Money, Sex, and Disease in Middlemarch

"And yet they will all feel warranted in making a wide space between me and them, as if I were a leper! My practice and my reputation are utterly damned... Even if I could be cleared by valid evidence, it would make little difference to the blessed world here. I have been set down as tainted and should be cheapened to them all the same" (697).

In today's reading we see the consequences for Lydgate's unconscious transgression in taking Bulstrode's now "dirty" money. I can't help but notice in the language here (which I've italicized) connotations of disease, money, sex and the seemingly identical ostracism which results from the murkiness of these transactions in peoples lives. I'm thinking along the lines of Sontag's Illness as Metaphor here-- that ignorance surrounding the nature of differences or the gaps in people's knowledge creates the ground for moralistic othering behavior-- perhaps as a primitive mechanism for protecting the group -- at the abberent individual's expense. I think it's especially telling that Eliot chooses keepers of the cultural knowledge-- the Christian Moralist and the Modern Doctor to suffer at the hands of the system.

Discussion Questions for 2/29

1. Why has Dorothea stood up for every man in this novel, but never for herself? I remember a girl who wanted to build cottages and learn Latin.
2. I find it odd that Lydgate didn't further investigate Raffles' sudden, seemingly unpremeditated death. I realize he was just excited to have his debt paid off, but if he is the medical man he says he is, why wasn't he so concerned that his modern medicine failed? Do you think he subconsciously knew he was being paid off?

Discussion Questions 2/29

1. After Lydgate advises Bulstrode to keep the ailing Raffles away from alcohol, Lydgate eventually gives into temptation and provides the housekeeper with the keys to the wine cellar. Do you think that this this action is premeditated murder or do you think that Bulstrode honestly felt bad for the man?

2. Do you think that Lydgate understood the real reason that Bulstrode suddenly offered him money or do you think that Lydgate is naive? If Lydgate suspected that the money was to silence him, what does that say about the portrait of his character that Eliot has given us throughout the book?

Questions for 2/29

1. I understand that Rosamond meddles in things that she possibly shouldn't, but why oh why can't Lydgate just listen to her? Why will he not just leave Middlemarch?

2. I feel like Lydgate has come a long way since he voted for Tyke to please others. Helping Bulstrode out of the town meeting comes at a great cost to himself. Is Lydgate getting more caring or careless?

Communication Disconnect

     This lack of communication between the characters is kind of infuriating. No one says what they really mean or what they really want to say. The social catastrophe involving Lydgate and Bulstrode is a huge example of this. Mrs. Bulstrode has to visit one person after another until her brother, Walter Vincy, finally fills her in. At first, I thought that this was due to the fact that the people of Middlemarch didn't want to snoop and meddle into things that didn't concern them. But then I thought, "Wait a minute! These people love to snoop and gossip! They just don't want to appear as snoopers and gossipers."
    Neither Bulstrode or Lydgate are man enough to tell their wives that they screwed up (or that people at least think they screwed up). They both let other people do the dirty work for them. Bulstrode even says on page 707 in chapter 74, "He had looked forward to her (Mrs. Bulstrode) learning the truth from others, and had acquiesced in that probability, as something easier to him that any confession."
      Okay, I understand that Bulstrode's and Lydgate's pride is shot and they're embarrassed, etc., but I still think its incredibly disrespectful not to enlighten their wives on something that equally affects them. I understand that they both feel like failures in the eyes of their wives. Maybe they were just trying to hold off the inevitable truth for as long as they could.

Discussion Questions 2/29

1. I tend to feel that Bulstrode's karma is cathing up to him, are all the unfortunate events just that wrong place wrong time or Bulstrode getting his just desserts?

2.Why must Dorothea stand up for Lydgate? I understand that with Causabon's death Dorothea has been elevated to another status within the rankings of Middlemarch. Why must she feel the need to interfer in such a emotionally messy situation?

Discussion Questions 2/29

1. Money and status are very important to the characters in Middlemarch. What if everyone in the novel suddenly became a part of the lower class? If they did not have jobs, money, fancy clothes, homes, and jewelry, how would they react? What would they value if money and status were no longer part of their lives? Would they be more hardworking or more lazy? Would they get along more or resent each other more?

