Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 3

Notes on Middlemarch

Elliots comment on Theresa figures applied to Dorothea shows that her ardour
alternated between a vague ideal and the common yearning of womanhood; so that one
was disapproved as extravagance, and the other condemned as a lapse.
Her eagerness to know the truths of life is counteracted by her childish ideas about
marriage [10]; the ideal husband is a kind of father.
She easily gets impressed by Casaubons desire to recreate the past as it was; she does
not see through his pomposity which makes him speak as if making a public statement
as the narrator comments. [18]
The narrators comment that she wanted to wander on in that visionary future without
interruption; the adjective visionary carries connotations of illusion.
She feels ready for a voluntary submission to a guide. [29]
When her uncle tells her of his apprehensions she says that Marriage is a state of
higher duties. [41]
The narrator brands Casaubons love confession as frigid rhetoric or cawing of an
amorous rook; Dorothea unable to see this supplies the things left unsaid. She even
finds Casaubons house all that she could wish. [74]
She is ready to attribute her bout of crying during her honeymoon to her own spiritual
poverty [192]; the narrators comment on her inability to probe into her situation.
[145]
Her disagreement with Casaubon, which reveals to both of them their illusion
concerning their marriage. [200 ]
Her disillusionment is emphasised on her return to Lowick Manor where everything
looks different. [273-4]
The feeling of mutual understanding that she feels with Will Ladislaw. [363]
Her first feeling of hate towards Casaubon. [426]
Her realisation that she she was to live in an emotional tomb. [475]
Following Casaubons question whether she would as he wished after his death she
decides to submint herself completely. [481]
Being informed of Casaubons codicil in the will her whole concept of the world
changes; she feels repulsion for Casaubon and she thinks of the possibility of Will
becoming her lover. [490, 493]
Her desire to see Will makes her return to Lowick [539]; their conversation before
Wills leaving; trying to convince herself that he has to go; her thoughts about his
leaving [548].
Again afraid to confront the reality of her emotions. [632]

- 1-
Wills indirect wooing [633]; her feelings after his leaving; her joy from being aware of
his affection for her and her acceptance of their parting. [634-6]
Having seen him with Rosamond she admitts to herself that she loves him. [786]
She finally succumbs. [812]

LYDGATE AND ROSAMOND


On introducing him, the narrator comments on human beings as a cluster of signs for
[someones] false suppositions.
The general impression is that he wasnt a common country doctor. This will
prove both true and false.
From a very young age he was one of those who felt they were meant for
something; his idea that books were stuff, and that life was stupid is indicative of
his illusion. [142-3]
The narrators comment on people who, despite their intention to alter the world,
shape themselves after the average; This change is so subtle that it is barely
perceptible; it is brought about by the influence of society at large or from a womans
glance. [145]
The narrators phrase he meant to be hints to the reader that his intentions will
be frustrated. [146]
His faults are that he is a little too confident and disdainful; the complexion of his
prejudices. [149-50]
His affair with M. Laure in Paris shows that he had two selves within him which
must learn to accommodate each other. [152]
In his first trial, which had to do with the place of the pastor at the New Hospital, he
acts not freely but taking into consideration his personal interest.
His favourable opinion of Farebrother
His inner debate; feeling being caught up in the threadlike pressure of social
conditions and in the grasp of petty alternatives.
His voting for Tyke decides the issue, which remained a sore point in his memory as
a case in which this petty medium of Middlemarch had been too strong for him.
[187]
His intention not to marry for the next five years; his being amply informed by
literature in the issue of love and marriage.
Rosamonds feelings; the narrators comment that for her the internal life of
Lydgate wasnt important and she saw marriage as a rise in rank. [166]
Lydgates attitude during Freds illness, when he played the game of being a little
in love and Rosamonds inability to distinguish flirtation from love. [267]
Lydgates idea about femininity is for a woman to adore a mans pre-eminence
without too precise a knowledge of what it consisted in. [268]

- 2-
The narrators ironic comment on Lydgates vanity which leads him to make the
fatal visit that the Vincys where he will find himself engaged. [300-1]
His belief that he had found perfect woomanhood; an accomplished creature who
venerated his high musings and momentous labours and would never interfere with
them. [352]
His realisation that Rosamond does not like his profession. [458]
His realisation of his deception during the Captain Lydgate episode which
culminated in Rosamond losing their baby.

- 3-

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi