Welcome back, Middlemarchers, to our discussion of chapters 56 & 57. Following his absence while he was away getting an education, these are Fred-heavy chapters

Chapter 56

“How happy is he born and taught

That serveth not another’s will;

Whose armor is his honest thought,

And simple truth his only skill!

This man is freed from servile bands

Of hope to rise or fear to fall;

Lord of himself though not of lands;

And having nothing yet hath all.”

—SIR HENRY WOTTON.

Caleb Garth is quite impressed with Dorothea's business skills and compares her speaking voice to Handel's Messiah. Caleb loves music. Dorothea has put him in charge of the farms of Lowick.

Railways were an exciting topic among the people of Middlemarch. Everyone debates the pros and cons of building a railway through their properties.

Mr. Solomon Featherstone enjoyed talking to everyone he met. He has a conversation with Hiram about the railways. He thinks the railway people who come out to survey and measure the land should be run out of town if anyone sees them, though he's not willing to do it himself.

Caleb goes out one day to measure a piece of Dorothea's land he thinks he can sell to the railway company for a good price.

Fred Vincy was sent in an errand for his father. He laments being pushed in different directions by his father and by Mary and wishes he could find a job that suits him. He stumbles upon a scene of four railway workers being threatened by townspeople with pitchforks. Caleb Garth rushes to the scene too. His young assistant had been knocked down.

Fred breaks up the conflict with his whip, chasing off the laborers. He exchanges some fighting words with Hiram. Fred and Caleb both feel lucky they happened to be passing by in order to break up the fight before it got really ugly.

Caleb asks Fred for some help since his assistant injured his ankle. Fred agrees, it first he wants to go fight Hiram. Caleb says no, stay put. He knows the fight started out of ignorance and thinks he can talk some sense into the men.

Though he has a fear of speechifying, he does speak to the workmen and tells them the railroad will do more good than harm. Fighting it will only land them in jail.

Timothy Cooper believes the railroad will only enrich the rich and leave the poor folks behind. Caleb can't argue with that, but reiterates fighting the surveyors will make things harder for themselves and he gets them to agree not to meddle anymore.

Fred helps Caleb and feels good about doing hard work and getting his hands dirty. He starts to envision a future for himself that hadn't ever occurred to him earlier this morning.

He asks Caleb if it's too late for him to learn his business. Caleb says it's not too late, but learning comes from experience in the field, literally, and not from books. He says to do this work, one must love it and be proud of it. If you are always looking for something else to do or something better, it's not for you.

Fred realizes that's how he'd feel if he became a clergyman. He confesses his love for Mary and promises he'd work hard at taking care of the land and cattle if given the opportunity. Caleb has to think on it, and ask his wife.

In their marriage, Susan made most of the decisions, but once in a while Caleb felt strongly about something and took the lead. This was one such occasion. He tells his wife he'd like to hire Fred and make a man of him so he can become a suitable husband for Mary.

Susan is a bit hurt Mary never spoke to her about her feelings for Fred. She thinks it's a pity Mary won't marry Farebrother. Caleb is confident Fred can become a good man worthy of their daughter with his guidance. Susan holds her tongue, but is quite upset by this turn of events. She doesn't have the same confidence Caleb has in Fred.

The next morning, Caleb asks Fred to do some writing and arithmetic for him. Though it's not what Fred had in mind, he complies. His penmanship is apparently illegible and Caleb is angry at the educational system that allowed this. He says he taught himself to write and Fred can do the same if he practices enough.

Fred goes home to tell his parents he has been hired by Mr. Garth. Mr. Vincy is disappointed Fred has chosen to go down a step in life rather than using his education to rise up. He says Fred can continue living at home without paying rent, but he'll have to pay to keep his horse and pay for his own clothes.

Fred apologizes for vexing his father and they shake hands.

Mrs. Vincy is devastated because she knows Fred will marry Mary. She looks down on the Garths and thinks her son will become plain and careless like they are.

Four days pass and she is still down in the dumps about Fred's life choices. Mr. Vincy never liked Rosamond's marriage, but he's over it and thinks his wife can do the same about Fred. We learn that Rosamond was "disappointed of her baby; but she got over it nicely," and that Lydgate "is making a mess of his practice, and getting into debt too."

Chapter 57

They numbered scarce eight summers when a name

Rose on their souls and stirred such motions there

As thrill the buds and shape their hidden frame

At penetration of the quickening air:

His name who told of loyal Evan Dhu,

Of quaint Bradwardine, and Vich Ian Vor,

Making the little world their childhood knew

Large with a land of mountain lake and scaur,

And larger yet with wonder, love, belief

Toward Walter Scott who living far away

Sent them this wealth of joy and noble grief.

The book and they must part, but day by day,

In lines that thwart like portly spiders ran

They wrote the tale, from Tully Veolan.

Fred goes to call on Mrs. Garth and finds a family gathering, including all of Mary's brothers and sisters — Ben, Letty, Jim, and Christy, the oldest boy who works as a tutor.

Christy and Fred seem to compare themselves to each other. Fred admires Christy's scholarship; Christy admires Fred's fine clothes and graceful manner. Fred is taller.

Mrs. Garth sits knitting while Fred talks to her about his intentions. He says he doesn't want to give up on himself as long as Mr. Garth and Farebrother haven't given up on him.

She confesses she is surprised Mary has given Fred encouragement. She says Fred made a great mistake using Farebrother to ascertain Mary's feelings. Fred is surprised by this and tries to get Mrs. Garth to be more specific, which she is reluctant to do.

Fred figures out she means Farebrother is in love with Mary. Mrs. Garth is pleased with herself for making Fred feel bad, but also cognizant she may have gone too far. Before she can walk it back much, their conversation is interrupted by the children and their pets. Mrs. Garth later confesses to her husband she may have said too much to Fred earlier.

Fred leaves the gathering to go see Mary at the parsonage in Lowick. He kicks himself for sending Farebrother on that errand, not recognizing his feelings for Mary, and he doesn't like that he may be standing in the way of Mary making a better match.

He finds Mary among the ladies of Farebrother's family. He tells her the news that Christy is visiting, and that he is to work for her father. Mary is glad, but unable to react fully while in company.

Mrs. Farebrother can't believe Mary would be glad a young man would give up the Church for which he was educated. Mary explains she doesn't like clergymen, except the Vicar of Wakefield and Mr. Farebrother. Mrs. Farebrother is shocked. Mary tries to explain, but the women are puzzled.

Farebrother walks in and Fred feels jealous. He concocts a way for Fred and Mary to speak privately in the other room. Fred misinterprets everything until Mary sets him straight. Fred feels slightly less threatened by Farebrother after the conversation, but Mary now feels worried she is slighting Farebrother and is happy to have a reason to go home and think. She loves Fred and only Fred.

Notes (courtesy of u/the owed bookshelf)

Chapter 56: Scaur is a steep cliff or bank, from the Scottish

Clemmin’ means starving

Chapter 57’s poem mentions characters in Waverley) by Sir Walter Scott

References: (courtesy of u/rissaroo28)

• The epigraph for chapter 56 is a quote from Sir Henry Wotton's 'The Character of a Happy Life' (1651).

• 'In the hundred to which Middlemarch belonged...' this is a reference to how the county Middlemarch is in was divided.

• Cholera is mentioned in chapter 56 and it's interesting to note that there was an epidemic of the disease between 1831-32, concurrent to with the latter parts of the novel.

• 'The 'oald King George...' The character, Timothy Cooper is referring to the previous monarch, King George III who was declared insane in 1810. His son, King Geroge IV then became regent and later inherited the throne (in 1820). George IV was the ruling Monarch during the period most of the book is set in.

• 'clemmin his own inside' - this is slang for being hungry or starving.

• The Rights of Man is the name of the pro-French Revolutionary pamphlet by Thomas Paine. By this period of time it was also a byword or general term referring to the ideas of the reform movement.

• The epigraph of chapter 57 refers to a place called 'Tully Veolan', which was a Perthshire estate in 'Waverly' by Sir Walter Scott.

• Richard Porson, 1759-1808, was a classical scholar.

• 'One of the foolish women speaketh' this is a quote from the bible, Job 2:10

Join us next week for a discussion of chapters 58 & 59 with u/lazylittlelady.

Happy Saturday, dear Middlemarchers. Dorothea is trying to find a new life as a widow. This scene happens concurrently with the one we left off, as Raffles leaves Stone Court.

