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Middlemarch


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(1871-2)

Dorothea Brooke, a young woman of impeccable character, marries the embittered Mr. Casaubon, who almost immediately dies. Eliot takes the reader through a labyrinth of nineteenth-century morals and conventions as Dorothea searches for fulfillment and happiness.
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What is wonderful about George Eliot's Middlemarch is that she translates her previous fables (Silas Marner, The Mill on the Floss) into the fates of an entire community. The clashes of different fates are like the War of the Worlds, in her massive morality.--Submitted by Anonymous.


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Recent Forum Posts on Middlemarch

Themes & concerns of Middlemarch

Hi Everyone, I want to know the major themes & concerns that run through middlemarch,Please answer in details.Thanks Rupal

Posted By Rupal at Sat 23 Jan 2010, 10:05 AM in Middlemarch || 1 Reply

Italians with white mice

After Dorothea finds out about the codicil that Casuban created against Dorothea marrying Will Ladislaw she is talking to her Celia and her sister says to her, of the idea of her marrying Ladislaw: Mrs. Cadwallader said you might as well marry an Italian with white mice! and the phrase is repeated two more times in Dorothea's reflections to herself: Why should be compared with an Italian carrying white mice? An Italian with white mice! -- on the contrary, he was a creature who entered into every one's feelings, and could take the pressure of their thought instead of urging his own with iron resistance. Being so often repeated the phrase must have some particularly significance. I wondered is this meant to be an allusion to The Woman in White by Wilike Collins, and Count Fosco with his infamous pet white mice? I found it strange that no sort of foot note was provided to explain this passage. Yet out of context of The Woman in White it really does seem to be quite nonsensical and holds little meaning or that I can see. Unless it was just some sort of strange common Victorian adage?

Posted By Dark Muse at Sun 6 Dec 2009, 1:52 PM in Middlemarch || 2 Replies

Middlemarch Discussion

I have decided to start reading Middlemarch and it seems like the kind of book that would be profitable and interesting to disscuss while reading, so I thought I would open this thread for any who may be interested. There are no deadlines or due dates for reading, and you can join in at anytime and post as we read along. It is only asked if you have finnished the book to post SPOILER warnings if you will be giving anything away. so enjoy!

Posted By Dark Muse at Thu 10 Sep 2009, 11:14 AM in Middlemarch || 43 Replies

Middlemarch debt avoidance therapy

One of the things that really impacted me was the effect of debt on Dr. Lydgate's life. Because of not really planning out finances with his future wife and spending carelessly he had to give up his career dreams. Another character with money trouble was Fred Vincy - his debt was smaller yet he learned a hard lesson from it. This is something very relevant to the current economic situation.

Posted By aloe at Tue 28 Jul 2009, 8:51 PM in Middlemarch || 0 Replies

George Eliot - Middlemarch

Hi, I would like to know how this book compares to The Mill on the Floss - how it compares in terms of difficulty, interest level, romance, etc. The size of it is intimidating, but I got through Mill for a class and loved it; in fact, I was almost in tears by the end. I have actually had Middlemarch in my library for years, but have never had the perseverance to get past the first two pages (lol), of which I am somewhat ashamed, because this is like one of the greatest books ever! Any input and encouragement would be lovely.

Posted By kittykat125 at Wed 3 Jun 2009, 6:15 AM in Middlemarch || 1 Reply

woman's question in Middlemarch, George Eliot

hey guys...i need help with an assignment...the topic is "woman's question in Middlemarch"....pls write in your suggestions....need to submit it within two days....::crash:

Posted By dia01 at Tue 19 Feb 2008, 5:39 AM in Middlemarch || 7 Replies

Women's Question in Middlemarch!

Hi Guys, I just finished reading Middlemarch. I loved it and hated it too . As much as dorethea appealed to me i cant help but be swayed by Mary and her clear headedness. And i got to think that who is actually the heroine of the novel. What did eliot think and if she is even interested in giving us a heroine or is it silly to read like that. Also i was wondering about the women's question in the novel? With respect to the times it was written, what does eliot want to convey about the women in the novel. Can any of you shed light on this for me What do you guys think.

Posted By UpasnaK at Tue 8 Jan 2008, 10:45 AM in Middlemarch || 1 Reply

Middlemarch

I have a question about George Eliot’s Middlemarch, but because I am only on Ch. 3 I beg of you, please no spoilers! This book seems very satirical to me. In the preface Eliot warns that a Saint Theresa born into an environment with fewer opportunities for heroic martyrdom will seem ridiculous, but even with that in mind, Dorothea seems a caricature. And not only Dorothea, but all the other characters seem equally absurd. Eliot’s other characters in other novels seem so realistic compared with those in Middlemarch. Am I reading this correctly or am I allowing my personal opinions to color my perception?

Posted By Psycheinaboat at Fri 9 Feb 2007, 7:34 AM in Middlemarch || 5 Replies

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The book just forces us to realize the conflict of ideal and reality.

Posted By richard tillich at Tue 24 May 2005, 5:07 PM in Middlemarch || 1 Reply

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What is George Eliot's real name?

Posted By gryffinKat at Sun 27 Jul 2003, 12:00 AM in Middlemarch || 8 Replies

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