
both the foreground and background of the narrative. The (2014), which combines autobiography with an account of her
most important of these is the 1832 Reform Act, which attachment to the novel.
expanded the population of eligible voters in the country and
changed aspects of the parliamentary system in order to make
it more democratic. Other important events include the PL
PLO
OT SUMMARY
Catholic Relief Act of 1829, which allowed Catholics to become
Members of Parliament, the rapid developments in science and Dorothea Brooke is a highly intelligent, very religious young
medicine that took place in the early nineteenth century, and woman from a “good family.” She and her sister Celia are
the leadup to the railway boom of the 1840s. orphans and live under the care of their unmarried uncle, Mr.
Brooke, in Tipton Grange. Sir James Chettam is courting
RELATED LITERARY WORKS Dorothea, and comes to dinner at Tipton along with Rev.
Edward Casaubon, a 45-year-old bachelor and theological
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scholar. Casaubon has spent multiple decades working on an left Lydgate determined to maintain a “scientific” attitude
ambitious work of religious history, The Key to All toward women from then on. He is very charmed by Rosamond,
Mythologies. but doesn’t want to marry for another five years as he first
Dorothea has been passionately at work on architectural needs time to focus on his career. Lydgate develops a friendship
designs for cottages for the tenant farmworkers in Tipton. At with a vicar named Farebrother, and Lydgate feels reluctant
dinner, she takes a liking to Casaubon, whom she believes about voting for Mr. Tyke for the chaplaincy at the New
resembles John Locke and must be a “great man.” She Hospital. However, Lydgate eventually gives in to pressure
fantasizes that he will propose to her and imagines a life from Bulstrode and gives the deciding vote to Tyke.
wherein she can fulfil her intellectual ambitions through While at the Vatican, Will Ladislaw and his friend Adolf
helping him finish The Key to All Mythologies. Sir James is Naumann, a German painter, catch sight of Dorothea.
enthusiastic about seeing Dorothea’s plans for the cottages Dorothea is not enjoying her honeymoon; she feels
come to fruition, whereas Casaubon seems uninterested in disappointed by Casaubon’s behavior toward her and
them. particularly his refusal to let her help him with his scholarly
Mr. Brooke tells Dorothea that Casaubon is interested in work. Will comes to see her at her apartment while Casaubon
marrying; soon after, Casaubon sends Dorothea a rather stiff, is working at the Vatican library; when Casaubon finds out, he
awkward letter in which he proposes to her. Dorothea is so wants to ban Dorothea from seeing Will alone, but he doesn’t
happy that she bursts into tears and drops to the floor. Mr. go through with it. The next day, Naumann asks both Dorothea
Brooke and their family friend Mrs. Cadwallader are both and Casaubon to sit for him and they agree. Will visits
hesitant about the idea of Dorothea accepting Casaubon, but Dorothea alone again and reveals that The Key to All
they eventually relent, saying that Dorothea can do what she Mythologies is doomed to failure because Casaubon can’t read
wants. Sir James is also shocked and horrified at Dorothea’s German and thus doesn’t know the latest developments in
decision, but more out of concern for her than pity for himself. theological scholarship.
He and Dorothea remain friends and he continues to make Fred remains troubled by his debt and at the same time fails his
regular visits to Tipton. university exam, which makes him feel even worse. He attempts
While on a premarital visit to Casaubon’s house Lowick Manor, to make some money through the sale of a horse, but the horse
Dorothea, Celia, Mr. Brooke, and Casaubon run into lames itself and Fred ends up in a worse position than he was to
Casaubon’s second cousin, Will Ladislaw, who is carrying a begin with. Miserable, he confesses to Caleb that he can’t come
sketchbook. Later, a dinner party is held at Tipton in advance of up with the money. Caleb and Mrs. Garth realize that they will
the wedding. The attendees include Tertius Lydgate, an have to give up their savings, which they’d been hoping to use
ambitious young doctor who has just moved to Middlemarch to pay for their son Alfred’s apprenticeship. They will also have
and hopes to bring cutting-edge medical reform to the area. to ask Mary for some of her savings.
Lydgate has become entranced by Rosamond Vincy, who is Fred develops a fever; the Vincys’ doctor Mr. Wrench tends to
known as the most beautiful young woman in Middlemarch. him but Fred’s condition only deteriorates. Rosamond sees
Rosamond’s brother Fred is a lazy, irresponsible, and arrogant Lydgate walking past and calls him in. Lydgate observes that
young man. Wrench gave Fred the wrong medicine and diagnoses him with
Fred expects to inherit the land of his uncle Mr. Featherstone, typhoid fever. Mrs. Vincy joyfully declares that Lydgate has
an ailing and widely disliked yet very wealthy individual. Fred saved Fred’s life. Dorothea returns from her honeymoon to the
has been using this anticipated fact to borrow money. Fred is in news that Celia and Sir James are engaged. Casaubon is ill, and
love with Mary Garth, whom he has known since they were when Lydgate checks up on him he says that Casaubon has a
children. Rosamond, meanwhile, is determined to marry heart condition that could prove fatal if he doesn’t stop working
Lydgate, believing that she can rise in wealth and status by so much.
doing so. Mrs. Bulstrode hears a rumor that Lydgate and Rosamond are
Bulstrode is a wealthy banker who is treated with suspicion engaged, and after she asks Lydgate about it he resolves to stop
because he is a newcomer of obscure origins, and also because coming to the Vincys’ house unless for professional reasons.
he is evangelical. He is financing the New Hospital and asks Rosamond is distraught; once Lydgate sees how miserable she
Lydgate to serve as director. Although Fred originally borrowed is, he realizes he loves her and proposes.
money for gambling from the local horse-dealer Mr. As Mr. Featherstone’s death draws near, his relatives crowd
Bambridge, after he couldn’t pay it, Caleb Garth co-signed for around his house, hoping to ensure their inheritance. He is
him. annoyed and tells them that he’s already made his will. Mary is
When Lydgate was living in Paris he fell in love with an actress working as his caregiver; one night he wakes in the middle of
who named Laure who killed her husband onstage. The incident the night and requests that she burn one of the two wills he has
made. She refuses, knowing that this will make people

suspicious of her. He tries to bribe her with £200 but she Freshitt with Celia and her new baby, but she is growing bored.
remains adamant. Shortly afterward, Featherstone dies. Will visits her and tells her he is leaving Middlemarch. While
At the reading of Mr. Featherstone’s will, it is revealed that all Caleb and his assistant Tom are surveying land in preparation
of his money and land will go to his illegitimate son, Joshua for the construction of a railway, they are attacked by a mob of
Rigg, whom no one in Middlemarch has ever seen before. The farmworkers who are opposed to the railway. Fred helps
relatives are furious and the Vincys are especially distraught. defend Caleb and Tom, and Caleb offers Fred a job as a kind of
Mr. Vincy tries to rescind his approval of Rosamond and apprentice. Mr. Vincy is miserable about this development, as it
Lydgate’s engagement as Lydgate does not have enough money. means Fred’s education was a waste of money.
England is gripped by political tumult as the possibility of Rosamond has a miscarriage after horseback riding when
electoral reform gains momentum. Mr. Brooke buys the local Lydgate told her not to. She and Lydgate are deeply in debt,
progressive newspaper, The Pioneer, and employs Will Ladislaw forcing Lydgate to sell their silverware, which infuriates
as editor-in-chief. Casaubon tries to stop this happening, as he Rosamond. Rosamond tells Will about the stipulation in
is increasingly suspicious of Will’s attachment to Dorothea. Casaubon’s will forbidding him from marrying Dorothea.
However, Will defies him and accepts the position. Meanwhile, Raffles’s presence continues to trouble Bulstrode. When
Brooke is accused of being a hypocrite for running for election Bulstrode was young he befriended a man from his church
on a progressive platform while he is known to be an unkind named Mr. Dunkirk, who ran a pawnbroking business.
landlord. Bulstrode worked as the accountant for the business, which
Mr. Brooke hires Caleb to manage Freshitt (Sir James’s pawned stolen goods. After Mr. Dunkirk died Bulstrode
property) and Tipton, which saves the Garths from financial married his widow. The widow wanted to find her estranged
ruin. Fred has returned from university where he was finally daughter, Sarah (who was Will’s mother), in order to give Sarah
able to pass his exam and obtain his degree. However, he her inheritance. Bulstrode bribed Raffles to pretend that Sarah
doesn’t want to enter the church. couldn’t be found so that Bulstrode could inherit the money
himself.
Joshua Rigg’s stepfather John Raffles arrives in Middlemarch,
seeking money from Rigg. Rigg bitterly dismisses him due to Back in the present, Bulstrode tries to give Will the inheritance
the fact that Raffles is an alcoholic who used to beat Rigg. as a form of atonement, but Will refuses to take it. Will goes to
Meanwhile, Lydgate (who has just returned from his say goodbye to Dorothea again, and this time she realizes that
honeymoon) discusses medical reform with Dorothea, who he loves her. He leaves Middlemarch for real this time. Lydgate
pledges to give £200 a year to the New Hospital. Despite this is now £1000 in debt and attempts to sell his house to Ned
success, Lydgate continues to face opposition from most Plymdale; however, Rosamond secretly stops the sale from
people in Middlemarch. Will and Lydgate become friends, and happening. In desperation, Lydgate asks Bulstrode for money.
Will frequently spends time at Rosamond and Lydgate’s house. Bulstrode refuses and advises Lydgate to file for bankruptcy;
he also says that Lydgate will need to step back from running
Casaubon, whose health continues to fail, asks Dorothea to
the New Hospital.
make a promise to him that she will fulfil a request of his after
he dies. Thinking that he intends to ask her to finish The Key to Raffles reappears, seemingly very sick. Bulstrode takes him in
All Mythologies, Dorothea hesitates and says she will give him an and calls Lydgate, who diagnoses Bulstrode with alcohol
answer in the morning. She decides to say yes, but when she poisoning. Changing his mind, Bulstrode gives Lydgate the
goes to tell Casaubon her answer, she finds him dead. Mr. £1000 he needs. Bulstrode neglects to tell the servant caring
Brooke and Sir James learn that a stipulation in Casaubon’s will for Raffles the proper instructions for his care, and Raffles dies.
states that if Dorothea marries Ladislaw she will lose all her However, Raffles had already told Bambridge. the local horse
property. Celia reveals this to Dorothea, who is shocked. For dealer, the secret story of Bulstrode’s past and the gossip
the first time she consciously considers the possibility that she spreads around Middlemarch like wildfire. Bulstrode is thought
has feelings for Will. to have bribed Lydgate to help him kill Raffles. The scandal has
a catastrophic effect on both of them, forcing them to prepare
Mr. Brooke gives a speech as part of his election campaign and to leave Middlemarch, abandoning the New Hospital.
is pelted with eggs. Fred enlists Farebrother to help him find
out if Mary would approve of him becoming a clergyman; she Dorothea says that she believes Lydgate is innocent and tries
tells Farebrother that she will never marry Fred if he enters the to get him to stay, but Lydgate refuses. She also writes him a
church. Raffles returns to Middlemarch and this time begins check for £1000 so he is no longer in debt to Bulstrode.
harassing Bulstrode. It becomes clear that Raffles knows Dorothea goes to the Lydgates’ and sees Will and Rosamond
secrets about Bulstrode’s past that he is hoping to use to holding hands while Rosamond cries; she misinterprets this
blackmail him, and that these secrets somehow involve Will. sight as evidence that Will and Rosamond are in love. Later,
Dorothea comes to see Rosamond and Rosamond explains the
Following Casaubon’s death, Dorothea has been living in misunderstanding, adding that Will loves Dorothea.

Will and Dorothea finally admit their feelings to one another, Celia finds it easy to conform to the ideal of womanhood
although Will initially remains convinced that they cannot upheld in Middlemarch, and indeed enjoys living her life in this
marry due to Casaubon’s will. Dorothea tells him that she will way. She marries Sir James Chettam after Dorothea rejects him
forsake her fortune to marry him, despite the fact that most of and has a baby named Arthur.
her close friends and family members are against the union. Mr
Mr.. Arthur Brook
Brooke e – Mr. Brooke is Celia and Dorothea’s uncle,
Bulstrode leaves Middlemarch, agreeing to give his house to who is charged with their education and care after their
Fred. parents die young. He is a lifelong bachelor who travelled a lot
In the “Finale,” the narrator explains what happens to each of in his youth. He is generally a friendly and pleasant person but
the main characters after the end of the main narrative. Fred also rather foolish; he changes his mind often and sometimes
and Mary get married and have a happy, prosperous life appears to struggle to understand complicated discussions. He
together. Rosamond and Lydgate’s marriage remains unhappy is also decidedly sexist. Mr. Brooke decides to run for election
and when Lydgate dies at 50, he considers himself a failure. as a Whig in Middlemarch and recruits Will Ladislaw to help
Dorothea and Will live in London, where Will has a successful with his political campaign, as well as to take over editing the
political career and Dorothea is a wife and mother. local progressive newspaper, the Pioneer, which Mr. Brooke has
purchased. His move into politics gets off to a rocky start, as
people accuse him of hypocrisy for pushing a social reform
CHARA
CHARACTERS
CTERS agenda when he is known to be a terrible landlord. However, he
perseveres anyway. In the finale, it is noted that Mr. Brooke
MAJOR CHARACTERS lives to a very old age.
Dorothea Brook
Brooke e – Although in some ways Middlemarch does Sir James Chettam – Sir James Chettam is a wealthy and
not center around a single character, Dorothea is the closest charming young man whose land borders Mr. Brooke’s. He
the novel gets to a protagonist. Uniquely strong-willed, initially pursues Dorothea and seems to be deeply in love with
passionate, and rebellious, Dorothea is a deeply religious her; however, after she rejects him he recovers quickly and
woman “enamored of intensity and greatness.” She is also marries Celia instead. Sir James and Dorothea remain close
committed to social reform and channels her energies into friends even though Dorothea’s life choices exasperate
designing cottages for the tenant farmers on her uncle Mr. him—particularly her decisions to marry Casaubon and later
Brooke’s estate and, later, planning a “colony” for workers. Ladislaw.
Ultimately these plans do not transpire, in part due to
Re
Revv. Edward Casaubon – When we are first introduced to him,
Dorothea’s naivety, and in part due to the significant
Rev. Edward Casaubon is a 45-year-old bachelor. He is wealthy
restrictions placed on women in the society in which she lives.
and high-ranking, but socially awkward and dull. He is also
Dorothea is painfully aware of the ways that she doesn’t
described as ugly and “dry;” when Sir James Chettam hears
conform to the ideal of femininity, and she tries to reconcile her
that Dorothea is engaged to him, he laments that Casaubon is
grand ambitions with her desire to better meet this ideal
“no better than a mummy.” His house, Lowick Manor, is
through her marriage at 18 to the 45-year-old Rev. Edward
described as correspondingly dark and dreary. Casaubon has
Casaubon. Dorothea’s bitter disappointment in the marriage
spent several decades of his life on a work of theological
and in Casaubon as a husband leave her feeling tormented and
confused, though her fiery spirit is never fully crushed. When scholarship called The Key to All Mythologies. He praises
she is 21 Casaubon dies, leaving all his property to her with the patience and diligent work as the keys to success, but over the
stipulation that it will be taken away if she marries his cousin course of the novel it becomes clear that he is paralyzed by
Will Ladislaw, of whom Casaubon was intensely jealous. insecurity and that the project will likely never be finished.
Dorothea and Will are far more suited to each other due to Casaubon’s cousin Will Ladislaw also reveals that because
their shared earnest, passionate, and convention-flouting Casaubon doesn’t read German, he has not been able to keep
personalities. However, it takes them a while to admit that they abreast of the latest developments in theological scholarship
are in love with one another, partly due to the dilemma caused and that his project will not be taken seriously (if it is ever
by Casaubon’s will. Although Dorothea eventually ends up published at all). Casaubon suffers from ill health and dies only
happily married to Will and the mother of his children, the a few years after marrying Dorothea. Toward the end of his life
narrator comments that it is a shame that for all her ambition, he becomes intensely suspicious of Will’s feelings about
Dorothea was not able to lead a “greater” life and leave a more Dorothea, and thus stipulates in his will that if Dorothea
impactful legacy. marries Will she will lose all the property she inherited from
him.
Celia Brook
Brooke e – Celia Brooke is Mr. Brooke’s niece and
Dorothea’s sister. She is kind and cheerful, though less Mrs. Elinor Cadwallader – Mrs. Cadwallader is a friend of the
intelligent than her sister, whom she struggles to understand. Brooke family. She is born into a noble family but “married
down;” her husband, Mr. Cadwallader, is neither high-ranking

nor wealthy. She is a nosy, gossip-prone woman who involves Edinburgh, and Paris, he is passionate about the latest
herself in the arrangement of marriages in Middlemarch. She is advances in medical research and hopes to open a medical
also very charming and delivers some of the most memorable, school attached to the New Hospital, of which he is the
cutting lines in the novel. director. Lydgate faces bitter opposition to his plans for reform,
Will Ladisla
Ladislaw
w – Will Ladislaw is Casaubon’s young cousin. A particularly from the other doctors in Middlemarch. Things get
romantic and earnest idealist, he is descended from two worse when he marries Rosamond Vincy, whom he loves, but
generations of rebellious women: his paternal grandmother who pressures him into spending money he doesn’t have in
Julia married a poor Polish musician, causing her wealthy family order to impress others. Tormented by debt, Lydgate accepts a
to abandon her, while his mother Sarah ran away from her loan from Bulstrode and gets implicated in the scandal
family after she found out their pawnbroking business was surrounding him. Following this Lydgate is forced to abandon
based on theft and instead pursued a career as an actress. Will the directorship of the New Hospital and move to London.
inherited this rebellious spirit; however, despite his passionate Despite some success there he considers himself a failure
nature and engagement with politics, he can be restless and because he never realized his excessive ambitions. He dies of
struggles to commit himself to pursuits that don’t “come easily.” diptheria at the age of 50.
Although he is reluctant to admit it, Ladislaw comes to live in Mrs. Lucy Vincy – Mrs. Vincy is a wealthy, somewhat obnoxious
Middlemarch in order to be near Dorothea, who at the time is Middlemarch woman who spoils her children, claiming that her
still married to Casaubon. Mr. Brooke hires him to edit the eldest two children Fred and Rosamond are the best young
Pioneer, and Will devotes himself to pushing the issue of man and woman in Middlemarch. Her sister was married to Mr.
electoral reform. After Casaubon dies and Will and Dorothea Featherstone, and this link between her family and the
marry, they move to London and Will pursues a successful Featherstones leads them to mistakenly believe that Fred will
political career as a “public figure.” inherit Featherstone’s land upon his death.
Mr
Mr.. Nicholas Bulstrode – Mr. Bulstrode is a wealthy banker Rosamond Vincy – Rosamond is the eldest daughter of Mr. and
who was not born in Middlemarch, but rather moved there as Mrs. Vincy. She is renowned for her extraordinary beauty and
an adult. Little is known about his family background, which practically every man in Middlemarch is in love with her. She is
makes him an object of suspicion. This suspicion is heightened also a talented musician. Rosamond is haughty, shallow, and
by the fact that he is an evangelical Methodist, which is an manipulative. She marries Lydgate in the hope that she will
unusual and distrusted form of faith in Middlemarch. Bulstrode move up in rank through doing so, and she is bitterly angry
occupies a number of prominent roles in Middlemarch, when her illusions are broken and she realizes Lydgate is poor
including being the founder and financer of the New Hospital, (and that he despises his high-ranking relatives). Rosamond is
which he hires Lydgate to direct. Bulstrode passionately deceptive, rude, and uncooperative with Lydgate, repeatedly
believes in bringing medical reform to the area and is frustrated going behind his back and refusing to make financial sacrifices.
by the opposition he encounters. Toward the end of the novel, She knows she can easily manipulate him and does so often.
John Raffles shows up in Middlemarch with a secret about Throughout most of the novel, Rosamond is adamant that she
Bulstrode’s past: as a young man Bulstrode was taken in by the has done nothing wrong while everyone else is to blame for the
Dunkirk family, who made their money from pawning stolen great disappointments in her life. An emotional conversation
goods. He married the elderly widow Mrs. Dunkirk and with Dorothea appears to make Rosamond see the error of her
deliberately concealed the location of her daughter Sarah so ways; however, this change of spirit doesn’t last long.
that he would inherit her wealth. Raffles’s attempt to blackmail Throughout her marriage to Lydgate she continues to feel
Bulstrode fails when Raffles dies of alcohol poisoning; resentful of him; after Lydgate dies she marries a much
Bulstrode accelerated Raffles’s death by neglecting to tell the wealthier doctor, which she claims is her “reward.”
servant how much opium to give him and by giving in to his Fred Vincy – Fred is the eldest son of the Vincy family. When
pleas for alcohol. However, it never becomes totally clear how the novel begins he is lazy, irresponsible, and obnoxious. He has
guilty Bulstrode is in actually causing Raffles’ death. Despite failed his university exam and has thus returned home. He
Raffles’s death, Bulstrode’s secret becomes public knowledge expects to inherit land from Mr. Featherstone, which causes
in Middlemarch anyway. Mired in scandal, Bulstrode him to be overconfident and reckless with money; he gets into
contemplates committing suicide, but eventually settles for debt through gambling and causes the Garth family significant
leaving Middlemarch. He is able to get through this terrible financial trouble after Caleb Garth cosigns his debt. Fred feels
period in part thanks to the loyal love of his wife, Mrs. guilty about how his actions affect the Garths, but he remains
Bulstrode. self-centered, ultimately caring most about his own feelings.
Tertius LLyydgate – Tertius Lydgate is an idealistic, ambitious After Featherstone’s land goes to Featherstone’s illegitimate
young doctor who arrives in Middlemarch hoping to positively son, Joshua Rigg, Mr. Vincy forces Fred to go back to university
reform the state of medicine in the area. Trained in London, and finish his theology degree. Fred does so but then refuses to

enter the church, mostly because his childhood sweetheart, illegitimate son of Mr. Featherstone. His inheritance of
Mary Garth, says she will never marry him if he becomes a Featherstone’s entire fortune shocks everyone in Middlemarch
clergyman. Fred eventually becomes an apprentice to Caleb, except Rigg himself. He sells Featherstone’s house, Stone
becoming more mature and responsible in the process. He and Court, to Bulstrode, and leaves town to fulfill his lifelong dream
Mary get married, have three children, and Fred becomes a of opening his own money-changing shop on a busy quay.
prosperous farmer. John Raffles – John Raffles is Joshua Rigg’s stepfather. He is an
Mary Garth – Mary Garth is the eldest daughter of Caleb and alcoholic who would beat Joshua. Raffles also worked for
Mrs. Garth. She is plain-looking but intelligent, pragmatic, Bulstrode in the past; Busltrode hired him to find Mrs.
honest, and honorable. She cares for Featherstone while he is Dunkirk’s daughter, Sarah, and then bribed him to pretend that
dying. Although she is continually frustrated by Fred’s bad Sarah couldn’t be found. Raffles returns to Middlemarch,
behavior (particularly after he loses her family’s savings), she threatening to reveal Bulstrode’s secret. Bulstrode tries to pay
remains devoted to him. They eventually get married and have him off but this does not work. Raffles contracts alcohol
three children. Mary publishes a successful children’s book but poisoning and dies in Bulstrode’s house; Bulstrode hastens his
gives the author’s credit to Fred. death through improperly overseeing his medical care.
Mr
Mr.. P
Peter
eter F
Featherstone
eatherstone – Mr. Featherstone is a very rich and Mrs. Dunkirk – Mrs. Dunkirk was the wife of Mr. Dunkirk;
widely disliked man in Middlemarch. As he dies, his family following her husband’s death she married Bulstrode. Before
members clamor around him not because they love him but her own death Mrs. Dunkirk attempted to find her estranged
because they hope to inherit some of his fortune. Featherstone daughter, Sarah, so that Sarah could inherit her fortune.
writes two wills; the second, which overrules the first, gives all However, after Bulstrode pretended that Sarah could not be
his land to his illegitimate son, Joshua Rigg. found, Bulstrode inherited the fortune instead.
Mr
Mr.. Caleb Garth – Caleb Garth is a kind, honest, hardworking,
and generous man. He is passionate about “business,” the word MINOR CHARACTERS
he uses to describe working in construction and the Mr
Mr.. Humphre
Humphreyy Cadwallader – Mr. Cadwallader is the rector at
development of land. However, he has a problem with charging Tipton Grange and a friend of the Brooke family. He is
too little for his work or even working for free, and as a result unusually kind and non-judgmental; his highly judgmental wife
his family is very poor. Caleb is one of the most morally Mrs. Cadwallader says that this is because all he cares about is
upstanding characters in the novel. He helps many people, fishing.
particularly Fred, even though he is exasperated by Fred’s
Mr
Mr.. T
Tuck
ucker
er – Mr. Tucker is the curate at Casaubon’s estate,
behavior. His kindness to Fred arguably emerges from his
Lowick Manor.
extremely close relationship with his daughter Mary, who has
loved Fred since childhood. Mr. Brooke eventually makes him (Dowager) Lady Chettam – Lady Chettam, who becomes the
the manager of both Freshitt and Tipton, which greatly Dowager Lady Chettam after Sir James marries Celia, is Sir
improves his family’s financial circumstances. James’s mother.
Mr
Mr.. Camden Farebrother – Mr. Farebrother is a local vicar and Mr
Mr.. W
Walter
alter Vincy – Mr. Vincy is a wealthy manufacturer. He
bachelor. He is kind, always trying to help those around him. He and his wife Mrs. Vincy spoil their children, which he comes to
is not a very strict or “spiritual” clergyman, but nonetheless regret when his eldest son Fred fails to enter the church after
embodies Christian values of love, generosity, and acceptance. taking a theology degree.
He develops a romantic interest in Mary Garth but steps aside Mrs. W
Waule
aule – Mrs. Waule is one of Featherstone’s relatives.
when he realizes Fred and Mary want to be together. After
Mr
Mr.. T
Tyk
yke
e – Mr. Tyke is an evangelical clergyman whom
Casaubon’s death he takes over his post as clergyman at
Bulstrode favors to be appointed chaplain at the New Hospital.
Lowick.
He beats Farebrother to the position after pressure from
Laure – Laure is an actress Lydgate fell in love with while he Bulstrode makes Lydgate reluctantly vote for Tyke.
lived in Paris. During a theatre performance she stabbed her
Mrs. Harriet Bulstrode – Mrs. Bulstrode is Bulstrode’s wife
husband (a fellow actor) to death onstage; there is confusion
and Mr. Vincy’s sister. She is kind and deeply loyal to her
over whether it was intentional, though Lydgate maintains it
husband, even after the scandal breaks out.
was an accident. She flees to Avignon and Lydgate follows her
there, only to have her to tell him that she stabbed her husband John W
Waule
aule – John Waule is a relative of Mr. Featherstone.
on purpose and that she doesn’t like husbands. This episode Dr
Dr.. Spr
Sprague
ague – Dr. Sprague is one of the old, high-ranking
gives Lydgate a lifelong fear of women. doctors in Middlemarch whose medical skill is decidedly
Joshua Rigg – Joshua Rigg (who later becomes Joshua Rigg- lacking.
Featherstone after inheriting his father’s land) is the Mrs. Plymdale – Mrs. Plymdale is a high-ranking woman and

the mother of Ned. Hir
Hiram
am – Hiram is a wagon-driver in Middlemarch.
Mrs. Farebrother – Mrs. Farebrother is Mr. Farebrother’s Solomon FFeatherstone
eatherstone – Solomon is a landowner opposed to
mother. She is a friendly but socially conservative woman. the railway, and one of Mr. Featherstone’s relatives.
Miss Henrietta Noble – Henrietta Noble is Mrs. Farebrother’s Tom – Tom is Caleb’s assistant. He is attacked by local
unmarried sister. farmworkers opposed to the railway.
Miss Winifred Farebrother – Winifred is Mr. Farebrother’s Christy Garth – Christy is one of the Garths’ children. He is
sister. studying and is very passionate about education.
Mr
Mr.. T
Trrawle
wleyy – Mr. Trawley was Lydgate’s roommate during the Captain LLyydgate – Captain Lydgate is one of Tertius Lydgate’s
period he was living in Paris. high-ranking relatives. Rosamond adores him but Tertius
Dr
Dr.. Minchin – Dr. Minchin is a local Middlemarch doctor. despises him.
Mr
Mr.. T
Toller
oller – Mr. Toller is a medical practitioner in Middlemarch. Sir Godwin – Sir Godwin is Tertius’s rich, high-ranking uncle.
He refuses to lend Tertius and Rosamond money after
Mr
Mr.. Ha
Hawle
wleyy (Sr
(Sr.).) – Mr. Hawley is a lawyer in Middlemarch.
Rosamond writes to him to ask.
Re
Revv. Edward Thesiger – Rev. Edward Thesiger is Bulstrode’s
Mr
Mr.. Do
Dovver – Mr. Dover is the local silversmith.
pastor.
Mr
Mr.. Dunkirk – Mr. Dunkirk was a man who befriended the
Tantripp – Tantripp is a servant employed at Lowick Manor. She
young Bulstrode and made Bulstrode the accountant of his
accompanies Dorothea and Casaubon on their honeymoon.
pawnbroking business. The business pawned stolen goods.
Mr
Mr.. Bambridge – Mr. Bambridge is the local-horse dealer, who
Soph
Sophyy T
Toller
oller – Sophy Toller is a high-ranking young woman who
has a habit of lending money to young, hedonistic men
marries Ned Plymdale.
(including Fred).
Mrs. T
Toller
oller – Mrs. Toller is Sophy’s mother.
Mr
Mr.. Horrock – Mr. Horrock is the veterinarian in Middlemarch.
Mrs. Hackbutt – Mrs. Hackbutt is Mr. Hackbutt’s wife.
Letty Garth – Letty Garth is one of Caleb and Mrs. Garth’s
daughters. Mrs. Garth The wife of Caleb Garth. She is generally kind and
tolerant (perhaps too much so), though she recognizes that her
Ben Garth – Ben Garth is one of Caleb and Mrs. Garth’s sons.
husband is too generous.
Alfred Garth – Alfred Garth is one of Caleb and Mrs. Garth’s
Adolf Naumann A German painter, who is friends with Will and
sons. They are forced to give away the money they were saving
also tutors him in art and painting. Naumann is much taken with
for Alfred’s apprenticeship when Fred cannot pay his debt.
Dorothea, and regularly mocks Casaubon.
Ned Plymdale – Ned Plymdale is a young, wealthy, and high-
Mr
Mr.. Wrench The Vincy family's doctor.
ranking bachelor in Middlemarch. He initially courts Rosamond
and later marries Sophy Toller.
Jonah FFeatherstone
eatherstone – Jonah is one of Mr. Featherstone’s THEMES
relatives.
In LitCharts literature guides, each theme gets its own color-
Mr
Mr.. T
Trumbull
rumbull – Mr. Trumbull is the Middlemarch auctioneer.
coded icon. These icons make it easy to track where the themes
Mr
Mr.. Standish – Mr. Standish is Mr. Featherstone’s lawyer. occur most prominently throughout the work. If you don't have
Mr
Mr.. Hackbutt – Mr. Hackbutt is a local man in Middlemarch. a color printer, you can still use the icons to track themes in
black and white.
Mr
Mr.. Ha
Hawle
wleyy (Jr
(Jr.).) – “Young” Hawley is the son of Mr. Hawley, Sr.
He is training to be a lawyer like his father.
WOMEN AND GENDER
Julia Ladisla
Ladislaww – Julia was Will Ladislaw’s grandmother and
Casaubon’s great-aunt. Born into a high-ranking and George Eliot’s Middlemarch is set in a fictional
prosperous family, she married a poor Polish musician whom Midlands town in the early nineteenth century, an
she loved and was subsequently abandoned by her relatives. environment in which typical gender roles are very
are strictly enforced. While men are also expected to live up to
Mr
Mr.. Dagle
Dagleyy – Mr. Dagley is one of Mr. Brooke’s tenants.
gendered ideals, Middlemarch mostly focuses on the way that
Mr
Mr.. Ma
Mawmse
wmseyy – Mr. Mawmsey is the Middlemarch grocer. such expectations are particularly restrictive and suffocating
Sar
Sarah
ah Ladisla
Ladislaww (née Dunkirk) – Sarah is Will’s mother. She was for women. This is explored most notably through the novel’s
born into the Dunkirk family, who made their money through central character, Dorothea Brooke, who dreams of a grand,
pawning stolen goods. When Sarah learns this she runs away intense, and meaningful life that is fundamentally incompatible
from home and becomes an actress. with the role society has prescribed for her. As a result, she

becomes confused about what she really wants and makes choosing a path that brings her far greater happiness and
some bad life decisions that only serve to further isolate her fulfilment. This shows that it is better to stay true to oneself
from her true self and desires. Through Dorothea, the novel than to attempt to conform to society’s restrictive ideals of how
implicitly critiques the oppressive expectations society places women should behave. On the other hand, Dorothea’s ultimate
on women. At the same time, however, it also shows that any fate as a housewife and mother reminds readers that there is
resistance is inherently limited, as alternative ways of living for only so much women can do to resist gender roles in a society
women at the time simply did not exist. that has so few rights, resources, and opportunities available to
As a heroine, Dorothea is deeply sympathetic. She is ambitious, women.
idealistic, free-spirited, and kind, yet these admirable aspects of Dorothea loves Will, but her own dreams—such as the cottages
her personality make it difficult for her to conform to the and “colony” she planned to build for tenant farmers—remain
gender norms of the society in which she lives. unrealized at the end of the novel. The narrator observes:
For example, she is “enamored of intensity and greatness,” fond “Many who knew her [Dorothea] thought it a pity that so
of horse-riding, and dreams of building cottages for tenant substantive and rare a creature should have been absorbed
farmers so that they might live in better conditions. These into the life of another, and be known only in certain circles as a
passions do not conform with societal expectations of women, wife and mother. But no one stated exactly what else that was
and thus although these dreams and impulses exist very in her power she ought rather to have done.”
strongly within her, Dorothea feels ashamed of them and This captures the difficulty of the situation Dorothea and other
attempts to suppress them. She wants to conform to a feminine strong-willed women of the time find themselves in. They
ideal, which leads her to be highly self-critical and continually desire a richer and more expansive life than that of a wife and
make promises she doesn’t keep (such as her vow to give up mother, but the reality is that there is basically no alternative
horse-riding). for them. Thus, even if they rebel against the gender norms of
Dorothea’s half-hearted attempt to suppress her own desires the era, there is only so much that this rebellion can achieve.
and personality leads her to exist in a confused and self-
contradictory state. This shows that gender roles have the AMBITION AND DISAPPOINTMENT
effect of alienating women from themselves. The experience that unites all the characters in
Dorothea attempts to resolve the internal conflict she feels Middlemarch is disappointment. In the novel,
between her desires and societal gender roles by marrying the disappointment is something that happens on both
much older Rev. Edward Casaubon. Because Casaubon is a a broad scale (when one’s lifelong dreams and ambitions do not
scholar working on a highly ambitious project on religious come to pass) and on a more minor, everyday level. Indeed, at
history (The Key to All Mythologies), she believes that she can one point the narrator observes: “We mortals, men and women,
access the “intensity and greatness” she craves via him. devour many a disappointment between breakfast and dinner-
When Dorothea decides to marry Casaubon, the people time.” This quotation indicates that disappointment is both a
around her are confused and (accurately) predict that the universal experience (it applies to all mortal beings, men and
marriage will not bring her happiness. They can see what women) and that it is a notably frequent occurrence. Because
Dorothea herself cannot: she is both suppressing her own disappointment is often inevitable, the novel suggests that it
nature and trying to achieve the impossible by living through must be accepted as part of life. Doing so can even have
her future husband. Dorothea claims that she wants a husband positive side effects, such as forcing people to compromise and
who can be like a father to her and teach her about things; reconcile conflicting views.
however, as Mr. Brooke points out, she is a strong-willed The novel also presents ambition as an integral part of the
person attached to her own opinions. Marrying Casaubon is human condition. In some ways, the book presents a positive
thus a recipe for disaster. view of ambition as something that helps society advance and
It is painful to witness Dorothea make such a patently bad life that makes life meaningful.
decision, which ends up making her miserable. At the same In the case of the young doctor Tertius Lydgate, being
time, the novel’s exploration of gender norms shows that orphaned young meant that he did not end up automatically
Dorothea’s decision to marry Casaubon is not made out of following the vocation of his father, but instead picked a career
mere foolishness. Rather, Dorothea is trapped by the conflict based on “intellectual passion.” When he discovered such a
between her own impulses and society’s expectations of her as passion for medicine, his guardians allowed him to pursue it,
a woman. The misery of her marriage to Casaubon is only a and the result was that he became an enthusiastic and talented
symptom of this wider problem. doctor. Lydgate’s passionate ambitions make him a good doctor,
When Casaubon dies, Dorothea has a chance to reevaluate her which has a positive impact on the community: not only does he
life and, through her second marriage to Will Ladislaw, ends up save Fred Vincy’s life, but he helps open the New Hospital,

which brings medical advancements to Middlemarch. Casaubon’s cousin Will Ladislaw even tells Dorothea that she
Ambition is important both as a means of personal fulfilment will be “buried alive” at Casaubon’s house, Lowick Manor. These
and as a way of stimulating societal progress. Without descriptions highlight the extreme extent to which women lose
ambition, life can seem empty and pointless, and professional their freedom and agency within marriage. Even worse, this
roles are filled by people who are unenthusiastic and likely imprisonment is basically permanent: the only hope of escape is
inept (as is the case of the doctors in Middlemarch before if one’s husband dies, as happens to both Dorothea and, later,
Lydgate’s arrival). Rosamond.
Yet despite these positive sides of ambition, ambition can also The trope of disappointment in marriage both proves the
be dangerous—not least because it virtually guarantees novel’s point that disappointment must be accepted as part of
disappointment in some form. Lydgate’s fervent ambitions life and shows that this acceptance can be impossibly difficult.
mean that he sets expectations for himself (and others) that are Disappointment might be an inevitable (or at least highly likely)
too high. His pursuit of a medical career is arguably too single- component of marriage, but a bad marriage can have the effect
minded, leading him to neglect other aspects of his life such as of permanently ruining a person’s life. While Dorothea and
marriage. At first Lydgate refuses to even consider getting Rosamond are lucky enough to get second chances, this is only
married until he has fulfilled his professional ambitions, which is possible because their first husbands die before they do.
shown to be an unrealistic and impractical way of approaching Over the course of the novel it becomes clear that one can
life. His obsessive focus on his career then leads him to make a avoid being broken by disappointment by setting more realistic
mistake by marrying Rosamond, with whom he is goals and ambitions. At the same time, it is impossible to avoid
fundamentally incompatible. disappointment altogether. No one can predict the trajectory of
Lydgate’s trajectory suggests that single-minded ambition will their career or marriage, and in this sense disappointment is
lead to disappointment because it disrupts the balance in one’s inevitable. Furthermore, disappointment is the necessary flip
life. Despite having a life that—like pretty much all side of having ambitions in the first place, and both ambitions
lives—contains a mix of both successes and disappointments, and disappointment are thus shown to be essential aspects of
when Lydgate dies he considers himself a failure. This suggests human existence.
that if people are too ambitious in the first place, then they are
setting themselves up for disappointment. COMMUNITY AND CLASS
As Lydgate’s story shows, one of the main ways that ambition Rather than focusing on the lives of a small group of
and disappointment are explored in the novel is through characters, Middlemarch is about an entire
marriage. Where other nineteenth-century novels often end community: the fictional town of the novel’s title.
with marriage, Middlemarch depicts a series of marriages across Significantly, the book is also set thirty years before it was
the course of the narrative that are often filled with written, and is full of detail about this important, tumultuous
disappointment, boredom, conflict, and misery. In doing so, the period in English history. The novel’s subtitle, “A Study of
novel challenges the idea that marriage is the ultimate Provincial Life,” indicates that the book intends to give readers
ambition, a “happy ever after.” Instead, marriage is usually a sense of what “provincial life” is like during this period, during
shown to be a highly disappointing experience. which the class system remained both highly rigid and
In choosing to marry the much older Edward Casaubon, extremely prominent as a way of structuring pretty much every
Dorothea attempts to reconcile her own ideals and ambitions part of society. This “provincial life” is further defined by the
with the role of a married woman that she is expected to play. fact that the characters are all connected to one another in a
Casaubon is a scholar who has been working on an ambitious complex familial, marital, political, and professional web. While
work of theological writing, The Key to All Mythologies, for this close-knit aspect of the community has a positive
many years. Dorothea dreams both of submitting to dimension, overall the novel condemns the way that small
Casaubon’s will (as a good wife should) and of putting her communities like Middlemarch can foster small-mindedness,
intellect to use by helping him with his scholarship. Yet this pettiness, and intense social hierarchies.
dream is doomed, both by the fact that Casaubon himself is In Middlemarch, class anxiety emerges primarily through an
something of a fraud whose scholarly work is not actually very obsession with family reputation. The obsession leads
good, and by the fact that he doesn’t respect Dorothea as his Middlemarch residents to be overly involved with and critical
intellectual equal and thus does not want her assistance. of other people’s choices, especially women’s choices of whom
Dorothea’s miserable union with Casaubon becomes the to marry. There is little privacy in Middlemarch, and certain
primary example of disappointing and disastrous marriage. At characters (such as Mrs. Cadwallader) exacerbate this by being
one point the marriage is described as “an enclosed basin;” prone to gossip and judgment about marriages in the
several other times it is referred to as a “prison,” and community. For example, Mrs. Cadwallader is highly
judgmental of both Dorothea’s marriage to Casaubon and her