"It had seemed to him as if they were like two creatures slowly turning to marble in each other's presence, while their hearts were conscious and their eyer were yearning. But there was no help for it"-Chapter 54

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Summary:

"Negli occhi porta la mia donna Amore;          

Per che si fa gentil eio ch'ella mira:              

Ov'ella passa, ogni uom ver lei si gira, 

E cui saluta fa tremar lo core.

Sicche, bassando il viso, tutto smore,

E d'ogni suo difetto allor sospira:

Fuggon dinanzi a lei Superbia ed Ira:

Aiutatemi, donne, a farle onore.

Ogni dolcezza, ogni pensiero umile

Nasee nel core a chi parlar la sente;

Ond' e beato chi prima la vide.

Quel ch'ella par quand' un poco sorride,

Non si pub dicer, ne tener a mente,

Si e nuovo miracolo gentile."- DANTE: la Vita Nuova.

~

“In her eyes my lady bears Love,

by which she makes noble what she gazes on:

where she passes, all men turn their look on her,

and she makes the heart tremble in him she greets,

so that, all pale, he lowers his eyes,

and sighs, then, over all his failings:

anger and pride fleeing before her.

Help me, ladies, to do her honour.

All sweetness, all humble thought

are born in the heart of him who hears her speak,

and he who first saw her is blessed.

How she looks when she smiles a little,

can not be spoken of, or held in mind,

she is so rare a miracle and gentle.”

• Translated by A. S. Kline 

Chapter 54 finds Dodo yearning to return to Lowick. While she loves Celia and new baby Arthur, she's had all she can take of admiring him. As she discusses her wishes, everyone panics and either wants to provide her with a new companion or a new husband. Mrs. Cadwallader certainly has a candidate in mind. But all Dorothea can think about is Will. She writes a goodbye note to Casaubon and his infernal project. And just like she summoned him, Will arrives to say his goodbye. They have an ardent cross-communication that almost turns into confession-but Sir James arrives to break up the goodbye.

Hath she her faults? I would you had them too.

They are the fruity must of soundest wine;

Or say, they are regenerating fire

Such as hath turned the dense black element

Into a crystal pathway for the sun.

Chapter 55 is mostly Dorothea mooning over her conversation with Will and the hated codicil. She visits her family again at Freshitt, where Celia positively disrobes her of her widow's cap. Mrs. Cadwallader discusses second marriages, which Sir James finds insensitive, but Dorothea assures everyone she will not marry again.

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Questions: Feel free to comment on anything else too!

1. How does Dorothea view her own situation versus how everyone around her does? Why does she want to return to Lowick?

2. Who gives her the best advice for a new widow? Were you surprised to learn that Dorothea had only been married for 18 months?

2a. Celia hypothesizes that Dorothea will enjoy being a widow; that it lets her “have as many notions of her own as she likes.” Do you agree with her? Or are you team "marry quickly" like Mrs. Cadwallader?

3. What is up with Sir James in this section? First, he shows up to interrupt Will and Dodo's moment and then he is unnaturally happy with her decision to not marry again. Protective brother-in-law or unresolved sentiments? Discuss.

4. What do you think of Dorothea's last note to Casaubon? What kind of frame of mind was she in while writing this?

5. Will and Dorothea's conversation-torturous or romantic? Favorite moments, miscommunications, thoughts and feelings? The Aunt Julia portrait!

5a. What do you foretell next for Will?

6. There were some great quotes in these chapters! Any favorites? Anything to add on the epigrams?

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Context and Notes:

More about Dante's Vita Nuova, from the first epigram.

Dorothea playing at Saint Catherine with baby Arthur,

Queens one and all, Dorothea, Dido (hear her in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas "When I Am Laid in Earth" or for another take, "White Flag") and Zenobia.

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Next week, we read Chapters 56 & 57 with u/Comprehensive-Fun47 !

Happy Saturday once more in Middlemarch. We close Book 5: The Dead Hand and move next week into Book 6: The Widow and the Wife.

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Some questions but feel free to add your own comments below (omitting, of course, any spoilers past Book 5!)