2. Dorothea, Will, Rosamond, and Lydgate... Obviously there are some issues among the four of them. There is a lot of relationship tension and jealousy in this group which makes so many problems and feelings arise. How do you think the various situations could have been improved? Would more communication make the problem better or worse?

Discussion questions for 2/29 (Leap Day!!)

1. Reputation means everything in Middlemarch! A sullied reputation can interfere with future marriage prospects, business dealings, and can even destroy friendships. Do you think people today worry about and protect their reputations just as much as the people of Middlemarch did?

2. Why do you think Dorothea is the only one to defend Lydgate and give him the benefit of the doubt?

Feminine Masculinity

I think it is interesting how Eliot talks about the gossipers who are involved in spreading the news about Bulstrode's past. She includes some very interesting references to both the male and female characters as she introduces some new characters with very distinct attributes. For instance, Mr. Limp is the "meditative shoemaker with weak eyes and a piping voice (678). Mr. Hopkins, the "meek-mannered draper," needed to talk to men because he usually only dealt with women (672). And then there are the "horse men." Mr. Bambridge talks about horse business with Mr. Hawley. These men are clearly manly men. Why does Eliot make the distinction between the types of people who begin to talk about Bulstrode? Do they all have flaws (all except Will Ladislaw, of course)? These few pages seem full of descriptive passages about their personalities. Is Eliot trying to get the point across that all people have flaws, or is there something else run afoul in Middlemarch?

Maybe I talk about horses too much

Listen, horses scare me. I think I'm beginning to realize why, as a feminist, horses have always frightened me. It's a little crazy, but so I am, so bare with me. (At least I know Jeannie will probably appreciate my insanity!)

In the beginning of chapter 57, Fred is walking to Lowick Parsonage, and the narrator shares his inner thoughts with us: "(he had begun to see that this was a world in which even a spirited young man must sometimes walk for want of a horse to carry him)" (701).

INTERESTING how Rosamond has miscarried because of a horse but Fred wishes he had one so he wouldn't have to walk, conveniently during his time of unemployment and general bastardry. Is the horse a symbol of the patriarch that Fred can't seem to grasp, and yet is given chance after chance after chance?

In the next chapter, Rosamond has been a disobedient wife and what has been given in return? A miscarriage, due to the riding of a horse. Am I connecting the dots, or are there no dots to be connected?

She is of course scolded by her husband: "You will not go again, Rosy; that is understood. If it were the quietest, most familiar horse in the world, there would always be the chance of accident" (717).

Also, I believe this is the painting my brilliant pregnant peer (I'm sorry, I don't remember your name, I am horrible) referenced the day we talked about Fred's lemon of a horse: http://www.1artclub.com/uploads/09-0039.jpg

Eliot the satirist?

One of the questions I have been continually debating throughout the book is why do Eliot's characters have such extreme, unhappy endings? On the one hand, I feel that Eliot is attempting to look at British society through a realistic point of view, as she points out flaws and addresses the need for change. On the other hand, I think that there are times in the text where Eliot's commentary takes on an ironic, almost humorous tone of voice. So I must ask the following question: is Middlemarch an attempt by Eliot to satirize society? One of the best pieces of contextual evidence to support the idea of Middlemarch as a satiric novel is when the characters examine Dorothea's options after Casaubon's death. Eliot first provides the reader with the "correct" or "acceptable" course of action by suggesting that Dorothea should re-marry. For example, Mrs. Cadwallader notes that a second husband would provide Dorothea with a sense of order and and duty: "It will be well for her to marry again as soon as it is proper . . . I clearly see a husband is the best thing to keep her in order" (570). Mrs. Cadwallader's proposal mirrors Celia's point of view and is continually emphasized throughout the scene. The reader knows, however, that the attempts are fruitless, as Dorothea has a mind of her own and abhors the idea of a second husband. James also shares an opinion with Dorothea and presents the counterargument that marriage is not a plausible solution to this case. So why do the female characters so feverishly advocate the idea of marriage? I think the answer lies in the fact that marriage clearly does not work for Dorothea and Eliot knows that the reader has formed the same conclusion at this point in the book; thus, Eliot is utilizing a mix of humor and critique to comment on marriage in English society--the quintessential definition of satire.