relationship with Will. Middlemarch; there are many instances when the townspeople
Coming from a “good” family is highly valued, yet considering help one another out, such as when Caleb takes on the
that no one can actually change the social status of their own wayward Fred as an apprentice or when Dorothea writes
family, the only way to rise in rank is through marriage. At the Lydgate a £1000 check so he is no longer in debt to Bulstrode.
same time, the novel suggests that fixating on social status and However, overall the small-town aspect of life in the town
improving it through marriage can have profoundly negative forces the community and its members to remain stuck in an
effects on people’s lives. Rosamond eagerly marries Lydgate old-fashioned, unjust, and self-defeating way of living.
because he comes from a noble family: “[Lydgate] had a
profession and was clever, as well as sufficiently handsome; but PROGRESS AND REFORM
the piquant fact about Lydgate was his good birth, which Middlemarch is set during a highly tumultuous time
distinguished him from all Middlemarch admirers, and in English history, when dramatic developments in
presented marriage as a Prospect of rising in rank.” Rosamond politics, science, and industrialization were having a
is fixated on improving her own social standing, so much so that major impact on the country. In the novel, “reform” has both a
she ignores the reality that Lydgate is poor. In the end, his lack specific meaning and a more general one: specifically, it refers
of wealth makes their marriage disastrous and miserable. to the push for parliamentary reform that centered around the
Family name may be important, but it cannot compensate for Reform Act of 1832. “Reform” also refers to more general
the material reality of not having enough money. changes in the novel, such as Lydgate’s passion for medical
To make matters worse, those whose families can’t be traced reform. At one point the narrator refers to the period in which
(either because they come from elsewhere or, as in the case of the novel is set as the “ante-reform times.” In Middlemarch,
Joshua Rigg, they are “illegitimate” children born outside of then, this is also an anti-reform era, as most residents remain at
marriage) are treated with suspicion. For example, the narrator least skeptical of—and often staunchly opposed to—the reform
notes that Middlemarch townspeople are suspicious of and progress taking place. The novel emphatically shows that
Bulstrode not just because he is a Methodist, but also because such closed-mindedness is misguided and dangerous, and that
“five-and-twenty years ago no one had ever heard of a it will ultimately hold Middlemarch back while the rest of the
Bulstrode in Middlemarch.” This detail shows how difficult it is world moves toward a better future.
for a person to gain acceptance within Middlemarch. Anyone The period in which the novel is set is so tumultuous that at one
who is different or who does not have a good (or known) family point it is described as having an apocalyptic atmosphere, with
reputation is immediately subject to skeptical scrutiny. Mr. Vincy unsure of “whether it were only the general election
This fixation on class and family reputation over other, more or the end of the world that was coming on, now that George
meaningful merits also makes life in the town backwards and the Fourth was dead, Parliament dissolved, Wellington and Peel
dysfunctional. On the subject of doctors, the narrator notes generally depreciated and the new King apologetic.”
that “this was one of the difficulties of moving in good Mr. Vincy’s thoughts show that rather than greeting change
Middlemarch society: it was dangerous to insist on knowledge and reform with excitement, many Middlemarch residents are
as a qualification for any salaried office.” People tend to favor horrified. While it is perhaps natural to be fearful in times of
certain doctors because they are popular or have simply been great change, the invocation of “the end of the world” suggests
around for a long time, rather than because they have the best that Vincy has an irrationally negative view of the reform
medical knowledge and skill. This reveals that people in this sweeping the country. This is particularly true considering that
world care far more about a person’s class and reputation than the changes taking place aim to make the country more
their actual ability to perform in a professional role. democratic, fair, affluent, and efficient, rather than having a
This obsession with status distinguishes Middlemarch from destructive effect.
more metropolitan parts of England (and from the rest of the The locus of political change around which the novel revolves is
world) during this era. While hardly confined to provincial the Reform Act of 1832. This parliamentary Act created
areas, fixation on class and family reputation is far more change in what was previously a deeply unjust and
pronounced in places like Middlemarch than it is in cities like undemocratic system of political representation. It expanded
London. Because there are both fewer people and fewer kinds voting rights such that 1 in 5 men became eligible to vote, and it
of people living there than somewhere like London, everyone is simultaneously abolished aspects of the electoral system that
keenly aware of where they exist on the same, deeply allowed wealthy noblemen to wield arbitrary, unearned power.
hierarchical social map.
Within the novel, Mr. Brooke and Will Ladislaw are the most
In this sense, the obsession with hierarchy and status within prominent supporters of the reform platform (although Brooke
the Middlemarch community keeps the community back while is initially reluctant to support reform and has to be persuaded
other parts of the country advance. There are some benefits to by Will to do so). Both commit themselves to this agenda even
the intense interconnection that exists between residents of

as they face ostracization and ridicule for doing so. Some of this medicine by the Vincys’ family doctor, Mr. Wrench. It is only
opposition is based on legitimate concerns, such as the fact that when Lydgate intervenes and gives the correct diagnosis that
Brooke’s bad reputation as a tenant means it is hypocritical of Fred’s condition improves. For obvious reasons, the question of
him to be pushing a socially progressive agenda. At the same medical reform is a life-or-death issue for residents of
time it is also clear that most residents of Middlemarch will use Middlemarch.
any excuse to oppose reform and paint Brooke and Ladislaw’s Despite the clear advantages of welcoming medical and
platform as dangerous and “radical.” scientific progress into Middlemarch, however, much of the
The intense opposition that Brooke and Ladislaw encounter community remains just as staunchly opposed to this progress
highlights the rather extreme extent to which Middlemarch as they are to political reform. This is best illustrated by the
residents are against reform. The novel itself is quite firmly on incident toward the end of the novel when Caleb Garth
the side of progress, change, and the ideals of “liberty, freedom, attempts to plan the construction of a railway through Lowick.
[and] emancipation” that are wrapped up in the reform The narrator explains that Middlemarch residents are markedly
platform. It is critical of Middlemarch residents’ resistance to unenthusiastic about the new technology of railway travel,
change, suggesting that this resistance is ethically unfounded which women of the community deem “presumptuous and
and makes them liable to be left behind as the rest of the dangerous:” “In the hundred to which Middlemarch belonged
country moves into the future. railways were as exciting a topic as the Reform Bill or the
Along with political reform, medical reform, scientific imminent horrors of Cholera.” Once again, the comparison of
advancements, and industrialization are also drastically railways to the Reform Bill links the issue of political reform to
transforming the nature of life in England at the time. The that of scientific and industrial advancement.
question of medical progress is mostly explored through the Middlemarchers are adamantly opposed to both political and
character of Tertius Lydgate. Lydgate is a young doctor who has scientific reform, out of both fear of change and attachment to
thrown his life into medicine, which his great passion. He is old, dysfunctional ways of life. This opposition intensifies the
especially eager about the cause of medical reform and gets impression that they are a backwards community suspicious of
involved with the New Hospital being built in Middlemarch. change and progress—even if it might benefit them.
Indeed, the narrator explains that Lydgate was attracted to
medicine precisely because it was a field in need of reform. MONEY AND GREED
The urgency with which medicine in Middlemarch needs Both money and the lack of it cause many problems
reforming is illustrated by a quote from Mr. Bulstrode, who for the characters in Middlemarch. Some characters
explains: “The standard of the profession [medicine] is low in are obsessed with money, whereas others spurn it.
Middlemarch…I mean in knowledge and skill; not in social The novel strongly indicates that it is better not to obsess over
status, for our medical men are most of them connected with money and to focus on other forms of fulfilment. At the same
respectable townspeople here…I am painfully aware of the time, it also becomes clear that it is impossible not to care
backwardness under which medical treatment labors in our about money at all. Not only is having some amount of money
provincial districts.” This quotation highlights the fact that necessary to survive, but money is also a major factor in the
Middlemarch operates according to an old system wherein social hierarchy of the Middlemarch community. For this
“good birth” qualifies men to be doctors, rather than reason, it cannot be ignored.
intelligence, knowledge, and skill.
The novel presents a variety of ways in which money issues can
This point links the issue of medical reform to the broader have a damaging, even ruinous impact on a person’s life. One
question of political reform. The implication is that in a more way is through gambling and debt. Fred Vincy gambles and
democratic, merit-based society, the field of medicine will becomes indebted to the local horse-dealer Mr. Bambridge, a
advance because people will practice medicine based on their situation he at first does not take seriously because he has
ability to do so, not simply because they are born into the right always been able to rely on his father’s money: “Fred had
family. The connection between medical reform and political always (at that time) his father's pocket as a last resource, so
reform is explicitly made by the narrator later in the novel: that his assets of hopefulness had a sort of gorgeous
“While Lydgate, safely married and with the Hospital under his superfluity about them. Of what might be the capacity of his
command, felt himself struggling for Medical Reform against father's pocket, Fred had only a vague notion.” This quotation
Middlemarch, Middlemarch was becoming more and more highlights that growing up wealthy can make people foolish and
conscious of the national struggle for another kind of Reform.” reckless with money, leading them to make bad decisions that
The issue of medical reform is not just one of justice: it actually end up losing them their wealth. His father’s money has always
endangers Middlemarch residents by leading them to be given Fred a sense of security, but that security is in fact
treated by inept doctors. This problem is demonstrated when counterproductive, firstly because he doesn’t actually know
Fred Vincy suffers typhoid fever and is prescribed the wrong how much money his father has, and secondly because it leads

him into reckless behaviors like borrowing and gambling. Fred’s suggests that Dorothea has a rather romantic idea of choosing
debt and inability to pay it ends up causing him misery. love over money. She explains that she would love to know how
Whatever brief elation is sparked by gambling is counteracted Julia “bore the change from wealth to poverty,” unaware that
by the difficulties that follow. this foreshadows her own trajectory later in the novel
Another way in which money has a problematic impact on (although, importantly, Dorothea does not end up
people’s lives is through the greed stimulated by the possibility impoverished, only significantly less wealthy than she was
of inheritance. This is best demonstrated by the scene of Mr. before). The novel strongly indicates that it is important to stick
Featherstone’s funeral, when all his many relatives (some very to one’s principles (be they love or honor) and in doing so
distant) assemble to hear the reading of his will. This scene choose fulfilment over money.
brings out the very worst in the assembled characters; rather At the same time, there is an extent to which Dorothea’s
than focusing on mourning Featherstone or even just romanticization of Julia’s life story is naïve. Dorothea has never
maintaining dignity during the reading of the will, they greedily had to face the reality of poverty, and thus is ignorant of how
obsess over how much they will inherit from him. This is serious a sacrifice it can be to choose fulfilment over money.
illustrated by the description of Fred Vincy biting his cheeks to The example of Caleb Garth further demonstrates that
stop himself from smiling when he learns of his inheritance. eschewing money is important in principle but can cause
When the second version of Featherstone’s will is read, problems in reality. The narrator notes that in contrast to their
stipulating that the beneficiaries will not actually receive what more lavish neighbors, “the Garths were poor, and ‘lived in a
they were promised in the first will, the anger that ensues small way.’” Considering the novel’s condemnation of greed,
further shows how greed brings out the ugliest sides of people. this is an admirable quality. At the same time, the Garths’
Yet another significant way in which money ruins people’s lives relative poverty means that when Caleb lends Fred Vincy
is the concept of “dirty money,” which becomes especially money, Fred’s inability to pay him back becomes disastrous for
prominent toward the end of the novel. When a desperate the Garths. Caleb’s generosity is admirable but also dangerous,
Lydgate is forced to the brink of declaring bankruptcy, he due to the fact that money is necessary to survival.
accepts a loan offered to him by Bulstrode. It turns out that this Comparing Caleb Garth’s and Fred Vincy’s behaviour suggests
money was acquired through deception and theft, and when that both greed and indifference to money can lead to foolish
this fact emerges Lydgate is implicated in the scandal that decisions. While the novel indicates that it is important not to
ensues, making him a pariah in Middlemarch society. be greedy, a total lack of greed is not advisable either, because
Lydgate’s foolishness in accepting Bulstrode’s money is further money is (perhaps unfortunately) such an important part of life.
emphasized by the fact that earlier in the novel, Will Ladislaw
had refused money Bulstrode offered him precisely because he
knew Bulstrode had acquired it by nefarious means. Rather SYMBOLS
than being seduced by the prospect of Bulstrode’s offer,
Ladislaw declares: “You shall keep your ill-gotten money.” This Symbols appear in teal text throughout the Summary and
incident confirms Ladislaw’s status as one of the most Analysis sections of this LitChart.
admirable, morally upstanding characters in the novel. Of
course, it would be possible to argue that Lydgate’s desperate COTTAGES
financial situation makes it impossible for him to refuse
Dorothea Brooke, one of the main characters in
Bulstrode’s money. At the same time, the comparison between
Middlemarch, cares about social progress and is also
Lydgate’s decision and Ladislaw’s suggests that it is never
worth it to accept “ill-gotten money,” even if the alternative is fixated on the idea of making an impact on the world. As a
bankruptcy. This reinforces the point that acquiring money hobby, she makes architectural drawings for cottages for the
often ultimately causes more problems than it solves. tenant farmers who live and work on her uncle Mr. Brooke’s
estate. Dorothea’s obsession with planning the cottages marks
Along with Ladislaw, Dorothea and Caleb Garth are other as different from the other women in Middlemarch. Women of
examples of characters who reject greed. Dorothea repeatedly her class are encouraged to engage in light aesthetic pursuits
says she hates her wealth, and she eventually chooses to marry such as fine art and music—although even these are not
Ladislaw even though the stipulation in Casaubon’s will means supposed to be taken very seriously. Dorothea, however,
that doing so will make her lose everything she inherited from throws herself into her designs for the tenants’ cottages,
her deceased husband. In choosing Ladislaw, she echoes the disregarding the social norms that prohibit women from
decision of Ladislaw’s own grandmother Julia, who was cut off engaging in a field like architecture and ignoring the fact that
by her family after she chose to marry a poor Polish musician she does not have the formal education to support this work.
whom she loved. The cottages thus symbolize Dorothea’s utopian vision along
Dorothea’s fascination with Ladislaw’s grandmother’s story with the theme of social progress; Dorothea hopes that they

will improve tenants’ wellbeing and she puts a great deal of it is attached to the Old Infirmary. Even without the scandal,
care into her designs. However, the cottages also highlight the however, it is unclear whether the New Hospital would have
limits of ambition, alongside Dorothea’s naivety and the been able to survive. It symbolizes the difficulty of progress in
restrictions on what a woman can achieve in Middlemarch an area where most people are skeptical of reform. While
society. Although some characters such as Sir James Chettam Bulstrode, Lydgate, and Dorothea have great hopes for the
support Dorothea’s plans, this is largely to appease her, rather hospital, most of the characters are still too attached to the old
than because they actually believe in the cottages’ viability. way of doing things to see the advantages a new institution
Ultimately the plans for the cottages never transpire, and as could bring.
such they represent the failure of unrealized dreams.
RAILWAY
THE KEY TO ALL MYTHOLOGIES Rail transport was still fairly new to England during
The Key to All Mythologies is the name of the work of the period in which the novel is set, which is just
theological scholarship to which the 45-year-old before the “railway boom” of the 1840s. As a result, the railway
Rev. Edward Casaubon has dedicated several decades of his is yet another way in which the novel explores the tension
life. The grand title of the work highlights its ambitious scope, between progress and resistance to change. When local people
and when Dorothea first hears about it, she is captivated by the hear about plans for a railway that will cut through patches of
idea that the work will constitute a major contribution to land in Middlemarch, there is widespread fury and hysteria.
knowledge. However, early on in Dorothea’s marriage to Landowners and tenants alike are resistant to the idea of the
Casaubon it emerges that the project is not as significant as it land being cut up, whereas the local women adamantly oppose
at first appears. Will Ladislaw informs Dorothea that because the railway on the grounds that traveling by rail is
Casaubon does not read German, he has not been able to keep “presumptuous” and dangerous. These fears show that much
up with the latest developments in the field of theology, which opposition to the railway is essentially baseless. As Caleb points
means that The Key to All Mythologies is doomed to be outdated out after a group of anti-railway farmers attack him and his
and irrelevant. Casaubon dies without finishing the project; he assistant with hay forks, the local people have been fed
entrusts the notes to Dorothea and asks her to shape them into misinformation about the railway in order to ramp up
a finished product, but at this point Dorothea realizes that it opposition to it. At the same time, some of the reasons that the
will never amount to anything and considers it a “tomb” in Middlemarchers give for opposing the railway are more valid
which Casaubon has buried her. Like the cottages, The Key to than the reasons that they oppose other forms of technological
All Mythologies thus symbolizes the failure of unrealized progress (such as the New Hospital). One farm worker points
ambitions. However, because of Casaubon’s show of out that the railway will only benefit rich people, which is a
confidence in the work, it also represents the dangers of self- legitimate and prescient concern. Working-class men like him
delusion. Casaubon is secretly insecure about the project, but are disenfranchised and have no way to express their
instead of admitting this he becomes secretive and cagey about opposition to the railway other than through violence (hence
it. The Key to All Mythologies is seemingly impressive, but the attack on Caleb and his assistant). The avalanche of
ultimately insubstantial. industrial technology and the railway boom may not benefit
them, but they are powerless to stop it.
NEW HOSPITAL
The New Hospital is established by Nicholas QUO
QUOTES
TES
Bulstrode (who finances and manages it) and
Note: all page numbers for the quotes below refer to the
Tertius Lydgate (who serves as the medical director) as a way to
HarperCollins edition of Middlemarch published in 2015.
raise the standard of medical care in Middlemarch. They plan to
conduct research there and even hope to open an affiliated
medical school one day. The New Hospital is thus designed to Book 1, Chapter 1 Quotes
be a cutting-edge institution in the midst of a largely Women were expected to have weak opinions; but the
backwards, provincial area that tends to be resistant to great safeguard of society and of domestic life was, that
technological progress and reform. The resistance of the local opinions were not acted on. Sane people did what their
people makes it difficult for the New Hospital to flourish; none neighbours did, so that if any lunatics were at large, one might
of the Middlemarch doctors will work there, and Lydgate thus know and avoid them.
has to employ people from outside the area. Ultimately the
financial scandal that drives both Bulstrode and Lydgate from
Middlemarch dooms the hospital to failure, and after this point

attempt to win over Dorothea, and he has enthusiastically

Related Themes:
agreed to build the cottages she has been designing for
tenant farmers. However, when Celia tells Dorothea that Sir
Page Number: 9
James clearly intends to propose to her, Dorothea is
Explanation and Analysis horrified. She insists that she must start being rude to Sir
The narrator has explained that Dorothea’s beauty and James and that she will have to abandon her plans for the
inheritance ought to make her highly desirable as a cottages. In an attempt to comfort her, Celia calls
potential wife. However, her religious piety and flair for Dorothea’s architectural plans a “fad,” which only enrages
drama undercut these marriageable qualities. As this Dorothea further.
quotation shows, the fact that Dorothea has strong rather This quotation conveys Dorothea’s frustration over having
than “weak opinions” marks her as different from other her ambitions read as “childish.” She may not be an expert in
women in Middlemarch and from the ideal of how women architecture, but her commitment to improving the lives of
are supposed to behave. Indeed, this quotation indicates the tenant workers is passionately earnest. Celia, who
that people are actually frightened or disturbed by a woman conforms to the ideal of femininity far more than Dorothea
with strong opinions, which is why there needs to be a does, feels sympathy for her sister but clearly doesn’t
“safeguard” against them. understand the true nature of Dorothea’s interest in the
The quotation also highlights how restrictions placed on cottages. By calling it a “fad,” she suggests that it is an
women correspond to the conformity of a society like entertaining hobby for Dorothea rather than a serious
Middlemarch. When the narrator says that “sane people did endeavor.
what their neighbours did,” they are not conveying their Of course, there is a certain extent to which Celia is right in
own opinion but rather expressing the opinion held by this passage. Although Dorothea is earnestly committed to
Middlemarch residents. Middlemarchers find safety and the cottages, after she marries Casaubon she gives them up
security in conformity, and are wary of the presence of in order to focus on assisting her husband with his
“lunatics” in the community. The fact that the mention of scholarship. Later, she develops and then also abandons a
lunatics comes after a discussion of women’s opinions plan to build a “colony” for poor farmworkers after Sir
suggests that in this context, the word refers not to people James and Mr. Brooke persuade her it is not realistic. In this
who are literally insane but rather to those who break light, her interest in the cottages is something of a “fad.”
societal conventions. This includes women who—like
Dorothea—violate the expectation that women’s ideas
should be “weak” and inconsequential. Book 1, Chapter 6 Quotes
She would never have disowned any one on the ground of
poverty… But her feeling towards the vulgar rich was a sort of
Book 1, Chapter 4 Quotes religious hatred: they had probably made all their money out of
“It is very hard: it is your favourite fad to draw plans.” high retail prices, and Mrs Cadwallader detested high prices for
“Fad to draw plans! Do you think I only care about my fellow everything that was not paid in kind at the Rectory: such people
creatures’ houses in that childish way? I may well make were no part of God's design in making the world; and their
mistakes. How can one ever do anything nobly Christian, living accent was an affliction to the ears. A town where such
among people with such petty thoughts?” monsters abounded was hardly more than a sort of low
comedy, which could not be taken account of in a well-bred
scheme of the universe.
Related Characters: Celia Brooke, Dorothea Brooke
(speaker)
Related Characters: Mrs. Elinor Cadwallader
Related Themes:
Related Themes:
Related Symbols:
Page Number: 60
Page Number: 37 Explanation and Analysis
Explanation and Analysis Having learned about Dorothea’s engagement to Casaubon,
Sir James has been spending a lot of time at Tipton in his

Book 2, Chapter 13 Quotes

Mrs. Cadwallader goes immediately to find Sir James and
tell him the bad news. She then suggests to him that he ‘The standard of that profession is low in Middlemarch, my
marry Celia instead. Following this exchange the narrator dear sir,’ said the banker. ‘I mean in knowledge and skill; not in
gives more insight into Mrs. Cadwallader’s background and social status, for our medical men are most of them connected
personality. She is fascinated by the gossip sent to her in with respectable townspeople here. My own imperfect health
letters from her aristocratic relatives. This quotation has induced me to give some attention to those palliative
explains that while she is not remotely prejudiced toward resources which the divine mercy has placed within our reach. I
poor people, she despises those who become rich from have consulted eminent men in the metropolis, and I am
commerce. painfully aware of the backwardness under which medical
treatment labours in our provincial districts.’
This might at first seem to be a radical, progressive opinion,
but it is in fact nothing of the sort. By “vulgar rich,” Mrs.
Cadwallader means those who are not of high birth (high- Related Characters: Mr. Nicholas Bulstrode (speaker),
ranking in the class system) yet who have made money Tertius Lydgate
through work or business. Her disgust at the “accent” of
these people shows that her hatred of them is a form of Related Themes:
class prejudice. When the narrator explains that she
believes there is no place for them within “God’s design,” Related Symbols:
this is because they have violated their “proper” place within
the social hierarchy, which Mrs. Cadwallader finds Page Number: 125
unforgiveable. This is why she is kinder to poor people than
Explanation and Analysis
to the so-called “vulgar rich” (what we also might call the
middle class or bourgeoise): because poor people remain in At the bank, Lydgate and Bulstrode are discussing the New
the low hierarchical position where she thinks they belong. Hospital being established in Middlemarch. Lydgate hopes
that the success of the hospital will allow for a medical
school to be attached to it, and that this will in turn lead to
many similar medical schools springing up all over the
We mortals, men and women, devour many a country. Bulstrode is inspired by Lydgate’s ambitions, but
disappointment between breakfast and dinner-time; keep warns him that the other doctors in Middlemarch will be
back the tears and look a little pale about the lips, and in answer viciously opposed to all this talk of medical reform.
to inquiries say, 'Oh, nothing!' Pride helps us; and pride is not a
bad thing when it only urges us to hide our own hurts - not to This quotation shows some of the factors that hinder
hurt others. progress in the field of medicine. In particular, Bulstrode’s
allusion to the fact that the doctors in Middlemarch are high
in “social status” and low in “knowledge and skill” shows that
the field of medicine there is not based on merit, but rather
Related Themes:
on class rank. Unsurprisingly, this means that the treatment
Page Number: 62 one receives from Middlemarch doctors is substandard.
Note also that Bulstrode portrays himself as an exception
Explanation and Analysis when it comes to concern over this issue. As a wealthy man
Having been informed of Dorothea’s engagement to he has been able to seek better medical treatment from
Casaubon, Sir James is horrified. However, he does not doctors in the city, which is obviously not an option available
linger in this horror for too long, and instead decides to go to most people. More importantly, many people in
to Tipton anyway to continue their discussion about the Middlemarch do not want to seek medical help from
cottages in a friendly manner. The narrator explains that elsewhere, because they are content with a system wherein
disappointment is an unavoidable part of daily life, although doctors’ social status is their primarily qualification for the
“pride” often makes people conceal their true feelings of job. This status quo will make the task of medical reform
disappointment. This observation is central to the novel’s very difficult.
depiction of disappointment, which is one of its major
themes. Middlemarch shows that disappointment is an
integral part of the human experience—we can never
insulate ourselves against it, and thus the best thing is to
accept it and learn how to deal with it.


Related Characters: Mrs. Farebrother (speaker), Tertius
Of course, he had a profession and was clever, as well as Lydgate
sufficiently handsome; but the piquant fact about Lydgate was
his good birth, which distinguished him from all Middlemarch Related Themes:
admirers, and presented marriage as a Prospect of rising in
rank and getting a little nearer to that celestial condition on Page Number: 169-179
earth in which she would have nothing to do with vulgar people,
and perhaps at last associate with relatives quite equal to the Explanation and Analysis
county people who looked down on the Middlemarchers. It was Lydgate has gone to visit Mr. Farebrother at the old
part of Rosamond's cleverness to discern very subtly the parsonage where he lives. He is surprised to find other
faintest aroma of rank. people there, namely Farebrother’s mother Mrs.
Farebrother, his aunt Miss Noble, and his sister Winifred
Farebrother. Mrs. Farebrother believes that almost all
Related Characters: Tertius Lydgate, Rosamond Vincy
sickness is caused by overeating, which leads Mr.
Related Themes: Farebrother to lament that his mother does not believe in
science. Mrs. Farebrother responds that actually, she
Page Number: 166 “object[s] to what is wrong,” and in the quotation above
explains that when she was young, everyone had the same
Explanation and Analysis idea about what was right and wrong.
Lydgate and Rosamond have had a flirtatious conversation This passage provides important background information
during a dinner party at the Vincys’. They are clearly about the way Middlemarch society has changed in the
attracted to each other, however the narrator notes that years leading up to the time the novel is set. While Mrs.
they also both remain entrenched in their own private Farebrother is undoubtedly oversimplifying (and
worlds, and thus disconnected from one another. Lydgate is romanticizing) the social world she grew up in, it is clear that
focused on his career and does not plan to marry for back then there was a greater sense of conformity. As
another five years, whereas—as we can see from this science, industrialization, political change, and religious
quotation—Rosamond is fixated on Lydgate’s rank and the pluralism have become increasingly prominent, this sense of
possibility this affords of her moving up in society by conformity and consensus has been disrupted. Disturbed by
marrying him. these changes, Middlemarchers such as Mrs. Farebrother
Rosamond’s obsession with rank reflects the attitude held nostalgically long for a day when everyone (or at least all
by most people in Middlemarch, although she is perhaps “respectable” Christians) agreed with one another. It is this
more fanatical about the issue than others. This single- attitude that makes them suspicious of change and resistant
mindedness means that she has developed an awareness of to progress and reform.
rank that the narrator describes almost as a specialist skill;
her sensitivity to class means that she is aware of even “the
faintest aroma of rank.” This phrase reminds us of the highly Book 2, Chapter 20 Quotes
complex nature of the class system at the time. Rather than The fact is unalterable, that a fellow-mortal with whose
a straightforward hierarchy made up of three or four name you are acquainted solely through the brief entrances
classes, it is a sprawling map featuring many intricate levels and exits of a few imaginative weeks called courtship, may,
of difference. Rosamond’s ability to detect even these when seen in the continuity of married companionship, be
minute differences may be presented as a skill, yet it is of disclosed as something better or worse than what you have
course a skill that emerges out of her own shallowness. preconceived, but will certainly not appear altogether the
same.

When I was young, Mr Lydgate, there never was any Related Themes:
question about right and wrong. We knew our catechism, and
that was enough; we learned our creed and our duty. Every Page Number: 195
respectable Church person had the same opinions. But, now if Explanation and Analysis
you speak out of the Prayer-book itself, you are liable to be
contradicted.' It has been six weeks since Dorothea and Casaubon’s

wedding, and they are now on their honeymoon in Rome. Meanwhile, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel are
Dorothea is so miserable that she is sitting in their both Tory politicians who at different times serve as Prime
apartment weeping, yet she doesn’t understand why she Minister. At this point, the Tories have been in power since
feels so sad. In this passage the narrator comments that no 1784, but in the leadup to the 1830 general election
person will see their spouse in the same way after marriage mentioned in this passage they are losing popularity (and,
as they did during courtship. This is a key concept in the although Mr. Vincy doesn’t know this yet, will lose the
novel, and helps explain why the two most prominent election to the Whigs). This dramatic shift in political power
marriages (between Dorothea and Casaubon and after so many years of Tory victory helps contribute to a
Rosamond and Lydgate) are both enormous sense of immense upheaval. Particularly in a place like
disappointments. Middlemarch, which is conservative and resistant to reform,
In each case, the couples—and particularly the women the decline in Tory power is indeed felt to be apocalyptic,
within each couple—were filled with excitement about what paving the way for enormous instability and change.
marriage would bring. However, the reality of marriage
ends up being extremely different from what they expected.
Ultimately, “the imaginative weeks called courtship” are Book 4, Chapter 40 Quotes
shown to often produce a delusion about one’s partner and In watching effects, if only of an electric battery, it is often
married life in general. Those less susceptible to this necessary to change our place and examine a particular mixture
delusion tend to be couples like Mary and Fred, who have or group at some distance from the point where the movement
known each other for a long time and thus have no illusions we are interested in was set up. The group I am moving
about one another. towards is at Caleb Garth’s breakfast-table in the large parlour
where the maps and desk were: father, mother, and five of the
children.
The doubt hinted by Mr. Vincy whether it were only the Related Characters: Mrs. Garth, Mr. Caleb Garth
general election or the end of the world that was coming on,
now that George the Fourth was dead, Parliament dissolved, Related Themes:
Wellington and Peel generally depreciated and the new King
apologetic, was a feeble type of the uncertainties in provincial Page Number: 399
opinion at that time.
These are the first sentences of Chapter 40. At the end of
Related Characters: Mr. Walter Vincy the previous chapter, Mr. Brooke spoke to one of his
tenants, Mr. Dagley, about disciplining Dagley’s son, who
Related Themes:
had killed a leveret. Mr. Dagley tells Brooke that he is a bad
Page Number: 357 landlord and that, by implication, he is not qualified to be
pushing the Reform agenda in Middlemarch. The beginning
Explanation and Analysis of this chapter shifts focus to the family of Caleb Garth. It is
The dramatic events of Featherstone’s funeral are one of many moments in the novel when the narrator
compounded by the political tumult of this point in time. In employs scientific language and metaphors in the process of
conversation with Rosamond, Mr. Vincy suggests that the narrating the story.
combination of these two factors makes it feel like the end By comparing the observation of the Garth family to a
of the world. This quotation at the beginning of Chapter 37 scientific experiment, Eliot collapses the distance between
expands on this point, outlining in more detail the political scientific inquiry and ordinary social life. She suggests that
drama of the time. George IV had been a pompous, science and everyday human interaction are not two
extravagant, and somewhat irresponsible ruler; he was separate spheres, but all part of the same system that can
opposed to Catholic Emancipation and only agreed to be observed according to the same (scientific) principles.
approve the Catholic Relief Act after immense political Indeed, she suggests that applying these principles to the
pressure. His successor William IV is in many ways the observation of people illuminates aspects of social life that
opposite; he is unassuming (or even “apologetic”) and over we might not otherwise see. This is an important concept in
the course of his reign will preside over a wave of reforms. Middlemarch and one of the most innovative aspects of the
novel, through which Eliot ties her depiction of “provincial

life” to the latest scientific advancements of the time.

Related Themes:
Book 4, Chapter 42 Quotes Related Symbols:
Thus his intellectual ambition which seemed to others to Page Number: 439
have absorbed and dried him, was really no security against
wounds, least of all against those which came from Dorothea. Explanation and Analysis
And he had begun now to frame possibilities for the future Rosamond has gone to see Lydgate at the New Hospital to
which were somehow more embittering to him than anything discuss Casaubon’s health. The two of them end up
his mind had dwelt on before. discussing the social reforms that are needed in
Middlemarch. Lydgate laments that many in the town are
Related Characters: Rev. Edward Casaubon, Dorothea opposed to these reforms, often simply because Bulstrode
Brooke is backing the reforms. Bulstrode’s unpopularity means that
many people mindlessly oppose everything he does. Lydgate
Related Themes: thus finds himself in a difficult position. He has been given
an opportunity that he is grateful for and that he wishes to
Related Symbols: take advantage of in order to bring medical reform to
Middlemarch; however, he is also unsure how to overcome
Page Number: 418 the prejudice against Bulstrode (and all the projects
Bulstrode backs) in order to actually succeed in this
Explanation and Analysis endeavor.
After returning from his honeymoon, Lydgate goes straight This quotation illustrates how petty prejudices and disputes
to Lowick to check on Casaubon’s health. The narrator have a disproportionate impact on life in Middlemarch,
observes that all of Casaubon’s hard work amounts to particularly when it comes to serious issues like medicine. It
feelings of paranoia about what others think of him and also shows that alliances can prove fatal in a town where
sadness about the state of his project. At the same time, he everyone is so deeply interconnected and suspicious of
refuses to entertain the idea that his scholarly endeavor has those they consider outsiders. Although Bulstrode has been
failed. This passage captures how tragic it is that the project in Middlemarch longer than Lydgate, he is still considered
to which Casaubon has devoted his life—and which has had an outsider insofar as his family has no history there, and
such a draining impact on him that it has “absorbed and little is known about his background. Lydgate must
dried him”—has left him feeling paranoid and insecure. All therefore find a way to deal with the prejudice against him
the hard work he has put into it has had an “embittering” and Bulstrode simply in order to be able to practice
effect. Haunted by the looming threat of disappointment medicine.
yet unable to concede defeat, Casaubon is left tormented
by his own misery.
And here Dorothea's pity turned from her own future to
her husband's past - nay, to his present hard struggle with a lot
The immediate motive to the opposition, however, is the which had grown out of that past the lonely labour, the
fact that Bulstrode has put the medical direction into my hands. ambition breathing hardly under the pressure of self-distrust;
Of course I am glad of that. It gives me an opportunity of doing the goal receding, and the heavier limbs; and now at last the
some good work - and I am aware that I have to justify his sword visibly trembling above him! And had she not wished to
choice of me. But the consequence is, that the whole profession marry him that she might help him in his life's labour? - But she
in Middlemarch have set themselves tooth and nail against the had thought the work was to be something greater, which she
Hospital, and not only refuse to co-operate themselves, but try could serve in devoutly for its own sake. Was it right, even to
to blacken the whole affair and hinder subscriptions. soothe his grief - would it be possible, even if she promised - to
work as in a treadmill fruitlessly?
Related Characters: Tertius Lydgate (speaker), Mr.
Nicholas Bulstrode Related Characters: Dorothea Brooke, Rev. Edward
Casaubon

Related Themes: Explanation and Analysis

To the surprise of everyone in Middlemarch, Bulstrode has
Related Symbols: purchased Stone Court from Joshua Rigg-Featherstone, the
illegitimate child of Peter Featherstone who inherited
Page Number: 479 almost all of his father’s property after his death. This
quotation explains the reason why Rigg decided to sell
Explanation and Analysis Stone Court rather than staying there. In contrast to
After spending time working in the library together, someone like Bulstrode, Rigg does not want to use his
Casaubon wraps himself in a blanket, feeling uncomfortable, newfound wealth in order to move up in Middlemarch
and Dorothea reads to him. After she has finished reading society and become more “respectable” than his origins
Casaubon asks her if she will promise to carry out his would otherwise have allowed him to be. Instead, thanks to
wishes after his death. Hesitant to agree, Dorothea says she his “vigorous greed,” he wants to be a moneychanger, a job
needs time to think about it. Casaubon falls asleep while he has always dreamed of having.
Dorothea stays awake, troubled by her husband’s request. While the novel generally condemns greedy behavior,
Throughout the novel we often see Dorothea act in self- showing greed to be a fatal flaw that can lead to a person’s
contradictory ways, and this passage contains an important downfall, in Rigg’s case it is a little different. Rigg’s desire for
insight into the internal conflict that leads to this self- money for its own sake is straightforward, and at least does
contradictory behavior. not involve cheating, deceiving, or thieving as a path to
Dorothea clearly feels love, sympathy, and loyalty to wealth. While greed may not be good, some forms of greed
Casaubon. She hates the idea that he is suffering due to the are at least more honest than others.
imminent disappointment and failure that await if he is
unable to complete his project. At the same time, while she
was initially thrilled about the idea of helping with his Book 6, Chapter 54 Quotes
scholarship, she now feels reluctant and burdened by it. Her
“I never felt it a misfortune to have nothing till now,” he
initial impression that The Key to All Mythologies was
said. “But poverty may be as bad as leprosy, if it divides us from
“something greater” than it actually is has left her feeling
what we most care for.”
disappointed and hesitant to commit to finishing a project
that she suspects will fundamentally prove “fruitless.” As her
delusions fall away, she feels both guilty and slightly Related Characters: Will Ladislaw (speaker), Dorothea
resentful about how she was initially led astray. Brooke
Related Themes:
Page Number: 544
He had a very distinct and intense vision of his chief good,
the vigorous greed which he had inherited having taken a Explanation and Analysis
special form by dint of circumstance: and his chief good was to Will has come to Lowick to tell Dorothea that he is leaving
be a money-changer… The one joy after which his soul thirsted Middlemarch and wants to say goodbye. They have a kind
was to have a money-changer's shop on a much-frequented and polite yet restrained conversation, and at one point Will
quay, to have locks all round him of which he held the keys, and cries out, unable to suppress his emotions. Dorothea
to look sublimely cool as he handled the breeding coins of all comments that Will is happier than she could be with being
nations, while helpless Cupidity looked at him enviously from poor; in this quotation, he responds by saying that for the
the other side of an iron lattice. The strength of that passion first time in his life, he regrets being poor because it
had been a power enabling him to master all the knowledge prevents him from having the one thing he treasures most
necessary to gratify it. in the world. By this he means, of course,
Dorothea—although because of Will’s tortured, indirect
Related Characters: Joshua Rigg way of speaking, this is not 100% clear to her.
Will’s observation about the downsides of poverty is
Related Themes: important. On one level, he and Dorothea are in a pretty
unique position; Casaubon’s decision to stipulate that
Page Number: 520 Dorothea will lose the property she inherited from him if

she marries Will is not exactly a common gesture. On the Another important detail is that those who have the most
other hand, Will’s words here are an important reminder “decided views on the subject” of the railway are women
that money often affords people opportunities and and landowners. This suggests that these two groups tend
freedoms to live the lives that they want to lead. Poorer to be slightly more conservative than the general
people remain limited in their choices and are more likely to population on the issue of the railway (and perhaps other
have to rely on the whims of others (such as Casaubon) than issues as well).
those who are rich. While overall the novel emphasizes that
shallowness and greed are harmful qualities, this quotation
reminds us that money cannot be dismissed as an Book 7, Chapter 64 Quotes
insignificant part of life.
His troubles will perhaps appear miserably sordid, and
beneath the attention of lofty persons who can know nothing
of debt except on a magnificent scale. Doubtless they were
Book 6, Chapter 56 Quotes sordid; and for the majority, who are not lofty, there is no
In the hundred to which Middlemarch belonged railways escape from sordidness but by being free from money-craving,
were as exciting a topic as the Reform Bill or the imminent with all its base hopes and temptations, its watching for death,
horrors of Cholera, and those who held the most decided views its hinted requests, its horsedealer's desire to make bad work
on the subject were women and landholders. Women both old pass for good, its seeking for function which ought to be
and young regarded travelling by steam as presumptuous and another's, its compulsion often to long for Luck in the shape of
dangerous, and argued against it by saying that nothing should a wide calamity.
induce them to get into a railway carriage.
Related Characters: Tertius Lydgate
Related Themes: Related Themes:
Related Symbols: Page Number: 648
Page Number: 553 Explanation and Analysis

Lydgate is over £1000 in debt and has no idea how he will
be able to pay it, as his income as a doctor is very low.
Dorothea has been talking to Caleb Garth about her plans Sensing Lydgate is troubled, Farebrother has reached out to
to build a “colony” for workers. Meanwhile, Caleb has also him, but out of pride Lydgate refuses this support (which
been kept busy by plans for a railway line that will run would not be much good in solving his problems anyway). In
through Lowick. This quotation explains the widespread this quotation, the narrator comments that Lydgate’s
opposition to railways in Middlemarch. Rather than being problems likely seem “sordid,” especially to high-ranking and
excited by the economic and social opportunities provided wealthy people who might be horrified by the miserable
by fast transportation from the town, Middlemarchers are reality of being in debt. Yet as the narrator also explains, for
strongly opposed to the railway. They are evidently most people this “sordidness” is simply a fact of life.
frightened and alarmed by this new form of technology,
Indeed, the whole concept of sordidness is subjective; while
which they regard as highly suspicious and even morally
Lydgate’s troubles would appear “miserably sordid” to a
corrupt.
high-ranking, wealthy person, to a very poor person
While on one level opposition to the railway reflects the Lydgate’s life would likely seem luxurious and aspirational
general suspicion of change and technological progress tjat even with the debt. This quotation implies that readers may
is rampant in Middlemarch, there are also a few key details themselves be high-ranking or used to reading only about
in this quotation that are worth pausing over. First of all, the elite characters in novels, and the narrator seems to
comparison between the railway, the Reform Bill, and the anticipate that the reader might be repulsed by Lydgate’s
cholera epidemic might seem rather strange at first, as the situation. The narrator encourages us to have sympathy for
only thing that unites them appears to be the hatred Lydgate by reminding us that seemingly “sordid” problems
Middlemarchers feel for them. Note, however, that each of are an unavoidable part of reality for most people.
these issues represents a profound force of social change
over which members of the Middlemarch community feel
they have little control—which leads to a great deal of fear.

