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.
Awwee, I have a sister too that's two years younger than I am! I think this baby has really created a chasm between the two sisters. Celia is obsessed with Arthur and cannot get her baby off her brain to listen to and comfort Dorothea. Dorothea may never have children so she may never be able to sincerely relate to Celia. I don't think Celia's putting much effort into trying to relate to Dorothea. Their lives are going in two totally different directions.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, I am glad that Celia's child will grow up with a loving, caring mother. However, my heart aches for Dorothea in this situation. She is grieving her husband's death, and really has no one to help her. She does not have a child of her own. Will, in a way, is "off limits," and her sister is too preoccupied with her child. Personally, I would go crazy if I had to hold everything in like that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the lady above. I also do not believe that Celia realizes what she is doing to Dorothea.
ReplyDelete(Well I hope she does not realize what she is doing, and if she does, Bad Sister!)
The creation of a child represents the love and commitment a husband and wife have for each other and their future family. The fact that Dorothea no longer has a husband, she may never experience the joy of motherhood. Celia "baby blindness" is unfortunate to say the lest and is creating a potential rivalry between once very close sisters. The damage may not be able to be repaired if Celia continues flaunting the ideal life in front of Dorothea.
I would agree as well. It's beautiful to see that Celia has found her love with her child, and has the responsibility to raise it. A baby is truly blessing in my eyes and it can represent so many positive things, and can even lead the mother to opening new doors for their child. In this case, it seems that Celia as Brandie has stated above is going through "baby blindness" which she is. It will create tension between Celia and Dorothea and it will later become a competition.
ReplyDeleteThis post brings me back to a previous discussion held in class, about women being only as good as what their daughters, or son in Celia's case, become. By this logic, which I do think is triumphed through Celia, Mrs. Garth, and Mrs. Vincy.
ReplyDeleteNotice, too, that Rosamond's child has been miscarried and, well, Rosamond is quite a nasty, conniving, selfish human being. Hmmm!
But, what about the role of a sister? What does Celia's behavior toward Dorothea's distress say about female roles and their importance, or lack thereof? I think Elliot may be suggesting with Celia's behavior that family only matters when you don't have more than one. When a woman has a child and creates a new family, her old family, in which she was the daughter, is put on the back burner. Why is this?
Terrific post and discussion. In lots of ways, for Celia, having this baby (and fulfilling her traditional role) shuts off her ability to do other things, like be there for her sister.
ReplyDelete