Middlemarch and Illness

The character map we made in class the other day is very helpful in trying to follow the plot of this book, especially when trying to read in a cold and flu medicine induced haze. However, I found a better one online that I wanted to share with everyone. http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll252/Nickelini/MiddlemarchRelationshipMap.jpg

I was particularly interested in the customs of mourning after Dorthea loses her husband. Celia does not want Dorthea to wear a mourning cap. So I did a little research of what was considered appropriate. In England, women were expected to wear full black for a year after their husband's death. Then there would be a second morning for 6 months where the woman does not need to wear a mourning band or black veil. A third mourning where a woman can wear jewelery, as long as its black then starts. The final morning takes place for another 6 months where a woman can wear grey, lavender, mauve, and black-and-grey. This comes to a total of 2.5 years. I was not able to find out what the requirement was for men. Talk about a double standard.

The Train, the Church, and Caleb Garth.

"Well, there's this to be said, Jane,' Mr. Solomon concluded, lowering his voice in a cautious manner --'the more spokes we put in their wheel, the more they'll pay us to let them go on, if they must come, whether or not" (520).

This exchange, particularly the "if they must come" part, for me highlights the nature of the discomfort all of the Middlemarchians feel at one point or another in the text-- the inevitability of having to make decisions about what is important in this new era of the scientific, industrial middle class. This “anxiety about change” idea has been played out in Lydgate’s modernization of the medical institutions of Middlemarch and the town’s resistance and subsequent punishment of Lydgate’s business. But what I think this quote suggests, because of who says it and who is at work behind it, a turning point in the town’s consciousness. 
 The old system is represented in this quote by the old church that Caleb Garth is proposing to build a train track through, literally welcoming opportunity down the tracks. Caleb Garth, a town native, a universally trusted face and a worker is suggesting that the town will gain more than it will lose in the destruction of this parochial figure of simpler times. He is whistling the tune of both collective and self interest and for the first time, some other relevant native body, Mr. Solomon, appears to be listening.

Dorothea's Struggle with Dealing with Casaubon's Death

With the death of Casaubon it hit me hard, not because I was upset that he had passed, or that I expected it, but the way Dorothea might be feeling. Though their marriage wasn't the greatest she still loved him and it showed regardless of how he treated her. I'll be honest I did get teary eyed as I read that he had passed because Dorothea reminded me of myself 4 years ago. Ryan (My fiance) passed away the weekend before our wedding, everything was planned and everything was looking up, I thought things would turn around, and one by one every piece would somehow come together. Boy, was I wrong. When you lose someone that your extremely close to..a part of you goes with them. You feel pain, with every thought, and often times you wish you could just hear his voice or see his smile. This is only the begining for Dorothea and every little reminder will make her think of what used to be. But it will also open so many doors; one thing that happened to me was that I found a new meaning to life and to what it meant to be happy even if you had to smile through the hard times. One thing I like about Dorothea is that she is strong and for now being a widow it might make her bitter, and even keep her from having that close relationship with Celia, it will shape her character in such a positive way. Going through something like this helps you mature and brings confidence into your life, yes that confidence took half the time but it brought me to where I am today.

What the heck?

Why is everyone so paranoid about poor Will? I realize that there is a class distinction between Will and many of the other characters in Middlemarch, but this is really getting ridiculous. Is it realistic to believe that Casaubon's words could carry that much meaning to so many people? Personally, I find it hard to believe that such things could occur in the real world. Everyone except Dorothea seems to treat Will poorly, and it's gotten to the point that Dorothea is afraid to speak to him or about him. Even Mrs. Cadwallader is plotting to marry Dorothea off soon so that any scandal between Dorothea and Will can be avoided (ch 54). I just don't understand why other people's lives are such a big deal to all of these characters in this small town. Find something better to do!

Lydgate....checkmate.....

    So, originally I disliked Rosamond, however; after her little in your face moment with Lydgate about finances and "her" jewellery my opinion has shifted. I truly thought Rosamond was a bubble headed tit whom was just filling a character role for storyline filler. Now I see the opposition Rosamond provides within the story. Rosamond is a gossipy, meddling, disobedient wife. Completely different than our ideal wife of Dorothea and even Celia. Rosamond confronts her husband about matters that truly do not concern her as a woman of the time and even ignores the " man of medicine" that he is, by staying off the damn horse. 