The business was felt to be so public and important that it
required dinners to feed it, and many invitations were just Page Number: 736
then issued and accepted on the strength of this scandal
concerning Bulstrode and Lydgate; wives, widows, and single Explanation and Analysis
ladies took their work and went out to tea oftener than usual; Having heard the gossip about Bulstrode and Lydgate,
and all public conviviality, from the Green Dragon to Dollop's, Dorothea is adamant that Lydgate must be innocent and is
gathered a zest which could not be won from the question desperate to intervene in order to help clear his name. Both
whether the Lords would throw out the Reform Bill. Farebrother and Sir James implore her not to get involved,
but Dorothea is reluctant to listen to them. Celia urges her
Related Characters: Tertius Lydgate, Mr. Nicholas sister to listen to James’s advice, implying that as
Bulstrode Dorothea’s brother-in-law he is the next best thing to a
husband (although Dorothea then declares that she doesn’t
Related Themes: want a husband). In this quotation, she adds that “men know
best about everything, except what women know better.”
Page Number: 719-720 Unlike her more intelligent sister, Celia doesn’t get why this
Explanation and Analysis statement is funny. This is likely because she thinks that
men are intellectually superior to women and that the
After returning to Middlemarch, Raffles has died of alcohol difference between the genders is clear-cut. To Celia, her
poisoning at Stone Court. Bulstrode is initially relieved, meaning is clear: women have certain expertise about
believing that this means the story about how he acquired domestic issues, but otherwise men know best. However,
his wealth will go to the grave with Raffles. However, before though Dorothea might not admit it consciously, her
dying Raffles told the story to Bambridge at a horse fair in behavior indicates that she is skeptical that men are
another town, and before long the gossip is all over intellectually superior to women. To her ears, Celia’s
Middlemarch. Furthermore, Lydgate is implicated because statement speaks to the irrationality of believing that men
he tended to Raffles before his death and at the same time know better than women.
was given a £1000 loan by Bulstrode, which people now
interpret as a bribe. The final part of the quotation is also important, as it shows
that while Dorothea is the far more independent, rebellious
This passage describes how people spread the gossip about sister, her attempt to suppress her own free spirit meant
Bulstrode and Lydgate almost as if it were a professional that she was overly deferential to Casaubon while he was
duty. This shows the alarming importance that gossip has alive. Celia doesn’t second-guess herself, and is thus happy
within Middlemarch society. People do not treat gossip as a to disagree with Sir James if she thinks he’s wrong. In a
frivolous diversion, but rather as a central and serious sexist society, strong-willed women like Dorothea can end
aspect of life. Indeed, the quotation notes that people pay up acting meeker than more naturally submissive women
far more attention to the Bulstrode scandal than they do like Celia because they are forced to suppress their true
the question of political reform, another indictment of the personalities.
small-minded pettiness of Middlemarch society.
Finale Quotes
Many who knew her, thought it a pity that so substantive
“And, of course men know best about everything, except and rare a creature should have been absorbed into the life of
what women know better.” another, and be only known in a certain circle as a wife and
Dorothea laughed and forgot her tears. mother. But no one stated exactly what else that was in her
“Well, I mean about babies and those things,” explained Celia. “I power she ought rather to have done - not even Sir James
should not give up to James when I knew he was wrong, as you Chettam, who went no further than the negative prescription
used to do to Mr Casaubon.” that she ought not to have married Will Ladislaw.
Related Characters: Celia Brooke, Dorothea Brooke Related Characters: Dorothea Brooke, Sir James Chettam,
(speaker), Sir James Chettam, Rev. Edward Casaubon Will Ladislaw
Related Themes: Related Themes:

Page Number: 836 This disappointment is keenly felt by everyone around

Dorothea, even those who once tried to curtail her unusual
Explanation and Analysis acts and decisions.
In the finale, the narrator details what happens to the At the same time, the passage also notes that no one
characters after the end of the main narrative. After getting mentions this disappointment because they can’t imagine
married Will and Dorothea move to London, where Will what else Dorothea could or should have done. This
embarks on a political career and Dorothea happily leads a illustrates a depressing aspect of the world in which the
life as a wife and mother. In this passage, the narrator novel is set. Women like Dorothea who have extraordinary
observes that despite Dorothea’s own contentment, there passion and intelligence end up conforming to societal
is something disappointing about a uniquely free-spirited expectations not because they necessarily want to, but
and passionate woman like her ending up as a housewife. because no other options are available to them.

SUMMARY AND ANAL

ANALYSIS
YSIS
The color-coded icons under each analysis entry make it easy to track where the themes occur most prominently throughout the
work. Each icon corresponds to one of the themes explained in the Themes section of this LitChart.
PRELUDE
St. Theresa of Avila was an idealistic young woman who lived in In the prelude, the narrator addresses the place of women in history.
Spain in the sixteenth century. There have been many women In the nineteenth century, when Middlemarch was written, history
like her since, women whose lives were not romantic or was still largely a collection of stories told about “great men” who
spectacular but rather filled with tragedy, errors, and had an impact on the world as rulers, intellectuals, artists, or
disappointment. These women struggled to reconcile their innovators—roles that were essentially closed to women. Indeed,
ideals with their desires, and especially with their feminine sainthood was one of the few ways that women could leave a legacy
natures. There is so much variation between women that it is in the historical record.
difficult to say anything conclusive about them as a group.
Women like St. Theresa have trouble fitting in and finding
others like them; they strive to leave a legacy, but their actions
usually go unremembered.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 1
Dorothea Brooke tends to wear simple, modest clothes, which In the opening to the novel, we are given the impression that
make her look even more beautiful. People consider her highly Dorothea Brooke is a rather unique and unusual woman. In contrast
intelligent, although they think her sister, Celia, has “more to Celia, whose “common sense” means that she conforms to the
common-sense.” Though not noble, the Brookes are a “good” norms of the society in which she lives, Dorothea’s love of extremes
family, and women from this social rank tend to dress plainly. and fixation on “intensity and greatness” are unusual for a woman.
Dorothea is deeply religious and obsessed with “intensity and Religious piety is one of the only ways for women to indulge in
greatness;” these qualities make finding a husband rather “greatness” but, as this passage points out, even that interferes with
complicated. She and Celia are orphans who were educated in Dorothea’s marriage prospects.
England and Switzerland. Their unmarried uncle Mr. Brooke,
who is almost 60, arranged their education. He travelled when
he was young and is now prone to frequent shifts in opinion.
If Dorothea marries and has a son, her son will inherit Mr. This passage further emphasizes the ways that Dorothea deviates
Brooke’s substantial estate. As such she is considered an from the expected behavior of a woman in her community.
“heiress.” Dorothea’s beauty and inheritance make her an Furthermore, it also suggests that Dorothea feels conflicted about
appealing candidate for marriage, but again, her “love of her own failure to conform to these expectations, as indicated by
extremes” gets in the way. Her dramatic habits of fasting and her repeated vows to give up horse-riding. Dorothea may have a
fervent prayer conflict with the way wives are expected to personality that inclines her to rebel against norms, yet she wants to
behave. Women are supposed to have “weak opinions” and embody these norms at the same time.
conform to societal norms. Most people prefer Celia to
Dorothea; on the other hand, Dorothea is undeniably charming
despite her unusual behavior. She loves the outdoors and
horse-riding, a habit she is constantly claiming she is about to
give up.
©2021 LitCharts LLC www.LitCharts.com Page 23

Anytime a man comes to the Brookes’ house, Tipton Grange, it This passage introduces an important social custom of the time.
is assumed he is in love with Celia. Dorothea has a “childlike” Families with daughters of marriageable age receive suitors for
understanding of marriage and thinks her ideal husband would social visits, so that both the potential couple and the family can get
be like a father who could teach her things. Today Sir James to know one another.
Chettam is coming to dinner at Tipton along with Rev. Edward
Casaubon, whom Dorothea and Celia have never met.
Casaubon is a wealthy, respected, and highly educated man
who has spent many years writing an ambitious work of
religious history (The Key to All Mythologies).
After Dorothea comes home from the school she has set up in In this passage, readers begin to see how Dorothea’s idealism can
Middlemarch, Celia asks if they should divide up their mother’s become a little grating to those around her. Dorothea’s decision not
jewels, since six months have now passed since Mr. Brooke to wear jewelry appears to be a personal preference, and it does not
gave them to the sisters. Dorothea kindly responds that they seem as though she is judging Celia. However, it is easy to see how
shouldn’t wear the jewels, but Celia responds that wearing Celia could feel pressure to conform with Dorothea’s unusual and
jewelry is now quite common and that it might help them keep somewhat extreme way of being.
their mother’s memory alive. Dorothea enthusiastically
responds that if Celia wants to wear them, they should get
them out. Dorothea herself refuses to be given any of the
jewelry, even the cross, which she is opposed to wearing as a
“trinket.”
Upset, Celia says that she is embarrassed to wear the jewelry if Like all sisters, Dorothea and Celia sometimes find themselves in
Dorothea refuses to do so. However, Dorothea then begins to conflict with one another. This is due to how close they are while at
admire the ornaments, trying to justify this admiration in her the same time being so different from one another. Dorothea’s
head by framing it as a kind of religious mysticism. Celia insists insistence on accepting only the plainest jewelry from her mother’s
that Dorothea keep a simple ring and bracelet for herself; collection emphasizes that she has no vanity and is perhaps
Dorothea accepts them but urges Celia to put the rest of the uninterested in wealth. It could also be seen as a rejection of
jewelry away. Celia asks if Dorothea will wear them around femininity. Her architectural plans suggest that she is more
other people, a question that offends Dorothea. Both sisters interested in what are regarded as typically masculine pursuits.
are upset until Dorothea asks Celia to look at the architectural
plans for cottages she has drawn. Dorothea rests her cheek
against Celia’s arm as a way of apologizing for having upset her.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 2
At dinner, Mr. Brooke recalls meeting the poet William Mr. Brooke’s comment about women not understanding political
Wordsworth. Dorothea feels awkward. Sir James explains that economy is the first time we witness the expression of overt sexism
he is planning to experiment with technological innovations on in the book. The fact that he accuses Dorothea of this after she
his farm, but Mr. Brooke advises against this. Dorothea speaks argues that agricultural innovations will bring mass benefit suggests
up in favor of James’s plan, as she believes that it is more likely that it is Mr. Brooke himself who is ignorant. Brooke appears to have
to benefit everyone, both Sir James himself and his tenant a habit of self-inflation, and achieves this in part by asserting his
farmers. Mr. Brooke dismissively replies that women don’t superiority over women.
understand political economy. Casaubon interrupts with a non
sequitur, explaining that he spends all his time reading ancient
books. Dorothea thinks that Casaubon is “the most interesting
man she had ever seen.”

Sir James says he knows Dorothea likes horse-riding and that This passage introduces a very important idea within the novel: that
he would love to lend her an elegant horse he owns that has people often make strange, unexpected, and even self-sabotaging
been bred especially to be ridden by women. Dorothea choices when it comes to love and marriage. Sir James is clearly
impatiently replies that she is giving up riding, wanting to focus interested in Dorothea and supports her unique ideas and
only on Casaubon. Sir James responds that Dorothea is too personality. However, Dorothea is drawn to Casaubon, despite his
harsh on herself; Celia agrees that she is always promising to age and social awkwardness.
give things up. Dorothea blushes, annoyed. She wishes that Sir
James would talk to Celia and leave her to converse with
Casaubon.
Mr. Brooke returns to discussing politics, and Dorothea says Presented with Dorothea and Celia’s differing views on Casaubon,
that she wishes he would let her organize his documents. readers must determine for themselves who to believe. It is perhaps
Casaubon admiringly comments that Dorothea seems like an true both that Celia is rather shallow and that Dorothea has been
“excellent secretary,” but Mr. Brooke responds that women are somewhat blinded by her admiration of Casaubon’s intellect and
“too flighty” to be trusted with documents. Later, when the ambition and therefore cannot see him as he really is. This is
sisters are alone, Celia observes that Casaubon is very ugly, but indicated by the fact that she compares him to the famous
Dorothea disagrees, saying he looks like John Locke. Annoyed, philosopher John Locke.
Dorothea accuses Celia of being shallow and not appreciating
Casaubon’s “great soul.” Celia is skeptical that Casaubon
actually has a great soul.
Celia thinks it’s a shame that Dorothea doesn’t like Sir James, Just as Dorothea’s admiration of Casaubon is unexpected and
and fears that her sister won’t marry any man unless he shares perhaps misplaced, the same might be said of Sir James’s
her own ardent principles. Sir James, however, is not put off by attachment to Dorothea. Dorothea may be a remarkable woman,
Dorothea’s strong will; in fact, he finds it charming. He tells but she clearly has little interest in James. Celia evidently adores
Dorothea that horse-riding is healthy, and Dorothea suggests James, but he is not able to see that because he is too fixated on a
that Celia should do it. They argue until Casaubon intervenes, woman who finds him irritating. Furthermore, James understands
taking Dorothea’s side. Sir James is not jealous of Dorothea’s Dorothea so little that he mistakenly assumes it is impossible that
evident admiration of Casaubon, as he would never imagine she would be interested in Casaubon.
she would seriously prefer Casaubon to him. Sir James and
Celia begin talking, and he concludes that Celia is pleasant and
beautiful, albeit not as intelligent as Dorothea.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 3
The next morning Dorothea and Casaubon have a long Again, Dorothea’s strong feelings manifest in a self-contradictory
conversation, during which she gets to know his “labyrinthine” way. She is thrilled to feel that Casaubon is speaking with her as an
mind and similarly complex scholarly project. Casaubon equal, but then quickly reverts to the idea that he is vastly more
explains that he has an enormous number of notes, and that he intelligent than her. This suggests that deep down Dorothea wants
must now fashion these into a more concise series of volumes. to be treated as his equal, but checks herself and pretends she
Dorothea is fascinated by this endeavor and thrilled by the way doesn’t in order to conform with societal beliefs about men’s
Casaubon speaks to her, as if she is his intellectual equal. She intellectual superiority.
happily concludes that “he thinks with me,” although then adds
that his mind vastly outmatches hers. She finds herself trusting
him quickly.

Afterward, Casaubon looks at Mr. Brooke’s documents in his Dorothea evidently feels that Casaubon is the perfect match for her
office. Before going, he tells Dorothea he has been feeling intense, unusual, and self-contradictory character and ideals. While
lonely. He then leaves for his home, Lowick Manor, which is this may be true, she has based her conviction on very little
only five miles away. Nobody would be able to understand evidence. Indeed, part of Dorothea’s idealism means that she
Dorothea’s unique, strange fantasies about marriage. She sometimes has trouble seeing things as they really are, but rather
begins to dream that Casaubon will propose to her. For so long gets caught up in fantasies of how she wants them to be.
she has been confused about the direction her life should take
and worried that she wouldn’t find a husband who was pious
enough to suit her. Moreover, her intense religiosity is only one
aspect of her personality. She is also passionate, obsessed with
knowledge, and desperate to follow the “grandest path” in life.
Dorothea imagines that if she marries Casaubon she will “learn The moment when Sir James comes riding toward Dorothea,
everything.” She dreams about helping him with his research interrupting her daydream, encapsulates the way that Dorothea’s
and designing cottages for the tenants in Lowick, before fantasies sometimes exist in conflict with reality. Her irritation with
feeling ashamed that she is getting ahead of herself. In the James despite how kindly he is behaving toward her indicates that
middle of her daydream, she sees Sir James riding toward her. Dorothea struggles with the feeling that she is being misunderstood.
He greets her, and Dorothea feels annoyed at how friendly he
is to her, considering he would be a much better suitor for
Celia. Sir James tells Dorothea he has brought her something
and hands over a little Maltese puppy. Dorothea coldly replies
that she doesn’t think animals should be bred only to be pets,
because she believes animals have souls of their own.
Dorothea adds that she thinks Celia would like the puppy, but It is not that Sir James does not understand Dorothea and who she
Sir James only responds by admiring Dorothea’s strong really is. He actually seems to have a unique appreciation for her
opinions. He goes on to say that he has heard about her designs personality—especially the sides of her that deviate from the gender
for tenants’ cottages and thinks they are “wonderful.” He offers norms of the time. What he doesn’t understand is that her
to pay for the cottages to be built on his own estate. Dorothea personality means that she would never be drawn to a person like
briefly forgets her irritation with him and enthusiastically him. Sir James may be a perfect “match” in the eyes of many
replies that she would be happy to show him her plans. Sir (including Celia), but not Dorothea.
James never ends up offering the puppy to Celia, which makes
Dorothea feel guilty. Meanwhile, Celia is horrified to see Sir
James being led on by Dorothea.
Shortly after, Casaubon comes to Tipton again. It is increasingly Casaubon’s lack of interest in Dorothea’s cottages is the first real
clear that he is deliberately coming to see Dorothea, who is evidence that Dorothea’s attachment to him may be misplaced.
thrilled to spend time with him. During their conversations, the Casaubon represents an ideal to Dorothea, and while he likes her,
only thing that disappoints her is his lack of interest in the his disinterest in her architectural plans suggests that he, unlike Sir
cottages. Dorothea feels ashamed at her own feelings of James, does not appreciate her for who she truly is.
disappointment. Mr. Brooke then goes to visit Casaubon at
Lowick, while Sir James visits Tipton with greater and greater
frequency. Dorothea feels irritated with him but nonetheless
joins him in planning the cottages. Meanwhile, she spends her
time in the library, hoping to become more knowledgeable for
her conversations with Casaubon.

BOOK 1, CHAPTER 4
Celia comments that Sir James is eager to do everything Celia’s reference to other people’s rumors and expectations shows
Dorothea wants, and Dorothea replies: “He thinks of me as a that courtship and marriage do not simply happen between two
future sister.” Celia blushes and tells Dorothea she is wrong, people. Instead, the whole community gets involved, and the
adding that rumors indicate that Sir James intends to marry opinions of others take on a surprising degree of significance.
Dorothea. Celia goes on to say that it is obvious that Sir James Dorothea seems to resent this community involvement, as popular
is in love with Dorothea and that everyone will expect her to opinion conflicts with what she really wants.
accept his proposal. Dorothea feels disgusted and bursts out in
anger that she has done nothing to make Sir James believe she
likes him. Celia says she sympathizes with James and observes
that Dorothea always sees the world differently from everyone
else.
Dorothea insists that she must abandon the cottages and be Dorothea’s passionate nature means that she is very sensitive to the
rude to Sir James from now on. She begins to cry; Celia tries to world and prone to rather violent mood swings. Her idealism means
comfort her but ends up insulting her by saying that her that she can get excited very easily, but it also makes her vulnerable
interest in the cottages is a “fad.” Dorothea reacts furiously and to disappointment and anger when things do not work out as she
feels resentful of Celia. At that moment Mr. Brooke returns hopes.
from a trip to town. He mentions that he stopped at Lowick for
lunch and has brought pamphlets about the early church for
Dorothea. Happy again, Dorothea goes to read them in the
library.
Mr. Brooke finds Dorothea entranced by her reading; he tells As is customary during this time, Mr. Brooke acts as a go-between
her that he’s noticed Casaubon wants a wife. When Dorothea and authority when it comes to setting up a marriage for Dorothea.
replies that anyone should consider themselves honored to fill While he clearly believes that Dorothea should have some degree of
that role, Mr. Brooke replies that Casaubon thinks highly of choice in the matter of marriage, he is also hesitant about
Dorothea as well. He then explains that Casaubon has asked his encouraging her preferences. He also suggests that Dorothea
permission to propose to Dorothea. She doesn’t reply at first, consider pragmatic issues of land and property, which do not appear
but then tells her uncle that if Casaubon proposes she will to interest her as important considerations.
accept. Mr. Brooke replies that Casaubon is “a good match in
some respects,” but that she should also consider Sir James,
whose land borders Brooke’s own. Dorothea says she will
never marry him.
Mr. Brooke is confused, feeling that he doesn’t understand Mr. Brooke identifies the contradictory nature of Dorothea’s feelings
women. At 45, Casaubon is 27 years older than Dorothea, and and concludes that he doesn’t understand women. This is a
Casaubon’s health is poor. Dorothea says she’d prefer a surprisingly apt observation, as Dorothea’s self-contradictory
husband who is older so he can teach her, and Mr. Brooke is thoughts arguably result from the pressure to live up to gender roles
surprised again, saying he thought Dorothea liked having her that conflict with her true feelings.
own opinions more than most women. He reflects that he
never loved anyone enough to submit to the “noose” of
marriage. Eventually, he assures Dorothea that she will be able
to choose whom she wants. He hands Dorothea a letter and
leaves her to read it.

BOOK 1, CHAPTER 5
The chapter opens with Casaubon’s letter to Dorothea. It is Casaubon’s social awkwardness makes him a somewhat unlikeable
comically stiff and convoluted, devoid of any romance or character. At the same time, his earnest expression of loneliness and
affection whatsoever. He tells her that becoming her husband appeal to Dorothea make him appear more sympathetic.
would feel like “the highest of providential gifts.” He concludes
by saying that in his old age, loneliness will be even more
difficult now that he has had a glimmer of hope of
companionship.
Reading the letter, Dorothea bursts into tears and drops to the Again, while we may be moved by Dorothea’s earnest intensity of
floor. She is overwhelmed with happiness that the life she has feeling, there is also something undeniably comic about her
been craving now seems available to her. After dinner, dramatic reaction to Casaubon’s stiff, awkward letter. Dorothea is
Dorothea writes Casaubon a response in her room. She is so clearly in the midst of a romantic whirlwind—yet how much of this
nervous that her hand is shaking and she has to rewrite the is simply the product of her own imagination?
letter three times. In her short message, she tells him: “I can
look forward to no better happiness than that which would be
one with yours.” Later, she gives the letter to Mr. Brooke, asking
that he send it in the morning.
Mr. Brooke checks that Dorothea is certain she doesn’t want to Again, while Dorothea theoretically has control over whom she
marry Sir James instead. He tells her that he wants her to make wants to marry, the involvement of her family and even members of
her own decision, even though he knows Sir James will be the community such as Mrs. Cadwallader make the decision-
disappointed and that Mrs. Cadwallader will likely be upset making process more complicated.
with him for failing to deliver a union between James and
Dorothea. The next day, a letter arrives from Casaubon saying
he will come to dinner at Tipton that night. Celia notices
Dorothea’s reaction to this news and is horrified to realize that
her sister seems to want to marry Casaubon.
Celia says that she hopes someone else is coming to dinner so Dorothea and Celia are very different, and thus Celia’s opposition to
she doesn’t have to listen to Casaubon eat his soup. Hurt, Dorothea’s marriage could be interpreted as a simple clash between
Dorothea tells Celia not to say things like that; when Celia their ideals. It would not be good for Dorothea to marry someone
continues, Dorothea angrily tells her that she is engaged to who Celia thinks is a perfect match. At the same time, the intensity
Casaubon. Celia turns pale and sits down in shock. She then of Celia’s sadness is foreboding. She may not be the same as
begins to cry. Dorothea assures her it’s all right, although in Dorothea, but she knows her well, and thus might be right in
reality she is hurt. She knows that everyone else in the predicting that Dorothea will not be happy with Casaubon.
community will feel the same way about her marriage as Celia
does. That night, Dorothea speaks freely and enthusiastically
with Casaubon. He is overjoyed, as is she. They decide that the
wedding will be in six weeks.

BOOK 1, CHAPTER 6
As Casaubon’s carriage leaves Middlemarch, another carriage This passage introduces us to some of the ways in which the world
enters, containing a woman who is obviously important in some in which the novel is set is undergoing change and reform. As we
way. The woman happily chats to the Tipton lodge-keeper have already seen, it is a world structured by the class system, a fact
about her chickens. The woman, Mrs. Cadwallader, is of that is reinforced here by mention of Mrs. Cadwallader’s
“immeasurably high birth” yet claims to be poor and always “immeasurably high birth.” However, at the time the Whig party was
gossips with servants. When she greets Mr. Brooke, she says beginning to push for moderate reforms that would slightly diminish
she saw Casaubon leaving and accuses the two of them of the power of landed gentry.
plotting to get Brooke elected as a Whig representing
Middlemarch. Mr. Brooke replies that he and Casaubon have
barely discussed politics, as Casaubon is only interested in
religion.
Mrs. Cadwallader teases Mr. Brooke and warns him not to get While not exactly a surrogate mother to Dorothea and Celia, Mrs.
involved with politics. Brooke replies that he doesn’t debate Cadwallader does partially inhabit this role by getting involved with
politics with women, because “your sex are not thinkers.” Mrs. the marriage prospects of the Brooke sisters. Her agreement with
Cadwallader mentions Dorothea and Sir James; Mr. Brooke Celia reinforces the idea that Celia happily conforms with societal
regretfully replies that the marriage will never take place. Just norms, whereas Dorothea rebels against them.
as Mrs. Cadwallader asks whom Dorothea could possibly
marry instead, Celia enters the room and, when prompted, tells
Mrs. Cadwallader that Dorothea is engaged to Casaubon. Mrs.
Cadwallader deems this “frightful,” and she and Celia discuss
their dislike of Casaubon and appreciation of Sir James.
Mrs. Cadwallader announces that she must immediately tell Sir It is somewhat surprising to learn that Mrs. Cadwallader married a
James the sad news. She says that she set a bad example by poor clergyman considering she appears to hold traditional ideas
marrying a poor member of the clergy and that other women about what constitutes a “good match.” Indeed, the difference
should “think of their families in marrying.” She adds that at between Mrs. Cadwallader’s own personal decisions and her
least Casaubon has money. Later, Mrs. Cadwallader intercepts recommendations for others suggests that she is a hypocrite—or
Sir James on his way to Tipton. First, she tells him that she that, like Dorothea, she struggles to reconcile her own desires with
accused Mr. Brooke of planning to run as a Whig and that she the expectations placed on her.
was unconvinced by his denial. She then warns him to brace
himself for bad news, before telling him Dorothea is engaged to
Casaubon.
Horrified, Sir James exclaims: “He is no better than a mummy!” Sir James’s horrified reaction again shows how alone Dorothea is in
adding that Casaubon “has one foot in the grave.” Mrs. finding Casaubon admirable. (Although of course, the intensity of
Cadwallader attempts to cheer him up and suggests that Celia James’s feeling is also the result of jealousy.)
might have been the better match all along. She notes that
Celia clearly likes him, and then she leaves.
Mrs. Cadwallader lives a simple life but is fascinated by all the Within the English class system, prestige and power do not result
details of “the great world,” which she learns about from letters from money alone. Although the aristocracy tend to be wealthier
sent to her by her noble relatives. She has no prejudice toward than those of lower social status, it is also possible to be noble and
poor people but despises “the vulgar rich.” For years, Mrs. poor. Meanwhile, thanks to the rise of industrial capitalism, it is also
Cadwallader has been keeping an eye on Dorothea and Celia becoming easier and easier to be low-ranking and
and chastising Mr. Brooke when necessary. She had been wealthy—probably what Mrs. Cadwallader means when she refers
planning Dorothea’s engagement to Sir James ever since the to the “vulgar rich.”
sisters arrived at Tipton. However, she is now happy to switch
the plan to Celia.

Sir James himself does not dwell on his sadness about losing The quick turnaround in Sir James’s feelings suggests that he
Dorothea for long, and in fact actually feels grateful that he perhaps wasn’t as attached to Dorothea as we might have assumed.
didn’t propose because this way he avoided rejection. He heads Indeed, he seems to have a more pragmatic than romantic approach
to Tipton in order to discuss the cottages with Dorothea out of to marriage.
“friendly politeness,” although subconsciously he is also hoping
to see Celia.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 7
All the time that Casaubon spends at Tipton during his and Casaubon’s belief that knowledge of Latin and Greek makes women
Dorothea’s engagement forces him to neglect his scholarly rebellious is important. Throughout history, withholding education
project, The Key to All Mythologies. Dorothea suggests that has been a way to oppress groups of people on the basis of class,
she should learn to read Latin or Greek to help him with his race, and gender. Dorothea must therefore present her desire to
work, but Casaubon replies that learning those languages is learn as a desire to affirm her inferiority through assisting
known to make women rebellious. Dorothea denies that this Casaubon. Yet it is difficult to believe that this is what she truly
would be the case for her, and after some encouragement from wants.
Casaubon resolves to start learning herself. Her relative lack of
education has always made her uncertain of her opinions, and
she looks forward to this changing.
Mr. Brooke tells Casaubon that certain subjects are too difficult This passage provides more information about the way woman are
for women, but Casaubon replies that Dorothea is only viewed in Middlemarch society. They are expected to serve a
learning the Greek alphabet. Brooke says that women do basically ornamental role, to be both beautiful themselves and to
better at dabbling in the fine arts, such as art and music. engage in aesthetic pursuits. This highlights how little women are
Dorothea finds these pursuits silly. Casaubon says he doesn’t actually valued. They are treated as decorations rather than as full
like music of any kind, and Mr. Brooke concludes that maybe he human beings.
and Dorothea are well matched after all. He hopefully imagines
that Casaubon will eventually be made a bishop, or at least a
dean, in the Anglican church. In the future, Mr. Brooke will give
a political speech about the excessive income of deans, but he
does not know that now.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 8
Sir James still enjoys coming to Tipton; he does not feel It is difficult to tell how much Sir James is really acting in Dorothea’s
resentful of Casaubon, but rather worries that Dorothea is interests here. While on the one hand his fears for her seem genuine
gripped by some kind of “melancholy illusion.” Although he tells (particularly if we believe that he is no longer personally affronted
himself that he accepts Dorothea’s decision, he ultimately by her not choosing him), at the same time he patronizingly believes
decides to intervene and see if the marriage can still be that he knows what’s best for her better than she does herself.
stopped. Sir James goes to the Cadwalladers’, where he
encounters the jolly rector Mr. Cadwallader. When Mr.
Cadwallader suggests that Dorothea marrying Casaubon isn’t
so bad, Sir James replies that Dorothea is “too young to know
what she likes” and that Mr. Brooke should intervene.

Sir James stresses that Casaubon is awful. Mr. Cadwallader Sir James’s suggestion that Dorothea’s marriage at least be
protests that Sir James, who is handsome, is putting too much postponed is certainly more reasonable than forbidding it
emphasis on Casaubon’s looks—yet James replies that his altogether. At only 18, it is actually quite likely that Dorothea is
personality is the problem. Mr. Cadwallader points out that naïve and confused about what she actually wants. Furthermore,
Casaubon is generous with his poor relatives, but Sir James is the fact that Casaubon is so much older indicates that there could
unconvinced. He thinks that Casaubon won’t make Dorothea be a problematic power imbalance created by their difference in age
happy and that the marriage should be postponed until she is and life experience.
“of age.” Mrs. Cadwallader enters and says that Sir James won’t
have any luck convincing her husband, who only cares about
fishing.
Sir James and Mrs. Cadwallader discuss how years of isolated Mr. Cadwallader’s insistence that Dorothea’s decisions be respected
study have spoiled Casaubon’s personality. Mr. Cadwallader suggests that he holds rather unusual opinions for a man in
says that while he can’t pretend to understand Dorothea’s Middlemarch. Perhaps his respect for women’s choices is what
choices they should still be respected, and that Casaubon is as attracted Mrs. Cadwallader to him in the first place.
good as any person. Sir James begins to feel that there is
probably no chance of interfering in Dorothea’s engagement.
Nonetheless, he persists in helping her with the cottages.
Perversely, during these exchanges Dorothea is more pleasant
than ever, as she no longer feels irritated with Sir James.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 9
It is customary for brides to view their marital homes before Here there are hints of a parallel between Casaubon and his house,
the wedding and express any wishes about what they would Lowick Manor. Both are impressive and appealing in principle, but in
like to be changed. The narrator observes that “a woman reality are somewhat grim and depressing. On the other hand,
dictates before marriage in order that she may have an perhaps Dorothea’s presence in Lowick will make both the house
appetite for submission afterwards.” Thus Dorothea, Celia, and and its owner more lively and pleasant.
Mr. Brooke make a trip to Casaubon’s home, Lowick Manor. It is
a grand, elegant house, but without children running around
and flowers in the windows it is rather dreary. Horrified, Celia
thinks about how much nicer it would be to live in Sir James’s
home, Freshitt Hall.
Dorothea, however, is enchanted by Lowick’s quiet darkness, Dorothea’s refusal even to make the simple decision of which room
and is filled with joy as she walks around the house. She is will serve as her boudoir (private living room for women) suggests
grateful for Casaubon’s efforts to make the house appealing to that her “appetite for submission” is in overdrive. It seems unlikely
her, but suggests no changes. When he asks which room she’d that her willingness to completely relinquish her own agency will be
like to have as her boudoir, Dorothea replies that she would able to last very long.
rather he make all the decisions for her. Celia and Mr. Brooke
urge her to make some kind of choice, but she refuses.
The group stops to examine portraits of Casaubon’s family Casaubon’s mention of Dorothea’s cottages further confirms the
members. Casaubon comments that his mother’s sister “made impression that he is making a real effort to make her happy, and
an unfortunate marriage” and that he barely knew her. In the that their marriage may therefore not be the disaster everyone is
garden, Casaubon tells Dorothea that she will like the nearby predicting. Make sure to keep in mind Casaubon’s aunt with the
village, as the houses there are like the cottages she is unfortunate marriage—she will play an important role later in the
designing. In a private moment, Celia whispers to Dorothea novel.
that she saw a young man with curly brown hair walking up the
steps. Dorothea guesses that this man might be the son of the
curate, Mr. Tucker.

Walking with them, Mr. Tucker explains that all who live in the Dorothea’s lament that the local people are essentially not living in
local village are reasonably well off and respectable. Later, worse conditions shows that, despite her noble ideals, she is also
Casaubon observes that Dorothea seems subdued. She admits somewhat self-centered and naïve. Her desperation to make an
that she wishes that the local people needed more help, so that impact on the world leads her to come to some rather foolish
she could make herself useful. Casaubon assures her that she conclusions. Once again, we might wonder if these foolish
will be sufficiently fulfilled by her role as “mistress of Lowick.” conclusions include her decision to marry Casaubon.
At this moment they see the young man Celia pointed out.
Casaubon explains that the man, who is drawing in a
sketchbook, is his second cousin. He approaches and Casaubon
introduces him as Will Ladislaw.
Mr. Brooke points to Will’s sketchbook and comments that he Dorothea’s earnestness and idealism are perhaps part of the reason
is an artist, but Will replies that there is nothing worth seeing in why she struggles to connect to art. Due to the nature of the society
its pages. Dorothea says that she has never been able to she has grown up in, she has come to see aesthetic pursuits as
understand art. Will thinks that Dorothea must be awful frivolous and inconsequential. Unfamiliar with her open, sincere
(considering that she is marrying Casaubon) and that her nature, Will misinterprets her as judgmental.
comment about not understanding art was probably a thinly-
veiled judgment. At the same time, he is enchanted by the
sound of Dorothea’s voice, which is strikingly passionate.
Will laughs and leaves. Casaubon explains that Will attended Although we still know fairly little about Will at this stage in the
Rugby (a boarding school) and then made the strange choice of novel, he seems to have a romantic, nonconformist nature. This is
going to university in Heidelberg, Germany. Now he wants to shown by his unconventional decisions, love of travel, and
travel again. Casaubon concludes that Will is opposed to Casaubon’s accusations that he is opposed to “thoroughness.”
accuracy and “thoroughness.” Casaubon has tried to show Will Rather than patiently dedicating himself to a single project, Will is
the importance of patience via his work on The Key to All free-spirited and restless, suggesting a passionate nature.
Mythologies, but it has not worked. He says he will support
Will for a year, and Dorothea says that this is kind of him,
adding that people should be patient with one another. Later,
Celia comments that Dorothea’s engagement appears to have
given her a newfound appreciation for patience.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 10
A week later Will leaves for “Europe” (with no more specific Somewhat like Celia and Dorothea, Will and Casaubon are total
destination in mind). He is prone to trying extreme behaviors opposites, and their personalities come into relief when compared
such as drinking to excess, fasting until he faints, and taking to one another. Will may be somewhat impulsive, impatient, and
opium. None of these experiments have had the transformative passionate, but the force of his personality makes Casaubon seem
effect he was hoping for. He finds Casaubon’s plodding dreadfully dull in comparison. Somewhat surprisingly, Will’s love of
commitment to his enormous work of scholarship ridiculous. extremes makes him seem rather similar to Dorothea.
The narrator observes that, like all people, “Casaubon, too, was
the center of his own world” and believes that fate has certain
things lined up for him. Yet as the wedding approaches, he does
not feel happy.

Dorothea, on the other hand, is filled with excitement and While Dorothea claims to be totally devoted to Casaubon, there are
optimism about her marriage. The couple plans to travel to clearly problematic clashes in what they want out of marriage (and
Rome on their honeymoon, where Casaubon will examine indeed life). Dorothea dreams of being a partner to Casaubon in the
manuscripts held at the Vatican. Casaubon invites Celia to truest sense of the word, and of getting to live her dreams through
come as a companion to Dorothea, but both sisters are him. Casaubon, meanwhile, seems to basically want to be left alone.
opposed to this idea. Casaubon says Dorothea will be lonely
because he will have to spend a lot of time studying, and that he
would feel freer if he knew Dorothea had a companion.
Annoyed, Dorothea tells him not to worry about her or to bring
up the subject again.
That night, a large dinner party is held at Tipton Grange before This passage emphasizes the different factors involved in being seen
the wedding. Dorothea looks modest but serenely beautiful. as respectable in Middlemarch society. Having money without rank
Guests at the dinner include a banker (Bulstrode) who is a is looked down on, as shown by Rosamond not being invited
Methodist and thought to be a “hypocrite.” The men discuss because her father is a manufacturer. Meanwhile, the Anglican
Dorothea, debating which qualities make a woman attractive. church is seen as the only respectable form of faith.
They also discuss Rosamond Vincy, whom Mr. Brooke did not
invite to the dinner because she is the daughter of a
manufacturer.
Mrs. Cadwallader and Lady Chettam discuss medicines, a Dorothea’s conversation with Tertius Lydgate indicates that she is
favorite topic among those of high social rank. They concur that more comfortable around men discussing serious issues such as
Casaubon has been looking very “dry” since the proposal, and medicine, architecture, and reform than she is gossiping about
that compared to Sir James he resembles “death’s head skinned marriage with other women. Again, this marks her as an oddball
over for the occasion.” Lady Chettam notes that James still within Middlemarch society.
refuses to say anything bad about Dorothea. The women then
observe that Dorothea is having a lively conversation with
Tertius Lydgate about cottages and hospitals.
Lydgate is a young doctor who has a charming, empathetic way This passage introduces another major theme of the novel: reform
of talking to people. He is enthusiastic about improving the field and the intense opposition to it that tends to exist in Middlemarch.
of medicine. Some of the men at the dinner party object to this The fears over being subject to medical experiments suggest that
enthusiasm for reform, but Bulstrode welcomes it, saying he Middlemarchers have unfounded and irrational fears about science
hopes Lydgate will one day be in charge of the New Hospital in and medicine. These fears are liable to hold the town back in the
Middlemarch. One man expresses fear about being subject to midst of widespread reform and progress in the rest of the country.
experimental treatments. Lydgate himself, who cannot hear this
conversation, is fascinated by Dorothea, whom he thinks is
both a “fine girl” and “a little too earnest.” Shortly after the
dinner party, she and Casaubon head to Rome.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 11
Lydgate is also entranced by “a woman strikingly different to Like Celia, Rosamond is the model of the ideal woman. Again,
Miss Brooke:” Rosamond Vincy. He does not plan to marry until Dorothea’s unusual personality becomes more pronounced when
he has made progress in his career. He is currently “young, compared to these two more “typical” Middlemarch women.
poor, [and] ambitious,” and thus knows he has some way to go Lydgate’s belief that being married to Dorothea would be hard work
before he becomes an attractive match. He imagines that suggests that ambitious men do not want wives who share that
marrying someone like Dorothea would be hard work, whereas ambition.
being married to Rosamond would be a heavenly respite from
work. Rosamond was educated at Mrs. Lemon’s school, the
best of its kind in England, where she excelled as a model pupil.

Though he is not their personal doctor, Lydgate got to know the In the world of the novel, those of the highest social status have not
Vincy family very soon after moving to Middlemarch. The gained their money through work, but rather through landowning.
family have been successful manufacturers for three People who have acquired wealth exist lower down the social
generations, and over this time members have married into hierarchy, and different kinds of professions each have their
both higher- and lower-ranking families. Mr. Vincy himself went respective rank. Being a manufacturer, for example, is considered
“down” by marrying the daughter of an innkeeper. The Vincys “better” than being an innkeeper.
are very wealthy, particularly after the death of the childless
old Mr. Featherstone, who had been married to Mr. Vincy’s
sister. The Vincy family’s personal doctor is named Mr. Wrench.
Rosamond wishes her parents would invite Lydgate over,
because she is bored of seeing the same old people.
One morning after breakfast, Rosamond is doing embroidery From this initial introduction to the Vincy household, both Fred and
by the fire while Mrs. Vincy asks their servant to wake Rosamond come off as entitled in different ways: Fred because he is
Rosamond’s brother, Fred, who is still asleep at 10:30 am. sleeping late and failed to acquire his university degree, and
Rosamond asks her mother to forbid Fred from eating herrings Rosamond because she wants to marry “better” than a man from
for breakfast, because she can’t stand the smell. She laments Middlemarch. In Rosamond’s case her entitlement becomes a form
having brothers. Mrs. Vincy, meanwhile, speaks highly of Fred, of ambition, whereas for Fred it manifests as laziness.
saying he is very smart even though he didn’t finish his degree.
Mrs. Vincy says no man from Middlemarch is flawless, and
Rosamond suddenly announces that she will not marry a man
from Middlemarch.
Fred enters, and he, Mrs. Vincy, and Rosamond discuss It is important to note that Rosamond was not invited to Mr.
manners of speech and how these betray a person’s class. Brooke’s dinner party because she is the daughter of a
Rosamond and Fred bicker until Mrs. Vincy requests that they manufacturer, but her brother Fred was. This shows how gender and
stop. Mrs. Vincy asks about Lydgate, whom Fred saw at dinner class intersect. Presumably, if Rosamond had been invited it would
the night before. She notes that Lydgate comes from “a good have been as a potential marriage prospect, but her rank is too low
family,” and Rosamond suddenly wishes that she weren’t the for this to have happened.
daughter of a manufacturer and the granddaughter of an
innkeeper. Rosamond mentions that Mary Garth has probably
taken a liking to Lydgate, but Fred replies unhappily that he
doesn’t know and leaves.
Mrs. Vincy says that she wishes Rosamond had gone to live This is one of the few moments in the novel where we explicitly
with her uncle, a younger Mr. Featherstone, who would have witness men being chastised for not conforming to gender-based
been very generous with her. Mary Garth is living with him now expectations. Rosamond’s fairly traditional ideas about gender
and will surely benefit immensely from it. Rosamond replies emerge when she tells Fred that men look silly playing the flute.
that nothing would have been worth putting up with her uncle However, her desire to go horse-riding suggests that all people fail to
and his “ugly relatives.” Mrs. Vincy replies that Featherstone conform to gender roles to some degree.
will likely die soon. Fred sees Rosamond going to the piano and
asks if he can play with her; she replies that men look silly
playing the flute. However, she relents in exchange for Fred
taking her out horse-riding later.

