Friday, March 2, 2012
I Misplaced my Values....
Okay so after finishing this book, there are three things I have found to be constant. Money, class, and Reputation mean everything in Middlemarch. Maybe it's me, but since when does one's belongings, social ranking, and supposed "reputation" matter more than the relationships you have with people? Casaubon was obsessed with Dorothea marrying Lydgate after his death, and threatened to take away her inheritance (which should be doubled after putting up with his stingy self). Eliot wrote scathing descriptions of all the gossipy townsfolk, and it seems that EVERYONE has an opinion about how others should live their lives (Dorothea's James). This book would have been much more enjoyable had the characters lived for themselves, instead of others. They meddle where they don't belong, pass judgment on situations they have no right to even know about, and continue to create problems for themselves. I am not the type of person to concern myself with what other people do, quite frankly I have enough to deal with in my life, that I really don't have time for yours. These characters would benefit to adopt the same ideal.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is a good idea to stay out of other people's business and to not pass judgments. I don't think, however, the book would have been better if all the gossip and judgment was left out. The gossip parts of the book tend to be humorous. Plus, the book needs some sort of conflict in order to drive the plot 900 pages. Because Middlemarch is a small town, the gossip and opinions are inevitable. I think you make a good point though. It IS annoying that money, class, and reputation mean so much! Perhaps Eliot is trying to let her readers see how damaging this mindset can be.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea that reputation plays an important role in this book. One of the messages I think Eliot is trying to convey to the reader is that there is a difference between appearance and reality and in order to achieve success in life, one must be able to look past stereotypes to see the truth.Look at Dorothea, for example, who finally achieves happiness when she stops caring about what others think and starts to follow her heart.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more, Maria. I feel like that is one of the most important messages in the book, and to look pass all the stereotypes is half the battle. Most people in society are set in their ways and don't take the time to look pass what they see on the outside. Dorothea found her happiness within herself and was able to truly follow her heart and forget the ones who didn't agree with her, or even believed in her.
ReplyDelete