Rosamond is the evolution of feminism in this time held up with in a house. Poor Lydgate, when he tries to be the "man" and dictate Rosamond is ready to throw down. "We can go nowhere without money, Rosamond."(500) "Rosamond sat perfectly still."(500) They continue back and forth, then Rosamond leaves and returns, " She carried the leather box containing amethysts, and a tiny ornamental basket...."(501). "This is all the jewellery you ever gave me. You can return what you like of it,..."(501).  I just thought, WOW, after reading that. I have yet to see a interacting like this between a female character and a male character since Jane and Mr.Rochester this semester.

In that scene I felt like I was watching an old episode of Batman, like, "POW", "KABOOM", "YELP", should be flashing in front of my eyes. I am interested in seeing where this relationship is headed but I feel it is headed for blood shed.

Casaubon

Ding dong the old man is dead. But in true Casaubon nature, he couldn't even die without causing a problem.  His codicil is his last fist-shaking moment at Ladislaw.  I do feel bad that the man died alone, on a bench, but really, he was just a manipulative mean old(er) man that I didnt feel that bad for him.  His marraige was a sham, and his jealousy issues matriculated into everything he did.  He fabricated a scenario into his head that his wife wanted to be with ladislaw, which poor Dorothea wasn't even aware of herself. He put so much effort into trying to keep Dorothea and Ladislaw apart, that I believe it is what eventually brings them together. I do see that his efforts were all becuase he in some way felt inferior to Ladislaw, most people only act out that way when they feel threatened.

Thank goodness for a sexless marriage.

At the beginning of today's section (pages 503-504), Celia and James are discussing the new baby and Dorothea's situation. Celia says, "And if she had a baby, it never could have been such a dear as Arthur. Could it, James?" He replies, "Not if it had been like Casaubon." There is so much truth in this statement. Trying to imagine the child of Dorothea and Casaubon is almost painful. That kid would most likely be a miniature of his father- uptight, rude, snobbish. On the other hand, he could completely reject his father after seeing the interactions between his parents. Kids are surprisingly perceptive. I think Casaubon Jr. would notice how Casaubon Sr. treats Dorothea. He would probably also notice how Will Ladislaw treats her, and perhaps he would find a fondness for Will (I know I have, teehee). He might even consider Will to be more like a father than Casaubon. Either way, whether he's a Casaubon clone or just simply confused about his parents, I think it's better that he was never born in the first place.

Side note: I keep trying to combine "Casaubon" and "Dorothea" to give this kid a name, kind of like how Brad and Angelina became "Brangelina." So what do you think? Casauthea? Dorobon? Any thoughts? :)

The Widow and The Wife and The Baby

The relationship between Dorothea and Celia reminds me of the relationship that I have with my sister. I am two years older than my sister and we are very close. I know that if one of us experienced the death of a spouse, then we would support and love each other through the healing process. In Middlemarch, however, Celia’s relationship to her son overtakes everything and makes it difficult for Celia to support Dorothea. Celia does not properly comfort her sister because she is preoccupied with the baby. In one scene, Dorothea is obviously upset, as she “cast[s] her eyes down meditatively on her crossed hands” (543). Celia seems not to notice, as she exclaims, “Look at him!” (543). Then, when Dorothea cries, Celia says, “Don’t be sad, Dodo; kiss baby.” Celia is too preoccupied with her child to comfort her sister. Celia thinks that “baby” will make Dorothea happy. I think that Celia’s intentions of helping Dorothea are good. She just wants her sister to be happy, but is shoving a baby in her face the right way to do it? Probably not.

In another example, after Celia tells Dorothea of Casaubon’s will, Celia says, “But I must just go and look at baby” (544). Instead of comforting her sister or letting Dorothea vent (like I would have done), Celia tends to her own motherly duties. 

I find it interesting that Celia’s baby is in most scenes, if not every scene, with Celia. The narrator wants to make us quite aware of the child’s presence. The narrator inserts phrases like, “Celia was nursing her baby” into the narrative (610). Eliot is demonstrating how motherhood can be rewarding, but also oppressive in some ways. Celia seems very happy with her child, but she also has to give up her time with Dorothea in order to be a mother. “Baby” becomes the center of Celia’s world.

