Originally published in 1871-2, Middlemarch is renowned as George Eliot's most notable novel, known for its accurate portrayal of life in provincial England. Spanning across eight volumes, this story takes place in a town called Middlemarch, where multiple characters' lives and their complex relationships are intertwined.
While Middlemarch boasts a diverse and intricate cast of characters, the most prominent is Dorothea Brooke. At nineteen, Dorothea is an ambitious and intelligent woman, who, along with her sister Cecilia, is orphaned and currently living with their wealthy uncle, Mr. Brooke. Dorothea's enthusiasm for education and charity sets her apart, often conflicting with societal expectations for women.
Sir James Chettam, a wealthy landowner, is enamored by Dorothea, but she pays little attention to his romantic pursuits. Instead, Dorothea marries Reverend Edward Casaubon, a much older and highly educated man. She sees this marriage as a chance to continue her education and assist Casaubon in his studies. However, she is soon disappointed as her husband is more preoccupied with his own goals than her happiness. As a Victorian wife, Dorothea is expected to be submissive and obedient, leading to deep dissatisfaction in her marriage.
Mr. Vincy, the Mayor of Middlemarch, is another significant character, with two adult children, Fred and Rosamond. Both are deemed frivolous and shallow by society, with Rosamond's obsession with status and Fred's failure to complete his university degree. His luck seems to change, though, when he inherits a fortune from his childless uncle, Mr. Featherstone. However, Fred's recklessness with money and his involvement of Mr. Featherstone's niece, Mary Garth, causes her father, Mr. Garth, to lose all his earnings. This leads to Mr. Garth advising Mary against marrying Fred.
Dr. Tertius Lydgate, a newcomer to Middlemarch, has a passion for scientific pursuits and progressive ideas. However, the town's residents are skeptical of his ideas because of their resistance to change. His collaboration with Bulstrode, a landowner who shares his interest in building a hospital, leads to his encounter with Rosamond as he treats Fred. The two eventually fall in love, but their marriage turns out to be an unhappy one, with Rosamond finding Lydgate too absorbed in his work, and he sees her as self-centred and superficial.
Upon their return from Rome, Dorothea and Casaubon encounter Will Ladislaw, Casaubon's cousin, whose studies have been financially supported by him. Dorothea and Ladislaw's close friendship makes Casaubon increasingly jealous. As Casaubon falls ill, he adds a clause to his will stating that Dorothea will lose her inheritance if she marries Ladislaw. After Casaubon's death, Dorothea discovers this clause, feeling embarrassed as she had only considered Ladislaw a friend. However, Ladislaw does carry romantic feelings for Dorothea, but he keeps them hidden.
Meanwhile, Ladislaw plays a role in Mr. Brooke's unsuccessful parliamentary campaign. As he plans to leave Middlemarch, Dorothea confesses her love for him and renounces her inheritance. They eventually marry, despite facing disapproval from society.
Fred, feeling remorse for involving Mr. Garth in his debts, vows to improve himself and trains as a land agent. His determination and success allow him to marry Mary in the end.
Amidst the web of personal relationships and marriages in Middlemarch, Lydgate finds himself caught up in a scandal. A man by the name of John Raffles arrives in town and reveals Bulstrode's shady past, which involves the unjust acquisition of another family's inheritance, one of whom is Ladislaw. As Bulstrode's guilt unfolds, so does Ladislaw's connection to the matter, causing tension between the two men.
Through its diverse characters and their intertwining lives, Middlemarch offers a comprehensive exploration of ambition, marriage, and societal expectations during the Victorian era in England.
George Eliot's masterpiece Middlemarch presents a bittersweet finale for its characters. The "Finale" section of the novel brings closure to their storylines, with some experiencing joyful resolutions while others face heart-wrenching endings.
The marriage between Dorothea and Ladislaw, despite sacrificing their inheritance, remains strong and leads to a happy life with their son who will one day inherit Mr. Brooke's estate. Fred and Mary also find lasting happiness in their marriage and have multiple children to complete their family.
However, for Lydgate and Rosamond, their story takes a dark turn. After the community discovers Lydgate's involvement in Bulstrode's corrupt dealings, he is ostracized and forced to leave town. This ultimately leads to the deterioration of his relationship with Rosamond and his early death at the age of fifty. Rosamond eventually remarries a much older physician after Lydgate's passing.
The final outcome of the characters in Middlemarch reflects the societal and social issues explored throughout the novel. As a work of social realism, Eliot uses her storytelling to address the pressing concerns of the Victorian era.
Social realism is a subgenre of realism that focuses on everyday activities and features realistic plots and relatable characters. However, it specifically delves into the societal and social issues of the time. Other renowned works in this genre include John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men (1937) and F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (1925).
One of the issues Eliot tackles in Middlemarch is the limitations of marriage for women in the Victorian era. Through Dorothea's character, she highlights the constraints placed on intelligent women and their ambitions when faced with a traditional and dominating husband. The town of Middlemarch, where the story takes place, also serves as a significant character. With its close-knit community and gossip-spreading tendencies, it symbolizes the judgmental and resistant society of the time.
Lydgate's story showcases the consequences of the town's conservative nature and reluctance to change. This leads to his and Rosamond's downfall, possibly commenting on the societal pressures and prejudices faced by Eliot herself, who lived unmarried with a married man, George Henry Lewes, for most of her life.
George Eliot, born Mary Ann Evans in 1819, rose to fame as a novelist and adopted a male pen name to be taken seriously as an author and to separate her work from her unconventional personal life. She had a privileged upbringing, with access to an extensive library and a quality education.