BOOK 1, CHAPTER 12
Fred and Rosamond are out riding when they see a gig As this passage makes clear, people in Middlemarch are highly
belonging to Mrs. Waule, one of their uncle Featherstone’s judgmental of each other. So far we have seen people judged for
relations. They observe that, despite being enormously being old, ugly, rebellious, earnest, impatient, reformist, Methodist,
wealthy, the Waules and Featherstones stay close to Mr. miserly, irresponsible, and, in the case of Rosamond’s judgment of
Featherstone like “vultures” in order to make sure that his her suitors, simply being from Middlemarch! It seems difficult to
money doesn’t end up going to the other side of the family. Mrs. evade condemnation in such a judgmental community.
Waule, who is Mr. Featherstone’s sister, came to visit him that
morning while Mary Garth was giving him medicine. Mrs.
Waule gossips about the Vincys, saying that Fred is a
“clodhopper” who gambles.
Featherstone insists that Mr. Vincy must not give Fred money This passage shows that the judgmental nature of people in
to pay his debts, and says that he’s heard Mr. Bulstrode criticize Middlemarch is fueled by their proclivity for gossip. Not only does
Mrs. Vincy’s habit of spoiling her children. Mary mentions that everyone in the community have an opinion about other people, but
she doesn’t like hearing about “scandal.” Mrs. Waule says it they all have knowledge of other people’s business in the first place
upsets her to hear of Mr. Featherstone’s name being “made via a very overactive gossip mill. Indeed, Mary stands out as one of
free with” by people who are not his true relatives. Angrily, few characters who takes a stand against gossip.
Featherstone asks if she is implying that Fred has been telling
people he will gain inheritance from his uncle’s will, and using
this to borrow money. Mrs. Waule insists that this isn’t what
she’s saying, but it is what she’s heard.
Rosamond enters and Mrs. Waule greets her coldly. Rosamond Featherstone’s reaction to Mrs. Waule’s offer of help highlights a
says Fred will be in shortly, and Mr. Featherstone tells his sister major downside of being wealthy. Nearing the end of his life,
she should leave. Mrs. Waule says she hopes a doctor will be Featherstone possesses a (seemingly well-grounded) fear that no
able to heal Featherstone and that she and her nieces would be one actually loves him, and that every act of kindness bestowed on
happy to nurse him back to health. Featherstone accuses them him is just a strategy to get some of his money.
of only wanting money and bids her goodbye. He then
dismisses Mary and Rosamond, saying that he wants to speak
with Fred. The two young women are close friends, and
Rosamond had been hoping to speak with Mary in private.
Once they are alone, Featherstone accuses Fred of using the Again, while Featherstone may have a rude and unpleasant manner,
promise of his inheritance to borrow money. Fred denies it, but his paranoia about the actions of his relatives is well-founded. Mrs.
Featherstone insists that Fred explain himself, warning that he Vincy has already mentioned that she and her family are effectively
can still change his will if he wants. Fred again denies it, and waiting for Featherstone to die so they can get their inheritance
Featherstone tells him he’s heard it’s true from Fred’s uncle Mr. from him. Aware that this is how his family feels, Featherstone
Bulstrode. Horrified, Fred protests that Bulstrode “has a desperately attempts to assert authority in the final moments of his
prejudice against me.” He says that he never wanted to life.
disrespect his uncle and that he is grateful. Featherstone
demands that Fred bring a letter from Bulstrode assuring him
that Fred has not promised to pay his debts with his
inheritance.

Despite his anger, Fred still feels pity for Featherstone, who is This passage confirms that in Middlemarch, women are not valued
neither loved nor respected. Featherstone asks Fred to read for their intelligence—as shown by Featherstone’s dismissive
him the names of the books on his shelves, asking why Mary comments about Mary’s books. Instead they are valued for their
needs those books when reading the newspaper should be looks, which lead men to think Rosamond is “the best girl” of all.
enough for her. Meanwhile, Rosamond and Mary have been
talking quickly upstairs. Rosamond is very beautiful, and most
men in Middlemarch consider her “the best girl in the world.”
Mary is 22 years old and rather plain, but very honest. She Rosamond’s comment about Mary being “useful” and her delight at
exclaims that she looks ugly next to Rosamond, but Rosamond Lydgate’s haughtiness suggest that she does not have a particularly
responds that this doesn’t matter because Mary is so “useful,” strong set of moral principles. Mary seems far more principled,
adding that beauty is ultimately quite meaningless. She says it which a shows a similarity to Dorothea, although Mary is arguably
is possible Mary will receive an offer of marriage and asks if more practical and mature than Dorothea is.
Mary likes Lydgate. Mary replies that she can’t like someone
who behaves as snootily and dismissively toward her as
Lydgate does. Rosamond asks Mary to describe him and seems
pleased with the description, saying: “I rather like a haughty
manner.”
Rosamond exclaims that Fred is “horrid,” adding that he is lazy, The implication of a union between Fred and Mary is surprising.
disobedient, and makes Mr. Vincy angry. When Mary says she Thus far Fred appears to be mischievous, lazy, and irresponsible,
thought he was going to be a clergyman, Rosamond replies that whereas Mary is honest, hardworking, and mature. Again, love is
this will never happen and accuses Mary of always siding with shown to work in unexpected ways.
Fred. Mary says that if Mrs. Vincy is worried about Fred
proposing to her, Rosamond should assure her mother that
Fred intends to do no such thing.
At that moment Lydgate arrives, dreading his encounter with Here we see a glimpse of Lydgate and Rosamond beginning to bond
Featherstone, whom he imagines will have backwards views over their shared distaste of the provincial way of life in
about doctors. Rosamond insists to Fred that they leave, and as Middlemarch. Note that Rosamond’s musical skill shows that she
they are going Lydgate asks if Rosamond is a musician. excels in exactly the pursuits that women are supposed to follow.
Featherstone replies that she is “the best in Middlemarch.”
Rosamond replies that the bar for musical talent in
Middlemarch is decidedly low. She and Lydgate exchange an
intense look, and Rosamond blushes. She and Fred leave.
Ever since Lydgate arrived in Middlemarch Rosamond has been Although Rosamond and Fred are preoccupied with very different
fantasizing about a future with him. She has always been thoughts, both of them are essentially obsessing over reputation.
determined to marry someone who is not from Middlemarch, Rosamond fantasizes about going up in rank through marrying
but this is not the only reason why she finds Lydgate a perfect Lydgate; her fixation on impressing his relatives conveys her
match: he also comes from a “good family” and is talented. She obsession with reputation and status. Meanwhile, Fred’s problems
and Fred ride home in silence, each consumed by their own originated in a similar desire to impress (which led to his boasts),
thoughts. Rosamond dreams of impressing Lydgate’s high- and have been worsened by gossip and speculation.
ranking relatives, while Fred frets over Featherstone’s request
for the letter from Bulstrode. His boasts about his inheritance
from Featherstone were uttered while he was drunk, and have
been blown out of proportion by the gossip mill.

Fred’s debt is small, but it is causing him a lot of misery. He feels Fred and Rosamond may be brother and sister, but they don’t have
annoyed that he is the son of a Middlemarch manufacturer. He a very loving relationship. In fact, they often seem to want to
guesses that Mrs. Waule was the one who told Featherstone sabotage each other. This has perhaps resulted from their being
about the debt and asks Rosamond if Mrs. Waule said anything spoiled by their parents, which has made each of them greedy and
about him. Rosamond replies that Mrs. Waule called him selfish.
“unsteady,” but that’s it. Fred then mentions that Mary is “the
best girl I know,” while Rosamond replies that it’s strange that
Fred is in love with her. She adds that Mary told her she would
say no if Fred proposed. As they near home, Fred resolves to
seek help from his father about the whole mess with the debt,
Featherstone, and Bulstrode.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 13
Having heard Fred’s story, Mr. Vincy goes straight to the bank The terms used to insult Bulstrode help contextualize why his
to speak with Bulstrode. People in Middlemarch distrust religious beliefs are so strongly rejected in Middlemarch. At this
Bulstrode, some because he is a “Pharisee” and some because time, the Church of England was still very dominant, and
he is an “Evangelical.” Others are suspicious of him because Anglicanism was an essential part of “respectable” society. Anglicans
only 25 years ago no one had heard the name Bulstrode in objected to both the strictness and the evangelism of
Middlemarch. He is currently with Lydgate in his office at the “nonconformist” religious groups and believed that these
bank, discussing the New Hospital. Lydgate hopes that having characteristics clashed with norms of propriety.
a good fever hospital in Middlemarch could pave the way for a
medical school attached to it, which would serve as a model for
other, similar schools all over England.
Lydgate has a charismatic speaking voice, and Bulstrode is Throughout the novel it is suggested that in order to effectively
moved. He agrees to help finance Lydgate’s ambitions. He confront the widespread opposition to reform, it is necessary to be a
warns Lydgate that the other doctors in Middlemarch will be passionate idealist like Lydgate. At the same time, there is always a
inclined to dislike him due to his support for medical reform. risk that this idealism might morph into naïve fantasy. Lydgate’s
Lydgate promises that he will enjoy fighting for what he passion is remarkable, but will it be enough for him to survive the
believes. Bulstrode admits that the quality of doctors in bitter opposition that awaits?
Middlemarch is very poor, and that his experience being
treated by city doctors has convinced him that the medical field
in provincial areas is severely deficient.
Bulstrode explains that the old infirmary lies in the parish of Mr. Here Lydgate’s idealism already runs into trouble. He initially
Farebrother, but that he wants someone named Mr. Tyke to be believes that as a doctor, there is no need for him to take a position
appointed chaplain of the New Hospital. Lydgate says that as a on matters such as the hospital’s chaplain. However, due to the
doctor he has no opinion on this, but Bulstrode urges that alliances and conflicts that exist within Middlemarch, there is no
when the matter is discussed at the meeting of the medical such thing as being neutral—even on matters about which one has
board, Lydgate should not let himself be persuaded by no personal preference or opinion.
Bulstrode’s “opponents.” When Lydgate simply replies that he
hopes there will be no disagreement, Bulstrode begins to
explain that his interest in hospitals is about more than just
curing people of illness.

Just as Lydgate disagrees, Mr. Vincy enters. Lydgate leaves, and Here we see an example of the kind of religious behavior
Vincy immediately brings up Fred, saying that someone has Middlemarchers object to. Bulstrode’s faith means that he is openly
been spreading rumors about him. Vincy goes on to say that judgmental of other people and believes in sticking rigidly to
people are obviously jealous because Featherstone intends to principles. Of course, the reality is that everyone is judgmental in
leave most of his land to Fred. Bulstrode immediately chastises Middlemarch—but it is considered improper to pronounce one’s
Vincy for spoiling his children, which has given Fred judgments in the direct way that Bulstrode does here.
“extravagant idle habits.” Vincy decides to take this in his stride,
saying that he may have made mistakes but it’s too late to
change them now.
Vincy explains that someone has been saying Fred has been Here we see how respectability and in particular family reputation
borrowing money, a story that is clearly “nonsense,” but that trump moral principles. Mr. Vincy does not seem to care that Fred
Featherstone wants a note from Bulstrode denying it. did actually borrow money—his focus is on whether that
However, Bulstrode replies that Fred has been borrowing information will become public. He sees it as obvious that Bulstrode
money and that he therefore doesn’t see why he should write should help him cover up Fred’s debt in order to save the reputation
the letter. Vincy loses his temper and reminds Bulstrode that of their families, rather than honoring the truth.
the fate of their two families hangs together. If the Vincys go
down, the Bulstrodes will go down with them. He curses
Bulstrode’s desire “to play bishop and banker everywhere,”
saying that this will turn people against him.
Bulstrode requests that they not fight, for the sake of Mrs. Vincy’s appeal to their family connection evidently worked, as
Bulstrode, Vincy’s sister. Vincy agrees, saying that considering Bulstrode has hinted that he will comply with Vincy’s request now
they are brothers-in-law they should “stick together.” As Vincy that he has considered how it would make his wife feel to know the
goes to leave, Bulstrode tells him that he will think about it, men were fighting.
discuss the matter with Mrs. Bulstrode, and “probably” write
the letter.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 14
The letter from Bulstrode arrives the next day. Fred takes it to Before we might feel tempted to sympathize with Featherstone, this
Mr. Featherstone, who reads it aloud while making angry passage confirms that he is a truly cruel person. He appears to enjoy
comments. When he is done, he asks if Fred expects him to toying with Fred’s emotions and is rude and callous to Mary, despite
believe something just because Bulstrode wrote an elegantly- how hard she has been working to take care of him.
worded letter about it. He refuses to confirm what he actually
believes, and soon calls for Mary. When she enters he snaps at
her; it looks like she has been crying. Featherstone asks if Fred
is expecting to inherit some of his fortune, and Fred replies he
isn’t.
Fred is an optimistic person, always confident that everything The greedy attitude of his family members has fostered a sadistic
will ultimately work out. He doesn’t see why his luck would run attitude in Featherstone when it comes to money matters. At the
out now. Featherstone hands Fred five bank notes. Fred thanks same time, Fred’s reaction of disappointment to the £5 he is given
him and goes to put them away, but Featherstone tells him to suggests that he may deserve to be treated in such a scornful,
count them first. Fred is disappointed to find that the notes manipulative way. Although he hides it, Fred is just as greedy as
amount to less than he’d hoped, but he nonetheless assures his Featherstone suspects.
uncle that he is grateful. Featherstone muses that he is a better
uncle than Bulstrode, and Fred asks if he should destroy
Bulstrode’s letter. Featherstone tells him to do it.

On his way out, Fred speaks with Mary. She mentions that John Despite their differences, Fred and Mary have an easy, open
Waule was there yesterday, and Fred teases that John is relationship. They evidently feel that they can talk frankly with one
probably in love with her. This upsets Mary, who confesses that another, even when it comes to discussing their own relationship.
it is frustrating to always be addressed in a patronizing way, as This is because, unlike couples who only get to know each other over
if she has no intelligence. Fred says it’s a shame she has to live a short period of courtship, they have known each other since
at Mr. Featherstone’s and be bullied by him, but Mary replies childhood. Perhaps this is a better recipe for love than anything else.
that it’s not so bad. They flirt with one another, but Fred says he
thinks it’s impossible for a woman to love someone she’s always
known. Mary goes through a list of famous heroines to see if
he’s right and finds mixed results.
They continue flirting, and eventually Fred exclaims hat he will Again, Mary is shown to be a principled, mature, and practical
never be “good for anything” unless Mary loves him and person. Unlike Rosamond, who is obsessed with rank, Mary focuses
marries him when they are ready. Mary warns him against only on what a person can control: hard work and honor.
laziness and tells him he should take his exam. Fred begs her for
encouragement, but she refuses. She says her father would be
horrified by the idea of her leading on a man who was in debt
and without a job. As she leaves, she says that Fred has always
been good to her. Fred is slightly cheered by this.
At home, Fred gives the banknotes from Featherstone to Mrs. The dramatic twist at the end of this chapter reminds us of the way
Vincy, telling her to keep them safe so he can use them to pay everyone in Middlemarch is interconnected with one another. This
his debt. Mrs. Vincy is happy; she has a special weakness for means that it is hard to do anything secret or wrong without it
Fred, her oldest son. Meanwhile, Fred’s resolution to pay his becoming everyone’s business.
debt may have something to do with the fact that he borrowed
the money from Mary’s father, Caleb Garth.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 15
The narrator discusses a late historian named Fielding, and also This passage confirms that Middlemarchers have a rather
refers to themselves as a historian. The narrator explains that backwards perspective on medicine. They are not equipped (or
they will now deliver a lot of information about Lydgate, perhaps not willing) to make judgments based on doctors’ skill, so
who—despite becoming more entrenched in the Middlemarch they simply choose to regard the doctor that they have already
community by the day—is still something of a stranger to the chosen as the “best” in Middlemarch. While this may give people
townspeople. While Middlemarchers may not know Lydgate peace of mind, it doesn’t do much to advance the state of medicine
well, they feel that he is unusual and expect “great things” of in the area.
him. In general, their perception of doctors’ abilities is highly
subjective: everyone thinks that their own family doctor is
exceptionally skilled and intelligent, while thinking that the
other local doctors are terrible.
Lydgate is 27, an age at which many men begin to give up on Through Lydgate, the book shows that ambition is highly important
their dreams and ambitions. He is an orphan whose father was and a way in which life gains purpose and meaning. High
in the military. Lydgate figured out early on in life that he achievement such as Lydgate’s early success in school don’t mean
wanted to pursue a medical career; this was made possible by much unless it is directed toward a particular goal. Once people
the fact that there was no pressure to follow his father’s career have a sense of purpose, their lives become more fulfilled.
path, as his father wasn’t around. He was always an
enthusiastic reader and excelled at school. However, it was not
until he happened to find a book about anatomy that he
discovered his true passion.

The narrator observes that it is odd how fixated we are on The comparison between romantic love and falling in love with one’s
stories of interpersonal romance, and not the passion of falling own career is important. As a book concerned with themes of
in love with a particular intellectual pursuit or vocation, which ambition and disappointment, Middlemarch compares romantic
is surely just as important. Meanwhile, when men gradually lose failure with professional failure to show that both forms of
their interest or success in their career, it is surely just as sad as disappointment can have a devastating impact on a person.
falling out of love. Lydgate is determined not to become “one of
those failures,” and so far he is on the right path. He studied in
London, Edinburgh, and Paris. He loves that medicine is both
intellectually stimulating and a way of doing good.
Lydgate also loves medicine because it is in need of reform. The word “discover” contextualizes Lydgate’s passion for medicine
After finishing his studies, Lydgate was determined to work in a within both the dramatic scientific progress that was taking place in
provincial town, avoiding the intense, elitist social world of the nineteenth century and the birth of science as a discipline. It
London medicine. He is convinced that there are a great many also links Lydgate’s medical research with the endeavors of colonial
incompetent doctors practicing in the country, and he thus “discoverers.” Lydgate’s medical ambitions are thus framed as having
feels duty-bound to try and make a difference, even if only a a potentially transformative impact on the world.
small one. Though it might sound strange, Lydgate considers
himself a “discoverer.” He aims to begin with modest reforms
that he knows he is capable of enacting. The first of these is to
prescribe medication without actually giving it to patients
himself or taking a cut from pharmacists.
Lydgate hopes to further stimulate the explosion of medical The narrator’s mention of Lydgate’s flaws draws attention to the
knowledge that took place at the beginning of the nineteenth fact that no character in Middlemarch is presented as wholly good
century. Human knowledge is slow to change, and despite or wholly bad (with perhaps one exception, as we will see much later
glimpses of advancement, medicine is still “shambling along the in the novel). Instead, Eliot portrays individual humans as complex,
old paths.” There are many questions about human anatomy contradictory, and fallible, and encourages us to sympathize with
that remain unresolved, and Lydgate is determined answer her characters in spite of all their flaws.
them. Lydgate’s personality is still in the process of
development, and he is not without flaws. He can be
overconfident, too single-minded, and prone to applying his
efforts to the wrong cause. However, the narrator emphasizes
that all people have flaws like these, so we shouldn’t judge him
too harshly.
Lydgate’s singular ambition means that he has difficulty Here as well as later in the novel, actresses represent passion,
enjoying things in life outside of medicine. While he was in Paris freedom, and rebellion. Choosing to be an actress was certainly not
he fell in love with a married actress from Provence named considered a respectable pursuit for a woman, and thus women
Laure. He loved to go watch her at the theatre. One night while who go down this path either don’t care about the expectations of
Lydgate was watching her perform the part of the play where others or have no choice. Laure’s killing of her husband is the
she stabs her lover (played by her real-life husband), she ultimate exercise of this rebellion, even if it is accidental.
actually stabbed him, murdering him. There was much
speculation about whether the killing was intentional; even
some of the actress’s fans believed she was guilty, but Lydgate
didn’t.

While Laure was in custody Lydgate had many conversations Although he initially believes she didn’t mean to do it, Lydgate’s
with her. When she was found innocent and released, she fled decision to propose to a woman who killed her husband suggests
to Avignon. Lydgate found her there and approached her after that he may be prone to risky behavior and self-sabotage. His
a performance, asking her to marry him. He knew it was crazy reckless pursuit of Laure conveys the idea that love can make people
but he persevered, telling her he loved her and that he couldn’t lose their common sense. Meanwhile, Laure’s admission of guilt is
live without her. Laure told him that when she stabbed her scandalous, and would have been even more so to nineteenth-
husband her foot really did slip, but that she intended to kill century readers.
him. Panicked, Lydgate asked if the husband was abusive, but
Laure replied that she was simply irritated with him. She
concluded: “I do not like husbands. I will never have another.”
Following this encounter Lydgate resolved to have “a strictly Lydgate’s resolution to have a “scientific view of women” suggests he
scientific view of women.” No one in Middlemarch would is going to force himself to be rational when it comes to love and
believe this episode from Lydgate’s past. Now, the town marriage. However, one could argue that this is not actually
expects him to assimilate totally into the community. possible.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 16
Gossip abounds over whether Mr. Tyke will be appointed Bulstrode’s role in the Middlemarch community suggests it is
chaplain of the hospital. Bulstrode is disliked and distrusted, sometimes possible to wield authority simply by conferring it onto
but many people in Middlemarch think compromising with him yourself. At the same time, many people in Middlemarch are
is a necessary evil. This is not only because Bulstrode is wealthy suspicious of “self-made” men and believe that authority should
and powerful, but also because he is a self-appointed emerge from social class. Bulstrode’s power may therefore not last
administer of justice when it comes to petty disputes among forever.
the townspeople. He believes that whatever power he gains
within Middlemarch is ultimately a way of serving God.
Lydgate is having dinner at the Vincys’ when the chaplaincy is There is an extent to which the conflicts and alliances within
brought up in discussion. Despite his familial connection to Middlemarch are a kind of microcosm of parliamentary politics.
Bulstrode, Mr. Vincy is open about the fact that he does not While the political issues affecting Middlemarch do not always
want Mr. Tyke to be appointed chaplain. Vincy much prefers correlate directly to the ones facing the nation, the careful
Mr. Farebrother and would happily see him receive the diplomacy required of ordinary Middlemarchers is something we
chaplain’s salary at the hospital. Still, Vincy admits that he is would usually associate with politicians.
relieved not to be on the hospital’s board of directors, meaning
that he does not have to publicly take a position on the matter.
Vincy asks Lydgate about his opinion, and Lydgate replies that Lydgate’s idea that popularity should not be a major factor in
he doesn’t know much about the two candidates, but adds that qualifying someone to serve in a professional capacity is clearly
he thinks appointments like this are usually overly dictated by controversial in Middlemarch. Yet where there are some roles where
interpersonal preference. He points out that the best popularity may be important (such as political positions, or indeed
candidate for the job is not necessarily the person who is best chaplaincies), it is presumably much more important to have
liked. The popular and esteemed Dr. Sprague, who is also at the medical skill than to be popular when it comes to being a doctor.
table, feels uncomfortable. A debate ensues over whether
knowledge is truly the most important factor in appointing
someone to a position. In Middlemarch, “it [is] dangerous to
insist on knowledge as a qualification for any salaried office.”

Later, Lydgate manages to have a private conversation with Rosamond clearly delights in feeling that Lydgate is superior to her,
Rosamond. They discuss music, and Lydgate says he hopes he but this is because she has hopes of marrying him and, in doing so,
will get to hear Rosamond play. Rosamond says Mr. Vincy will rising to his rank. In this sense, her actions echo those of Dorothea,
surely make her sing, but she is nervous to do so in front of who hopes she will be able to achieve her intellectual and religious
Lydgate. She admits that she feels like “a raw country girl.” Fred ambitions through marrying Casaubon.
begins to play the piano, and Rosamond goes to stop him.
Finally Rosamond herself begins to play, and Lydgate is
captivated. It is the nicest party he has been to in Middlemarch.
Mr. Farebrother arrives, and his presence brings further By putting down Middlemarch, Rosamond clearly hopes to elevate
warmth to the atmosphere of the party. After she has finished herself as better than (or indeed the best of) other Middlemarch
performing, Rosamond tells Lydgate she expects that he won’t women. However, this might turn out to be a form of hubris (fatal
like Middlemarch, as it is very “stupid.” Lydgate says he’s found pride). While Middlemarch may have its problems, completely
that everyone thinks their town is more stupid than others. He dissociating oneself from the place one comes from is a fantasy that
adds that he’s found something in Middlemarch that pleases is often doomed to fail.
him—meaning Rosamond—and asks her to dance with him one
day. Walking home, he thinks about how much he likes
Rosamond, although he is sure he will never feel the same all-
consuming love for her as he did for Laure.
Moreover, Lydgate does not plan to get married for another The narrator’s comments about Lydgate and Rosamond’s respective
five years. At home, he reads about fever until the early hours worlds suggest that they are both prone to fantasy as a result of
of the morning. He is fascinated by the “minute processes” of their ambition. However, this will not necessarily unite them, as
nature. He puts his book down with an overwhelming feeling of their fantasies are of very different natures. Furthermore, indulging
satisfaction and excitement. He feels enormously grateful that too much in fantasy can become dangerous, as confronting reality
he discovered his passion for medicine when he was young. He will come as an inevitable disappointment.
thinks about the evening. The narrator comments that both
Lydgate and Rosamond live in worlds of their own, “of which
the other knew nothing.”
Rosamond does not spend much time considering what is going Mrs. Plymdale’s belief that there is no use for Rosamond’s education
on in Lydgate’s mind. She is happy that he is intelligent, is cynical and rather depressing, but the book shows that there is an
ambitious, and handsome, but the thing she really cares about important truth in it. Women are trained to be “perfect” in order to
is his “good birth.” Because pretty much every man who has marry the best man on the market. However, once a marriage
encountered Rosamond has fallen in love with her, she is actually takes place women don’t have much use for the skills and
confident that Lydgate will be no exception. She sets her mind pursuits they have acquired. In this sense, marriage is a kind of dead
to being the “perfect lady,” sketching drawings, practicing music, end for women, an idea that is explored throughout the novel.
reading “the best novels,” and memorizing poems. All the older
men who visit the Vincys conclude that Rosamond is indeed
“the best girl in the world.” Only Mrs. Plymdale believes that
Rosamond is overeducated, as she will have no use for all her
interests and talents once married.

BOOK 2, CHAPTER 17
The next day Lydgate goes to see Farebrother in the old Farebrother’s three unmarried female relatives often serve as a
parsonage where he lives. The vicar’s mother Mrs. Farebrother source of comic relief in the novel. This happens here through Mrs.
is also there, as is her sister Miss Noble, and Mr. Farebrother’s Farebrother’s old-fashioned, anachronistic views, which mark her
sister Winifred. Lydgate knew Farebrother was unmarried and out from the already backwards and “provincial” world of
thus did not expect for there to be so many women present. Middlemarch. The Farebrother household is unusual in that it
Mrs. Farebrother is the most talkative of everyone present, and consists of four adults, none of whom are married.
is clearly used to telling people what to do. She is convinced
that most ill health is the result of overeating. Mr. Farebrother
observes that his mother is like King George III, because she
“objects to metaphysics.”
Mrs. Farebrother replies that in her youth, everyone had the In the nineteenth century, science is only just starting to become a
same sense of true and false, right and wrong. Nowadays no professional discipline practiced by a trained group of people. As
one agrees with one another. She laments that there is even a Farebrother’s collection shows, amateurs and hobbyists still have a
lot of dissent among clergymen. They discuss Mr. Tyke; significant role to play in scientific activities and the development of
Farebrother calls him “a zealous fellow” who is not very scientific knowledge.
educated or intelligent. Farebrother invites Lydgate to his
study to see his “collection,” despite the protests of the women
that Lydgate should stay and have another cup of tea. The
collection consists of preserved animals, insects, plants, and
flowers from the local area.
Lydgate mentions that he doesn’t really have any hobbies This passage indicates that Lydgate may be a bit narrow-minded
outside of medicine, and Farebrother comments that this is and overly judgmental. This is shown both through his admission
lucky. Farebrother smokes a pipe and Lydgate wonders if the that he doesn’t have any interests outside medicine, and through his
vicar might be in the wrong profession. Farebrother mentions scornful reaction to his old friend’s marriage. Like most of
that he knows Lydgate’s former roommate from Paris, Mr. Middlemarch, Lydgate has a tendency to hastily jump to judgment
Trawley. Lydgate asks after Trawley, and Farebrother says he is even when he does not have much information about a situation.
working as a doctor at a German bath and is married to a
wealthy patient. Lydgate scoffs at this and stresses that the
medical industry is in need of reform.
Farebrother comments that it is wonderful that Lydgate has a Now we see that, like Rosamond, Lydgate also suffers from hubris.
career he is so passionate about, but that he shouldn’t neglect His dismissal of Farebrother’s warning indicates that he thinks he
the issue of marriage. He advises Lydgate that having a good knows better than Farebrother, even though he is new to
wife could actually help his work, and asks if Lydgate knows Middlemarch and thus still does not fully grasp how things work
Mary Garth, who is one of his favorite young women. Lydgate there. Lydgate has too much confidence in his own ability without
admits that he has barely noticed Mary. They then discuss paying attention to the fact that he will need allies and
Bulstrode, and Farebrother warns Lydgate that if he votes collaborators to succeed.
against Bulstrode, “you will make him your enemy.” Lydgate
haughtily responds that he doesn’t need to worry about that.
However, he also concedes that Bulstrode has been helpful in
supporting his plans.

Farebrother says that he himself is not a fan of Bulstrode’s As we can see here, the problem with the chaplaincy decision is that
crowd, who he thinks are a “narrow ignorant set.” At the same it involves both important, valid considerations (such as whether
time, he thinks the New Hospital will be good for the Farebrother is too busy to take on the role) and petty, irrelevant
community. Lydgate asks Farebrother why Bulstrode doesn’t factors, such as personal preference and allegiances. This makes the
like him, and Farebrother explains it is because he doesn’t whole affair more complicated than it needs to be.
preach “spiritual religion.” Also, Bulstrode believes that
Farebrother is already too busy to take on additional duties at
the hospital. Farebrother warns Lydgate about voting against
Bulstrode.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 18
As the vote about the chaplaincy approaches, Lydgate remains With the exception of a few characters (namely Bulstrode,
undecided. He doesn’t really care either way, and thus should Casaubon, and Dorothea) members of the Middlemarch
logically vote for Tyke to please Bulstrode. However, he has community are not very pious. They often have quite lax moral
developed an affection for Farebrother, who he now believes is principles, and the global community is also clearly influenced by
an upstanding person. Farebrother is such a beloved preacher the rise of secularism, as shown by the prominent role of science in
that people come to hear him speak from outside his parish; in the novel. Farebrother is very much a clergyman who acts in
person, he is “sweet-tempered, ready-witted, [and] frank.” On accordance with this increasingly secular community.
the other hand, Lydgate also knows that he plays billiards at the
Green Dragon for real money, which is concerning. Lydgate has
never been able to understand the motivation behind
gambling.
Lydgate is torn. He feels he should probably just vote for The detail that people cannot bear Tyke but that this is the only
Farebrother; at the same time, the only bad thing he has ever thing said against him suggests that the widespread dislike of him is
heard about Tyke is that people “could not bear him.” He goes to baseless. Unfortunately, this does not really help Lydgate resolve the
the board meeting hoping that he will hear something during dilemma he faces. Meanwhile, the acceptance of Dr. Sprague’s
the discussion that will help him decide for sure. When he atheism again highlights the secularism of the Middlemarch
arrives at the meeting, Dr. Sprague and some of the other community.
doctors are already there. Sprague supports Farebrother. He is
suspected of being an atheist, but people don’t mind this; in
fact, it likely increases their faith in his medical abilities. A very
pious doctor would likely be distrusted in Middlemarch.
Dr. Minchin’s religious beliefs are helpfully vague. His Here we get more of a sense of why Middlemarch is opposed to
reputation as a doctor is around the same as Dr. Sprague’s; reform. Dr. Sprague and Dr. Minchin are treasured as “institutions”
both are “Middlemarch institutions.” Neither particularly likes within the community, meaning that simply the fact that they have
Bulstrode, although Mrs. Bulstrode is fond of Dr. Minchin as been around a long time qualifies them to be respected.
the only person who truly understands her health. The medical
practitioners Mr. Wrench and Mr. Toller are also at the
meeting. The discussion begins, and there is a debate over
whether the real issue at hand is the souls of sick people or the
question of who should get the chaplain’s salary.

A lawyer named Mr. Hawley argues that Farebrother has been As we have seen thus far, Mr. Brooke is far from the most intelligent
performing the role of hospital chaplain for free, and thus if it is person in Middlemarch and is prone to changing his opinion.
to become a salaried position Farebrother should obviously get However, his age, rank, and wealth mean that he occupies a position
it. Someone else suggests that Farebrother isn’t spiritual of some authority, and he never lets his ignorance prevent him from
enough, while another person argues that too much dramatic joining in on discussions.
preaching and praying is bad for sick people. Mr. Brooke is also
present, along with the Rev. Edward Thesiger. Brooke says he is
happy with whatever is best for Middlemarch, and thinks a
salaried chaplaincy is a good idea. He says he has heard positive
things about Mr. Tyke and thus plans to vote for him.
Others claim that Mr. Brooke must have received biased The dramatic conclusion of this scene serves as a reminder that it
assessments of the two candidates. The men debate whether may well prove impossible for Lydgate to take a neutral position and
there should be a discussion at all or whether they should remain uninvolved with the petty politics of Middlemarch society.
simply vote; in the end they choose the latter option, and
everyone places the name of the man they’re voting for into a
glass. The group is evenly split; Bulstrode notices that Lydgate
has not yet voted, and thus must make the deciding vote. Mr.
Wrench declares that everyone knows Lydgate will vote with
Bulstrode. Fulfilling this expectation, Lydgate votes for Tyke.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 19
The narrator observes that during the time in which the book is This passage subtly explores tension between past and future. The
set, “the world in general was more ignorant of good and evil by book is set in 1829-1832, forty years before it was published in
forty years than it is at present.” At the Vatican, two men 1871-1872. The narrator here expresses the clear opinion that the
observe a woman daydreaming while starting at the floor. One world has become better during the intervening years. At the same
of the men, a German, notices that his friend, Ladislaw, is time, the setting of the Vatican, which has existed since the Roman
fixated on the woman. Ladislaw explains that she is married to times, symbolizes ancient wisdom, which Casaubon is seeking in
Casaubon, which shocks his friend, who replies: “Mrs. Second- conducting research there.
Cousin [is] the most perfect young Madonna I ever saw.”
Ladislaw explains that he has only met Dorothea once and
didn’t know she and Casaubon would be in Rome.
Will’s friend is a painter named Adolf Naumann. To Will’s Will’s irritation with Naumann suggests that his feelings for
dismay, he is determined to paint a picture of Dorothea. Dorothea may be more complicated than the simple dislike he felt
Naumann keeps referring to Dorothea as Will’s aunt, which when they first met at Lowick. He, like Naumann, may feel
greatly annoys him. Naumann says that if Will doesn’t want to enchanted by Dorothea’s beauty.
introduce them, he can approach Dorothea himself and ask if
she wants to be painted. Will tries to change the subject,
annoyed with himself for getting upset.

BOOK 2, CHAPTER 20
Two hours later, Dorothea sits in her apartment and weeps Disappointment in marriage is a common occurrence in the novel.
while Casaubon remains at the Vatican working. Dorothea is Considering Dorothea’s ideals and fantasies, it would probably be
not sure why she is so upset, yet blames herself for her misery. difficult for her not to be disappointed in some way by everyday
She has seen all the best sights Rome has to offer, which have marital life. At the same time, the fact that she is so sad while still
had an intense, lasting effect on her. It has been six weeks since among the spectacular sights of Rome on her honeymoon is
her wedding, and it is not unusual for new brides to be ominous.
overwhelmed with despair at this point in their marital journey.
Often the first months of marriage are tumultuous and
unhappy, but after this point follows a “cheerful peace.”
Dorothea is confused. Casaubon hasn’t changed; he is just as The change in Dorothea’s opinion of Casaubon’s nature is based on
serious and intelligent as he always has been. Yet the narrator the suffocating nature of marriage, which emerges through the
explains that a person will always appear different to their imagery of the “enclosed basin.” Before marriage, a person is still free
spouse after marriage than before. At the same time, Casaubon to choose among different suitors. However, after marriage it
is hardly prone to misrepresenting himself. Honeymoons tend becomes inescapably clear that they are stuck with one person, and
to reveal that the “voyage” of marriage is in reality nothing in this light the person’s flaws become pronounced.
more than “exploring an enclosed basin.” Dorothea has become
more and more upset with the dismissive way in which
Casaubon talks to her. She increasingly experiences “fits of
anger or repulsion.”
Casaubon rarely expresses any real feeling about the Before marriage, Dorothea dreamed of living her life through
spectacular sights they go to see in Rome. Now, at the end of Casaubon. This was a bad idea in general, because living through
their journey, he tells Dorothea that he thinks that the trip will another is not a recipe for real fulfillment. However, it was a
set her up for a life “as a happy wife.” Dorothea says she hopes particularly bad idea to attempt this with Casaubon, considering
she can make herself useful back at Lowick, and then asks that he is dispassionate and dull, and prefers isolation to spending
Casaubon if he plans to finally arrange his notes into the book time with his wife.
he has been planning for years. She offers to do whatever it
takes to help, and cannot help crying as she says this. Casaubon
is infuriated by this; Dorothea doesn’t understand any of his
private thoughts and concerns.
A brief argument ensues, and both Dorothea and Casaubon are Neither Dorothea nor Casaubon wishes the other harm, yet the
shocked by the anger expressed by the other. Earlier, she had intense conflict between their ideas and desires means that they are
accompanied him to the Vatican and, when he went to the growing to resent and even hate one another.
library, she wandered around by herself. It was at this point that
Naumann and Ladislaw spotted her.

BOOK 2, CHAPTER 21
Back in the moment when Dorothea is crying alone in the Will originally disliked Dorothea on the basis that anyone who
apartment, Casaubon’s servant Tantripp knocks on the door married Casaubon must be awful. However, he is now beginning to
with the news that a relative of Casaubon is waiting in the see that she is nothing like Casaubon, and this makes him think of
lobby. Dorothea is relieved to be distracted from her own self- her very differently. Indeed, Will’s disgust suggests that he actually
pity and goes to greet Will. Dorothea explains that Casaubon is thinks quite highly of Dorothea and may have feelings for her.
very busy, but if Will leaves his address he will write to him. Will
is horrified—if not completely surprised—that Casaubon is
spending practically his entire honeymoon in the Vatican
library. The thought of him and Dorothea being married fills
Will with “comic disgust.”
Will smiles a charming smile, and Dorothea asks if something As has become clear by this point, Middlemarch features many
amuses him. He replies that he is thinking of when they met and pairings of characters who are opposite to each other (e.g. Dorothea
Dorothea insulted his painting—which she immediately denies. and Celia, Sir James and Casaubon, and Rosamond and Mary).
She insists that she is just ignorant about art, which has been Here we see that Casaubon and Will are another of these pairs. Will
confirmed by her time in Rome. Will admits that one must learn is impulsive, impatient, and free-spirited; if Dorothea likes these
to appreciate art. He says that many of his friends in Rome are qualities, this does not bode well for her happiness with Casaubon.
German artists, but that he doesn’t like the idea of seeing the
world from the perspective of a painter. Will says he doesn’t
like things that don’t “come easily” to him, and Dorothea replies
that Casaubon finds this impatience frustrating.
Will says that few people are as patient as Casaubon, and it is a This passage adds an important twist to our impression of
shame that his scholarship is hindered by the fact that he can’t Casaubon. Dorothea has always idealized him, believing that he
read German. Dorothea is distressed at the thought that was a great man akin to John Locke. However, there is actually little
Casaubon’s work might actually be pointless. Seeing that he evidence for this, and Will’s words suggest it might be a mistaken
has upset her, Will backtracks, but Dorothea only says that she impression.
wishes she had learned German while she was in Switzerland
so that she could help Casaubon now.
Casaubon arrives and invites Will to dinner the next day; Will Casaubon’s desire for Dorothea not to see Will alone shows that he
agrees and leaves. Dorothea apologizes to her husband for her has conservative views about what married women should be
angry words that morning and begins to cry again. Casaubon allowed to do—which will likely prove problematic for Dorothea.
wants to tell her that she shouldn’t have seen Will without him,
but he doesn’t.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 22
At dinner the next day, Dorothea is impressed by the charming Dorothea is evidently a remarkably intelligent woman, yet she has
way Will converses with Casaubon. Casaubon similarly feels suffered within a society that doesn’t believe women should receive
proud of Dorothea, who he feels speaks better than most a substantial education and which doesn’t take the views of women
women. Will invites them to visit some artists’ studios before seriously. Casaubon may be proud of her intelligence, but he has not
they leave, and they agree. He takes them to Naumann’s studio, demonstrated that he is willing to help Dorothea find intellectual
explaining that he has been studying as Naumann’s pupil while stimulation.
in Rome. While Will shows them around and compliments
Naumann’s work, Dorothea feels that she is beginning to
understand art a little better.