Discussion Questions for 2/22

1. Its interesting how both Rosamond and Celia are having babies, but not Dorothea. Why do you think Eliot decided against a pregnancy for Dorothea? (Eww, yeah, I don't want to think about her and Causabon getting it on either, haha)

2.  Do you think Will Ladislaw truly loves Dorothea for who she really is? Or do you think he loves the fantasy that he's created around her? Or might it be a bit of both?

Discussion questions for 2/22

Discussion questions

1. Causabon's codicil in his will forbidding Dorothea to marry Will is selfish on many levels. Perhaps the worst way that it could affect Dorothea's reputation is the implication of her budding affair with Will, which, if we believe her (and I do), wasn't budding at all. What reasons do you think Causabon decided to include the codicil in his will? Specifically, were they reasons of love or greed, or some other emotion?

2. What in the world does Mary Garth love so much about Fred? Does anyone in this society truly know what love is? When did love become about butterflies in the stomach and not about who's rich or has a rich family?

Questions 2/22

1)Why is money powerful? Why is money a burden? Consider the characters of Dorothea, Lydgate, Ladislaw, Bulstrode, and Casaubon.

2) There are a lot of secrets and gossip throughout Middlemarch, how does this drive the plot? Also, do you think that Elliot is trying to say something about society?

Discussion Questions 2/22

1. Casaubon gets very jealous of Dorothea's time with Will Ladislaw. He seems to want her all to himself, but when he has her, he seems to want nothing to do with her. Why does he do this? Is he trying to isolate her? Is he trying to keep up his reputation of a successful man with a faithful wife? Or is he just acting like the selfish,, greedy child who refuses to share?

2. Many characters in this novel claim to love one another, even after very short periods of time. What constitutes love for most of the characters? Which characters do you think are truly in love and which ones are not? If they are not, why do you think they claim to be?

2/22 Discussion Questions

1. Dorothea is noticeably shaken when she discovers that Causaubaun wrote a clause in his will to disinherit her if she marries Will. What do you think Dorothea's reaction reveals about her true feelings? Does she love Will or is she mad that a man once again tried to assert authority over her life?

2. The reader learns that Mr. Riggs plans to sell Stone Court to Bulstrode. Why do you think that Eliot chooses to make this connection between an unknown hier and a rutheless banker? Do you see this as a critique on British society or mearly as a commentary on individual characters?

I Do Love Will Ladislaw

Will Ladislaw is an important character in Middlemarch for more than one reason. Not only is he a handsome foil for Casaubon, he certainly lightens the mood whenever he is present, but he helps Dorothea truly see her situation. Dorothea is more than willing to help Casaubon with whatever he "needs." But Casaubon doesn't think Dorothea is a worthy assistant. He belittles her on a number of occasions. The latest incident that involves Will is a turning point for Dorothea. Before, she may have shrugged off Casaubon's comments as to her infallibility, but now that Ladislaw is in Middlemarch and appears to be an innocent victim of family injustice, Dorothea sees Casaubon for who he really is, a jerk.

When Dorothea recollects how Casaubon refused to make concessions to Ladislaw she thinks to herself, “she was in the right and her husband was in the wrong, but she was helpless” (446). She goes on to say “now it appeared that she was to live more and more in a virtual tomb, where there was the apparatus of ghastly labour producing what would never see the light” (446). I think this is the first time that Dorothea truly recognizes what Casaubon is and she is depressed by the thought of having to spend the rest of her life with him. But, in the next day or two she is right by his side helping him with his “work.” Does she feel sorry for him? Does she still feel it is her duty? I guess she is stuck in this relationship…Yuck.