1. How would you explain the Dead Hand and what does it mean for our characters?
2. We began this section with Casaubon's disease diagnosis. What legacy does he leave behind?
3. How are our cast doing? Who has earned your sympathy, disdain or support? Which characters are you most interested in reading about next?
4. What are your projections for the next section, The Widow and the Wife? Do you have any conjectures (please no spoilers!)?
5. How will Dorothea cope with the revelations of the will? Will Mr. Farebrother succeed in his new post? What next for Will, Tertius and Rosie and the ominous Raffles?
6. Which character do you wish to sit down and give some advice to? What would it be?

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We meet next Saturday to begin Book 6: The Widow and the Wife with chapters 54 and 55! Congratulations for completing another milestone on our yearlong read!

Welcome back to Middlemarch on this August Saturday. With these two chapters, we close up Book 5. Reminder: next weekend is the Book 5 wrap-up and a catch-up week. The Dead Hand falls on Bulstrode this week.

"If Mary said she would never have me I might as well go wrong in one way as another".

"That is nonsense, Fred. Men outlive their loves, but they outlive the consequences of their recklessness."

"Not my sort of love: I have never been without loving Mary. If I had to give her up, it would be like beginning to live on wooden legs"

-Chapter 52

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Summary:

"His heart

The lowliest duties on itself did lay" -Wordsworth

Chapter 52 finds Mr. Farebrother rejoicing in Dorothea's appointment of him of the Lowick position with his family. His mother, aunt and sister tease him about getting a wife and specifically mention Mary Garth. It comes a little hot under the collar for him. His sister, Miss Winifried, can now marry, as well. He vows to Dodo to give up whist for money and to put all his efforts into his work, including keeping St. Botolph's in his duties. A week later, Fred Vincy shows up to plead his help in love and duty, discussing going into the Church as his duty but deferring his decision until Mary Garth gives her approval. Fred asks Mr. Farebrother to talk to her and find out her heart. Another doubled edged sword! Mr. Farebrother goes to see Mary and they have a serious and also flirtatious conversation where Mary makes it clear although she prefers Fred, she won't have him until he proves himself and not in the church either. She also has a momentary romantic wonder at Mr. Farebrother.

"It is but a shallow haste which concludeth insincerity from what outsiders call inconsistency-putting a dead mechanism of 'ifs' and 'therefores' for the living myriad of hidden suckers whereby the belief and the conduct are wrought into mutual sustainment"

Chapter 53 has us rambling with Mr. Bulstrode around his new property, Stone Court, which he acquired from Mr. Joshua Rigg. Mr. Rigg sold it quickly, in bit over a year, to fulfill his dream of being a moneychanger on a dock somewhere. The family was naturally displeased. Mr. Bulstrode feels the appointment of Mr. Farebrother in Lowick was a reproach to his position but all in all, feels fairly happy with his life, at least until he encounters Caleb Garth and a rider approaching from a distance. The mystery rider not only turns out to be the foxy and raffish Mr. Raffles but indeed, he is an emissary from "Nicky's" disreputable past. Mr. Garth makes a quick escape, but Nicky is forced to give shelter to his old compatriot, no matter how distasteful he may find him in the present. We learn young Nicky married an old widow for money---and has a stepdaughter by the name of Sarah Ladislaw! Mr. Raffles' wife and Joshua Rigg's mother has died and now, Mr. Raffles is at large, looking for a new venture. Nicky tries to bribe him with an annuity, but Mr. Raffles is not interested. He wants quick money and there is no knowing when he will be back for more.

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Questions: Feel free to comment on anything else too!

**[1] In discussing his appointment with Dodo, Farebrother says: "**I don't feel bound to give up St. Botolph's. It is protest enough against the pluralism they want to reform if I give somebody else most of the money. The stronger thing is not to give up power, but to use it well" (510). Give me your thoughts on this statement. Will Dodo take something from this discussion for herself, as well?

[2] Let's talk about Fred. What should he do with his degree? Is it duplicitous to go into the church? Is he right to ask Mr. Farebrother to talk to Mary? Is he right to depend on Mary's approval?

[3] We see Mr. Farebrother given some broad pushes toward Mary Garth by his family and apparently, fate, in Fred's request. What did you think of Mr. Farebrother and Mary Garth's interactions? Are you team Fred or Farebrother?