Naumann tells Casaubon that he would love to use him as a The two comparisons that have been made between Casaubon and
model for a picture of St. Thomas Aquinas, and Casaubon is major figures in intellectual history—John Locke and Thomas
surprised and thrilled—though not half as thrilled as Dorothea, Aquinas—perhaps indicate that he is a similarly great man himself.
who feels that this confirms that Casaubon is indeed the great Importantly, however, in both cases the comparisons were based
man she imagined. Naumann then asks if Dorothea would also purely on looks. Casaubon might look like a great man, but what
consider sitting for him, and she eagerly agrees. Watching her does that matter if his intellect and work do not match up?
pose, Will is overcome with desire for her. Later that night,
Naumann mocks Casaubon and comments excessively on
Dorothea’s beauty, which annoys Will. He eventually insists
that Naumann stop talking about Dorothea.
Will desperately tries to see Dorothea alone before she leaves Both Will and Dorothea have a habit of speaking in an open, honest
Rome. He visits her in the middle of the day, when he knows manner, and this sets them apart from the restrained, veiled mode
Casaubon will be at the library. Dorothea asks him to look at of speech used by most other characters in the novel. The passion
some cameos she has purchased as a gift for Celia. She says she and earnestness they share helps foster the chemistry between
finds it hard to enjoy things, such as great art, when she knows them, but at the same time it is dangerous, as it risks revealing
that not everyone has access to them. She then clarifies that truths that may be too difficult to bear.
she is not “a sad, melancholy creature,” although she is subject
to passionate changes in mood. Will says she is too young to
think that way. He then exclaims that she will be “buried alive”
in Lowick Manor, which he calls a “prison.”
Will is worried that he might have insulted her, but his kind Up until this point, we might have assumed that Casaubon’s patient
tone ensures that Dorothea is not offended. Dorothea asks him dedication to his scholarship was proof that he was producing a
if Casaubon’s ignorance of German really dooms his great work. However, patience and dedication are not the only
scholarship to irrelevance. Will explains that the topic ingredients of important scholarship. Crucially, Casaubon lacks the
Casaubon has chosen to write about is developing at great skill necessary for his work to be significant. He is stuck in the past,
speed, and Casaubon cannot know about the latest advances ignoring the reality of progress and advancements in knowledge.
without reading German. Dorothea gets upset, and Will
apologizes, although he notes that he was only telling her the
truth. He says that he is determined not to be a failure himself,
and for this reason will shortly go back to England, give up the
allowance Casaubon has provided for him, and devote himself
to work.
Will goes to leave, saying he thinks Dorothea doesn’t like him. It is not yet clear whether Casaubon is jealous of Will or whether he
Dorothea insists: “I like you very much.” She says she looks simply thinks it is improper for Will and Dorothea to spend time
forward to seeing what he will do for a career. She asks him to alone together because Dorothea is married. We get the sense that
promise that he won’t mention the problem with Casaubon’s he should be jealous of Will, considering the qualities Will possesses
scholarship to anyone else. Will promises and leaves, meeting that Casaubon doesn’t: youth, passion, and urgent ambition.
Casaubon on the way out. When Casaubon comes to meet Importantly, these are qualities that Dorothea also has.
Dorothea, she tells him about Will’s plan to go to England and
work his way to financial independence. Casaubon comments
coldly that he gave Will an allowance out of a sense of duty, but
is uninterested in him as a person.

BOOK 3, CHAPTER 23
Fred remains troubled by his debt. His creditor is Mr. This passage shows that growing up wealthy tends to make people
Bambridge, a horse-dealer who often lends money to behave irresponsibly with money. This is true both because they
hedonistic young men. Fred owes him £160, and three months don’t have a sense of the real value of money and because they are
ago he renewed the debt with the signature of Caleb Garth. overconfident that there will always be enough money to rely on if
Fred has thus far felt completely confident that he will be able things go wrong, leading them to pursue reckless behavior.
to pay back the debt, having always been able to rely on his
father’s money. Having grown up rather spoiled, he doesn’t
know much about the value of money or how rich Mr. Vincy
actually is.
The Garths have always felt great affection for Fred and The importance of rank and money in Middlemarch does not
Rosamond. Before marrying Mrs. Vincy’s sister, Mr. preclude friendships from existing across these differences.
Featherstone had been married to Caleb Garth’s sister, However, a sense of imbalance can remain prominent. Even worse,
thereby creating a connection between the Garths and Vincys. this can mean that wealthier people (like Fred) take advantage of
Fred has always adored Mary and treated the Garths’ house as those who have less (like Caleb Garth).
his “second home.” The Garths used to be much wealthier than
they are now. The Garths are known for living “in a small way.”
Caleb was more than happy to renew Fred’s debt for him,
although Mrs. Garth never found out.
While all this is going on, Fred fails his exam, which makes it This is an important passage, which identifies serious moral failings
even worse that he racked up such serious debts in college. Yet of the society depicted in the novel. Fred and other wealthy young
his family members are somewhat lenient because they think men like him are forgiven not because their privilege makes what
he will be the main recipient of Featherstone’s estate. The they’ve done any more acceptable (in fact, the opposite is true) but
narrator observes that rich young men are often treated with because people expect them to become even more wealthy and
more forgiveness for misuse of money than poor people who powerful later. It is thus a kind of unjust, strategic forgiveness.
steal because they are starving. Fred is not a compulsive
gambler, but his optimistic spirit, enjoyment of games, and
desire for money lead him to betting.
Years ago Featherstone gave Fred a horse, and in his Fred is snooty, but he is also hedonistic, and this leads him to
desperation to pay his debt Fred tries to sell the horse, even associate with men of lower rank because they indulge in the kind of
though it is a treasured and useful possession. He rides to the reckless, sensual pleasure that men of his status are not expected to
Houndsley horse fair accompanied by Bambridge and Horrock, engage in. By this time it is clear that Fred is a thoroughly
the Middlemarch vet. Fred’s fondness for these two men is irresponsible, practically delinquent young man.
puzzling, considering he is generally a rather refined, snooty
person who looks down on those who aren’t university-
educated. Horrock is known as a drunk who beats his wife. He
indulges in every kind of pleasure, which makes him “a gay
companion.”
The night before the fair begins, a farmer who knows Fred believes he is pulling off a clever plan, which will allow him to
Bambridge explains that he is selling a hunting horse named escape the burden of his debt. However, one of the lessons of the
Diamond. Fred decides to persuade the farmer to swap horses novel is that trying to scheme or cheat one’s way out of difficulties
with him, with Fred throwing in an extra £25. He knows he will (and especially financial difficulties) will never work out well in the
be able to sell Diamond, who is much superior to his own horse, end.
for at least £80. He ends up completing the swap and giving the
farmer only an extra £30. He immediately heads home.

BOOK 3, CHAPTER 24
Unfortunately, only a couple of days after this transaction Immediately, Fred is doubly punished for his decision to try and get
Diamond has a violent kicking fit and lames himself. Fred is out of debt by selling the horse. Not only does the horse instantly
despondent. He decides to confess everything to Mary, and become valueless, but Fred also faces the reality that his inability to
worries that this means he should probably confess to Mrs. pay the debt may put the Garths in serious financial hardship. This
Garth, too. Mrs. Garth tends to be judgmental of other women, is a consideration that has evidently not crossed Fred’s mind yet,
and “disproportionately indulgent towards the failings of men.” because he is so insulated and naïve thanks to his family’s wealth.
Fred finds her in the kitchen, giving a lesson to two of her
children, Letty and Ben. Fred asks if these are her only pupils
now, and Mrs. Garth explains that she is “at a low ebb with
pupils” and as a result her income is small.
Fred feels worried and guilty. At that moment Mr. Garth This heart-wrenching scene highlights the severity of Fred’s
arrives, and Fred immediately confesses that he only has £50 recklessness and the negative impact it is going to have on the
toward his debt of £160. Mr. Garth looks embarrassed, and Garth family. To Fred, the debt is simply a bit of fun gone wrong.
tries to casually inform his wife that he co-signed Fred’s debt. However, he was inadvertently betting with the Garths’ savings and
Mr. Garth says that this is all happening at an unfortunate their son Alfred’s future. Of course, this is not entirely Fred’s
moment, as Christmas is coming and the family is already fault—Caleb is also to blame for lending money that his family
struggling financially. He becomes more panicked as he desperately needed.
wonders how they will possibly cobble together £110. Mrs.
Garth says that she will give the £92 she had saved to pay for
their son, Alfred, to be trained as an apprentice. She adds that
Mary surely has £20 saved.
For the first time Fred feels genuine sorrow. He had only been Although this episode hardly paints Fred in a sympathetic light, it is
worried about the Garths thinking badly of him, and had not at least true that he quickly sees how wrongly he has behaved and
even considered that his actions might put them in a position of feels genuine sorrow. This suggests that he is not a terrible person
financial difficulty. Fred promises to eventually pay them back, and can be reformed. He just needs to grow up and learn how to
but Mrs. Garth snaps that this won’t help Alfred now. Mr. Garth behave responsibly.
also apologizes, saying he was wrong to co-sign the debt.
Desperately upset and embarrassed, Fred leaves.
Mr. Garth apologizes to his wife again, but she responds kindly, This is a key passage when it comes to the book’s exploration of
saying it was silly of him not to tell her about it. Mrs. Garth says greed and money. On one hand, it is clear that Caleb was foolish to
he needs to stop being so generous, and that he must go and lend Fred the money and that even those who aren’t greedy
ask Mary how much money she has saved. Mr. Garth is shouldn’t be careless about money. Unfortunately, money is too
annoyed that this episode is interrupting “business,” which he important for that—it demands to be taken seriously. However, the
views as basically sacred. His use of “business” refers to passage also shows that it is possible (and indeed better) not to care
industrial construction and labor. Although he has immense about money, and that fulfillment can be found in other ways, such
practical skill and knowledge, Mr. Garth is terrible with as through marriage and family.
finances. He is very popular because he works hard and often
doesn’t even charge people for his labor. His family is poor, but
they don’t mind.

BOOK 3, CHAPTER 25
Fred goes to Mr. Featherstone’s house, Stone Court, and Here we see that Mary is far ahead of Fred when it comes to
dramatically announces to Mary that from now on she will only maturity. Even as Fred is apologizing to her, he remains fixated on
have the worst opinion of him. He explains the whole story, and himself and his own feelings, which—as Mary points out—are not
Mary immediately cries out in sympathy for her father. Fred the point. Moreover, Mary has honor, which leads her to state that
begs for Mary’s forgiveness, but she says that’s not the point. she and her family work hard for their money and do not resort to
Her forgiveness will not fix the fact that Mrs. Garth has lost her begging. Again, it is clear that these noble qualities are far more
savings and Alfred will no longer be able to do his important than money.
apprenticeship. Fred asks if Featherstone might advance Mary
her salary, to which she replies: “my family is not fond of
begging, Fred. We would rather work for our money.”
Mary observes that selfish people always prioritize their own This passage shows that Fred and Mary’s relationship is remarkably
feelings over the harm they’ve caused others, just as Fred is resilient. Mary is painfully aware of how badly Fred has behaved,
doing now. Fred attempts to defend himself, but Mary will not and does not spare his feelings. Yet just as her mother forgave her
hear it. Fred begs her to tell him she loves him, and Mary teases father at the end of the last chapter, Mary’s fondness for Fred
him in return, dreaming up a horrible future for him. However, remains. Unfortunately, Fred’s ongoing confidence in inheriting
this makes her smile, and soon after, she runs to tell Featherstone’s wealth suggests he has not learned his lesson.
Featherstone Fred is there. Fred harbors no fears about his
future due to the inheritance he presumes he will receive from
his uncle. He speaks with Featherstone only briefly before
returning home.
Later Mr. Garth comes to Stone Court. Alone with Mary, Mr. Mary clearly loves Fred, but unlike Dorothea and Rosamond, she
Garth says he has bad news, but Mary replies that she already has not let love lead her to develop illusions about who Fred is. Her
knows it. She has already set aside the £24 she has saved, conversation with Caleb suggests that she is able to remain level-
explaining that Fred came to see her that morning. Mr. Garth is headed in part because of the extremely close relationship she has
overwhelmed with emotion and assures her they only need with her family. Mary is in no rush to get married because she is so
£18. He then tells Mary to beware of Fred, who has proven to loved and fulfilled by her parents and siblings.
be untrustworthy. He explains that he knows Mary is
reasonable, but he still worries as her father. Mary assures him
that she will never accept a man who is not financially
independent, and father and daughter share a tender moment.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 26
After selling Diamond as meat for a small price, Fred begins to This is the first substantial evidence we have that Lydgate lives up to
feel very ill and asks Mrs. Vincy to call Mr. Wrench. Wrench his reputation as a talented doctor. Amusingly, Lydgate would never
concludes that there is nothing seriously wrong, but when Fred have gotten a chance to demonstrate his medical prowess if it
remains very ill the next day, Mrs. Vincy anxiously wonders if weren’t for Rosamond’s crush on him, as Mrs. Vincy wanted to call
she should call Dr. Sprague. At that moment Rosamond sees Dr. Sprague instead.
Lydgate stopping outside the house, and suggests that they
invite him in as “they say he cures every one.” Lydgate
determines that Fred has typhoid fever, and that Wrench
prescribed him the wrong medication.

Lydgate says Fred must go to bed straight away and be given a This passage makes it comically clear how difficult Lydgate’s job of
nurse; he then gives very specific instructions for his treatment. reforming medicine in Middlemarch will be. Instead of doctors being
Mrs. Vincy begs Lydgate to come back regularly, and Lydgate able to just get along with their jobs, social considerations, petty
awkwardly suggests that he can come along with Mr. Wrench. rivalries, and gossip abound. Amidst all this, it becomes difficult to
Wrench is infuriated by this turn of events and by Mr. and Mrs. assess who actually possesses the medical skill needed to heal
Vincy’s emotional declaration that Fred might have died if it people and save lives.
had not been for Lydgate. The Vincys make Lydgate their family
doctor, which prompts a great deal of dramatic gossip in
Middlemarch. A rumor even spreads that Lydgate is
Bulstrode’s illegitimate son.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 27
The narrator says that their friend, a philosopher, taught them The candle anecdote, which is one of many scientific metaphors in
about an optical illusion wherein a candle held against a the novel, is a powerful way of showing how people’s egos influence
scratched metal surface will make it seem as if the scratches lie their perception of the world. The narrator’s habit of framing social
in concentric circles around the candlelight (when in fact they realities using metaphors from science conveys that human social
are multidirectional). This is a metaphor for how people’s egos life is not separate from scientific fact, but is rather part of the
(the candle) give the illusion that they are the center of the natural world.
events that occur around them (the scratches). For example,
Rosamond feels that the whole incident of Fred’s illness was
actually a way for her and Lydgate to be brought closer
together.
Under Lydgate’s care, Fred gradually gets better, which means Rosamond has succumbed to the kind of fantasies that, as we have
that each of Lydgate’s visits gets more pleasant and enjoyable seen from Dorothea, are potentially dangerous. Rosamond’s dreams
for the family. Whenever Lydgate gets a chance, he sits and have prevented her from seeing that Lydgate is too focused on his
listens to Rosamond play music. He feels that their shared career to take the prospect of marriage seriously right now.
flirtation is only a “play at being a little in love,” because he Furthermore, her fixation on his superiority is shallow. She doesn’t
remains convinced that he cannot marry until the New seem to like Lydgate as a person so much as she is infatuated with
Hospital is finally established. Rosamond, however, believes his rank.
this is really love and fantasizes of being married. She feels
“proud whenever he enter[s] a room” and is sure that he is far
superior to all the other suitors she has known.
Rosamond doesn’t think about money “except as something This passage confirms that Rosamond is in the midst of a misguided
necessary which other people would always provide.” Lydgate illusion when it comes to Lydgate. She embraces his obnoxious
relishes the time he spends with her, especially because he behavior and concludes that they are “as good as engaged” despite
finds the men of Middlemarch very dull. One evening he finds the fact that they have not even discussed marriage. Furthermore,
Rosamond deep in conversation with Ned Plymdale, another her naïve understanding of money does not bode well for her future
young Middlemarch bachelor. Rosamond explains that Lydgate either. It has already been mentioned that Lydgate is poor, but
has been the family’s “guardian angel” during Fred’s illness. Rosamond is too caught up in fantasy to notice.
Lydgate makes several rude, obnoxious comments, leaving
Plymdale horrified. Rosamond pretends to be offended, but is
secretly thrilled by Lydgate’s pretentious display of superiority.
She feels that they are “as good as engaged.”

BOOK 3, CHAPTER 28
Dorothea and Casaubon arrive back from their honeymoon to On the surface Dorothea appears to possess a masochistic “appetite
January snow. The morning after their arrival Casaubon speaks for submission,” to the extent that she resents Casaubon’s
to Mr. Tucker in his library, while Dorothea wonders when the willingness to grant her agency. However, perhaps Dorothea is just
life of “wifely devotion” she craves will begin. When she asks telling herself that what she craves is “wifely devotion.” It is more
Casaubon what she should do, he simply replies, “whatever you likely that what she really wants is intellectual stimulation and
please, my dear.” The excitement she felt on first getting a companionship.
glimpse of Lowick has totally evaporated. She feels an affinity
with Casaubon’s aunt who had the “unfortunate” marriage, and
wonders what the woman’s life was like.
Dorothea runs into Celia and Mr. Brooke, who greet her Dorothea was correct in guessing that Sir James would be a better
enthusiastically. Dorothea and Celia go to speak alone, and match for Celia than he would be for her. However, it seems as if she
when Celia asks if Dorothea enjoyed Rome, Dorothea avoids was less skilled in predicting the success of her own marriage to
answering. Celia mentions Lady Chettam and immediately Casaubon. Her refusal to answer Celia’s question about Rome
blushes, prompting Dorothea to ask what’s going on. Celia suggests that she is in denial about her marital problems, or at least
confesses that while Dorothea was gone, she and Sir James wants to keep up appearances.
became very close, and were engaged three days ago.
Dorothea replies that it is a wonderful match, and Celia adds
that Sir James has been continuing work on the cottages in
Dorothea’s absence.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 29
This chapter begins with another consideration of Dorothea’s This is the first time that we get a glimpse of Casaubon’s
perspective before switching to Casaubon’s. The narrator subjectivity, which has previously remained quite mysterious. The
argues that Casaubon cannot be blamed for choosing to marry, narrator suggests that this passage will increase the reader’s
and points out that he tries to provide everything for his young sympathy for Casaubon. Yet while it is clear that Casaubon means
wife. He had been convinced that Dorothea was the perfect Dorothea no harm, it is also hard to sympathize with someone who
match for him. Overall, he has not led a happy life, and he is refuses help in order to preserve an overinflated idea of himself.
severely self-conscious about what other scholars and
clergymen really think of his abilities. In fact, he is so insecure
about his own work that it makes him question his religious
faith. The narrator expresses pity for him.
Casaubon had planned to rely on Dorothea’s help with his Dorothea is so desperate to appear submissive that she gets angry
work, but now this strikes him as not worth the effort. at Casaubon’s presumption that she will want Will at Lowick (even
Nonetheless she insists on being given tasks to perform. One though it is clear that she and Will get along). This is the kind of
morning Casaubon hands Dorothea a letter addressed to her manipulative and self-sabotaging behavior that can develop in
from Will which had been enclosed in a letter from Will to unhappy marriages. It shows that Dorothea is still trying to suppress
Casaubon. He tells her that he will not accept Will’s request to her true nature, which will surely only cause more problems.
come and visit them at Lowick. Dorothea angrily asks why
Casaubon assumes she will disagree on this matter. He wearily
replies that he doesn’t want to argue about it. Just at that
moment, Casaubon drops his book and grips the table, unable
to breathe.

Dorothea helps Casaubon to the couch. Sir James arrives and Casaubon is so intensely disliked that even his sister-in-law and her
Dorothea explains that her husband has “had a fit.” Sir James is fiancee react to his apparent heart attack by discussing how terrible
unsurprised that Casaubon should be on the brink of death so he is. While sometimes people are looked on more kindly after death
soon. He suggests that they call Lydgate, who has recently than they are when they are alive, this does not seem likely in the
done an excellent job of treating Lady Chettam. When Sir case of Casaubon.
James tell Celia what happened, they both remark on how
awful Casaubon is and how strange it is that “noble” Dorothea
is married to him. Sir James suggests that Celia go to her sister
before Lydgate arrives. Although he is now perfectly happy
with Celia, Sir James still thinks it’s a shame that more wasn’t
done to prevent Dorothea from marrying Casaubon, for her
own sake.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 30
Casaubon recovers within a few days, but Lydgate remains Lydgate’s diagnosis presents a dilemma for Casaubon (and, by
worried and stresses that Casaubon needs to stop working so extension, Dorothea). Casaubon’s best chance of extending his life is
hard. Casaubon protests that this will be miserable, and to stop working, but without work he essentially doesn’t have a life.
Lydgate commiserates. Lydgate speaks with Dorothea, assuring Dorothea’s pleas to Lydgate suggest that she is in denial about the
her that Casaubon’s health is improving. He tells her that it is reality facing her husband: if he keeps working, he will not live much
possible that Casaubon might live for another 15 years, longer.
provided that he is “careful against mental agitation of all kinds.”
He suggests travel, mentioning the trip to Rome, but Dorothea
immediately replies that this would not work. She pleads for
Lydgate’s advice, imploring him to consider Casaubon’s
attachment to his work.
Lydgate feels he cannot answer, and so he leaves. Dorothea It is odd that Casaubon refused to allow Will to come and visit,
sobs and returns to Casaubon’s study, where she finds the considering that his letter was kind and he is clearly not requesting
letters from Will, which she decides to tidy away so Casaubon any further financial support from Casaubon. Casaubon’s wish not
will not see them and get upset again. She reads Will’s letter to to see Will can perhaps only be explained by jealousy over Will’s
her husband. Will reiterates his plan to become financially friendship with Dorothea.
independent on returning to England, and adds that Naumann
has requested that a painting he made for Casaubon be
brought to him at Lowick—hence Will’s plan to visit. Dorothea
gives the letters to Mr. Brooke, asking him to write and explain
that Casaubon is too ill for visitors.
Mr. Brooke writes a long letter complimenting Will and Many twists of fate in the novel take place because the characters
explaining that he cannot come to Lowick. However, Brooke act in secret, without telling one another what they have done.
then suggests that Will come to stay at Tipton instead, as Brooke’s secrecy is not malicious, but it will come to have a big
Brooke is interested in discussing politics with him. He sends impact on the remainder of the story.
the letter without telling Dorothea, who is busy tending to
Casaubon.

BOOK 3, CHAPTER 31
That evening Lydgate speaks with Rosamond, expressing Mrs. Plymdale’s words may sound like a defensive attempt to save
surprise and confusion about Dorothea’s marriage. Lydgate face, but her assessment of Rosamond is correct. Meanwhile, the
and Rosamond’s flirtation cannot be kept secret in gossip about Rosamond and Lydgate’s relationship only adds fuel to
Middlemarch, which is rife with gossip (especially about the fire of Rosamond’s fantasy. Can she be blamed for getting
Rosamond). Mrs. Plymdale and Mrs. Bulstrode discuss caught up in the dream of marrying Lydgate if it is all that anyone is
Rosamond; Mrs. Plymdale says she knows the Bulstrodes have talking about?
helped encourage the courtship between Lydgate and
Rosamond, but that she is actually grateful that Ned is not
going to marry her. She believes that Rosamond thinks too
highly of herself, convinced that “no young man in Middlemarch
is good enough for her.”
Mrs. Bulstrode expresses shock at the idea of there being This passage reveals that Rosamond is too naïve (or too obsessed
anything between Lydgate and Rosamond, adding that she isn’t with rank) to know the difference between “high connections” and
prone to gossip. Later, Mrs. Bulstrode tells Rosamond that she money. While she certainly appears to care more about social status
has heard that she is engaged. Rosamond denies it, but Mrs. than money, her desire for superiority surely necessitates a certain
Bulstrode immediately begins warning her niece about amount of wealth. We know that Mrs. Bulstrode’s warnings are wise
marrying Lydgate, because he is poor and Rosamond is unlikely because both the narrator and Lydgate himself have said that
to inherit anything from Mr. Vincy. Rosamond denies that Lydgate is poor.
Lydgate is poor, mentioning his “high connections.” Mrs.
Bulstrode asks if Lydgate has proposed and, embarrassed to
say no, Rosamond requests that they stop talking about it.
Following this exchange, Mrs. Bulstrode decides to speak with At this stage it is unclear whether Lydgate decides to stop going to
Lydgate herself. She scolds Lydgate for leading Rosamond on the Vincys’ out of pride or because he is genuinely worried about
and interfering with her other marriage prospects, which misleading Rosamond, considering that he doesn’t plan to marry
infuriates him. The next day when Farebrother invites Lydgate yet. Either way, the situation shows how difficult it is to go about
to dinner at the Vincys’, Lydgate refuses, saying he has too one’s life in Middlemarch without multiple people interfering.
much work to do. He decides that he won’t go to the Vincys’
again except in a professional capacity. This leaves Rosamond
devastated, though she comforts herself by imaging that Mrs.
Bulstrode might have stopped Lydgate from coming.
However, after ten days Lydgate stops at the Vincys’ with a For all his single-mindedness, Lydgate is quite easily seduced by
message for Mr. Vincy and finds Rosamond alone. He is moved Rosamond. Seeing her passion for him causes him to instantly
by how obviously overwhelmed she is to see him; this moment change course and propose immediately. This could be interpreted
“shook flirtation into love.” Lydgate asks what’s wrong, and as romantic, but it is also potentially dangerous. Lydgate is not
Rosamond begins to cry. Lydgate embraces her and kisses her acting in a practical, considered manner, and neither is Rosamond.
tears. Within half an hour, they are engaged. That night, Instead, they are both caught up in a dream.
Lydgate finds Mr. Vincy returning from Stone Court with the
news that Featherstone will probably soon die—news that has
put Mr. Vincy in a decidedly happy mood. He cheerfully gives
his approval of Lydgate and Rosamond’s engagement.

BOOK 3, CHAPTER 32
All of Featherstone’s relations are hoping to receive something The scene of Mr. Featherstone’s relatives descending like vultures
in his will, even the poor ones to whom he never showed any around his deathbed (alongside Mr. Vincy’s joy at the news of his
generosity in his life. As Featherstone lies on his deathbed, imminent death in the previous chapter) is decidedly sinister. It
countless relatives arrive at his house. He won’t see any of highlights how greed not only corrupts people’s morals, but also
them, so Mary carries their messages to him. Some of the leads them to behave in unbecoming, dishonorable ways.
guests, such as Featherstone’s brother Jonah, simply refuse to
leave the house. A great many of them are now crowded in the
kitchen, which distresses Mary. The relatives eventually
confront Featherstone, who is enraged by their presence. He
declares: “I’ve made my will, I tell you, I’ve made my will.”
Mr. Trumbull, the Middlemarch auctioneer, has a meeting with Mr. Trumbull’s decision to stir up controversy among Featherstone’s
Featherstone, and as he is waiting to go up to Featherstone’s relatives is highly irresponsible. It shows how the proclivity for
room the crowd of relatives asks for an update on gossip and temptation to seem like an authority can make people
Featherstone’s current state of mind. Trumbull gives an evasive behave in reckless ways. Once again, selfishness and ego make the
answer, but subtly implies that Featherstone’s land may not be characters reveal the ugliest sides of themselves.
inherited by anyone in the family at all. In reality Trumbull
doesn’t know anything about Featherstone’s will. He discusses
Mary’s books with her, claiming to be “a great bookman myself.”
The relatives mutter about Mary, supposing that Featherstone
will have certainly left her something in the will.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 33
Mary often likes to sit in Mr. Featherstone’s room after Mary’s wisdom, honesty, and pragmatism here save her from a
midnight, keeping watch over him and immersing herself in her potentially disastrous turn of events. Even when faced with the
own private thoughts. At 3 am, she hears Featherstone call her demand of a man who has authority over her, Mary trusts her own
name. He opens a tin box that contains several keys, and asks instincts. This is part of what makes her such an admirable and
how many of his relatives are currently in the house. unusual character.
Featherstone calls them “fools,” and then tells Mary that he has
made two wills and intends to burn one of them. He asks Mary
to use the key to unlock his iron chest and get one of the wills.
She refuses, saying that if she gets involved people will be
suspicious of her.
When Mary continues to refuse to help, Featherstone begins Here Mary’s behavior is so noble that it is difficult to not to wonder
to cry. He then asks her to call Fred instead and, panicked, she if she is actually acting in a foolish way. As we have seen, her entire
says she’ll only do that if she can get the other relatives as well. life savings amounted to £24 (before £20 of them had to be used to
Featherstone tries to give Mary almost £200 in banknotes, bail out Fred), and thus we know how much of a difference £200
stressing that she will certainly never receive such an amount would make to her. However, given her wisdom, it is likely that she
again. She refuses and offers him cordial, saying they can speak was right in refusing to comply with Featherstone’s request. This
about it in the morning. Featherstone attempts to throw his refusal becomes especially dramatic considering that Featherstone
walking stick at her and misses. Mary goes back to her seat by dies immediately afterward.
the fire, hoping Featherstone will fall asleep again. Some time
passes, and Mary notices that he has died, still holding the keys
in one hand and the money in the other.

BOOK 4, CHAPTER 34
Featherstone is buried in May. He has left specific instructions There is something darkly fitting about Featherstone’s lavish funeral
for an extravagant, impressive funeral. Featherstone always considering that everyone there doesn’t actually care about him but
loved to spend his money in a way that reminded others of his only wants his money. While an extravagant funeral is theoretically
superiority and power. At Featherstone’s request, Mr. supposed to signify that someone was popular and intensely loved,
Cadwallader performs the service. Mrs. Cadwallader has in this case it simply confirms that Featherstone was rich.
persuaded Sir James and Celia to drive her to Lowick. Against
Lydgate’s advice, Casaubon has returned to working with the
same intensity as always.
Casaubon, Dorothea, and their guests watch through the Although Celia and Dorothea are close, Celia’s rather amusing
window as the funeral train enters the church. Celia looks away, comment shows that she fundamentally doesn’t understand her
saying it makes her too sad to watch, and commenting that sister. Her belief that Dorothea loves “melancholy things and ugly
Dorothea probably likes it because “she is fond of melancholy people” likely rests on Dorothea’s rejection of light-hearted,
things and ugly people.” Dorothea says she is merely interested aesthetic pursuits that are seen as typically feminine. Of course, this
in her neighbors. The group discusses the funeral-goers, and does not mean Dorothea likes things because they are sad or ugly.
Dorothea exclaims in horror at the idea that Featherstone was
completely unloved when he died. Mrs. Cadwallader notices a
stranger among the funeral crowd, a man with “a sort of frog-
face.”
Everyone strains to see the stranger, and in that moment Celia Here we begin to see the consequences of Mr. Brooke’s secretive
exclaims that she didn’t know Ladislaw was coming. Mr. Brooke behavior. Again, Brooke did not mean to cause any harm through
casually explains that Ladislaw is staying with him. Casaubon secretly inviting Will—in fact, as his comments here show, he invited
concludes that Dorothea must have asked Mr. Brooke to invite him because he thinks Will can help his political career. However,
Ladislaw to stay at Tipton. Dorothea knows Casaubon hates this self-centered short-sightedness could have bad consequences.
Ladislaw, although she doesn’t know why. Brooke indicates that
he thinks Ladislaw would prove himself to be a talented
speechwriter, and says he will go to find him now.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 35
All of Featherstone’s relatives are hoping to get some of the There is a general atmosphere of nastiness at the reading of
limited amount of land and money that Featherstone has left Featherstone’s will, created mostly by the greedy excitement and
behind. Most of the relatives are furiously jealous of the Vincys, speculation which has totally dwarfed any pretense of mourning
as it is expected that Fred will inherit the majority of the land. that took place at the funeral. This sense of nastiness is further
However, all the speculation is confused by the appearance of increased by Fred’s reaction to Rigg—a reaction that suggests Fred is
the frog-faced stranger, who presents himself as one of the just as immature and thoughtless as ever.
mourners. He is identified as Rigg. Fred overhears Jonah
mentioning a “love-child,” and when Fred links this phrase to
Rigg’s ugly face, he struggles to suppress a laugh. Seeing this,
Mary asks to swap seats with him so Fred is out of the others’
sight.

Now that all Featherstone’s relatives are assembled, it is time Again, this scene highlights the selfish, greedy, and ugly side of the
for the reading of his will. Featherstone’s lawyer Mr. Standish people assembled at the reading. Fred behaves in a particularly
was surprised and a little excited when he found out about the despicable way; he is so happy about the money he is due to inherit
second will. The audience listens nervously as Standish reads that he cannot pretend to be solemn without physically biting his
the first will, announcing that about £3000 will be distributed cheeks. Meanwhile, there is dramatic irony created by the fact that
in small, even amounts among a great many of Featherstone’s as readers, we know there is a second will.
relatives. The Garths are not mentioned, but Mr. Vincy and
Mrs. Vincy learn they will receive £100 each. It is then
announced that Fred will receive £10,000; he is so happy that
he has to bite his cheeks to stop himself from smiling.
The rest of Featherstone’s property and land is all given to While Featherstone appears to have had a change of heart at the
Joshua Rigg, who is also expected to take “Featherstone” as his last minute (as indicated by his desire for Mary to burn one of the
surname. Everyone is profoundly shocked except Rigg himself. wills), his original plan—which is the one carried out—was to have a
However, then a second will is read, which cancels out the first dramatic twist of events that raised people’s expectations before
one entirely. This new will gives all Featherstone’s land and dashing them. In a sense, Featherstone wanted to make sure he had
property to Rigg, leaving only a little extra to build alms-houses the last laugh.
in Featherstone’s name. The only person present who inherits
anything is Trumbull, who gets Featherstone’s gold-plated
cane.
Mr. Vincy angrily declares that Featherstone must have lost his Despite the amount of sincere distress in the room, there is
ability to reason when he made the will. Standish and Trumbull something inescapably comic about the chaos that ensues after the
insist that his mind was perfectly healthy. Mr. Garth suggests reading of the will. Once people lose out on the inheritance they
that the will is actually not that surprising, adding: “I wish there believe they deserve, all the selfish, greedy, and nasty behavior they
was no such thing as a will.” Jonah chimes in, calling had been suppressing suddenly comes to the surface.
Featherstone “a hypocrite.” Rigg seems unbothered by the
malicious comments circulating among the relatives. Rigg has a
high-pitched voice and “a vile accent.” Fred laments that he will
have to train as a clergyman after all, and asks Mary what she
shall do. She replies that she will get another job, and leaves.
Concluding the chapter, the narrator reflects that any stories At the time Middlemarch was published, it was still customary to
about “low people” in the book can be redeemed by being devote novels to the lives of high-ranking people. Here the narrator’s
considered as parables. The narratives of low-ranking people invocation of the Reform Act suggests that Middlemarch’s
may well serve as metaphors for the lives of the nobility. The attention to people of different ranks reflects broader social change.
narrator concludes by mentioning that Featherstone died
before Lord Grey was elected Prime Minister and the Reform
Act was passed.

BOOK 4, CHAPTER 36
Mr. Vincy’s view of the world has been drastically transformed It is now clear how much of the Vincys’ carefree attitude toward life
by the reading of Featherstone’s will. He furiously tells Fred was based on their belief that Fred was soon going to inherit a large
that he’d better retake his college exam and pass this time. Mrs. amount of property from Featherstone. Now that this has not
Vincy tells her husband not to be so harsh to Fred; while both happened, they are forced to take a hard look at their previous
parents agree that Fred has been “robbed,” Mr. Vincy thinks it assumptions and indulgences. For the first time, Mr. Vincy sees how
has not helped that their son is so spoiled. Mrs. Vincy tries to misguided it was to spoil Fred and Rosamond.
appease her husband by mentioning Lydgate’s high-ranking
relatives, but Mr. Vincy curses relatives in general, adding: “I
don’t want a son-in-law who has got nothing but his relations to
recommend him.”
Mr. Vincy declares that he withdraws his approval of It is easy to see both sides in Rosamond’s conflict with her parents.
Rosamond’s engagement, and the next day Mrs. Vincy informs From Rosamond’s perspective, it is true that Fred’s loss of fortune
her daughter of the news. Rosamond is adamant that the isn’t her fault, and that she shouldn’t have to pay for her brother’s
engagement will go ahead despite her family’s change in lack of job. It is also cruel of Mr. Vincy to rescind his approval of her
circumstances. She notes that Fred’s lack of inheritance is not engagement after he already gave it. At the same time, Mr. and Mrs.
her problem, and that her brother should start working. Vincy’s desire for Rosamond to take Lydgate’s financial situation
Meanwhile, Mr. Vincy makes it clear that he will not provide any seriously is also sympathetic. Right now Rosamond is in naïve
money for the young couple. It becomes clear that the couple denial.
must marry within one year and preferably sooner. This messes
up Lydgate’s plan, but he decides he must accept it.
Farebrother assures Lydgate that being married will probably
help his career rather than hinder it.
One evening, Lydgate notices that Rosamond has been crying, Rosamond’s reaction to Lydgate’s solution suggests that she is being
and after some prompting she explains that Mr. Vincy and Fred foolish and naïve about the wedding, more caught up in fantasy
have been fighting and that Mr. Vincy no longer supports their than reality. (Note that the phrase “wedding clothes” doesn’t refer to
engagement. Lydgate assures her that it is too late for Mr. the bridal dress but to the clothes Rosamond will where on social
Vincy to oppose it, and that they could perhaps solve the occasions surrounding the wedding, such as visits to Lydgate’s
problem by getting married right away, waiting to buy relatives.)
Rosamond’s wedding clothes after the fact. Rosamond finds
this idea puzzling and somewhat unappealing, as she has been
fantasizing about the clothes she will wear to meet Lydgate’s
relatives.
Lydgate suggests they marry in six weeks, and while Rosamond Mr. Vincy’s proclamations might be needlessly dramatic, but
doesn’t believe this is enough time, she says she can try to Rosamond and Lydgate’s rushed marriage does have a mild air of
hurry the preparations. They kiss, both feeling ecstatically in disaster. Considering the existing concern over Lydgate’s finances,
love. The rushed preparations for the wedding mean that his extra spending on the wedding is ominous. However, both he and
Lydgate ends up spending more money than he would have Rosamond are unaware of this due to the intensity of their love.
otherwise. When Rosamond approaches Mr. Vincy, he once
again expresses disapproval on the grounds that Lydgate is
poor. He says that between Fred’s bad luck and parliament on
the brink of being dissolved, it feels like the world is ending.

Rosamond objects that these things have nothing to do with Rosamond is essentially making the same mistake about Lydgate
her marriage. She says that Lydgate’s high rank means that he that her family did about Fred: believing that he will become
will surely end up wealthy and powerful, and adds that wealthy in the future, even though there is no assurance of this
marrying him is her only chance of happiness on earth. Mr. happening. In both cases, this blind faith is a recipe for
Vincy softens, saying Lydgate must write to him and ask for his disappointment.
permission. Once Lydgate has done so, Vincy demands that
Lydgate get life insurance, which Lydgate agrees to do.
Soon after, Rosamond tells Lydgate how much she looks Rosamond continues to fixate on an idea of the future that does not
forward to meeting his family members; Lydgate does not seem to be shared by Lydgate. She is desperate to leave
share her enthusiasm, saying: “my cousins are bores.” Middlemarch and her past behind, but Lydgate has only just arrived
Rosamond is embarrassed by the idea of Lydgate’s relatives and his ambitions will make him more and more entrenched in the
visiting Middlemarch and meeting her own family, and thus community.
hopes that Lydgate will eventually get a position somewhere
else in the country.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 37
The dramatic political events occurring at this time have “The Catholic Question” refers to the events surrounding the Roman
created a great deal of confusion in Middlemarch. Many had Catholic Relief Act of 1829, which allowed Catholics to become
stopped reading the local newspaper The Pioneer, which has a Members of Parliament. This change is obviously related to broader
progressive bent, due to its over-tolerant position on the questions around religious tolerance (explored in the book through
Catholic Question. However, the anti-Catholic Trumpet is not Bulstrode) and also to Reform itself, a movement to change the
favored either. Mr. Hackbutt tells Mr. Hawley that Mr. Brooke country’s electoral system and make it more democratic.
is rumored to have acquired the Pioneer in secret, adding that
he has got “a very brilliant young fellow”—Ladislaw—to be the
paper’s editor. The two men intend to use the paper to push the
Reform agenda.
Hawley ridicules Reform, which leads Hackbutt to point out Brooke’s comparison refers to Percy Bysshe Shelley, a Romantic
that, though he is no radical, the electoral system in England poet famous for his radical social, political, and economic views.
does have serious problems. Mr. Brooke, meanwhile, describes Shelley advocated for atheism, and against war and the monarchy.
Ladislaw as a “kind of Shelley,” clarifying that he means this in a His rebellions got him kicked out of Oxford and cut off from his
complimentary way. He appreciates Ladislaw’s “enthusiasm for family. He died at the age of 29 in Italy. Although Shelley is now
liberty, freedom, emancipation” and tells Casaubon that he is seen as an important radical, in a conservative place like
glad they are related. Casaubon could not feel more differently. Middlemarch, it would be hard to see how a comparison to him
Ladislaw knows that Casaubon hates him. Ladislaw knows he could be meant as a compliment.
has a debt to his cousin due to the financial support Casaubon
once provided, yet he is convinced that Casaubon has “done a
wrong to Dorothea in marrying her.”
Ladislaw is determined to faithfully watch over Dorothea and Dorothea seems to not yet realize how much Will hates Casaubon.
has managed to see her a few times since coming to Furthermore, although the narrator compares her life at Lowick to a
Middlemarch, although never alone. To Dorothea, seeing Will is prison, Dorothea has not yet fully admitted that her marriage is a
like a brief glimpse of sunshine in her prison-like existence. failure. She is clearly still attached to the original fantasy of being an
Finally Will manages to see her alone, and admits to her that he intellectual helpmeet to Casaubon.
aimed to catch her without Casaubon. Dorothea explains that
she has learned a lot since Rome in order to be able to help her
husband, and adds that it can be tiring to learn and know so
much.