China Patterns

In class on Friday, I had mentioned that I vaguely remembered Dr. Shurbutt saying something about china being paralleled to a woman's virginity.  I searched my book, and finally found the passage from Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock in which a "china vessel" / woman is ruined:

"Then flashed the living lightning from her eyes,  / And screams of horror rend the affrighted skies. / Not louder shrieks to pitying heaven are cast, / When husbands, or when lapdogs breathe their last; / Or when rich china vessels fallen from high, / In glittering dust and painted fragments lie!"  (Canto 3: 155-60)  

I found this an interesting recall based on the excerpt on page 331 where Lydgate is telling Mrs. Vincy about the china he purchased.  Part of Mrs. Vincy's response to Lydgate's description is, "I trust in heaven it won't be broken!"  Lydgate responds, "One must hire servants who will not break things."  I found this to be a very telling passage based on the "broken china is a symbol for a ruined woman" theory.  It's almost as if Mrs. Vincy is warning Lydgate not to ruin her daughter.  I haven't quite decided if Lydgate is agreeing to treat Rosamond with the utmost care, or if Mrs. Vincy's poetic plea went right over his head, because he is, after all, a man of science (331).  Obviously, these comments come after Rosamond and Lydgate's discussion of their engagement and upcoming forbidden marriage; and on the heels of a very steamy encounter between Lydgate and Rosamond.  I'm almost positive that the china in this passage refers to Rosamond, and the desire to keep the china unbroken refers to Rosamond's chastity.  Thoughts?

Questions and cartoons

As I've mentioned before, my mind wanders sooooo much when I read this book. It takes me a very long time to process everything because focusing is so hard... so maybe I missed the whole point completely. Maybe this is a "duh!" moment, but I am curious...
This was inspired by Brandie's post about Rosamond. I also feel bad for Rosamond because she has to rely on Lydgate and her father for money. I'm sure that occurred with many women back then. This thought reminded me of the part in the novel when Mr. Vincy considered renouncing his blessing of their marriage. Lydgate and Rosamond decide to speed up the marriage process, and he starts purchasing stuff for their new home. However, he spends his savings and starts buying on credit.
Now, maybe my lack of focus messed with me and I missed this part completely, but does Rosamond know that he did that? Is she aware that he had to buy on credit? Or is she completely oblivious? In a way, I can kind of picture her not knowing a thing and just assuming that she will be taken care of, no matter what.



Also, after today's discussion of the "kissing away tears" thing, I drew a cartoon.  Enjoy! :)

(If you can't read it, he is saying "Don't be sad. I shall kiss away your tears" to which she replies "Eww..." And the cute little tissue box says "Pick me!")

To Be A Trophy "Wife"...or to just be a "Trophy"

Being a trophy wife is something I will never do and though I'm attracted to guys who are 2-3 years older than me, being 22 and dating or (gag) being married to someone in their 40's would go against so many things I believe in. I'm aware that people say that "age is just a number" it's happened to me before, but do they know that a jail is just a cell? This is what bugs me about Dorothea and Mr. Casaubon. He's a lot older than she is, and they both are at different places in thier life. It seems that Mr. Casaubon wants nothing to do with her nor would give her the time of day and of course Dorothea takes it because it's the "womenly thing to do" I wouldn't be with a man because he wanted me as his trophy, rather than his wife, and if I would meet someone like that he would get a straight big kickin' somewhere, where he wouldn't want it. The importance of self-worth and womenhood back then wasn't supported nor brought to the attention of the people. It was expected of the women to do and say what the man wanted. When I think of trophy, I think of something you win---in a sporting event...not in marriage. A wife shouldn't be placed on this damn pedestal for men to drool at or a form of property. Marriage should be something totally different--it's when you feel passion, protection, honesty, loyalty, to find someone who can be your best friend and who can make you be yourself when around them...not in the situation like Dorothea and Mr. Casaubon. If you google "trophy wife" the definition explains that it's someone "young and attractive" THAT'S IT!! It doesn't describe the qualities, the talents, or anything...oh and don't even bring up the images of a trophy wife!!!!! It makes me sick!

Oh the female woes

I often wonder the mindsets of families with daughters. In Middlemarch, and the time the novel took place, women from non-working class families are, in a general sense, raised to be wives and mothers.  Rosamond knows what she wants out of life:. She wants to become a member of the aristocracy, and she thinks a marriage to Lydgate will provide this. But her marriage to Lydgate is not what she expects. Her upbringing and education do not prepare her for the hardships all married couples experience. It is almost like Rosamond is raised to be a failure at what she is expected to be in life. How is it people can expect women to succeed in life, especially the life that they were breed for, and was chosen for them, not by them, if they are not given the necessary tools to succeed. I realize I am looking at this from a modern point of view, but I still find it frustrating.