Eliot's radical ideas on religion and lack of faith developed during her youth, as she moved in intellectual circles in Coventry where such ideas were discussed. She began her professional career as a translator and journalist but found success as a novelist after meeting George Henry Lewes. With his encouragement, she began publishing her works, ultimately becoming one of the most renowned realist writers of the Victorian era.
Victorian author George Eliot is celebrated for her compelling novels such as The Mill on the Floss (1860), Middlemarch (1871-2), and Daniel Deronda (1878). She also wrote notable short stories and poems, although they may not be as widely studied in modern times.
Eliot's personal life was not without controversy, as society harshly judged her relationship with George Henry Lewes, who was estranged from his first wife but not legally divorced. Despite this, they lived together as husband and wife from 1854. Such a situation was deemed unacceptable according to Victorian morals. Lewes passed away in 1878, and Eliot followed two years later in 1880.
One of Eliot's most acclaimed works, Middlemarch, delves into various themes that remain significant even today.
In the novel Middlemarch, author George Eliot explores the theme of marriage, portraying a variety of relationships and their intricacies. These marriages often bring struggle and unhappiness for the women involved as they battle against societal expectations for Victorian wives.
An example of this can be seen in the marriage of Dorothea and Casaubon, which quickly turns sour. Dorothea, driven by her desire for intellectual opportunities, marries Casaubon, not out of love but out of a sense of duty. Eliot paints a sympathetic picture of Dorothea, highlighting the challenges she faces as a woman in Victorian society. She sees her marriage as a chance to expand her knowledge and intellect, activities deemed unsuitable for women during this time. However, her hopes are crushed when she realizes that Casaubon only cares about his own ambitions and not hers. Dorothea is forced to suppress her true self and conform to the role of a traditional wife, a common situation for women in that era.
On the other hand, Dorothea's second marriage to Will Ladislaw is a much happier one. Their union is based on genuine love and attraction, a stark contrast to Dorothea's loveless marriage with Casaubon. Despite having more freedom in this relationship, Dorothea is still expected to adhere to the societal norms of a Victorian wife. As a result, she is unable to fulfill her dream of helping the less fortunate, as such pursuits were not deemed suitable for a married woman at the time.
"A woman dictates before marriage in order that she may have an appetite for submission afterwards." (Chp. 9)
This quote from the novel's narrator appears before Dorothea and Casaubon's marriage, highlighting the expectations placed on women in marriage during that era. This theme is repeatedly observed in Middlemarch, as women are expected to play an active role in courting their future husbands but are then expected to be submissive and perfect once married. This is a struggle that Dorothea continually faces.
The marriage between Rosamond and Lydgate is also doomed to fail. Eliot portrays the couple's lack of understanding and communication, as Rosamond is primarily concerned with appearances and social status. She marries Lydgate mainly for his family's respectability and strives to fulfill the role of a perfect Victorian wife. However, Lydgate is consumed by his work, leaving Rosamond feeling neglected. Eliot effectively portrays the challenges and complexities of marriage in Middlemarch.
Aside from exploring the impact of marriage on women, Middlemarch also delves into the importance of community. The novel portrays the dynamics of a small town in the late 1820s and early 1830s, set in the 1871-2 era when the book was published. The author offers a retrospective view of the community during this time.
Class plays a significant role in this community, as characters are judged based on their social standing and the corresponding expectations. Those who deviate from their designated class are met with harsh judgment. For instance, Rosamond's marriage to Lydgate is primarily based on his family's social status, and she disregards their personal incompatibilities and his lack of wealth. Rosamond is solely concerned with the societal status that comes with being married into a respected family.
The novel also highlights the speed at which gossip and scandal can spread in a tight-knit community like Middlemarch. The community is quick to judge others and often set in their ways, as seen through Lydgate's experience. Even though he is not involved in any scandal himself, he is still linked to the notorious past of Bulstrode, causing the community to view him negatively and forcing him and his wife to leave the town permanently.
Middlemarch remains a thought-provoking novel that offers valuable insights into the dynamics of marriage and community during the Victorian era. Eliot's portrayal of the challenges faced by women during this time continues to resonate with readers, making the novel a timeless and enduring classic.
During the Victorian era, a talented writer using the pen name Mary Ann Evans, also known as George Eliot, made waves as a highly successful and influential realist author. Among her literary achievements, Middlemarch stands out as a masterpiece in the social realism genre, delving into the complexities of life and relationships within a provincial community.
Widely hailed as a seminal work in the realism genre, Middlemarch captures the essence of the human experience with its honest and accurate portrayal. Eliot's skillful weaving of love, life, and community into the narrative resonates with readers, making it a highly beloved novel.
Middlemarch is the creation of George Eliot, the pseudonym adopted by Mary Ann Evans. With her powerful and poignant writing, Eliot rose to become one of the most distinguished and accomplished realist writers of the Victorian age.
While avoiding imposing any specific conclusions, Middlemarch delves deep into the intricacies of the human condition. Through her masterful storytelling, Eliot showcases the complexities of life and relationships, offering readers a profound understanding of the world.
Set during the Victorian period (1837-1901), Middlemarch is undoubtedly a true Victorian novel. It accurately reflects the societal norms and values of the time, providing a window into the challenges and triumphs of individuals and communities during that era.
Middlemarch is a shining example of a realist novel, featuring a believable and relatable plot filled with everyday events and experiences. This authentic representation of life in a provincial town adds depth and realism to the novel, solidifying its place as a timeless classic in the genre of social realism.