Will says that Casaubon should get a secretary, and Dorothea Dorothea romanticizes Julia’s trajectory because it is so different
says neither she nor her husband wants that. Will then says from her own. Julia married for love and was forced to give up all
that this is because Casaubon is too insecure about his own her wealth as a result. Perhaps naively, Dorothea is excited by this
work to have anyone else look at it. Rather than getting angry, story. Will’s response tempers this romanticization, particularly
Dorothea is quiet. Will mentions his grandmother, Julia, who when he points out that both Julia and her husband died young.
was disowned for marrying a poor Polish musician. Dorothea Marrying for love isn’t necessarily a “happily ever after.”
suddenly exclaims: “I wish I knew all about her!” She wonders
how Julia coped with transitioning from “wealth to poverty,” but
Will admits he did not know her or his grandfather very well,
and that they died young.
Dorothea says that she has always had “too much of The history of rebellious women in Will’s family makes him an even
everything.” Will explains that his mother also ran away from more fitting match for Dorothea, as he—unlike everyone else in
her family, though not for a man, but rather to be an actress. He Middlemarch—might actually be able to understand and
then tells Dorothea about Mr. Brooke buying the Pioneer and sympathize with her free-spirited nature. Of course, unfortunately
asking Will to stay in Middlemarch and edit it. He says that he this has emerged too late, once Dorothea is already married to
will stay unless Dorothea wants him to go, but she assures him Casaubon.
she wants him to stay. As he goes to leave, he wants to ask
Dorothea not to mention their conversation to Casaubon, but
he doesn’t want to corrupt her innate honesty, so says nothing.
When Casaubon comes home, Dorothea tells him about Will’s Crucially, Casaubon does not give a reason why Will’s acceptance of
visit and Mr. Brooke’s proposal. She suggests that it would be the position at the Pioneer would be “offensive”—he just cites his
good for Will to finally have a job that he can dedicate himself authority over Will as the reason why Will should comply with his
to. The next day, Casaubon writes Will a letter telling him that wishes. This once again shows that Casaubon is cold and unfeeling,
Will’s acceptance of Mr. Brooke’s proposal would be “highly with too much reverence for authority and tradition.
offensive” to him. He cites his previous support of Will as
grounds for him to be able to forbid Will from taking the
position. He also tells Will not to come to Lowick again.
Meanwhile, Dorothea keeps thinking about Julia. She thinks Dorothea has an unusually strong and forward-thinking sense of
that the unjust way Julia was treated means that Casaubon justice. At this time, it is normal for families to cut off members who
“ha[s] a debt to the Ladislaws.” She suddenly feels sure that in act in disobedient and rebellious ways. However, Dorothea sees that
order to repay this debt, Casaubon should give Will a steady this is not right. Unfortunately, her naivety means that she believes
income which would continue to be paid even after Casaubon’s Casaubon will agree and be willing to right this past wrong.
death. This idea fills her with happiness and a sense of purpose.
Late that night, Dorothea tells her husband that she has been
thinking about money, and how she has always had too much of
it.
Dorothea then mentions Julia, suggesting that Casaubon Casaubon is a deep believer in hierarchy and authority, and he holds
himself perhaps felt a debt and that’s why he paid for Will’s the conservative view that people should temper their behavior
education. She says she doesn’t think it’s right that Will is poor according to their place in this hierarchy. Neither Dorothea nor Will
while they are rich. Casaubon tells Dorothea that it is not her sees the world this way, but unlike Will, Dorothea has limited means
place—nor within her capacity—to try and influence him on a to rebel against it. This passage also illuminates that Casaubon does
subject like this. The next day Casaubon receives a response not truly respect Dorothea’s intelligence and opinions, but rather
from Will, saying that Will disagrees with the idea that expects her to remain subservient to him.
Casaubon has a right to forbid him from staying in
Middlemarch. While Casaubon has supported him in the past,
Will is now independent and may do what he likes.

Casaubon is suddenly convinced that all of Will’s recent actions Like many people whose insecurities lead them to isolate
have been part of a plan to turn Dorothea against him. He themselves, Casaubon begins to suffer from paranoia. Crucially, his
considers contacting Mr. Brooke or Sir James for help. social paranoia about Dorothea and Will mirrors his intellectual
However, he doesn’t feel he can rely on anyone to take his side. paranoia about other scholars viewing him as a fraud.
He also doesn’t want anyone to know that he is jealous and
insecure when it comes to Will. This would be as bad as letting
his fellow scholars judge his work. He therefore says nothing to
anyone.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 38
Sir James comes to lunch at the Cadwalladers’, and the group This scene demonstrates a range of the reasons why the rather
discuss their disapproval of Mr. Brooke’s latest endeavor. They conservative Middlemarchers oppose progressive politics. Not only
speculate about whether Mr. Brooke will run for election; Mr. do they oppose Reform, but they think it is improper for people like
Cadwallader says there are rumors that Bulstrode is backing Brooke and Ladislaw to demean themselves by getting involved with
this plan. Sir James is concerned that Mr. Brooke is in danger of politics. They fear anything that seems too progressive as a form of
losing his dignity, and notes that Ladislaw doesn’t want Brooke “radicalism.”
to run in the upcoming election. Mrs. Cadwallader thinks
Ladislaw is “dangerous” and has radical ideas. Sir James thinks
it is regrettable that anyone of Ladislaw’s rank should stoop to
working at a newspaper.
Sir James criticizes the way Mr. Brooke runs his estate, saying It might seem surprising that Sir James should also criticize Brooke
that he doesn’t take good enough care of his tenants. He thinks for being a bad landlord considering that James is not sympathetic
Caleb Garth should take over managing it, as he did until 12 to social progress. The model of existence James appears to
years ago when Brooke fired him. Brooke enters, and Mr. subscribe to is one of “noblesse oblige” wherein the nobility have a
Cadwallader shows him a copy of the Trumpet accusing him of duty to take care of the less fortunate—yet also retain their
being a bad landlord who is “retrogressive” and “evil.” Brooke disproportionate wealth and power.
tries to take the criticism in stride, but turns red as he speaks.
Sir James mentions Garth’s farming innovations and Brooke For all their opposition to Reform, Brooke’s friends actually give him
says he doesn’t have the money for that; Mrs. Cadwallader some very useful advice. As anyone familiar with politics knows, it is
then points out that running for parliament is extremely vital that someone running for public office make sure that their
expensive. Mr. Cadwallader says he thinks Brooke should personal life accords with their political positions.
immediately hire Garth to renovate his farms in order to
disprove the Trumpet’s accusations. Brooke simply replies that
he is not actually such a bad landlord.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 39
One day Dorothea comes to see Mr. Brooke and Will while This passage suggests that Dorothea’s architectural plans for the
they are at work together on the issue of capital punishment. tenant cottages emerged because Brooke’s tenants were always
Her presence in the room has an electrifying impact on Will. living in bad conditions. Again, this does not set him up well for a
However, she more or less ignores him, and he feels political campaign rooted in fighting for social progress.
despondent. Dorothea says that Sir James has told her that Mr.
Brooke plans to improve the farm and cottages, which thrills
her. However, Brooke says he is only considering it. Dorothea
insists that Brooke shouldn’t run on a progressive platform
unless he treats his own tenants fairly.

Mr. Brooke admits that Dorothea may have a point, although Casaubon’s ban on Will’s coming to Lowick of course has the
not without mentioning the limits of women’s intelligence. He is unintended effect of increasing the intensity of feeling between Will
called outside, leaving Will and Dorothea alone. Will asks if she and Dorothea. Anytime a union between two people is forbidden,
knows that Casaubon banned him from coming to Lowick; this union takes on a much more suspenseful, romantic aspect.
Dorothea, shocked, says: “I am very, very sorry.” Will says that
he plans to stay in Middlemarch, but laments that he will never
get to see Dorothea. He calls her situation at Lowick
“imprisonment.” The two of them discuss faith; that is, the
beliefs that motivate them and give life meaning. Dorothea says
she must leave, as Mr. Brooke and Celia will be expecting her.
Outside, Mr. Brooke approaches one of his tenants, Mr. Dagley, This episode reveals that Brooke’s reputation as a landlord is even
telling him that his son has killed a leveret and is locked up in worse than we might have assumed. He is so hated that his tenants
the stable as punishment. Brooke says the boy will be returned risk punishment by rudely defying him. This suggests that he has
soon, and speaks to Mrs. Dagley about discipline. Mrs. Dagley indeed been treating them terribly, as they feel they have nothing to
complains about her husband’s drinking, while Mr. Dagley lose. Brooke is clearly a hypocrite who has not internalized the
protests that Brooke’s decision to push Reform in Middlemarch principles of social progress.
is ironic considering his poor behavior as a landlord. Shocked,
Brooke hurries away. He had always assumed that his tenants
liked him.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 40
Mary is now back home with her family, waiting to begin Fred’s debt, along with Featherstone’s death, has left the Garth
another job. She is sewing a handkerchief for Rosamond on the family in a dire financial situation. Mary has a strong sense of duty
occasion of her wedding. She tells Mrs. Garth that she has and thus tries to avoid feeling sorry for herself, but struggles to hide
decided to go and teach at a school in York, though she doesn’t her sorrow. However, this all changes when Caleb gets the letter
like being inside classrooms. As her siblings tease her Mary from Brooke. This turnaround shows how the lives of poor people
tries to laugh, but cannot fight back her tears. Mr. Garth reads a can be instantly transformed according to the whims of the rich.
letter from Mr. Brooke, asking him to come back and manage
both Freshitt and Tipton. Everyone at the table is delighted; Mr.
Garth tells Mary not to go to the school after all, as the family
will have enough money now.
That evening, Mr. Farebrother comes to the Garths’ house, Again, while Fred is clearly genuinely ashamed and regretful about
announcing that he is there to deliver a message from Fred his behavior, he has not matured enough to realize the importance
Vincy, who has just returned to Middlemarch after a few of coming to speak to the Garths himself. He still remains focused
months away. Fred will soon go away again to study, but is too on his own feelings, and in doing so does not take responsibility for
ashamed and upset by his unpaid debt that he cannot bear to his actions. In return the Garths treat him with kindness that he
say goodbye to the Garths himself. Mr. Garth announces that arguably doesn’t deserve.
Fred’s debt has already been forgotten, and that the family is
about to become rich thanks to his new job. Mrs. Garth
corrects him, noting that they will hardly be rich, just secure.

Farebrother congratulates Mr. Garth. They discuss Fred and Again, the Garths show themselves to be models of kindness,
whether he should indeed enter the clergy, or whether, as Mary sympathy, and generosity. Although Fred is perhaps undeserving of
suggests, this would degrade the whole profession. Mr. Garth their forgiveness, perhaps the second chance he receives from them
says he feels that Fred probably wouldn’t make a good will motivate him to turn his life around and become a responsible
clergyman, but also that they should feel sympathy for Fred person.
after Featherstone implied he was going to leave him land, only
to snatch it away at the last moment. Even Mrs. Garth says she
will forgive Fred if he proves himself worthy. Mary leaves the
room.
With Mary gone, Mr. Garth tells the story of how Featherstone This passage reveals a twist: despite everything she and her family
asked her to burn one of the wills right before he died. Mrs. have done for Fred, Mary feels guilty because in not burning the will
Garth says there was nothing Mary could have done as Featherstone requested, she feels that she is responsible for the
differently, but that Mary still feels guilty, blaming herself for loss of Fred’s fortune. This shows that Mary is perhaps too
Fred’s misfortune. They swear Farebrother to secrecy; he says sympathetic and kind-hearted.
goodbye and leaves. On his way out, Farebrother sees Mary
outside with her younger sister Letty. Mary calls Fred “worse
than ridiculous,” and then says she is happy that she will not
have to go away to work.
Farebrother leaves and walks to Lowick, speculating that Fred Training under Mr. Garth, who is an honest, skilled, and hard-
and Mary have feelings for each other. Meanwhile, Mr. Garth working man who truly cares about Fred, would surely be a positive
tells his wife that he is considering asking Fred to work under step in Fred’s career. However, the issue of rank means that he and
him as a kind of assistant. Mrs. Garth points out that Mr. Vincy his parents might not even consider it. This shows how high social
and Mrs. Vincy would be far too proud to let that happen, and status can actually inhibit people from realizing their potential.
besides, Fred is now going back to college. Mr. Garth agrees
that they should wait for a bit. The couple then discusses the
possibility that Rigg is selling some of the land he just inherited
to Bulstrode.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 41
The narrator points out that, contrary to popular opinion, it is The narrator’s observation in this passage is progressive, yet also
often “low people” who inadvertently end up having the tempered with conservatism. The idea that low-ranking people
greatest impact on the world. For example, no one would have (rather than high-ranking rulers and landowners) actually shape
expected that Joshua Rigg would play any significant role in history is somewhat radical. Crucially, however, the narrator
shaping life in Middlemarch. As a person, Rigg is even- suggests that low-ranking people inadvertently shape history, as is
tempered and takes care over his appearance. He intends to the case of Rigg. He impacts Middlemarch only as a kind of
marry a woman with good connections, “in a solid middle-class accident; he himself has little agency.
way.” He grew up in a port town and didn’t receive much
education. At Stone Court he is standing with an unkempt man
nearing 60, a man who is his total opposite.

The unkempt man’s name is John Raffles, and he is trying to Despite Rigg’s new fortune, he struggles to disconnect himself from
persuade Rigg to give Rigg’s mother some money so she can the “sordid” reality of his past. Both here and in later sections of the
have comfort in her old age. Rigg replies that it is Raffles who book, Raffles serves as a reminder that it is impossible to ever truly
makes his mother’s life miserable, adding that he has not leave your past behind you. No matter how much one’s
forgotten Raffles kicking him when he was a child and hogging circumstances improve, their past will come back to haunt them.
food so there was none for Rigg or his mother. It becomes clear
that Raffles is Rigg’s stepfather, and that Rigg hates him. Raffles
begs Rigg for alcohol; Rigg reluctantly brings him brandy and a
£1 coin.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 42
After returning from his honeymoon, Lydgate goes to Lowick to Casaubon’s situation shows how paranoia feeds on itself. The more
check on Casaubon. Casaubon’s hard work has always tended paranoid he becomes, the more isolated he becomes, which itself
to produce paranoia about what others think of him and leads to more paranoia. Because he refuses to admit vulnerability
feelings of sadness about his scholarship, but it also produces a and let anyone access his internal feelings, this cycle will only
refusal to admit that he has failed. He is tormented by continue.
Ladislaw’s presence in Middlemarch and by Dorothea’s lively,
insistent personality. He suspects that Dorothea is judgmental
of him, which is especially upsetting considering how she once
“worshipped” him as a genius. Casaubon’s suspicion and
jealousy regarding Dorothea and Ladislaw intensify every day.
The bad state of Casaubon’s health makes everything worse It is unclear whether Casaubon has any genuine worries for
still, as he is not sure whether he will live long enough to Dorothea’s wellbeing or whether his belief that marrying Ladislaw
complete the work that he has spent thirty years preparing. He would be a disaster for her simply results from jealousy. He can
is tortured by the idea that his death would bring joy to likely see that Ladislaw and Dorothea are well-suited to each other,
Ladislaw, and is convinced that Ladislaw will try to marry but this makes him even more opposed to their being together.
Dorothea once she is widowed. He believes that such a union
would be “fatal” to Dorothea and that he therefore has a duty
to stop it.
Lydgate finds Casaubon taking a walk. Casaubon sees that Despite knowing that he might not have much time left on earth,
Lydgate looks thin and sad. Casaubon tells him that he wants to Casaubon can’t find it within himself to change his ways and let
know if Lydgate thinks his illness is terminal. Lydgate replies Dorothea in. He keeps pushing her away, which only adds to the
that he can’t say for sure, as heart disease is unpredictable, but misery they are both experiencing. Unfortunately, Casaubon is still
adds that people often die suddenly and unexpectedly from it. too stuck in his ways for there to be much hope of his changing
It is possible Casaubon could live for another 15 years. Lydgate before he dies.
goes, and Casaubon is left confronting the inescapable reality
of his own death. Dorothea goes to join her husband outside,
but Casaubon reacts coldly, so she leaves him alone. She angrily
wonders what she has done to deserve this treatment.

For the first time, Dorothea blames Casaubon, rather than The surprisingly tender moment that emerges at the end of this
herself, for the problems in their marriage. By nightfall, she chapter is moving. Casaubon is presented in a decidedly
decides to tell her husband that she is not feeling well and that unflattering way in most of the novel, but in this brief moment we
she won’t come down to dinner. However, at this moment see a touching, vulnerable side to him. He probably truly loves
Tantripp tells her that Casaubon will eat in the library and Dorothea, but has spent too many years being insecure, bitter, and
doesn’t want to be disturbed. She waits until the late hour lonely to properly know how to show it.
when she knows Casaubon will be asleep, then goes outside to
the hallway. She sees Casaubon there, and he asks
sympathetically if she was waiting for him. He takes her hand
and they walk together.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 43
Despite the fact that she rarely leaves Lowick Manor without Will doesn’t bother to hide his obsessive love for Dorothea, which
Casaubon, Dorothea goes into town to ask Lydgate for the adds to the potential danger of their proximity to each other. In a
truth about her husband’s health. Arriving at Lydgate’s house, community that is obsessed with rumor, gossip, and scandal, Will’s
she asks to see Rosamond. Rosamond, who looks stunning in a evident adoration of Dorothea could prove dangerous, particularly
pale blue dress, tells Dorothea that Lydgate is at the New considering that Casaubon is already paranoid about the two of
Hospital. Dorothea suddenly notices that Will is also in the them.
room; he asks if he should go to the hospital and tell Lydgate
that Dorothea wants to see him. Dorothea says she will go
herself. Will is devastated that this rare opportunity to see
Dorothea is over already. Talking about her with Rosamond, he
calls her a “perfect woman.”
When Lydgate comes home that evening, Rosamond tells him This passage illuminates Rosamond’s naivety in two ways. Firstly,
that Will is totally enraptured by Dorothea. Rosamond has she is only now realizing that romantic desire is not simply repelled
been surprised to discover that married women can still cast as soon as someone is married. Secondly, her complaints about
this kind of spell over men. She then protests that Lydgate Lydgate’s commitment to medicine indicate that she wasn’t really
works too much, saying that he obviously prefers medicine to prepared to marry a man like him.
her. Lydgate replies that he knows Rosamond would not want
to interfere with his ambition, which will allow them to move up
in society.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 44
Rosamond and Lydgate discuss the reforms needed in This passage shows that Lydgate himself was also naïve. His grand
Middlemarch, both to improve the conditions of poor tenants ambitions about bringing reform and progress to Middlemarch
and to advance healthcare. Lydgate stresses that the problems blinded him to the reality that it is a conservative community highly
cannot be solved by one man alone. In addition, his work is resistant to change. Furthermore, the reasons for this resistance are
made more difficult by opposition to reform. A further often irrational—yet unfortunately, this makes them no less
challenge is added by Bulstrode’s unpopularity, which means powerful.
that many people oppose anything that is associated with him.
Lydgate is shocked by the “ignorance” in Middlemarch. He is
dismayed by the number of people who distrust him simply
because he is young and new to the area.

Dorothea says she is glad Lydgate has told her about this, and The prospect of charitable giving is the only way that Dorothea has
promises to give £200 a year to the New Hospital, as she has been able to exercise true agency since she has gotten married. Her
too much money anyway. Later she asks Casaubon about giving involvement with the hospital may therefore prove very positive. On
£200 out of the £700 a year allowance she receives through the other hand, will philanthropy be enough to satisfy her ardent
her marriage. He suggests it’s too much for one cause, but passion for social reform?
doesn’t seem to really mind. Casaubon concludes that
Dorothea must know the same truth he knows about his
health. He doesn’t trust her kindness toward him, which makes
him feel desperately lonely.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 45
A rumor spreads that Lydgate intends to let patients at the This passage encapsulates how Lydgate’s attempt to bring
New Hospital die on purpose so he can use their cadavers for necessary medical reform to Middlemarch gets misinterpreted and
medical experiments. Lydgate’s decision not to sell medication turned into a spectacle, creating widespread hysteria. Though
to his patients himself is also seen as highly suspicious, partly Lydgate’s explanation of why doctors shouldn’t sell medications is
because only London doctors are considered worthy of both clear and reasonable, people in Middlemarch are so resistant
charging for their services, rather than just earning money to change that they perhaps deliberately choose to misunderstand
through the sale of drugs. In a conversation with the grocer Mr. it.
Mawmsey, Lydgate explains that the existing system leads to
doctors overprescribing useless medicines in order to earn a
living. Following this conversation, townspeople begin saying
that Lydgate claims medications themselves are useless.
Mr. Hawley advises Mr. Wrench and Mr. Toller (to their This passage takes a more hopeful turn, suggesting that even
disappointment) that the law cannot be used to stop the kind of conservative, suspicious communities can be brought around to
medical reforms Lydgate is pushing. Mr. Toller declares that it reform through seeing the evidence themselves. At the same time, it
doesn’t matter; patients themselves will object to Lydgate’s is not just patients that Lydgate has to persuade; it is also the hostile
refusal to dispense drugs, and thus the practice is doomed to community of existing doctors who are personally invested in seeing
fail. Toller is at least half-correct: many people are skeptical him fail, even if this means more people in Middlemarch suffer and
about the treatment they will receive from Lydgate. At the die as a result.
same time, Lydgate heals a great many people, including those
whom the other local doctors had tried and failed to cure. The
suspicion over his attitude toward medication begins to
subside.
When Mr. Trumbull contracts pneumonia, he asks Lydgate to Lydgate’s struggle to stop overprescribing medication is fascinating
treat him. Lydgate suggests that Trumbull’s “robust” nature from a contemporary perspective. We might assume that the over-
means he would be a perfect candidate for allowing the disease prescription of medicine is unique to our age, a creation of “Big
to work itself out, without the intervention of medication. Pharma.” In reality, this problem has existed at least since the early
Trumbull consents, and after healing from his illness declares nineteenth century, suggesting that it is very deeply rooted and may
that Lydgate is by far the best doctor in the area. All of this be difficult to change.
happens before Lydgate cures Fred’s fever. Farebrother is a
vocal defender of Lydgate but, paradoxically, is also known as “a
chief flag of the anti-Bulstrode party.”

The New Hospital will be dedicated to fever. Lydgate will be Again, opposition to Lydgate and the New Hospital has no
“chief medical superintendent” with final decision-making legitimate foundation. Instead, it is rooted in petty jealousy,
power. Every doctor in Middlemarch refuses to work at the conservatism, and spite—as well as distrust of Bulstrode because of
hospital, so Lydgate hires people from elsewhere. The his religion and lack of family connections.
Middlemarch doctors do not oppose Lydgate’s medical work so
much as his supposed showiness and “arrogance.” Both he and
Bulstrode are accused of being “charlatans.” Meanwhile,
Farebrother advises Lydgate to be careful about money.
That evening, Lydgate tells Rosamond about an anatomist This passage confirms that Rosamond did not marry Lydgate for
named Vesalius who lived in the 16th century. He had to who he was, but instead constructed a fantasy about him and the
secretly steal corpses in order to conduct his research, and was life they would lead together. She was so convinced by this fantasy
vilified as a result. However, he made major discoveries about that she ignored even the most basic facts about Lydgate’s
the human body. Rosamond confesses: “I often wish you had personality. This shows how after marriage people can become
not been a medical man.” This upsets Lydgate, as being a doctor strangers to each other.
is such an integral part of him, and thus he feels like Rosamond
does not truly love him for who he is. Rosamond teases him and
he lets it go.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 46
Ladislaw predicts that, with all the hype surrounding the Throughout the novel it is unclear whether Ladislaw is truly
Reform Bill, there will soon be another election. Brooke says he committed to reform—or indeed whether he is truly committed to
doesn’t want to take a position on the question of electoral anything beyond Dorothea. He seems passionate about reform, but
reform, instead focusing on the abolition of slavery and criminal the detail that if it weren’t for Dorothea he would be in Italy doing
reform. However, Ladislaw insists that the English population is something creative throws off this impression.
desperate for electoral reform. Ladislaw is happy about
Brooke’s appreciation of his rhetorical skill. At the same time, if
it weren’t for Dorothea he would certainly still be in Italy,
engaged in creative pursuits.
It is true that Ladislaw enjoys “belonging to no class.” This is Ladislaw’s fondness for talking to poor people suggests that he is a
taken as grounds for people in Middlemarch to distrust him, genuine social radical, even if he is also a bit of a dilettante who can
although opinion is divided on whether Ladislaw deserves to sometimes get distracted by the thought of other pursuits. Although
have been cut off by Casaubon. He likes “to ramble about he and Lydgate are passionate about different kinds of social
among the poor people,” and especially loves playing with progress, their bond shows that medical reform and political reform
children. The people in Middlemarch who like him tend to be are actually closely connected, perhaps even parts of the same
those in favor of Reform, such as Farebrother and his female overall project.
relatives. Yet Ladislaw spends most of his time at the Lydgates’,
where he and Lydgate get into debates about political versus
medical reform.

Lydgate refuses to believe that “society can be cured by a It is ironic that Lydgate should be so opposed to political reform
political hocus-pocus.” The debate turns bitter, and Ladislaw considering he is confronting the consequences of such opposition
gets upset, which Lydgate insists was not his intention. to his kind of reform every day. While his words could just be
Rosamond declares that they are both “unpleasant,” ascribed to his bad mood, they also indicate that getting people to
particularly for having mentioned money. To ease the tension, accept change is always difficult, even among people who consider
Ladislaw and Rosamond sing together. Once Ladislaw leaves, themselves progressive.
Rosamond asks why Lydgate was so irritable that evening; he
doesn’t tell her it was because a bill for furniture has been
stressing him. Rosamond is pregnant and Lydgate doesn’t want
to upset her.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 47
The debate with Lydgate has a great effect on Will, who Will is the classic tortured hero who is content to wallow in self-pity
suddenly worries that he is “making a fool of himself” through over the woman he cannot have. This arguably makes it unfair that
his work with Brooke. Surprisingly, he does not spend time he is willing to cause so much disruption in Dorothea’s life by
dreaming of becoming Dorothea’s husband in the event of attempting to see her despite Casaubon’s feelings against it. He
Casaubon’s death. Due to his romantic nature, the feelings he doesn’t think about Dorothea suffering from the consequences of
has are enough to satisfy him for now. At the same time he is Casaubon’s jealousy.
determined to remain close to her at any cost. He debates
whether he should go to Lowick Church on Sunday, worrying
that Casaubon will interpret it as a transparent attempt to see
Dorothea.
Will heads to church, humming a tune he has made up himself. Dorothea is arguably behaving in a more mature way than Will
When Dorothea enters the church she does not acknowledge here. It is unclear what Will was hoping to achieve by coming to
him, and Will suddenly feels awkward. He does not join in the Lowick Church, but he could only have reasonably expected a brief,
singing of hymns. As the congregation leaves, Will attempts to wordless exchange considering Casaubon is there. His
catch Casaubon’s eye, but Casaubon ignores him. He and disappointment is thus his own fault.
Dorothea exchange a glance and she bows, but looks like “she
[is] repressing tears.” He watches them walk away with a deep
sense of melancholy.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 48
Dorothea is miserable over the fact that Casaubon refused to Dorothea is in a truly miserable position here. She cannot see the
acknowledge Will. Her life feels empty, as she cannot do man she truly loves (although note that she has not yet admitted to
anything to truly please Casaubon. She can’t see Celia, who is herself that she loves Will), but even her efforts to be loyal to her
resting after having just given birth to a baby. That Sunday husband are not rewarded. They are instead met with indifference
night after dinner Casaubon suggests they go to the library, and scorn.
where he asks her to read a document to him and make notes
that he requests. Later, she finds Casaubon wrapped in a
blanket, and asks if he is ill. He says he is simply uncomfortable
and asks her to read to him.

Before he goes to sleep, Casaubon asks Dorothea if she will When Dorothea first got married, it would have been her dream
promise to act according to his wishes after he dies. She is come true to be asked to finish working on Casaubon’s manuscript
uncertain about making the promise before knowing what after his death. This way she would truly have been able to live out
those wishes are, and asks that he give her some time to think her dreams through him. However, now that her illusions about his
about it. Casaubon falls asleep, but Dorothea is kept awake by scholarship have been shattered, the dream no longer holds up.
her thoughts. She expects that Casaubon sees her as the last
hope that his scholarship will actually be published. She is
hesitant to agree to keep working on it after his death, as she
finds it hard to believe that the project will ever amount to
anything.
At the same time, Dorothea cannot bear the cruelty of denying Dorothea’s absolute loyalty to her husband, though painful to
his request. Tormented, she is not able to fall asleep until the witness, is admirable. Unlike other characters in the novel, she
morning. Upon waking she goes to see Casaubon in the library, accepts responsibility for her bad decision (marrying Casaubon) and
and he tells her that he doesn’t feel well and is going to take a knows that she must live with the consequences.
walk outside. First, however, he asks if she has an answer for
him. Dorothea doesn’t reply, but asks if she can meet him
outside momentarily; Casaubon agrees and leaves. Dorothea
intends to agree to his request, even though this decision
makes her very sad and weary.
Eventually Dorothea reluctantly goes out to meet Casaubon in The dramatic timing of Casaubon’s death means that Dorothea
the garden. She finds him sitting at a bench, seemingly asleep. feels a deep burden of responsibility not for his passing, but for
She tells him that she is ready to give him an answer, but he failing to give him the peace of mind that she would comply with his
doesn’t respond. Beginning to panic, she tries to wake him and wishes after he was gone. This guilt manifests in her hysterical
fails. Casaubon is dead. Later, Lydgate sits with her while she denial of Casaubon’s death.
talks hysterically, apparently in denial about her husband’s
death. She asks Lydgate to convey messages to Casaubon,
declaring that she is ready to make her promise.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 49
The day after Casaubon’s funeral, Dorothea remains shut up in Though we do not yet know exactly what the “business” Sir James
her room. Sir James tells Mr. Brooke that until Dorothea is and Mr. Brooke are discussing refers to, it clearly involves something
feeling better, she is not to know about any “business.” She Casaubon has done out of jealousy over Will and Dorothea. Mr.
should spend time with Celia and the baby, and Ladislaw should Brooke’s objections to sending Will away are transparently rooted in
be sent away immediately. Brooke nervously replies that he his own desire to keep Will on for his political campaign, rather than
can’t do this without giving Ladislaw a reason. Sir James angrily coming from genuine concern for either Dorothea or Will.
declares that Casaubon has wronged Dorothea, asserting that
“there was never a meaner, more ungentlemanly action than
this.” Casaubon was clearly jealous of Ladislaw’s relationship
with Dorothea, and now it will appear as if Dorothea is to
blame for his suspicions.

Mr. Brooke insists that sending Ladislaw away won’t prevent Sir James has a lot of genuine concern for Dorothea, but this
malicious rumors and gossip. He also can’t force him to leave concern still leads him to talk about her in a way that is deeply
the country. Sir James begins desperately scheming ways to get patronizing, robbing her of any agency of her own. His claim that
Ladislaw a colonial post. He is filled with hate for Casaubon, but she “was sacrificed” completely ignores the fact that Dorothea
at the same time distrusts Ladislaw. Brooke suggests that herself chose to marry Casaubon, and in his considerations of what
sending Ladislaw away might imply that they were actually should be done now he doesn’t consider what Dorothea herself
suspicious of Dorothea. Sir James laments that they failed to wants (and in fact he wants to keep all plans secret from her).
stop it when “Dorothea was sacrificed once,” and that as her
brother-in-law he is determined it won’t happen again. Brooke
advises that a good first step is to bring her to stay at Freshitt
Hall immediately.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 50
After staying at Freshitt for week, Dorothea starts asking Just as Casaubon prevented Dorothea from getting involved with
“dangerous questions.” She speaks to Mr. Brooke about who any serious matters in life, now after his death she is also hindered
will take over as the clergyman for Lowick; Brooke assures her from even knowing about his will, let alone making any decisions.
there is no rush in worrying about it, but suggests Mr. Tyke. We can see how plainly frustrating this situation would be,
Dorothea asks to see Casaubon’s will as there may be especially for someone as filled with her own strong opinions as
instructions regarding the appointment of a successor in there. Dorothea.
Brooke assures her that there aren’t and that she shouldn’t be
thinking about the will yet. He hastily exits. Celia remains
absorbed in the behavior of her baby, and when she sees
Dorothea crying she tells her not to be sad.
Celia eventually admits that Casaubon has done something Dorothea’s “sudden strange yearning” reveals how misguided
terrible and that she must warn Dorothea about it. She reveals Casaubon was in banning her from marrying Ladislaw. Because
that Casaubon stipulated that all the property Dorothea will people are naturally drawn to whatever they are not allowed to
inherit from him would be taken away if she were to marry access, forbidding a union between Dorothea and Ladislaw actually
Ladislaw. Both Celia and Sir James are convinced there is no implants the idea of that union in Dorothea’s mind! If Casaubon
chance of Dorothea marrying Will. Dorothea is shocked and had not been so paranoid, he would have seen that Dorothea was
feels like her whole world has been turned upside down. She too loyal to consciously consider it alone.
feels both horrified by Casaubon’s secret feelings of jealousy
and a “a sudden strange yearning of heart towards Will
Ladislaw.” She has never (consciously) thought about him in this
way before.
Lydgate enters and checks Dorothea’s pulse. While speaking The strength of Dorothea’s personality is so intense that it is literally
with him, Dorothea starts violently sobbing. Lydgate is irrepressible—her attempts to deny her true feelings have caused
convinced that Dorothea has made herself ill by repressing her her to develop a physical illness. This conveys the importance of
desire for freedom. He recommends that Dorothea should be honoring one’s own feelings and not trying to suppress them in order
allowed to view the will if she wants to, and after Celia to conform to society’s expectations.
confesses that she told her sister about Casaubon’s stipulation,
Sir James finally agrees to drive her to Lowick. Dorothea says
she would like to continue staying at Freshitt, and also to spend
time with Mr. Brooke at Tipton, but Sir James advises against
visiting Tipton as he knows Ladislaw will be there.

At Lowick, Dorothea finds Casaubon’s instructions for her to The trajectory of Dorothea’s marriage shows the ease with which a
finish The Key to All Mythologies, which she now regards as a person’s dreams and ambitions can turn into a prison or “tomb” in
“tomb.” Now that he is dead, Dorothea no longer feels inclined reality. This passage also highlights Casaubon’s cruelty through the
to act according to his wishes out of sympathy. She wants Will control he seeks to exercise over Dorothea even after his death. Not
to have half of Casaubon’s property, in order to right the wrong only has he forbidden her from marrying Will, but he also expects
done to Julia. However, she doesn’t know if it will be possible to her to continue the work that he himself didn’t finish despite
do this now. She speaks with Lydgate, who recommends working on it for decades.
Farebrother instead of Tyke as Casaubon’s successor.
Dorothea says she’d be happy to hear Farebrother preach in
order to help her decision. Lydgate mentions that Farebrother
and his family adore Will, oblivious of how charged Dorothea’s
relationship with Will now is.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 51
At this point the “dry election” takes place (nicknamed as such Here we learn that while Will has a reputation as a bold radical, in
because people are so absorbed in politics that sales of alcohol reality he is actually more of a reformist than a revolutionary. Mr.
decline). Will has no idea about Casaubon’s will, but has noticed Brooke’s opposition to the Reform Bill may well be rooted in
that Brooke has suddenly stopped inviting him to Tipton, which Brooke’s ignorance and indecisiveness rather than an objection that
angers him. He thinks: “I might as well be at Rome; she it is not radical enough. However, Will’s response shows that he is
[Dorothea] would be no farther from me.” Brooke remains more moderate than we might expect.
hesitant about the Reform Bill, but Will insists that if they sit
around waiting for a perfect bill, nothing will ever change.
Brooke is always ultimately persuaded by Will’s arguments.
Mr. Brooke has a conversation with Mr. Mawmsey who, as the This passage introduces a more valid reason why people can be
local grocer, finds himself pulled in multiple directions as he has scared of change. If they are secure and prosperous, the prospect of
customers across the political spectrum. Business is good for change can be scary. However, this is also a way in which people act
him at the moment, and thus he is wary of any great societal selfishly, caring only about their own prosperity instead of justice.
change. Will has written many speeches for Brooke, but
worries that the scattered nature of Brooke’s mind will mean
that he fails to deliver them properly.
One morning in May, Brooke prepares to give a public speech in Brooke is a pompous and obnoxious character and thus fairly
advance of the official nomination procedure the next day. He unsympathetic. However, in this moment it is difficult not to feel
initially feels optimistic; however, after the first candidate gives deep pity for him, even if it is also clear that he is unqualified to run
a comprehensive and impressive speech, Brooke grows for political office. The vicious nature of the audience’s reaction
nervous. When it is his turn, he gives a confident introduction highlights the strong feelings that exist around the questions of
and declares that he has never been “so proud and happy in my reform and political change more generally surrounding this
life.” From this point, his speech becomes more and more election.
boastful, incoherent, and filled with irrelevance. At this moment
an effigy of Brooke is hoisted up in the crowd. People are
laughing at him, and start pelting the effigy with eggs.

Eggs now come flying at Brooke himself, and he flees to avoid Both Brooke and Will are gripped by delusional thinking in this
being hit. He tries to assure Will that everything will be all right moment. Despite being pelted with eggs and jeered off the stage,
with the nomination the next day, even though this hardly Brooke is somehow still trying to convince himself that his
seems likely. Will starts thinking about his future; he feels that nomination will be successful. Will, meanwhile, clings to his position
there are many opportunities for success open to him, and he in Middlemarch despite the disaster surrounding him, purely out of
resolves to leave Middlemarch. However, he won’t go until he hope for a “sign” from Dorothea.
and Dorothea exchange “some kind of sign.” Facing pressure to
abandon his run for election, Brooke decides to do so but
blames it on ill health rather than his unsuitability. He tells Will
that he is going to France for a while, and Will says he will stay
in Middlemarch for the moment.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 52
In June, Farebrother and his relatives celebrate the news that This passage explores the way that both Farebrother and Fred
he will be taking over Casaubon’s post. Miss Winifred tells him struggle with the demand to live up to societal expectations. Now
through happy tears that he should finally get married; he that he has secured a prosperous income it is expected that
agrees but laments that he is “a seedy old fellow” and no one Farebrother should get married, but he doesn’t know if he will be
could love him. Farebrother intends to keep his old parish as able to find someone. Meanwhile, Fred knows that having obtained
well, even though this will be a lot of work. However, at just that his degree, he should enter the clergy even though this is not what
point Fred Vincy returns from college having finally gained his he really wants.
degree. He tells Farebrother that though he doesn’t want to, he
might go into the church so the money spent on his education
doesn’t go to waste.
Fred thinks that life as a clergyman will be too “serious” for him, Fred’s deference to Mary’s opinion is moving, and sets him apart
but he feels that there is nothing else he can do. He also from most other men in Middlemarch. Unlike these others, he has
confesses that he has been in love with Mary Garth since not accepted that men are naturally superior to women—or at least
childhood, who in the past has been opposed to his entering the doesn’t act like he thinks this. He genuinely trusts Mary’s judgment
church. He feels that he will only know what to do once he and believes that she knows what’s best for him better than he
knows Mary’s current opinion. The next day Farebrother goes does.
to see Mary and asks her what she thinks Fred should do.
However, before she can answer he adds that Mr. Garth told
him about her refusal to burn Featherstone’s will and her guilt
over it.
Farebrother says he thinks he will be able to relieve Mary’s Recall here that Farebrother has a remarkably secular attitude for a
guilt, and then explains to her that burning one will would have clergyman, and it is perhaps for this reason that he believes that
made the other one legally void. Her actions therefore did not Fred could have a perfectly good career in the church. A more
ruin Fred’s future in the way she feared. Mary is happy to hear deeply religious clergyman would likely see that Fred would not be
this. Farebrother then mentions Fred’s dilemma about the the best candidate to devote his life to Christianity.
church again, saying that he personally feels Fred would do well
as a clergyman and could work for him as his curate. However,
Fred’s decision is completely dependent on Mary’s opinion.

Mary confesses that she isn’t sure if she will marry Fred at all, Mary’s pragmatic nature is so strong that she subsumes her evident
but that she certainly couldn’t marry him if he entered the adoration of Fred underneath her knowledge that she will need to
church. She explains that people like Fred do not have the right marry a responsible person. She displays a remarkable balance
“to represent Christianity,” as their hearts are not really in it. between loyalty and pragmatism: while it would be easy for her to
Finally, Mary repeats that until Fred has done something accept Farebrother or another man as her husband, she instead
“serious,” she will not consider him as a suitor. However, after patiently waits for Fred even though he may never change.
Farebrother asks about Mary considering someone else (with
the possible implication that he means himself), Mary clarifies
that she is very attached to Fred. She just wants him to prove
himself.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 53
Bulstrode was annoyed on learning that Farebrother had been Even though the narrator describes Joshua Rigg as greedy, there is
given the appointment at Lowick. He bought Stone Court from also something touching about the fact that he uses the enormous
Joshua Rigg “as a retreat,” and is currently doing it up so that he inheritance from Featherstone to realize his childhood dream. Rigg
might soon move there. Rigg is greedy, and has always known could easily stay in Middlemarch and use his money and power to
that he would be skilled as a money-changer. He hopes to have try and enter high society; instead, he stays true to his original
his own money-changer’s shop on the North Quay, and will ambitions.
thus soon leave Middlemarch. One evening, Bulstrode goes to
Stone Court to meet Caleb Garth, who is advising him about his
improvements to the property. Raffles suddenly appears and
greets Bulstrode warmly, implying that they are old friends.
Raffles drunkenly explains that he came to Stone Court before, Just as he did to Rigg, Raffles now shows up in the life of Bulstrode
when Rigg owned it. He is now seeking Bulstrode’s address, as a kind of ghost representing Bulstrode’s past. Bulstrode may deny
pulling out a crumpled letter from his pocket. Caleb politely that he knows Raffles well, but the fact that he has gone white on
says goodbye to Bulstrode and leaves. Bulstrode has gone seeing him suggests otherwise. Raffles clearly has something on
completely white. Trying to remain calm, he explains that he Bulstrode that is making Bulstrode really frightened. At the same
bought Stone Court from Rigg. They walk together, and time Raffles is evidently an alcoholic, and his behavior is likely to be
Bulstrode angrily tells Raffles to stop implying that they are unpredictable.
close and address him with more formality. Once they are
inside Stone Court, Raffles invites himself to stay the night.
Bulstrode reluctantly agrees, hoping that if he speaks to Raffles
in the morning once he’s sober, he’ll be more reasonable.
Bulstrode returns to Stone Court at 7.30am the next day. He Bulstrode’s offer to pay Raffles suggests that whatever Raffles has
asks Raffles why he came to meet him, and why he came back on him is something genuine—and dangerous. It is also important to
from America. Raffles says he stayed 10 years but that was recall here that Bulstrode is very strict and righteous when it comes
enough, and he won’t go back. Bulstrode implies that he is to matters of religious faith. According to his own beliefs, it is
willing to pay Raffles to stay away from him. However, Raffles unacceptable to bribe someone, no matter what the cause. This
now wants to anger Bulstrode, and says he likes the idea of makes it clear that Bulstrode is desperate.
making friends in Middlemarch. Bulstrode is horrified; he
wonders if he should refuse to see Raffles again, and just call
him a liar if he says anything about Bulstrode to others.