Oh, Rosamond..honey get a JOB!

After reading the required chapters,I started feeling, well, bad for Rosamond. If the definition for "kept woman" ever needed to be personified it would be Rosamond. The poor girl, she has never been educated or prepared to support herself, nor even been educated to think about money. Her fate is left in the hand of men, either Lydgate's or her father. Rosamond has only vague notions of Lydgate's income. She just assumes that he is wealthy because he has aristocratic relations. Her only notion about money is that it will be provided when she wants or needs it. The decisions regarding a woman's support or future in this situation essentially take place between men.

Nosy Neighbors

What is the significance that so much can be seen through windows and across lawns? Everyone in Dorthea's house can watch everything that happens during Featherstone's funeral procession without being seen themselves. In fact, people had come from out in the country because "the news had spread that it was to be a 'big burying'." The characters are all interested in what occurs in others' lives. Almost no one is satisfied with their own "side of the fence" as it were. The town of Middlemarch sort of becomes its own character as dozens of eyes watch everything that occurs. The characters cannot go about their daily lives without the worry of what someone else will see or say.

Casaubon's Trophy

I might be beating a dead horse, but the relationship between Casaubon and Dorothea can be chalked up to nothing more than a typical older man/younger woman relationship.  He wanted a trophy, and like many of the women I've read about, Dorothea married Casaubon because he was more of a father figure to her than anything.  He admired how submissive she was to him, how eager she was to learn from him to please him.  He finds, however, that she has a strong will and she's opinionated, much to his frustration.  Her relationship with Ladislaw is increasingly frustrating to him, and he becomes jealous.  I myself have never been interested in old guys, but I imagine this is a typical problem that these relationships run into.  Dorothea is unhappy with his lack of interest in her, except to have her learn from him.  I found it humorous how calculating he was when he decided to marry;  he was disappointed to find that he didn't experience the bliss he thought he would.  Such is the problem when you marry for all the wrong reasons

Discussion Questions 2/15

The two discussion questions I have for this part of the book pertain to Fred. Fred seems to be a misguided, irresponsible man.  Instead of owning his responsibility and repaying his debts, he turns to others to solve the problem for him.  He relies on Mary's father instead of his own family, and he gambled with with money he received from Caleb on another horse!  I find in frustrating that he just digs himself a deeper hole and incurs more debt.

My second question is, why are the Garth's so helpful to Fred? They put themselves in a struggling trying to help him, even after he has blown through the money Caleb originally gave him.  Again, I find that the characters in this book create problems for themselves. 

Oppressive Freedom

Last class, a question was brought up regarding why many characters in this book seem to marry others that are completely wrong for them. As I was thinking about this question, I began to think about how the characters choose their potential partners. In the cases of Dorothea and Rosamond, both girls are given advice on whom to marry (or whom not to marry, rather). Mr. Brooks suggests to Dorothea that Casaubon may be a little old for her. Dorothea disagrees and marries him despite Mr. Brook’s suggestion. For Dorothea, marriage does not turn out the way she expected. Likewise, Mr. Vincy expresses concern to Rosamond that Lydgate is too poor to marry. Rosamond, however, says she loves Lydgate and will marry him anyway. We can see already that Rosamond and Lydgate’s marriage is most likely in trouble. They are already experiencing financial hardships.

In the cases of Dorothea and Rosamond, both receive advice from parental figures, but do not listen. Because they make their own decision, life doesn’t turn out so well for them. At first, it seemed odd to me that Eliot would make this assertion. Why, in a book dealing with women’s freedom, would you give female characters the power to make a decision and then life turn out poorly for them? Wouldn’t it make much more sense for the women to make their own decisions and then their decisions to be great? As I began to think about this issue more, however, the phrase “oppressive freedom” kept coming up in my mind. Maybe Eliot is trying to say this: Although women have freedom to make decisions, like choosing a marriage partner, the prospects of choices can be oppressive. For example, the men these women have to choose from, or the institution of marriage in general, is oppressive. (Do any of the men in this book seem like marriage material?) Women have the freedom to choose, but in reality, their choice does not give them much freedom at all.

Oh Mr. Feathrstone. . .

One of the most interesting things about Middlemarch is that Mr. Featherstone dies without giving a sufficient last word. After a frantic plea to Mary to burn one of the wills, Mr. Featherstone fails to explain the bizarre request and dies. The reader later learns that the second will provides an unkown Jason Riggs with all of Mr. Featherstone's belongings. According to the law, the second will takes precedent over the first will; thus, Fred is disinerited. The existence of two wills raises more questions than answers. First, who is Jason Riggs and how does Mr. Featherstone know him? Second, did Mr. Featherstone truthfully intend to disinherit Fred or was there more to the story than meets the eye? Despite the lack of concrete evidence, I think that Mr. Featherstone's frantic reaction on his deathbed shows that he made a mistake and did not wish to disinherit Fred.The most interesting thing about the scene, however, is that Mary refuses to comply with Mr. Featherstone's request to burn the will. Although the reader is lead to believe in Mary's good intentions, a part of me wonders if she denied the request to get back at Fred for putting her family in ruin. If Mary truly "loves" Fred, shouldn't she have been a bit more concerned?

On a final note,I think Mr. Featherstone's last line should have been: "Mary, I messed up."

Questions for 2/17

1. Did you find Lydgate's compulsive engagement to Rosamond to be realistic? What moral conclusion do you think Eliot may be leading us towards with this pairing?

2. Is there significance to the fact that privacy seems so hard to come by in Middlemarch? Between Rosamond and Lydgate's relationship and Featherstone's funeral, all personal events seem wide open to casual scrutiny.

Discussion Questions: Feb 15th 2012

1. How is Fred interpreted in the book--what is his role and how does it change thus far?  What is your perspective of him?

2. Jealousy can be an ugly trait in a number of ways. While reading this book, you can see how jealousy can make a person cold, competitive and even immature through the course of their actions. Why do you think Mr. Causabon is jealous about the friendship that is being built? And how do you think he will act later in the book towards Dorothea?

Discussion questions for 2/15

1. I really love the father-daughter relationship between Mr. Garth and Mary! He is such a sweet and protective father and trusts in Mary's ability to make the right choices for herself. In chapter 25 on page 242, he and Mary are discussing Fred. He says to her, "Young folks may get fond of each other before they know what life is, and they may think it all holiday if they can only get together; but it soon turns into working-day, my dear."
     This is such a sound piece of advice! Marriage takes works. Do you think things would have turned out any differently for Dorothea had Mr. Brooke, her uncle, told her this very same advice?

2. Why do you think Mr. Causabon is so jealous of Will Ladislaw's budding friendship with Dorothea? He didn't seem fazed by Sir James Chettam's company in the earlier chapters.

Discussion Questions for Today

1. Once Fred discovers that he cannot pay back all of the money he borrowed from Caleb Garth, Caleb notes that he will pay the difference by taking funds from Mary's (his daughter) savings. This is not the first time in the novel where a female character must come to the aid of a male character. What you think this says about the relationships of men and women in both Middlemarch and Victorian society as a whole?

2. Rosamond frequently imagines a rich, vibrant future in which she and Lydgate are married. Do you think that Rosamond is fancying a life based on ideals or do you think Lydgate truly lives up to the "noble" character Rosamond portrays him to be?

Questions, Questions, Questions.

I have been doing some research on Middlemarch. I really enjoy knowing random information about the books and authors I am reading. I came up with two discussion questions, that are random, but got me thinking.
1)Middlemarch was orginally supposed to be called Miss Brooke. Why do you think Elliot decided to change the name?
2)Why do you think that Elliot refers to "egoism" so often in the book?

Fred is turning out to be quite manipulative. He manages to lose thirty pounds almost immediately after it is given to him, and then he has the gall to ask Mary Garth to beg Mr. Featherstone for some cash.

 1.      What is going on with Fred? Does the fact that he went to Mr. Garth right away to tell him he lost money that was loaned to him make him a more reasonable character or does he lose all credibility when he goes to Mary Garth?

2.      What does Mary Garth’s reaction tell you about the different classes in this Middlemarch society?