Raffles mentions someone named Sarah, who is Bulstrode’s The end of this chapter provides a shocking twist: there is something
“step-daughter.” He then makes a show of struggling to in Bulstrode’s past that connects him not only to Raffles, but also to
remember the name of a man that begins with L. He shouts Will Ladislaw.
“Ladislaw!” and writes it down so he doesn’t forget again.
Raffles leaves soon after, and Bulstrode is consumed with
feelings of horror and doom.
BOOK 6, CHAPTER 54
Dorothea has been at Freshitt three months and is growing Somewhat perversely, once Celia has her baby she becomes more
bored by spending all her time with Celia and the baby, Arthur. childlike than ever. She wants Dorothea to retreat to her pleasant,
She loves Arthur and would do anything for him if necessary, carefree world of domestic bliss with Arthur and forget about all the
but finds it tedious to just stare at him all day. Celia is unaware serious problems in her life. However, Dorothea cannot shut off her
of this, and thinks it is good Casaubon died before Dorothea mind as easily. The baby is not enough to distract her from the
got pregnant because their baby would not have been as lovely enormous problems facing her back in the outside world.
as Arthur, and now Dorothea can fulfill any maternal desires
through Arthur. She doesn’t want Dorothea to go back to
Lowick, and others such as Sir James’s mother and Mrs.
Cadwallader disapprove of Dorothea living alone there.
Mrs. Cadwallader protests to her husband that Mr. Brooke is The butler’s comment shows how dangerous gossip can be. Mrs.
being irresponsible by neglecting to bring suitors to see Cadwallader may want Dorothea to marry a lord, but there is no
Dorothea. Dorothea, meanwhile, has been hoping to see Will, evidence that this is likely to happen. However, once this becomes a
but apart from that brief moment in church there has been no rumor it has the capacity to have disastrous consequences.
sign of him. Eventually, however, Will comes to Lowick, telling
the butler that he is there to say goodbye. The butler notes that
Casaubon’s jealousies were obviously baseless, and that he
heard from Mrs. Cadwallader that Dorothea is going to marry a
lord.
When Dorothea enters, Will tells her he is leaving Recall that Lydgate has essentially told Dorothea that repressing
Middlemarch. He plans to carry on his political work in the city. her feelings made her physically ill. By this point, we should know
In the midst of their cordial, restrained conversation, Will that such self-censure will only end badly for both Dorothea and
suddenly bursts out: “Good God!” Dorothea doesn’t respond, Will. However, they cannot bring themselves to admit their true
but instead offers Will the portrait of Julia that hangs in Lowick. feelings to one another. As a result, they both remain unsure over
He says he prefers that she keep it. Dorothea comments that whether these feelings are reciprocated.
Will seems remarkably happy having “nothing,” but he replies
that for the first time in his life he is aware of the disadvantage
of being poor. He desperately wants a sign from her that she
loves him, but he also fears the impossible position in which this
would put them.
Sir James enters; Will says goodbye to Dorothea and leaves. James’s horror reminds us that the problem isn’t only Will and
Dorothea acts casual, while Sir James remains horrified about Dorothea’s self-censure; the whole community will be scandalized if
the idea of Will and Dorothea together. they become a couple.

BOOK 6, CHAPTER 55
The narrator comments that youth may be an optimistic time, Another problem with suppressing your feelings is that it alienates
but it is also the point in life when disappointments are felt you from yourself, to the point that sometimes it can be hard to
most strongly, because they are new experiences. Although know what you really want. This is certainly true of Dorothea, who
Dorothea feels miserable after Will’s departure, she does not has spent a long time in denial—first by trying to be the perfect, loyal
yet realize that she is in love with him. She goes to stay a night wife to Casaubon, and now by refusing to admit that she could
at Freshitt on Celia’s request, and Mrs. Cadwallader is invited possibly be interested in marrying Will.
to dinner. It is hot, and Celia requests that Dorothea take off
her widow’s cap, which Dorothea does reluctantly. Mrs.
Cadwallader starts talking about Dorothea remarrying, and
James is once again horrified.
Dorothea says that Mrs. Cadwallader is free to have fun Dorothea’s fantasies are well-intentioned, but it is hard not to
speculating, but that she has no intention of marrying again. wonder if empathy for the poor is really what motivates them. What
Instead, she hopes to make “a little colony” on a large area of she really seems to want is a way to be in control of something.
land. Workers would live there, and Dorothea dreams of being
friends with them all. She has been discussing the plan with
Caleb Garth.
BOOK 6, CHAPTER 56
Caleb Garth is impressed by Dorothea’s grasp of “business.” From a contemporary perspective, it might seem ridiculous that the
Caleb has been very busy, and is now occupied with plans for a Middlemarchers are so opposed to a technological development
railway line that will run through Lowick. The people of that will obviously bring a lot of benefit to the community. On the
Middlemarch are in general adamantly opposed to the railway. other hand, suspicion about new technologies is not always a bad
Landowners are horrified by the idea of a railway running thing. There are legitimate fears about railways, such as pollution
through their land, even if they are offered money by the and the destruction of the natural landscape.
railway company in exchange. There is a small hamlet in Lowick
called Frick, where residents don’t really even understand what
railways are, but are opposed to them anyway.
Solomon Featherstone, who is overseer of roads in the area, This passage shows how wealthier people (Solomon Featherstone)
one day hears from a wagon driver named Hiram that “railroad stoke the fears of working-class people (Hiram) about technological
people” have been hanging around Lowick discussing cutting up development.
the land with railway lines. Hiram notes suspiciously that the
men come from London. Solomon encourages Hiram’s
suspicion, saying the men should take their railways elsewhere.
Soon after, Caleb comes to survey an area of land in Lowick
with his assistant, Tom.
Fred Vincy rides past on his horse. He is stressed: Mr. Vincy is This passage shows that, somewhat surprisingly, local people in
adamant that he become a clergyman, whereas Mary is Middlemarch are so opposed to the railway that they will actually
adamant that they will never marry if he does so. He has resort to violent intimidation to stop it. This might seem shocking,
decided not to enter the church, but has not yet told his father but it is also one of the only ways working-class people can express
this, and he still doesn’t know what he is going to do instead. their opinions (even after the Reform Bill, they would still have been
Suddenly, he encounters a group of workers chasing the ineligible to vote).
railroad men, waving their hay-forks. Tom is knocked to the
ground. Fred gallops toward them, cursing them for having
injured the boy. Hiram yells at Fred.

Fred puts the injured Tom on his horse and tells him to ride it to Caleb’s sympathy with the working men shows that it is important
the nearby stable. Fred offers to help Caleb, who laments that not to be judgmental of those who oppose technological progress.
the group of men who chased him has been told lies about the They may have been lied to and, more importantly, they may have
railway. He explains: “The poor fools don’t know any better.” legitimate concerns about technology, such as the way that this
Caleb approaches the men, telling Fred to stay behind. He tells technology might only benefit the rich.
them that they can’t stop the railway, which will be built
regardless of their feelings. He adds that the railway is largely
harmless. One of the workers complains that the railway will
only benefit rich people, and that Caleb appears to be taking
their side.
Eventually the workers declare that they were only having fun, Fred’s regret about doing his degree before he started working with
and that they won’t interfere again. Fred helps Caleb with his Caleb shows that the pressure to do the “respectable” thing can
work, feeling joyful. He admits that he wishes he had started sometimes lead people down the wrong path. Trying to live up to
working with Caleb before going back to his degree, and asks if people’s expectations has created an impossible dilemma wherein
it’s too late to learn Caleb’s “business.” Caleb says Fred would Fred must choose between the approval of his father and the
be able to learn, and then Fred brings up Mary, saying he would woman he wants to marry.
“do anything for her.” He explains that he got Farebrother to
speak with her, which is how he knows her feelings about his
entering the church. Caleb tells him to come to his office
tomorrow at 9 am.
Later, Caleb tells Mrs. Garth that Mary and Fred like each other Note that the women in the novel who “married down” (Mrs. Garth,
and that he intends to take Fred on and “make a man of him.” Mrs. Cadwallader) express regret about it after, even though their
Mrs. Garth replies that it would be a shame for Mary to marry marriages seem very happy. This suggests that those who marry for
Fred when she could have gotten someone better, such as Mr. love—and in doing so forsake wealth and social status—may be
Farebrother, who she believes was ready to propose. Caleb reasonably happy with their own decisions, but still wonder about
points out that when Mrs. Garth married him, there were what life would be like if they had chosen differently.
probably lots of people who thought she could have had a
better match. Furthermore, Fred adores Mary. Mrs. Garth tells
Caleb that he is a wonderful father, although afterward she
weeps in private.
The next day Caleb assigns Fred office work. He is disappointed Mr. Vincy’s horror at Fred’s decision to work for Caleb reveals his
with Fred’s penmanship, saying he is shocked that Fred’s snootiness. While it is not what Mr. Vincy hoped Fred would do, by
expensive education has amounted to this. Fred is humiliated working for Caleb Fred is at least taking initiative and responsibility,
and apologizes, but Caleb assures him that he can learn to rather than shying away from hard work as he has done for most of
write better with practice. He says that Fred should tell Mr. his life. Meanwhile, Caleb’s advice for Fred to practice his terrible
Vincy that Caleb will employ him on a starting salary of £80 a handwriting suggests that expensive educations are not necessarily
year. When Fred does so, Mr. Vincy declares that Fred has worth the money.
“thrown away your education, and gone down a step in life.” He
will not try to interfere with Fred’s decision, but he declares: “I
wash my hands of you.”

Fred asks if he can stay at home, saying he will contribute to the Fred has disappointed both his parents by failing to live up to the
costs of the household. Mr. Vincy agrees only because he ambitions they had for his life. Yet their reactions suggest that these
knows Mrs. Vincy will want it this way. Father and son shake ambitions were always more fantasy than reality. Mr. Vincy wanted
hands. Meanwhile, when Fred tells his mother that he intends Fred to enter the church even though he is not very religious,
to marry Mary, she is equally miserable. She still thinks that whereas Mrs. Vincy is convinced that he is best young man in
Fred is the best young man in Middlemarch and that it is a Middlemarch despite much evidence to the contrary. These illusions
horrible step down for him to marry Mary. Mrs. Vincy remains have paved the way to disappointment.
miserable, and eventually Mr. Vincy tells her to cheer up. Fred,
however, is not their only problem: Lydgate has been getting
into debt, and the Vincys expect that Rosamond will soon ask
them for money.
BOOK 6, CHAPTER 57
Fred goes to the Garths’ house. They are outside celebrating This passage is another reminder that the Garths are poor but
the brief return of the family’s eldest son, Christy, who is honorable, unlike the wealthy and shallow Vincys. Christy Garth is a
studying and is deeply passionate about education. Christy foil to Fred: not only is he working hard for his degree but he is also
disapproves of Fred. Fred says that he is stopping en route to passionate about education. Fred approached his education more
Lowick Parsonage to see Mary, and some of the Garth children as a chore to get over with.
beg to come too. However, Mrs. Garth says they must let Fred
go alone. She tells the children to show Christy the rabbits, and
they all run off together.
Alone with Mrs. Garth, Fred comments that she must think Again, we see that Fred is well-meaning, but also that his self-
badly of him. Mrs. Garth admits that she was “surprised” by centered nature makes him ignorant of what’s going on around him.
Mary’s interest in Fred and tells Fred it was wrong and He had never considered that Farebrother liked Mary or that his
thoughtless of him to convey his message to Mary via Mr. attachment to Mary denied her opportunities to consider other
Farebrother. When Fred finally realizes that she is implying Mr. men.
Farebrother loves Mary, he is shocked. He says goodbye to
Mrs. Garth, uneasy about the news that he has “a rival.”
Once Fred gets to Lowick Parsonage, he, Mary, Mrs. Due to his immaturity, Fred’s attempts to express his feelings often
Farebrother, Miss Winifred, and Miss Noble discuss end up emerging in a melodramatic, self-pitying fashion. He could
clergymen. Mary admits that she doesn’t like clergymen as a have asked Mary about her feelings in a calm, respectful manner,
rule, with the exception of the Vicar of Wakefield and Mr. but instead he becomes jealous even though there is little to no
Farebrother. When Mr. Farebrother joins them, Fred feels evidence that Mary actually plans to marry Farebrother. However,
"horribly jealous” and convinced that Mary will choose the vicar Mary’s lifelong devotion to Fred means that she overlooks these
instead of Fred. When Fred and Mary get a brief moment flaws.
alone, Fred dramatically declares that he sees Mary is going to
marry Farebrother. Mary scornfully tells Fred that he is being
ridiculous. Though she doesn’t admit this directly, she only
loves Fred.

BOOK 6, CHAPTER 58
Rosamond’s baby was born prematurely and died, and this is Rosamond is so dazzled by Captain Lydgate’s rank that she doesn’t
thought to have been caused by her going horse-riding during see that, at least according to Tertius, the captain has a terrible
her pregnancy, against Lydgate’s wishes. This all took place personality. To Rosamond, a person’s characteristics don’t actually
during a visit from Captain Lydgate, a relative whom Tertius matter much, as the most important fact about them by far is their
despised as a “vapid fop.” Rosamond was thrilled that the son of social status.
a baronet was staying at her house and was overjoyed to be
able to introduce him to guests. Tertius was polite but distant in
his interactions with Captain Lydgate, but admitted to
Rosamond that he hated him and so did Will, who stopped
coming to their house as soon as the captain appeared.
Rosamond believed Will was jealous of Captain Lydgate and It is difficult to evaluate who is in the right on the issue of Lydgate
secretly found this delightful. Tertius accused Rosamond of banning Rosamond from going riding. In general, men exercise
wishing he was more like his cousin, and privately lamented excessive control over their wives’ decisions in Middlemarch society.
that she didn’t admire him. When Captain Lydgate asked Yet in this case, Lydgate has the medical expertise to back up his
Rosamond to come riding with him, she did so without telling concerns about Rosamond’s riding while pregnant.
Tertius. He found out anyway and was furious, forbidding her
from going again. He said he was going to reprimand his cousin
for taking Rosamond on such a dangerous excursion, but
Rosamond pleaded with him not to.
Rosamond went riding again, and this time her horse got This passage paints Lydgate in a sympathetic light. The fact that
spooked, throwing her and (perhaps) making her lose the baby. Rosamond defied his warnings and then lost the baby could cause
Rosamond maintains that the ride did not cause her him to be angry at her, but instead he (at least outwardly) remains
miscarriage. While Lydgate is outwardly full of sympathy for his kind. This shows the strength of his love for her. At the same time, it
wife, he is also frightened by how easily Rosamond defied hm. remains to be seen if this love is powerful enough to see them
In the past year and a half, Lydgate has been spending money through the increasing difficulties they face as a couple.
on things he can’t afford, and now he finds himself suffocated
by debt. Rosamond’s “extravagant” tastes are partly to blame,
but so is Lydgate himself, who has been spending irresponsibly.
The horror of this debt is made worse by the fact that the bills The effort to keep up appearances has ended up costing Lydgate so
are going to keep mounting. He approaches the silversmith, Mr. much that he must now try to subtly sell some of his possessions in
Dover, who agrees to take on the bill for Lydgate’s furniture in order to manage his debt. Of course, all of the things mentioned in
exchange for certain items Lydgate had previously bought—in the passage are nonessential, luxury items. However, it is unlikely
particular, an amethyst necklace worth £30. He arrives home Rosamond will see it that way because she sees wealth and social
to find Will playing the piano with Rosamond. It has been a few status as so important.
weeks since Will went to Lowick to bid Dorothea goodbye, but
for now he is still working in Middlemarch. Dismissing
Rosamond’s protests, Will leaves.

Lydgate thinks about Laure and wonders if Rosamond would Lydgate’s thoughts about Laure suggest that on some level, he is
ever kill him. He begins by saying to Rosamond that she has fundamentally frightened of women. Whether this fear already
probably noticed his lack of money. He explains that someone is existed or was created by his infatuation with Laure is unclear.
going to come and take an inventory of their furniture as Either way, it has made it difficult for him to have a normal
security, and Rosamond is horrified. She says she will ask Mr. relationship with Rosamond; despite his efforts to be responsible, he
Vincy for money, but Lydgate replies that “it is too late for that.” will ultimately do anything to appease her.
Rosamond suggests they leave Middlemarch and go to London
or Durham, but Lydgate refuses. He says that Mr. Dover will
buy back some of their silverware and Rosamond’s jewelry.
Furious, Rosamond leaves the room and returns with her This passage proves that Lydgate is paralyzed by his fear of
jewelry box. She says Lydgate can return whatever he wants Rosamond and thus cannot take the action that is necessary to get
and that she will go to her parents’ house the next day, saying them out of debt. Rosamond herself displays expert knowledge of
she will be back by evening. He urges that it is important that how to manipulate Lydgate through passive aggressive behavior.
they handle the inventory so the servants don’t know anything She makes a show of self-sacrificially giving in to his demands, when
about their financial problems, and Rosamond reluctantly in fact she knows that this will actually make him give up those
agrees to stay at home. Lydgate says he won’t return any of her demands.
jewelry, only pieces of silverware. Lydgate attempts to comfort
her and gives her a kiss. He feels an inescapable sense of doom
about the future.
BOOK 6, CHAPTER 59
Fred hears from Farebrother’s female relatives about the This passage demonstrates how gossip connects everyone in
stipulation in Casaubon’s will forbidding Dorothea from Middlemarch to each other, to the point that members of the
marrying Will. Fred has not spoken much to Rosamond since community seem to feel personally invested in things that actually
she got married; she is highly disapproving of his decision not have nothing to do with them. Of course, Rosamond and Lydgate’s
to enter the church and instead work for Mr. Garth. Lydgate, close friendship with Will does mean that they care about Will’s
meanwhile, believes that there is something between Dorothea romantic life—yet instead of talking to Will directly about this, they
and Will, and that if true, this rumor is “too serious to gossip discuss it with others behind closed doors.
about.” He is feeling so detached from Rosamond that he does
not even consider speaking to her about it. Rosamond tells him
the story as she heard it from Fred, and Lydgate urges her not
to repeat it to Will.
The next time she sees Will, however, Rosamond brings up Rosamond can be rather callous when it comes to other people’s
Dorothea, declaring the whole situation “thoroughly romantic.” feelings—she treats the situation Will is in like an entertaining story
Will goes bright red and asks what she is talking about; rather than a truly difficult experience. Will, on the other hand,
surprised, she explains everything. Rosamond tries to remain could be accused of taking his own life a bit too seriously.
playful, saying she is excited about his and Dorothea’s wedding,
but Will angrily insists that they will never marry. After Will
leaves, Rosamond sits alone, feeling melancholy.

BOOK 6, CHAPTER 60
At the end of August, a successful lawyer has a public sale of his Will’s tendency toward indecisiveness is starting to make him look
furniture, books, and paintings, as he is about to buy a new rather foolish. Having declared that he will leave Middlemarch, he
mansion and fill it with new things. The auction is treated “as a nonetheless remains there, arousing suspicion from those who
kind of festival.” Mr. Bulstrode’s health prevents him from already distrust him due to his ancestral background.
attending, but he asks Will to buy a painting that his wife wants.
Despite having declared he would leave weeks ago, Will
remains in Middlemarch, because the truth is he doesn’t want
to leave. Will agrees to go reluctantly. Many of the men at the
auction look down on him because he is part-Polish.
The auction begins with small items, such as a novelty book of Will tries to get his favor for Bulstrode over and done with as quickly
riddles, before moving on to paintings and prints. Suddenly a as possible; he seems uncomfortable in the public setting of the
“shabby”-looking stranger arrives, and members of the crowd auction, likely because he is embarrassed about still being in
wonder who he is. Finally the painting Mrs. Bulstrode wants is Middlemarch and hurt by the scorn with which the townspeople
brought out and Will is relieved, as he is desperate to go. Will treat him. However, his attempt at inconspicuousness is ruined by
bids £5, while Mr. Trumbull enthusiastically attempts to push the sinister reappearance of Raffles.
up the price. In the end, it is sold to Will for £10. As he goes to
leave, the stranger—Raffles—approaches and asks Will if his
mother was named Sarah Dunkirk. Will says she was.
Raffles tells Will that he knew Sarah when she was young, and Part of the reason Raffles is so unnerving is that he behaves in a
that he also knew Will’s father. He asks if Will’s parents are still friendly manner, but it is clear his intentions are malicious. He does
alive, Will angrily tells him they aren’t, and Raffles says goodbye not observe the customs for proper behavior shared by other people
and leaves. Later that night, however, Raffles finds Will again. in Middlemarch, and as such seems creepy and disturbing.
He says he knows that Sarah left her family because they ran a
“respectable thieving line” and she didn’t want to have anything
to do with it. He suggests that they have a drink at the local
tavern, but Will says he has to go. Walking away, Will feels dirty.
BOOK 6, CHAPTER 61
When Mr. Bulstrode gets home that night, Mrs. Bulstrode tells In this passage, it becomes more obvious that Bulstrode has secrets
him that a strange man has been at the house claiming to be an from his past that he wants to keep hidden, and that Raffles either
old friend of Bulstrode’s. The man (Raffles) flirted with her and reminds him of those secrets or perhaps intends to divulge them to
wouldn’t leave until she practically forced him to do so. The others. The idea that Bulstrode has a sordid past justifies the
next day, Bulstrode confesses that Raffles’s presence has suspicions Middlemarchers have of him based on his lack of
worried him. Mrs. Bulstrode reflects that she doesn’t actually traceable family reputation.
know that much about her husband’s past, other than that he
worked at a bank and that his first marriage was to a much
older widow.
When Bulstrode saw Raffles at the bank earlier that day, Bulstrode is an archetypical self-made man: an orphan educated at
Raffles said he might leave Middlemarch the following day, but a charity school, he worked his way to the position of wealth and
only if he wanted to. Raffles cannot get Bulstrode in any legal power he now occupies. In the early nineteenth century, working
trouble, but he can expose secrets about his past that one’s way up from the bottom is still a rare occurrence, especially in
Bulstrode desperately wants to keep hidden. Bulstrode is England where the class system has such a strong hold. As a result,
struck by memories of his past as a young man and member of a people are suspicious of those who do it.
Calvinist church in London. He was an orphan who had gone to
a charity school. As a young adult, Bulstrode became friends
with the wealthiest man at his church, Mr. Dunkirk.

Eventually Dunkirk gave Bulstrode the job being of his Because most legitimate avenues of wealth and power are reserved
“confidential accountant.” Dunkirk was a pawnbroker and sold for those who come from “good” families, people like Bustrode often
goods without properly inquiring where they came from. Not find themselves mixed up in shady business. The Dunkirks made
long after this, Dunkirk died, and Bulstrode and the widowed their money through pawning stolen goods, and—while the young
Mrs. Dunkirk planned to marry. Before the marriage, however, Bulstrode may have found this morally objectionable—his
Mrs. Dunkirk was desperate to reconnect with her daughter association with them was the only chance for him to move up in
(Sarah), who had run away years before to be an actress. She society and gain wealth of his own.
knew that Sarah had a son and wished to bequeath her fortune
to her grandson. However, eventually she gave up hope and
married Bulstrode.
Bulstrode had hired Raffles to find Sarah and in truth Sarah had Bulstrode justifies his decision to keep Mrs. Dunkirk’s wealth rather
been found; however, Bulstrode paid Raffles to keep this a than giving it to Sarah on the grounds of his strict religious beliefs.
secret. Bulstrode has always justified these actions by thinking He tells himself that Sarah is unfit to receive the money because she
that God had clearly created a path for him to move up in the is engaged in “the lightest pursuits,” e.g. the bohemian life of the
world, and that Sarah and her family were unfit as inheritors of theater. However, given that Bulstrode himself has lied and cheated
Mrs. Dunkirk’s wealth because “they were given up to the his way into inheriting money that itself comes from theft, is he
lightest pursuits.” Bulstrode has occasionally felt tormented by really in a position to judge?
his actions. Five years after he bribed Raffles, Mrs. Dunkirk
died. Over that time, Bulstrode had worked hard to enlarge his
wealth and secure his reputation as a respectable gentleman.
Aware that he had sinned, Bulstrode told himself that he was Through Bulstrode, Eliot explores how fervent religiosity often
using his money in service of God. He is relieved to see Raffles disguises hypocrisy and corrupt behavior. Bulstrode tries to justify
leaving Middlemarch after all, and he asks Will to a private all the wrongs he has done not only by telling himself that he is
meeting at 9 pm. He tells Will that he has secret information serving God, but also through his righteous belief that his rejection
about how their pasts are connected. Bulstrode asks if Sarah of the Anglican church means that he serves God better than others
ever mentioned her own mother, before revealing that Mrs. do.
Dunkirk was his wife and that he gained wealth from the
marriage that otherwise would have gone to Sarah. Will goes to
leave, but Bulstrode implores him that he now wants to right
this past wrong.
Bulstrode says he wants to give Will the inheritance he would Bulstrode believes (or rather, hopes) that he will be able to atone for
have received from his grandmother, Mrs. Dunkirk. Will his past sins by giving Will the money that was originally owed to
realizes that Bulstrode knew how to find Sarah and that he Sarah. Yet does this really count as atonement considering he has
deliberately concealed this information. Bulstrode confirms only been prompted to make amends after Raffles has arrived and
that this is true, repeating that he now wants to make amends. threatened to reveal his secrets? In reality, Bulstrode is just trying to
He offers Will £500 while he, Bulstrode, is living and even more protect himself.
after he dies. Will asks if Bulstrode was involved in the
Dunkirks’ pawn-broking business, saying he knows that it
involved theft and deception.

Bulstrode knows he should be honest, but his pride makes him Will behaves admirably here. However, like Fred and Mary, this
defensive; he tells Will it is none of his business to be asking sense of honor doesn’t come from his own instincts as much as it is
such questions. Will, however, replies that it is both acceptable inspired by his love for Dorothea, who is an exceptionally principled
and necessary for him to ask, saying: “My honour is important person. This suggests that at its best love can be a positive and
to me.” He adds: “You shall keep your ill-gotten money.” Will transformative force, compelling people to behave in more moral
leaves before Bulstrode can say anything else. Part of what ways than they might otherwise.
inspired Will to refuse the money so quickly was the knowledge
that he could never face admitting to Dorothea that he
acquired money in this way. Bulstrode, meanwhile, bursts into
tears.
BOOK 6, CHAPTER 62
Will is determined to see Dorothea one more time and then Although Will obviously does care about Dorothea, his refusal to tell
leave Middlemarch, even though he is somewhat embarrassed her how he feels is arguably not the kindest thing to do for her. Will
to say goodbye twice. He would never ask Dorothea to give up tells himself that he is sparing her the agony of having to make an
everything to marry him. He has a vague dream of returning in impossible choice, but if he truly respected her agency, surely he
years to come with his own fortune so they can finally be would let her know the true nature of his feelings so she could make
together. Meanwhile, Sir James feels that he must talk to a properly informed decision.
Dorothea about Will, even though he usually avoids bringing up
this subject with her at all costs. He decides to use Mrs.
Cadwallader as a go-between.
Mrs. Cadwallader tells Dorothea that Will is in Middlemarch Mrs. Cadwallader’s use of the word “warbling” is a humorous
and that he is constantly “warbling” with Rosamond. Upset, contrast to the somber gravitas with which Will and Dorothea
Dorothea asks that nothing bad be said about Will, and she approach life. Both of them are romantics who have ended up with
leaves immediately for Tipton Grange. While driving there she a tortured view of the world and their place in it. Mrs. Cadwallader
weeps. She intends to do some errands Mr. Brooke left for her, is a reminder that it is perhaps not necessary to take everything so
but upon arriving at Tipton she is informed that Will is there, seriously.
picking up his portfolio of sketches. Will can see that Dorothea
has been crying. He says that he had wanted to say goodbye
again, adding that this time he believes he won’t ever come
back.
Dorothea and Will can hardly bring themselves to speak to Dorothea and Will’s serious, dramatic personalities mean that they
each other. Will admits: “What I care more for than I can ever both revel in their own private intensity of feeling, refusing to just be
care for anything else is absolutely forbidden to me.” Dorothea open and honest about what they want. We could interpret this as
dismisses the idea that she could be what Will cares for most, romantic, but at the same time, their inability to communicate also
thinking that instead he must be referring to Rosamond. suggests that they each remain too trapped in their own private
Though Will would never admit it, he wants to know that worlds to be able to properly consider the feelings of the other.
Dorothea loves him. They say goodbye; Dorothea asks that he
remember her, and he almost angrily replies that he would
forget everything else before her. After Will goes, Dorothea
finally understands that he loves her.

Despite everything, Dorothea feels happy that she is free to The moment where Dorothea passes Will in her carriage is
dream about Will, who she finally knows for sure has done agonizingly anticlimactic. Now that she knows that he loves her, we
nothing wrong. As she is driving away from Tipton, she passes are led to expect a dramatic exchange between them. However, this
Will, who tips his hat at her. She doesn’t turn around or get out, event doesn’t transpire, reminding us of these characters’ startling
but rather sits there thinking that she wishes she had always capacity for miscommunication, self-censure, and restraint.
known how he felt. At the same time, she is troubled by the
inappropriateness of their relationship, particularly since
Casaubon forbade it. Within two days, Will leaves
Middlemarch.
BOOK 7, CHAPTER 63
At Mr. Toller’s Christmas dinner party, he and Farebrother Lydgate’s struggle exists in large part because of his isolation.
discuss Lydgate, who is very busy at the New Hospital these Shunned by the other Middlemarch doctors and alienated from
days, preparing a new cholera ward. Toller is disdainful of Rosamond, he is left to deal with his problems alone. However, he
Lydgate’s efforts, and some of the other men discuss their then makes this worse by isolating himself even further, refusing to
jealousy over his marrying Rosamond. They also gossip that discuss his personal life with friends and acquaintances.
Lydgate has been living beyond his means. Farebrother has
known Lydgate to be practically allergic to discussing his
personal life, but wants Lydgate to know that if he ever wants
someone to talk to, Farebrother’s “friendly ear” is waiting.
On New Year’s Day Farebrother goes to a party at the Vincys’. This scene reminds us of the fact that private emotions always seem
All the Vincy children are there, along with Lydgate and Mary to end up becoming matters of public business in Middlemarch.
Garth. Mrs. Farebrother comments that Lydgate spends a lot Issues that should remain between two people are debated as if
of time away from Rosamond, and Mrs. Vincy chimes in that it they are everybody’s concern. This makes it especially difficult to
has been very difficult for Rosamond to have a husband who face personal problems in the community, because the problem
works so much. Mary is telling the Rumpelstiltskin story to the itself will also be accompanied by public scrutiny.
children, and Farebrother has been looking longingly at her
while pretending he is just absorbed in the story. Farebrother
has recently realized that Fred is jealous of him—and that his
feelings for Mary haven’t gone away.
Farerbrother approaches Lydgate and says he heard from Mr. Farebrother’s kind nature means that his offer of support to Lydgate
Brooke that Lydgate was responsible for persuading Dorothea does not just emerge from a sense of duty after Lydgate’s favor to
to give Farebrother the position at Lowick. Lydgate calls Mr. him. Farebrother can see that Lydgate is suffering in silence and
Brooke “a leaky-minded old fool.” Farebrother continues his knows that his self-imposed isolation is only making it worse.
attempt to be friendly, telling Lydgate that life is easier when However, because Lydgate refuses to accept help, nothing can be
one can rely on one’s friends. Lydgate knows Farebrother is done.
reaching out to help and support him but his pride means that
he would rather die than accept. Feeling hurt, Farebrother
drops the subject.

BOOK 7, CHAPTER 64
Lydgate is over £1000 in debt and has no way to supplement Rosamond’s claim that cutting back on expenses would hurt
his rather meager income. He is now constantly in a bad mood, Lydgate’s career is transparent. We know that she does not really
which further distances him from Rosamond. He tells her that care about Lydgate’s career because she has basically admitted as
they will need to cut back on expenses, including letting go two such herself. She remains in denial about their desperate financial
of their three servants. Rosamond replies that “it would be very situation, simply refusing to believe that changing their lifestyle is an
injurious to your position for us to live in a poor way”—yet option.
Lydgate insists they have no choice. He points out that some
people who are of their same rank live in a much more simple
way.
Rosamond angrily points out that Bulstrode should pay In this scene Lydgate’s similarities to Caleb Garth emerge, and these
Lydgate for his work at the New Hospital, but Lydgate says he similarities make it more clear why Lydgate has gotten himself in so
agreed to do it for free from the beginning. He then sadly much debt. Both Caleb and Lydgate have a problem of offering to
suggests that they should sell their house to Ned Plymdale and work for free, and at the same time refusing to ask for financial help
his new wife, Sophy Toller. Rosamond begins to cry and tries to when they need it (recall Mary’s comment that the Garths prefer to
hide this from her husband. She again suggests that they sell work for their money than beg). This is a problematic combination.
their things and leave Middlemarch, but Lydgate replies angrily
that he won’t abandon his work there. Rosamond chastises him
for not being nicer to his relatives, but Lydgate says he refuses
to “beg” from people.
Furious, Lydgate walks out of the house. He feels bitterly Rosamond’s duplicity here is striking. It would have been
disappointed in his marriage, and particularly in Rosamond’s scandalous for a woman both to lie and to defy her husband in such
refusal to care about what he wants and needs. They make up an obvious way at the time. Although she is behaving recklessly,
later that evening, but Lydgate still feels uneasy. The next day there is something almost admirable in Rosamond’s refusal to
Rosamond goes to see Mrs. Toller and congratulates her on concede any ground to Lydgate. At the same time, her tactic seems
Sophy’s marriage to Ned. Rosamond asks where they will live bound to end in disaster.
and Mrs. Toller says they are still choosing; she asks Rosamond
if she knows anywhere that’s available, and Rosamond says she
doesn’t.
After this visit, Rosamond stops at Mr. Trumbull’s office. It is so unimaginable that a married woman should be acting how
Trumbull says that Lydgate came by that morning, and Rosamond is that Mr. Trumbull does not hesitate for a second to
Rosamond pleads with him to halt the plans to give her house wonder about the truth of her story. He is certain that she is telling
to Ned Plymdale but to keep it a secret that she has come to the truth.
him. She says that Ned and his wife are going to move into a
different house and that “Lydgate would be annoyed that his
order should be fulfilled uselessly.” Trumbull assures her that he
will take care of it.

That evening, Rosamond—who is in a surprisingly happy Rosamond’s web of lies gets bigger and bigger. She shows
mood—tells Lydgate that she went to Mrs. Plymdale’s and surprisingly little remorse for all this duplicity—it has even put her in
learned that Ned already has a house. She says she told a cheerful mood! This is somewhat frightening, and actually recalls
Trumbull to keep an eye out for another person who might the remorseless behavior of Laure after she stabbed her husband.
want their house. Rosamond asks how much money Lydgate Although Rosamond’s crime is clearly nowhere near as serious, it
would need for them to stay in their house; Lydgate replies “at appears that when it comes to women, Lydgate has a type.
least” £1000, and Rosamond says nothing. The next day she
writes to Lydgate’s uncle Sir Godwin, telling him that she thinks
she and Lydgate should leave Middlemarch for the sake of his
career. She adds that they would need £1000 to do this.
The morning of the Vincys’ New Year’s Day party, Lydgate says Rosamond’s belief that social status alone is enough to get someone
he is going to Trumbull’s office, and Rosamond admits that she out of debt shows how painfully naïve she is when it comes to
told Trumbull not to look for another house for them. Lydgate is matters of money. Of course, for someone unfamiliar with the
furious that she secretly disobeyed his wishes. Rosamond says English class system it might be confusing to understand how status
that people can get over debt if they have good social status. and wealth do not always correlate. Yet Rosamond does not have
She asks that Lydgate promise he won’t go immediately back to this excuse, as she has been living in English society her whole life.
Trumbull, but Lydgate replies that it is she who should promise
that she won’t disobey him again. Miserable, Lydgate
reluctantly considers going to see Sir Godwin, knowing that a
letter won’t be enough to persuade his uncle to help.
BOOK 7, CHAPTER 65
Lydgate does not mention his plan to go and see Sir Godwin to The reply from Sir Godwin reveals that Rosamond clearly acted
Rosamond. One morning she sees a letter addressed to foolishly. Yet the situation isn’t entirely her fault. The sexist norms of
Lydgate from his uncle, and she is overwhelmed with hope. the society in which she lives mean that Sir Godwin finds it
While reading the letter Lydgate turns white and says that he inconceivable that Rosamond would write to him of her own
cannot handle Rosamond constantly acting against his wishes accord—instead he believes that Lydgate must have put her up to it.
in secret. In the letter, Godwin chastises Lydgate for getting Rosamond is suffocated by a society that does not account for
Rosamond to write to him and says he cannot help. He says he women’s agency as individuals.
already has too many dependents to take care of, and implies
that it is Lydgate’s own fault for getting into debt and choosing
a low-paying profession.
Once they have both read the letter, Lydgate furiously tells Rosamond’s capacity for self-delusion is quite astonishing. Perhaps
Rosamond that he hopes it is clear how she has ruined things, the fact that she spent so long as the most desirable young woman
and that if she plans to go on disobeying him he wishes she in Middlemarch has left her with a lasting impression that she is
would at least do it openly. Rosamond is furious with everyone. perfect while everyone around her is flawed. This delusion was likely
The only person she doesn’t blame for her current grim further stimulated by her parents’ spoiling her while she was
circumstances is herself, as she has tried her best to make growing up. Even now, Lydgate allows himself to be manipulated by
everything better. Lydgate pleads for her to admit that she her and forgives her for lying to him over and over again.
acted wrongly, but Rosamond defends herself. After a moment
of reflection, Lydgate implores her that they cannot go on at
odds like this. Rosamond says she wishes she had died with
their baby, and Lydgate comforts her.

BOOK 7, CHAPTER 66
Lydgate no longer has the capacity to carry out medical The novel takes a pretty strong stance against gambling, which is
research and experiments. He has never been tempted to shown to be a dangerous, irresponsible, and foolish pursuit that
gamble, and yet now, in his desperation, he finds himself never leads to anything good. Indeed, gambling is one of several
considering it. In Middlemarch, most gambling happens in the ways of acquiring money that always comes back to haunt people
billiard room at the Green Dragon. Lydgate goes there and (the others being theft, deception, and cheating). To borrow
plays well, finally seeing a glimmer of hope in the future. Young Ladislaw’s phrase, “ill-gotten money” is worse than no money at all.
Hawley, who is studying to be a lawyer, arrives with Fred Vincy.
Fred is shocked to see Lydgate gambling. Fred has been
working hard and wants to relax and celebrate by playing
billiards, though he has promised himself he won’t bet.
However, before long Fred is tempted to bet the £10 he has Fred’s desire to stop Lydgate’s gambling could simply be a matter of
brought with him. At this point Lydgate has won £16, but worrying about his family’s reputation. On the other hand, perhaps
Hawley’s arrival disturbs his lucky streak, and Lydgate begins it is a sign that Fred is finally gaining some maturity and
“losing fast.” Fred plans to ask Lydgate if Rosamond is home in responsibility when it comes to money.
order to prevent his downfall from continuing, but at that
moment he is told that Farebrother is downstairs and wants to
speak with him. Before going, Fred urges Lydgate to stop
playing and to come with him to see Farebrother. Embarrassed,
Lydgate reluctantly agrees. When they meet Farebrother,
Lydgate greets him but then leaves.
Farebrother says that he was disappointed to hear that Fred Farebrother’s kind-heartedness becomes even more prominent here,
has been going to the Green Dragon every night, though Fred when he not only refuses to get in the way of Fred’s romance with
assures him that he has not been betting. Farebrother then Mary but even assures him that Mary loves him in return.
mentions their romantic rivalry. Fred says he remains Farebrother genuinely cares about everyone around him. In this
committed to Mary; Farebrother comments that Mary seems sense, even though he is not particularly strict or pious, he is
to feel the same about Fred, but that her feelings could change arguably the most Christian character in the novel.
if Fred messes everything up. Farebrother says he wants Fred
to be happy and successful. Moved, Fred says he will make
himself “worthy” of both Mary and Farebrother. They part
ways.
BOOK 7, CHAPTER 67
The day after losing at billiards, Lydgate feels repulsed by his Lydgate and Bulstrode encounter one another in moments of
own actions. He has learned that Rosamond has already asked absolute desperation. Although the problems they are facing are
Mr. Vincy for financial help twice and been refused. His only different, both are significantly rooted in the need to preserve one’s
remaining option is to go to Bulstrode. Before he can approach reputation at all costs. If Lydgate didn’t face so much pressure from
Bulstrode, however, he receives a note from him asking to meet Rosamond to keep up appearances, then he would have been able
him at the bank. Bulstrode has lately been suffering from to curb their spending.
insomnia, which has seriously jeopardized both his mental and
physical health. Lydgate explains that anxiety can have terrible
bodily repercussions, as he himself knows all too well at the
moment.

Bulstrode says that in order to relieve some stress, he is Lydgate and Bulstrode’s ambitious plans to bring medical reform to
planning to step back from several aspects of his business and Middlemarch are coming crashing down. Neither man is equipped
to move to the coast. Given this, he plans to withdraw from the to bring his dreams into reality, and as a wealthy widow Dorothea is
New Hospital, which leads Lydgate to believe that Bulstrode the last hope for the hospital. Without money, even hard work is not
must have lost a lot of money. Bulstrode says that Dorothea enough to make ambitions succeed.
would be the only person who might reasonably be expected to
finance the hospital in the future. He has approached Dorothea
about it and she has asked for some time to consider the
proposal.
Lydgate suggests that he can go and talk to Dorothea and We do not know why Bulstrode refuses Lydgate’s request. After all,
Bulstrode agrees, although he adds that at the moment she is in he has the money, as evidenced by his attempt to give it to Will
Yorkshire with Sir James and Celia. Lydgate says that his Ladislaw. He may be trying to save money in order to pay off Raffles,
association with the New Hospital has made him unpopular as or perhaps he wants to avoid putting Lydgate in the position that
a doctor, and most of his patients can’t pay him for his services. Will refused of accepting “ill-gotten money.”
He explains that he is £1000 in debt and, full of shame, asks for
a loan. Bulstrode says that he unfortunately can’t help and
advises Lydgate to declare bankruptcy. Lydgate says that this
would be unbearable and wouldn’t help him anyway. He says
goodbye and leaves.
BOOK 7, CHAPTER 68
Bulstrode’s sudden decision to leave Middlemarch was Bulstrode’s terror at the consequences of Raffles telling everyone
prompted by the return of Raffles on Christmas Eve. Raffles about his past shows how wrongdoing and guilt eat away at a
invites himself to stay at Bulstrode’s. As soon as he can, person. Even with Raffles gone, Bulstrode can never feel safe. The
Bulstrode organizes a coach that will take Raffles far away to burden of his secret and the possibility of it being revealed have
Isley. He tells Raffles that he will pay him to stay silent, but if become so intense that he has no choice but to flee and try to start
Raffles ever shows his face in Middlemarch again Bulstrode will life over yet again.
immediately cease all financial support. He says that if Raffles
doesn’t leave the house immediately he will call the police.
However, even with Raffles gone Bulstrode still feels he can’t
stay in Middlemarch, and starts making plans to leave.
Bulstrode asks Caleb Garth to help him find a tenant for Stone Recall that Mrs. Bulstrode is Fred and Rosamond’s aunt, which is
Court, and Caleb suggests Fred Vincy, on the grounds that he why she (unlike many in Middlemarch) loves the Vincy children and
could be trusted because Caleb himself would be watching wants to help them. The interconnection of people in the
over him. Although Bulstrode is not fond of Fred, he agrees in Middlemarch community through blood, marriage, and profession
part to please Caleb and in part to satisfy Mrs. Bulstrode, who creates a complex web of debts and favors between the characters.
wanted her husband to help Rosamond and Lydgate with their
debt. Busltrode stresses that he couldn’t help his wife’s married
relatives, but that he will do Fred the favor of letting him live in
Stone Court. Caleb is thrilled, but keeps the plan secret as a
surprise for Fred.

BOOK 7, CHAPTER 69
Caleb Garth comes to see Bulstrode at the bank and tells him Caleb’s profound sense of honor illuminates the similarity between
that there is a “very ill” man at Stone Court—Raffles. Horrified, him and Will. Both refuse to be involved with any wrongdoing even
Bulstrode asks Caleb to call Lydgate. Caleb then apologetically when it might greatly benefit them. Furthermore, both are
says that he must stop working for Bulstrode as a result of honorable enough that they do not consider making Bulstrode’s
things he has heard about him from Raffles. Bulstrode urges secret public. This restraint is unusual and admirable in a
Caleb not to believe this “slander,” and when Caleb sadly community so fixated on gossip and scandal.
refuses, Bulstrode asks to at least know what Raffles said.
However, Caleb replies that he will never repeat it. He believes
that Bulstrode must have atoned for his actions and that he
doesn’t intend to increase Bulstrode’s suffering.
Later, Bulstrode goes to Stone Court, desperately hoping that Raffles’s alcoholism makes his behavior especially unpredictable. It
Raffles’s illness might kill him before he can tell anyone else is unclear whether or not he is actually ill, and if this illness is largely
about Bulstrode’s past. However, he finds Raffles more or less a physical or mental problem. It is also unclear whether his claim to
all right. Raffles claims that he only revealed all to Caleb in the have told Caleb Bulstrode’s secret in the midst of a “hallucination” is
midst of a hallucination. Bulstrode then calls Lydgate to attend true. Raffles appears to be using this as an excuse for his behavior,
to Raffles’s health, explaining that Raffles’s illness has affected when in fact the “hallucination” could just mean that he was drunk.
his mental capacity. After examining Raffles, Lydgate tells
Bulstrode that his condition is likely not fatal. Bulstrode says he
will stay the night with Raffles and Lydgate gives him
instructions for Raffles’s care.
Raffles is suffering from alcohol poisoning, and Lydgate Both Rosamond and Lydgate employ passive aggressive and self-
imagines that Bulstrode is taking care of him as an act of pitying tactics in order to appeal to the sympathy of the other. This
charity. Lydgate gets home to find Dover’s man taking his tends to work when Rosamond does it to Lydgate, but not the other
furniture and Rosamond crying in their bedroom. She says she way around. This conveys that it is Rosamond who holds the true
wants to stay with her parents until Lydgate has secured “a power in the relationship.
comfortable home.” Lydgate says she can go if she wants, but
that there is no rush. He says they might have a surprise twist
of good fortune, such as him breaking his neck. Rosamond is
hurt by the “violence” of his words, but says she will stay.
BOOK 7, CHAPTER 70
Once Lydgate leaves, Bulstrode goes through Raffles’s pockets, In this moment, the encounter between Bulstrode and Raffles takes
where he finds a few bills and pennies. When Raffles wakes up a darkly sinister turn. Bulstrode is not trying to kill Raffles, but he is
Bulstrode offers him food, which he refuses. Later, Raffles hoping that he will die, and Raffles arguably senses this when he
appears to hallucinate that there is a doctor in the room, and accuses Bulstrode of trying to starve him to death. Raffles is
tells this vision that Bulstrode is trying to starve him as realizing the mistake of finding himself unwell and helpless in the
punishment for revealing his secret, which Raffles claims he house of a man he has been trying to blackmail.
never did. Bulstrode finds strength in his conviction that Raffles
is on the brink of death. He regrets not giving Lydgate the loan,
as in the event of Raffles’s death he will want Lydgate on his
side.

Lydgate returns and observes that Raffles’s condition has Lydgate perhaps should have realized that something strange was
deteriorated, but says that he still expects him to pull through. afoot due to the combination of Bulstrode’s sudden change of mind
Bulstrode comments that Lydgate himself does not look well, and the appearance of the ailing Raffles in Bulstrode’s home.
and pleads with him to sit for a moment. He tells Lydgate that However, whether out of obliviousness or desperation, Lydgate
he will write him a check for £1000, which Lydgate can repay ignores these ominous signs and accepts the money.
when he is able. Lydgate is relieved and thanks Bulstrode. Left
alone, Bulstrode continues to fixate on the prospect of Raffles
dying. That evening he gives Raffles some opium per Lydgate’s
instruction, and then leaves him in the care of a servant.
That evening, Bulstrode contemplates suicide. Sitting by the This is a crucial passage, as there are several moments when
fire in his living room, he realizes that he didn’t tell the servant Bulstrode’s level of guilt is decidedly ambiguous. Bulstrode “realizes”
when to stop giving Raffles doses of opium, and wonders if he that he forgot to tell the servant how much opium to give Raffles,
should correct this oversight or not. A little while later the but to what extent was this oversight deliberate? Bulstrode is
servant knocks on his door and says that Raffles has been definitely guilty of helping to give Raffles alcohol when Lydgate
begging for brandy, claiming that he is “sinking down through forbade it—yet does this mean he is trying to kill him?
the earth.” Bulstrode thinks for a minute, and then gives her the
keys to the wine cooler, saying that it is wrong to deny a man
such a request on his deathbed.
In the morning Bulstrode prays for a while. He then goes to see The chapter ends on a hopeful note for Bulstrode and Lydgate, a
Raffles, who is asleep and seems very close to death. That welcome change after so much misery and doom. However, the fact
afternoon Lydgate comes and witnesses Raffles die. He and that this hope emerges out of Raffles’s death is also ominous. While
Bulstrode go into Middlemarch together, discussing cholera Bulstrode (and to a greater degree Lydgate) is not exactly
and the Reform Bill. Bulstrode briefly mentions the responsible for Raffles’s death, his involvement is definitely
arrangements for Raffles’s burial, but apart from that they do suspicious.
not speak about him. Later, Lydgate tells Farebrother that he
has received a loan from Bulstrode and will be able to repay his
debts. He plans to establish a surgery and take on an
apprentice.
BOOK 7, CHAPTER 71
Five days later, Bambridge, Hopkins, and Hawley are talking This scene is the perfect example of how gossip and misinformation
outside the Green Dragon. Bambridge mentions that while he originate. None of the men talking outside the Green Dragon is
was at the horse fair at Bilkley recently, he learned some gossip lying, and the facts they present certainly make up a coherent,
about how Bulstrode got his wealth from an old friend of convincing picture. However, this picture is not exactly true, and is
Bulstrode’s called Raffles. Hopkins exclaims that he just likely to get further misinterpreted as the gossip spreads.
conducted a funeral for Raffles the day before, and that
Bulstrode was in attendance. Bambridge is shocked; Hopkins
explains that Raffles died at Stone Court and that Lydgate
attended to him. The crowd grows larger as more people come
over to listen. Bambridge reveals the story he heard from
Raffles, including the detail of Will’s involvement.

Bambridge’s story “spread through Middlemarch like the smell Of course, the Middlemarch residents have grounds to be seriously
of fire.” Caleb is forced to admit that he heard the story too, and distrustful of Bulstrode, and to a certain extent Lydgate, after
the gossip morphs to indicate that it was Caleb himself who hearing the story. However, the fact that Will is also denounced
first started spreading it. Distrust of Will, who is thought to shows how much rumor and gossip are fueled by preexisting
have “cursed alien blood,” grows as a result of the story. prejudice rather than serious evidence.
Meanwhile, gossip also spreads about Lydgate suddenly being
able to pay his debts thanks to a loan from Bulstrode. The
excitement over this gossip is so intense that spreading it
becomes akin to a job for some members of the community.
The other Middlemarch doctors interview the servant who Again, this passage shows how the truth is mixed in with prejudice,
tended to Raffles in order to determine if Lydgate colluded in fabrication, and hysteria in a way that is unethical and dangerous.
his death. The townspeople conclude that even if Bulstrode The community seems to have some interest in restoring justice (as
merely paid Lydgate to remain silent about the truth of his past, shown by their inquiry over whether Bulstrode can be forced to give
this still puts the already unpopular Lydgate in “an odious light.” Will the money he is owed), but their interest is largely in reveling in
People are aware of Bulstrode’s plan to leave Middlemarch, the scandal.
which they now see as him “running away” before the truth
gets out. There is speculation over whether Bulstrode can be
forced by law to give up his wealth to Ladislaw. Raffles,
meanwhile, is painted as a wonderful man and tragic victim.
Bulstrode, still thinking himself safe, has abandoned his plan to Here we witness the frightening side of mob mentality in
leave Middlemarch permanently and instead decides to go to Middlemarch. However much Bulstrode deserves to be condemned,
Cheltenham for six weeks as a vacation. There is a town the way that the town conspires around him and Lydgate entirely
meeting about cholera and sanitation; Bulstrode and Lydgate based on hearsay is disturbing. Again, if their interest were in justice,
go together, and when they enter the hall Lydgate feels “a then an official inquiry and hearing would be necessary. However,
peculiar interchange of glances” being directed at them. When instead they choose to immediately expel Bulstrode from the
Bulstrode goes to give his opinion about the sanitation issue, community.
Hawley stands up and asks for permission to speak on a matter
of “public feeling.” He says that he and others present want
Bulstrode to resign from all his public positions due to the
“shameful” way he gained his fortune.
Overwhelmed by a feeling of absolute horror, Bulstrode is Throughout the novel, characters faced with a difficult situation
silent, but only for a moment. He then declares that those who rarely choose to react in the most dignified, honorable way they can.
accuse him are hypocrites who believe lies because they hate Rather, their pride makes them become defensive, righteous, and
him. Some people hiss and Hawley immediately fires back that accusatory—even when they are very clearly in the wrong (and, as in
Bulstrode must explain himself if he is to maintain his this case, outnumbered by a remarkable degree). This is one of the
innocence. The meeting’s chairman, Mr. Thesiger, tells profound human weaknesses explored in the narrative.
Bulstrode that he will receive a proper hearing but that his
current behavior is unacceptable. He then asks Bulstrode to
leave the meeting. Bulstrode goes to leave; seeing that he can
barely walk, Lydgate helps him out.
Lydgate himself now believes that Raffles’s death is suspicious Among the people of Middlemarch, Dorothea stands out as
and that the £1000 Bulstrode gave him was a bribe. After the someone who is inclined to believe in someone’s innocence rather
meeting, Mr. Brooke and Farebrother go to see Dorothea and than their guilt. In Lydgate’s case, this is perhaps because of their
tell her the shocking news about Lydgate and the New shared passion for social reform.
Hospital. Dorothea says she cannot believe that Lydgate is
guilty, and that they must prove his innocence.

BOOK 8, CHAPTER 72
Farebrother tells Dorothea not to approach Lydgate herself, as Celia’s confusion over Dorothea’s sudden unwillingness to defer to
this will insult his pride. Dorothea remains desperate to find the authority of a man is somewhat warranted. However, Celia fails
proof of Lydgate’s innocence, while Sir James—who is these to understand two things: firstly, that Dorothea never wanted to
days her “best friend”—advises her strongly against submit to the authority of just any man, but rather held Casaubon
intervening. Dorothea remains so passionate about helping in particularly high esteem. Secondly, Dorothea herself has
Lydgate that Farebrother is almost convinced she is actually appeared to undergo a change of heart and finally realize that she
right. However, James insists that she hold back. Celia urges prefers to trust her own opinions.
Dorothea to listen to James, who as her brother-in-law acts as
a kind of stand-in for her husband. Dorothea replies: “As if I
wanted a husband!” Celia is confused, as Dorothea used to
always be so submissive to Casaubon.
BOOK 8, CHAPTER 73
Lydgate takes Bulstrode home from the meeting, leaving him in One of the biggest lessons of the Bulstrode scandal is that the truth
the care of Mrs. Bulstrode. Lydgate regrets ever coming to of a person’s guilt does not actually matter that much in
Middlemarch, feeling that his whole life has turned into a Middlemarch. This is both because gossip is so rife and because
disaster. Regardless of whether Bulstrode brought about reputation is so important. Damage to a person’s reputation is
Raffles’s death, Bulstrode is decidedly guilty in the eyes of the permanent even if they are later proven to be innocent.
community. Lydgate curses himself for accepting Bulstrode’s
money; if he had not done this he would at least have a chance
of escaping implication in the scandal.
Even if Lydgate could find some way to prove his innocence, he Through this whole affair, Lydgate displays a surprising amount of
knows that the damage done to his reputation is permanent. loyalty to Busltrode. Perhaps this is due to his general isolation,
Despite wishing that he had never accepted Bulstrode’s money, which means that Bulstrode is the only person he has left.
he decides to now stand by Bulstrode. As he nears home, dread
builds as he thinks of telling Rosamond about the whole affair.
BOOK 8, CHAPTER 74
On hearing about the scandal, the women of Middlemarch Divorce was not a legal possibility for the vast majority of people in
generally feel sympathy for Mrs. Bulstrode, who is well-liked England until 1857. However, when faced with a scandal of this
and thought to be remarkably honest. People are not as magnitude it may be socially acceptable for Mrs. Bulstrode to
sympathetic to Rosamond, yet at the same time, while the separate from her husband. This is due to the idea that Bulstrode
Vincys are not universally liked they are also thought to be misrepresented himself so enormously—including hiding past
honest and respectable, without any sordid secrets. Rosamond criminal acts—that Mrs. Bulstrode essentially married him under
is criticized as “showy” even as she is also seen as a victim. false pretenses.
Some of the Middlemarch women believe that the revelation
about Bulstrode’s past is enough to give Mrs. Bulstrode reason
to leave him. There is speculation that both the Bulstrodes and
the Lydgates will leave Middlemarch.

Mrs. Bulstrode, meanwhile, has stayed home since the scandal Women’s subordinate position in society means that they do not
broke and thus is unaware of what is happening, although she fully take part in public life and, as such, can be left in the dark when
senses that something is terribly wrong with Mr. Bulstrode. She it comes to important matters. This is perhaps why gossip is so
asks Lydgate about it, but he gives a vague answer. She then prevalent among the women in Middlemarch—rather than a
goes to see Mrs. Hackbutt, whose husband was at the town frivolous pastime, it is actually a necessary means for them to
meeting. Mrs. Hackbutt wants to tell Mrs. Bulstrode to leave understand what is going on in their community.
her husband, but she restrains herself. Although Mrs. Hackbutt
doesn’t say anything explicitly, Mrs. Bulstrode is beginning to
understand that whatever is worrying Bulstrode is of a very
serious nature.
It is Mrs. Bulstrode’s brother Mr. Vincy who finally tells her Mr. Vincy’s comment that both Rosamond and Mrs. Bulstrode
everything. He laments that even if Bulstrode is found innocent would have been better off having never married shows that a
by a jury, this won’t make much difference—he will still be seen woman’s fortunes in life are inextricably tied to her husband.
as guilty by most people. He adds that both she and Rosamond Although they may feel sympathy for Rosamond and Mrs.
would have been better off never marrying. Mrs. Bulstrode Bulstrode, people do not see them as individuals independent from
cannot say anything in response and requests help to get to her their husbands.
carriage, saying she feels faint. Once home, she tells her
daughter that she won’t eat dinner and then locks herself in her
room.
Despite her misery and deep disappointment, Mrs. Bulstrode is The final scene in this chapter is very moving. It suggests that real
a loyal person, and knows that she will stand by her husband. love can overcome even the greatest of obstacles, particularly
Knowing she is upstairs and guessing what has happened, because love involves forgiveness and total, unconditional
Bulstrode is highly distressed. Mrs. Bulstrode finally comes understanding of another person.
down to see him at 8 pm. The two of them weep together, and it
is as if Bulstrode is making a “confession” without actually
saying the words.
BOOK 8, CHAPTER 75
Even after Lydgate’s debts are paid, Rosamond remains This passage goes back in time a little bit; Rosamond does not know
unhappy. She is terribly disappointed with her marriage, and to about the Bulstrode scandal. However, her ignorance of this disaster
cheer herself up she used to fantasize about Will Ladislaw does not mean that she is happy. The strain that Lydgate’s debt has
being in love with her. Now that Will is gone, she dreams of put on their marriage has proven to be an impossible burden, made
moving to London, where she is convinced everything would be worse by the fact that Rosamond once again avoids confronting
better. Just before the town meeting, she receives a letter from reality and instead chooses to escape into fantasies about Will.
Will saying he will have to come to Middlemarch soon and that
he looks forward to seeing her and Lydgate. She is so happy
that (without consulting Lydgate) she decides to host a small
party and sends out invitations.
Every person Rosamond invites says they can’t come. Lydgate Rosamond has spent so much time fixated on preserving her and
finds out and demands that Rosamond stop inviting people Lydgate’s aspirational class status, yet she is now faced with far
over. Rosamond is angry, but doesn’t believe that anything new more serious damage to their reputation. Of course, this should put
has happened to prompt this restriction. Later, Mr. Vincy and her earlier stress about seeming adequately wealthy and high-
Mrs. Vincy tell her everything. Mr. Vincy says he doesn’t believe ranking into perspective, but that doesn’t seem likely.
that Lydgate has caused anyone any harm, but that it would be
best if he and Rosamond left Middlemarch anyway. Rosamond
is horrified, feeling that this is the worst thing that could have
happened to her.

Back at home, Rosamond is furious not only at Lydgate’s This encounter is important for its contrast to the scene between
involvement in the scandal, but also that he didn’t tell her about Mr. and Mrs. Bulstrode. Bulstrode has committed a far greater
it. Lydgate immediately notices Rosamond’s change in crime than Lydgate has, and yet Mrs. Bulstrode still chose to stand
disposition and realizes that she knows everything. Lydgate by him. Rosamond, however, can’t forgive Lydgate for getting mixed
expects her to say that she doesn’t believe the rumors, but she up in the scandal even though it was not really his fault. This
says nothing. Lydgate is shocked by her selfishness. Just as he suggests that she does not truly love him.
begins to speak, Rosamond asks if he will now finally be willing
to move to London. Lydgate says nothing and leaves the room.
Rosamond resolves to tell Will everything when he comes to
visit.
BOOK 8, CHAPTER 76
Dorothea invites Lydgate to Lowick Manor. She has become Here Dorothea emerges as a kind of saintly figure (the significance
very excited about the idea of helping him. When he arrives, the of this is revealed in light of the discussion of St. Theresa of Avila in
signs of prolonged misery are clear on his face, and she is the “Prelude”). Not only is she willing to support the New Hospital,
shocked at how terrible he looks. When Dorothea mentions the but she is convinced of Lydgate’s innocence and prepared to stand
New Hospital, Lydgate says that he is not in a position to give by him even if this means facing public ostracization.
advice about whether she should continue supporting it, as he
may soon have to leave Middlemarch. She immediately
declares that she doesn’t believe the rumors about him; feeling
deeply moved, Lydgate thanks her. She asks that he tell her the
full truth.
Lydgate says that he doesn’t want to “bear hard on Bulstrode,” Lydgate’s desire not to seem as if he is shifting all the blame to
because despite everything he is still grateful to him for the Bulstrode certainly emerges from loyalty, but is also strategic.
£1000. Dorothea promises that she won’t repeat his words to Appearing as though he is trying to evade guilt by sacrificing
anyone, although she says that if she did, many people in Bulstrode will likely only increase the suspicion people have of him.
Middlemarch would believe her. Although this may be naïve,
Lydgate chooses to trust her, and tells her everything.
Lydgate finishes by saying that it has since emerged that Raffles Dorothea’s comment shows that her admiration for Lydgate does
was given more opium than Lydgate prescribed (plus brandy, come from their shared commitment to social reform. Perhaps she
which he forbade). He doesn’t know how or why his sees some of herself in Lydgate, not only on the basis of their shared
instructions for Raffles’s care were not followed (and therefore passions but also because she, like Lydgate, has experienced the
does not know if Bulstrode is guilty of helping to kill Raffles). bitter disappointment of failed ambitions.
Either way, Lydgate is condemned by association—“the
business is done and can’t be undone.” Moved, Dorothea says
she can’t bear the idea of Lydgate’s ambitions coming to this
end.

Dorothea suggests that Lydgate stay and keep up his work at After everything Lydgate has been through in his mission to bring
the New Hospital while waiting for the rumors to die down. medical reform to Middlemarch, the final impediment to his
She says he might even one day still become a famous medical attempting to realize some of his ambitions is Rosamond. This
innovator. Lydgate says he can’t do that because he has lost proves that his initial fears about how getting married would affect
faith in himself. Dorothea insists that she has too much money his career were all too prescient. While Lydgate arguably has a duty
and wants to give it away, especially after Sir James and Mr. to make Rosamond happy, there is no doubt that marrying her was
Brooke persuaded heƒr that her idea of building a colony was fatal to his career.
“too risky.” Hearing about Dorothea’s ardent desire to help
others, Lydgate cannot help but smile. However, he then
repeats that he cannot stay, because it would make Rosamond
too unhappy.
Dorothea asks if she can go and try to persuade Rosamond to Lydgate’s decision to move to London is somewhat painful to
stay. Lydgate agrees that she should visit her, saying that it witness, as it means that all of his efforts in Middlemarch have
would please Rosamond to hear that Dorothea still holds him in come to nothing (and therefore that the standard of medical care in
high esteem. However, he also says that the New Hospital the area will not improve). However, it is perhaps the more
should be merged with the Old Infirmary, and thus handed over honorable thing to choose Rosamond’s happiness (and, to a lesser
to someone else. He has decided to go to London, but thanks extent, his own dignity) over remaining in Middlemarch and battling
Dorothea again for going to see Rosamond. As he rides away, in vain to force reforms in a community that does not want them.
he is overcome with admiration for Dorothea’s selflessness.
Back at Lowick, meanwhile, Dorothea writes a note and a check
for £1000 to Bulstrode, in order to relieve Lydgate’s debt to
him.
BOOK 8, CHAPTER 77
Since discovering the scandal, Rosamond has barely left the This is a low moment not just for Lydgate and Bulstrode, but for the
house. Some days she does not even leave her room. However, entire Middlemarch community. It appears as if almost everyone is
one morning she decides to walk into town to post a letter to struck by some kind of terrible disappointment of their own.
Will. There have been malicious rumors circling around
Middlemarch that Will is “the grandson of a thieving Jew
pawnbroker.” Though confident that Will loves her, Dorothea
believes that it is impossible that they will ever get married.
Dorothea arrives at the Lydgates’ and, believing that The dramatic twist in this scene has a rather Shakespearean
Rosamond is not in, her servant shows Dorothea into the element, with Dorothea tragically misinterpreting the nature of
drawing room. Dorothea finds Rosamond in tears, and Will Rosamond and Will’s exchange. Although she only recently
sitting next to her holding both her hands. When they notice consciously realized Will was in love with her, Dorothea has also
her presence they both leap up. Dorothea apologizes, saying never had to confront the idea that he loved another woman—or
she has a letter for Lydgate and that she didn’t realize indeed that another woman loved him. She is left in a profound
Rosamond was there. She leaves before either Rosamond or state of shock.
Will can say anything, and goes straight to Freshitt Hall.
Gripped by a kind of mania, she intends to tell Sir James and
Mr. Brooke all about Lydgate’s marriage difficulties.

BOOK 8, CHAPTER 78
After Dorothea leaves the drawing room, Will and Rosamond Again, Will’s dramatic words in this scene can be read in quite
stand very still; Rosamond puts her hand on his arm, but Will different ways. The absolute and total nature of his devotion to
shouts: “Don’t touch me!” He walks to the other side of the Dorothea may strike some as highly romantic. His love for her is so
room. Rosamond says he should go and tell Dorothea he intense that he appears to experience it more as a form of suffering
prefers her. Will rants in reply, saying: “I never had a preference than joy. Others may find this overblown, and even question
for her, any more than I have a preference for breathing.” whether Will really loves Dorothea if he sees his love for her as a
Rosamond is deeply hurt by this outburst. She feels that her life painful burden.
is totally ruined. Will leaves, and when Rosamond tries to stand
up she faints. Later, Lydgate finds her in bed still in her clothes.
He embraces her while she sobs.
BOOK 8, CHAPTER 79
After tending to Rosamond, Lydgate reads Dorothea’s letter. At this point in the novel, most of the chapters become much
Will arrives and Lydgate tells him that Rosamond has had a shorter, with each one containing less action than some of the
“nervous shock” and is in bed. Lydgate then explains that Will is previous chapters. This builds up suspense, leading the reader to
implicated in the scandal surrounding Bulstrode. Will makes a expect a series of climactic events or resolutions before the novel’s
dark joke about his own reputation but refrains from end.
mentioning the fact that he refused Bulstrode’s money, as he
doesn’t want to embarrass Lydgate. Lydgate mentions that
Dorothea is his only supporter; Will’s reaction convinces
Lydgate that he has come to Middlemarch to see her.
BOOK 8, CHAPTER 80
Dorothea sees Farebrother in the morning and promises to It is somewhat astonishing that Dorothea only now admits to
have dinner with him that evening. She stops by the herself that she has loved Will since Rome, a fact that will have
schoolhouse and then, on the way home, strikes up more seemed very obvious to readers throughout the novel, thereby
conversations with local residents. At dinner, Farebrother and creating dramatic irony. Yet we also know that Dorothea is
Mrs. Farebrother playfully comment on Miss Noble’s crush on exceptionally capable of suppressing her own emotions, which is
Will Ladislaw. When Dorothea gets home that night, she finally why it has taken her so long to figure out her true desires.
admits to herself that she has been in love with Will since
Rome, and bursts into tears. Feeling resentful of Will and the
torment he is causing her, she cries herself to sleep.
Dorothea wakes up in the early hours of the morning with a Here the manic mood Dorothea was in after finding Will and
sudden sense of clarity. She forces herself to reflect on the Rosamond returns. She is struck by a profound sense of energy and
moment when she caught Will and Rosamond together and to lucidity despite her lack of sleep, and also seems to be in the midst
wonder what was really going on. She rings for Tantripp, who is of a bit of a savior complex (as evidenced by her conviction that she
shocked to see that she is still in yesterday’s clothes, and she is going to be able to “save Rosamond”).
asks for a cup of coffee and her new dress and bonnet. Tantripp
expresses approval that Dorothea is finally deciding to put
away her mourning clothes. By 11 am, she is on her way to
Middlemarch, determined to “save Rosamond.”

BOOK 8, CHAPTER 81
Dorothea arrives and asks Lydgate, who clearly has no idea As has been made clear throughout the novel, Dorothea and
what happened the day before, if she can see Rosamond. Rosamond are opposites: their personalities and desires could not
Lydgate expresses his deepest thanks for Dorothea’s £1000 be more different. However, that does not mean that they are
check. Rosamond looks alarmed when Lydgate tells her unable to feel sympathy for one another, even if this sympathy is
Dorothea is here to see her, but agrees to come downstairs. tinged with intimidation.
Rosamond feels resentful of the power held by Dorothea, who
is both the object of Will’s love and Lydgate’s financial rescuer.
As the women greet each other, they are both overwhelmed
with emotion. Dorothea says she hopes that Rosamond won’t
find it inappropriate for them to discuss Lydgate’s situation.
Rosamond assures her she won’t.
Dorothea tells Rosamond that Mr. Farebrother, Mr. Brooke, This passage contains a highly surprising twist. Rosamond has clung
and Sir James all know and believe the truth about Lydgate’s to her own belief that she is innocent throughout the novel, even as
involvement in the Bulstrode scandal. She then stresses that evidence mounts that she has contributed to the problems facing
Lydgate desperately wants to make Rosamond happy and feels her and Lydgate. However, it takes the kind-hearted intervention of
wretched about how his actions have hurt her. On hearing this Dorothea for Rosamond to finally see her marriage from a different
Rosamond bursts into tears. For the first time, the illusion of perspective and understand that she is also at fault.
her “dream-world” in which she is blameless and everyone else
is at fault has been broken. Dorothea reflects that marriage is
very difficult, as even the closeness of two people can become a
kind of curse.
Composing herself, Rosamond explains that Dorothea Again, Dorothea is exhibiting saint-like behavior—endeavoring to
misinterpreted the scene between her and Will yesterday. She solve the problems of others that actually have nothing to do with
says that Will was confessing that he loved “another woman,” her. Perhaps rather than building cottages or a colony, the best way
but that after Dorothea saw them Will was adamant that he for her to exercise her passion for bringing good to the world is by
couldn’t explain the truth to her. Dorothea is stunned, but simply offering comfort and advice to those in her community. She
focuses on comforting Rosamond. Lydgate enters and asks if evidently has a natural aptitude for it.
Dorothea wants a carriage, as it has started raining. However,
Dorothea maintains that she is “strong” and wants to walk in
the rain. She and Rosamond exchange a heartfelt yet restrained
goodbye. Once Dorothea leaves, Rosamond tells Lydgate that
she is “better than any one.”
BOOK 8, CHAPTER 82
On returning to Middlemarch, Will had hoped that he would Will’s temptation to accept the money Bulstrode offered him either
encounter Dorothea somehow. However, he also came back shows that he is not as honorable as we may have assumed, or that
because he was considering taking the money Bulstrode he is descending into a nihilistic spiral now that he knows he cannot
offered him in order to carry out a new social endeavor in the have Dorothea. Perhaps he believes that without her, there is no
“Far West.” He also planned to spend time with his friends point in living up to his moral principles anymore.
Lydgate and Rosamond, and if he ended up at Lowick Manor by
some coincidence, then so be it. On discovering the scandal, he
considered getting a coach straight to London—however, he
ended up staying.

Following the incident with Dorothea, Will returns to the The fact that Rosamond conveys her message to Will in secret via a
Lydgates’ and pretends that he and Rosamond have not yet note adds an extra sense of drama to this exchange. Will is finally
seen each other. When Lydgate briefly has to leave the room, faced with the question of whether to confess his feelings to
Rosamond hands Will a small note that he reads later that Dorothea or keep them hidden—potentially forever.
night, once he is in bed. In the note, Rosamond says that she
explained the whole situation to Dorothea, who came to see
her “and was very kind.” Will is overwhelmed, struck with
frightened wonder about what will happen now.
BOOK 8, CHAPTER 83
Dorothea has been occupying herself by attending to the needs The various go-betweens that become involved in Dorothea and
of the local people in Lowick, but two days after her trip to the Will’s relationship remind us that nothing is ever truly private in
Lydgates’ there is no one left to help. She sits in the library and Middlemarch, even one’s deepest, most secret feelings. Whereas
attempts to read a book about political economy, but finds it before everything (and everyone) seemed to be conspiring to keep
impossible to concentrate. Miss Noble comes to see her and Will and Dorothea apart, the tide has changed, and there are now
says she can’t stay long, as she has “left a friend in the people helping them to finally be together.
churchyard.” She then explains that the friend is Will, who will
not come in because he is worried that he has “offended”
Dorothea. However, he has asked that Dorothea come and see
him outside briefly.
Dorothea thinks about Casaubon’s will, and somewhat Dorothea and Will have spent so much time privately thinking
hesitantly tells Miss Noble that Will should come in. When they about one another that when they are finally in each other’s
first see each other, Dorothea and Will struggle to speak. Will presence they cannot even bring themselves to talk. Confronting the
confesses that he is embarrassed to be back so soon, and he reality of each other is overwhelming, and it is only once the storm
also mentions the rumors about his family history. He explains breaks out that they are finally able to break through their hesitancy
that Bulstrode offered him money, but that he did not accept it and touch each other, as if reminding each other of the reality of
because he was sure Dorothea would not approve. He admits their existence.
that without Dorothea’s respect, he feels he has nothing to live
for. A sudden thunderstorm breaks out, and they grip hands in
fright and do not let go.
Will admits that he is hopeless, because even if Dorothea loves Even after they kiss, Will remains committed to the idea that his
him he will always be poor and they therefore cannot be union with Dorothea is impossible. This is perhaps simply another
together. For this reason, he had intended to leave and no manifestation of his tortured, romantic nature. There may be a side
longer trouble her. Dorothea says she “would rather share all of Will that—like Dorothea—is afraid of what he wants and even
the trouble of our parting,” and they kiss. After another period more afraid of getting it. Eventually, however, they are able to get
of silence, Will bursts out in anger at their situation. He over this fear and realize that they should obviously be together.
declares that they can never marry, but Dorothea says there is
a chance they can. Will tells her goodbye, but she replies that
she hates her money and wouldn’t mind being poor.
Immediately Will embraces her while she begins to cry.

BOOK 8, CHAPTER 84
Just after the House of Lords defeats the Reform Bill, Mr. The mention of the Reform Bill connects the political turmoil of the
Cadwallader and Mrs. Cadwallader, Sir James, Celia, and Lady country with the turmoil of Will and Dorothea’s relationship.
Chettam are all sitting outside together discussing politics. Mr. Political change is in the air, and within Middlemarch society there
Brooke approaches and mentions that he has “sad news,” which could perhaps be no greater change than the sudden news that
he will tell everyone if they go inside. He announces that Dorothea and Will are going to get married after all.
Dorothea and Will are engaged. James dramatically declares
that he should have shot Will years ago, and Celia and Mr.
Cadwallader reprimand him. Yet James insists that it is
“scandalous” and that if Will was honorable he wouldn’t do this.
Mr. Brooke says he tried to reason with Dorothea, but there For all of Mr. Brooke’s foolishness and sexism, he can at least be
was no use as she doesn’t want her fortune anyway. Sir James credited for respecting Dorothea’s agency—both when it came to
insists that Dorothea is committing a wrong, while Mr. marrying Casaubon and now again with Will. Sir James still has the
Cadwallader says she is just doing something James doesn’t illusion that he can (and should) interfere with Dorothea’s life, but
agree with. Mrs. Cadwallader blames the others for not after reflecting about how his own personal investment in her
arranging alternative suitors for Dorothea. Mr. Brooke says marriage may be swaying his opinion, he appears to realize he is
that he is not going to disown Dorothea over it. Sir James acting unfairly.
realizes that he is so angry in part because he had been hoping
Arthur would inherit the entirety of Lowick and Freshitt after
Dorothea’s death. He feels embarrassed.
Mr. Brooke says the wedding is in three weeks. Mr. Mr. Cadwallader’s comment about Dorothea’s wanting to be poor
Cadwallader comments that if Dorothea wants to be poor then sounds almost sarcastic, based on the assumption that Dorothea
her choice must be respected. Mrs. Cadwallader mentions would obviously never want to be poor but must accept it as a
Will’s low rank and “frightful” ancestry, but Mr. Cadwallader negative consequence of marrying Will. As we have seen, however,
calls this “nonsense” and says they should leave. Mr. Brooke Dorothea resents her wealth and actually doesn’t want it.
invites everyone to dinner the next day, and Celia asks Sir
James if they can go to Lowick. James replies that he cannot
bear to see Dorothea.
Celia sees Dorothea alone in her boudoir. She tells Dorothea Celia has never been able to understand her sister, as their
that she has deeply disappointed everyone, especially James. personalities and desires are so different. However, she still loves
She laments that Dorothea will be poor and surrounded by Dorothea and thus despite how little she understands Dorothea’s
“queer people,” and that she will never get to see her. Celia perspective, she does want her sister to be happy.
begins to cry. Dorothea explains that she and Will are moving
to London. Celia remains upset until Dorothea says with
complete decisiveness that the wedding will take place. Celia
asks if Ladislaw is “very fond” of Dorothea, and Dorothea
replies: “I hope so. I am very fond of him.”
BOOK 8, CHAPTER 85
Mr. Bulstrode prepares to leave Middlemarch. He has been Mr. and Mrs. Bulstrode’s marriage is far from perfect, especially
tormented by the idea that Mrs. Bulstrode might think he is a considering the enormous secret that Bulstrode is now keeping from
murderer and plans to tell her the whole truth one day, though his wife. However, they are also proof that it is possible to have a
perhaps not until his deathbed. He has been very doting to Mrs. marriage that is both loving and flawed.
Bulstrode, whose hair has turned white from distress. He plans
to sell all the land he owns in Middemarch, and asks his wife if
there’s anything she’d like him to do before they go.

Mrs. Bulstrode thinks about it and asks if they could help At this point in the novel, loose strands of the narrative begin to be
Lydgate and Rosamond, who are also leaving the area. tied together. While not a conventional happy ending in any sense,
However, Bulstrode explains that Lydgate will not accept any there are glimmers of happiness that emerge through the
further help from him. He then suggests that instead they could characters’ accepting their fates and showing small acts of kindness
resurrect the old plan of installing Fred in Stone Court. He tells to one another.
Mrs. Bulstrode that she must propose it to Caleb Garth herself
and assure him that he won’t need to make any arrangements
with Mr. Bulstrode.
BOOK 8, CHAPTER 86
At the Garths’, Caleb goes outside to see Mary, who is playing Again, Mary and Fred’s “happy ending” isn’t perfect. Her family isn’t
with Letty. He asks Mary to walk with him, telling her that it thrilled with the match, and due to Fred’s financial circumstances
unfortunately may be a long time before she can get married. they will have to wait a while for the wedding. However, the “good
Mary says she is happy and doesn’t mind waiting, then asks if enough” ending is in a way more moving than a more traditional
Caleb is okay with her marrying Fred. Caleb says he won’t try happy ending because it is more realistic.
to change Mary’s mind if her decision has been made, and Mary
replies that she and Fred are completely devoted to one
another. Caleb then asks her what she thinks about Fred living
at Stone Court. Mary is stunned, saying “it is too good to
believe.”
Mary embraces Caleb, saying he is “the best man in the world.” Another moving aspect of this ending is the fact that Bulstrode’s
Fred arrives at the house, and while talking with Mary he misfortune ends up becoming the source of a great deal of
mentions that he hopes they will be married in two years. She happiness for Caleb, Mary, and Fred. Through generosity, it is
tells him the news about Stone Court, and Fred is so shocked possible to bring a silver lining to even the worst situations.
that he initially doesn’t believe her. Mary assures him it’s true,
and then tells him she loves him.
FINALE
The narrator notes that after learning about the lives of young The “Finale” contains a brief summary of the “good enough” endings
people, readers are likely to be curious about what became of Eliot constructs for her characters. One common aspect of all of
them. They note the frequency with which marriages can these endings is that the female characters all remain oppressed on
become disappointments after wonderful beginnings. Fred and the basis of their gender. In this case, Mary’s success as a children’s
Mary’s marriage is not a disappointment. Fred impresses the book author is tempered by the fact that she gives credit for her
community by becoming a “theoretic and practical farmer” who work to Fred. This reflects the grim reality for women in the
is widely admired in the agricultural industry, yet whose nineteenth century.
success is perhaps secretly the work of Mary. Mary publishes a
children’s book, for which people give Fred credit. Thanks to
Farebrother’s mentorship, Fred becomes a mature, serious,
and respectable man.

Fred and Mary have three sons. They are never wealthy, but The difference between Fred and Mary’s marriage and Lydgate and
they are able to buy the furniture at Stone Court, where they Rosamond’s marriage is clearly an issue of compatibility: Rosamond
possibly still live at the time of writing. Lydgate dies at the age and Lydgate never knew or loved each other like Fred and Mary did.
of 50, leaving Rosamond and their children well provided for However, Lydgate’s trajectory also shows that expectations make an
through his life insurance. Before his death he works in London enormous difference when it comes to success and failure. Lydgate’s
and Europe and writes a treatise on gout; his expertise in this life was not a failure from the outside, but his lofty ambitions made
area makes the family wealthy. Despite this, Lydgate always him see it that way.
sees himself as a failure who never managed to realize his
original ambitions. Throughout their marriage Rosamond
continues to frustrate him, although as they get older his
opposition to her desires steadily wanes.
After Lydgate dies of diphtheria, Rosamond marries an older, Despite the momentary revelation Rosamond had during her
wealthier doctor, who is fond of her and Lydgate’s four children. conversation with Dorothea at the end of the book, fundamentally
She calls this second marriage her “reward.” As for Dorothea, Rosamond never changes as a person. She remains shallow and
she never regrets giving up her fortune to marry Will, who resentful of Lydgate. This suggests that people are capable of
becomes a prominent political figure and Member of changing in minor ways, but that overall their personalities remain
Parliament. Many people think it is a shame that Dorothea ends consistent.
up “merely” a wife and mother, although it is not clear what else
she could have done. Mr. Brooke writes to Will and Dorothea
often.
One day Celia receives a letter saying that, after a dangerous The fortunes of the Brooke sisters, their husbands, and their uncle
pregnancy, Dorothea has given birth to a son. She is upset that are ultimately the best in the book. The fact that Celia and
Sir James won’t let her see her sister, but James immediately Dorothea’s love for one another means that their husbands
says he will take her the next day if she wants. Celia’s love for overcome the enormous divide between their lifestyles reflects the
Dorothea means that Sir James eventually gets over his novel’s general theme of political and social change. The country
resentment of Will and disapproval of Dorothea’s second continues to transform, thanks in part to the lives of people like
marriage. The couples begin seeing each other at regular Dorothea, who despite not being important or famous still make a
intervals, and their children become close. Mr. Brooke lives a big difference to the world.
long time; Dorothea’s son inherits Tipton Grange. The narrator
concludes that Dorothea’s life is far from perfect, but that her
unique spirit had a profound, if “hidden,” impact on the world.

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HISTORICAL CONTEXT EXTRA CREDIT

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attempt to win over Dorothea, and he has enthusiastically

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Book 2, Chapter 13 Quotes

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Book 2, Chapter 16 Quotes

Book 2, Chapter 17 Quotes

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life” to the latest scientific advancements of the time.

Book 4, Chapter 42 Quotes Related Symbols:

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Related Themes: Explanation and Analysis

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Related Symbols: Page Number: 648

Page Number: 553 Explanation and Analysis

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Related Themes: Related Themes:

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Page Number: 836 This disappointment is keenly felt by everyone around

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SUMMARY AND ANAL

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