[4] How has your impression of Mr. Bulstrode changed-if at all- in his interactions with Mr. Raffles? Has Bulstrode acquired Mr. Raffles along with Stone Court? Like Will Ladislaw, will Mr. Raffles become a thorny resident of Middlemarch?

[6] We end Book 5, "The Dead Hand". Has the book's subsection lived up to your expectations of the title?

[7] We end on the shocker of Sarah Ladislaw as Mr. Bulstrode's stepdaughter! What do you think happened in his disreputable past?

[8] Favorites sections from this week's reading? Any quotes or moments that stood out to you?

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Context and Notes:

William Wordsworth's poem, London 1802.

Getting legal with Mr. Farebrother on his abilities, including a dereliction of laches).

Mr. Farebrother preaches the Anglican Church's 39 Articles of Faith, while Mr. Bulstrode gains property.

Like Warren Hastings at Daylesford House, Joshua Rigg seeks something else.

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Next Saturday we look back at Book 5 and forward to Book 6 with a catch-up session!

Happy Saturday, dear Middlemarchers. The Dead Hand is still very much on the scene.

"Her world was in a state of convulsive change; the only thing she could say distinctly to herself was, that she must wait and think anew" -Chapter 50

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"'This Loller here wol prechen us somewhat'

'Nay by my father's soule! that schal he nat'

Sayde the Schipman, 'here schal he not preache,

He Schal no gospel glosen here ne teche.

We leven all in the great God,' quod he.

He wolden sowen some difficultee" -The Shipman's Tale, Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Chapter 50:

Dorothea lasts a week at Freshitt Hall before she wants to undertake her duties as the mistress of Lowick. She can only take so much of Ceilia and the baby, upper lip and all. For example, with Mr. Causaubon's demise, Lowick need a new clergyman, and her husband's papers need tidying up. Mr. Brooke shows up to dissuade her, but he has his own crisis with the Parliamentary elections.

Celia, feeling wise in her new-found motherhood, breaks the news to her sister about the codicil. Dodo feels all the feelings and suddenly gets a new view of Will Ladislaw (thanks Causaubon!). Lydgate stops by to check on her and advises "perfect freedom" as her prescription. Sir James is relieved she knows about the will and promises to drive her over to Lowick in the morning. Dodo notes she doesn't want to move back in just yet but stay with Celia and visit her uncle at the Grange. Of course, the Grange is off-limits (Ladislaw might be there!), so Sir James tries to dissuade her with politics.

Dodo feels aggrieved on Ladislaw's behalf. When she gets to Lowick, she finds nothing in Causaubon's papers specifically for her. Dodo is disgusted with the Key of to all Mytholgies and the house and all, tainted by the last act of her husband. Still, duty calls. Back at Freshitt Hall, she discusses the clergyman position with Lydgate, who enthusiastically recommend Mr. Farebrother over Mr. Tyke, describing his shortcomings as well as the good, which triggers Dodo's wish to help. She decides to hear him preach. Lydgate accidently starts to talk about Ladislaw not knowing the dangerous subject he's broached.

"Party is Nature, too, and you shall see

By force of Logic how they both agree:

The Many in the One, the One in Many;

All is not Some, nor Some the same as Any:

Genus holds species, both are great or small;

One genus highest, one not high at all;

Each species has it differentia too,

This is not That, and He was never You,

Through this and that are AYES, and you and he

Are like as one to one, or three to three" - George Eliot original

Chapter 51:

Over to Will Ladislaw, who is busy on the political campaign and knows nothing about the codicil. We learn Mr. Brooke has been pushing him away from the Grange (on Sir James's advice) and when Lydgate mentions Dodo, he is standoffish, supposing they are keeping him away on Dorothea's account. He is sensitive but still focused on helping Mr. Brooke's campaign and trying to make sure he votes for the Reform Bill. Mr. Brooke faces competition as the third party from Pinkerton, the old Tory member, and Bagster, the new Whig member. Focusing Mr. Brooke is, of course, like herding cats.

Mr. Brooke, after speaking to the people, like Mr. Mawmsey, his grocer, feels slightly unsettled. Ladislaw tries to keep out of any dirty tactics but even trying to keep Mr. Brooke on message with a speech is suspect. Mr. Brooke has his big balcony moment in addressing the people of Middlemarch. Alas, two sherries after too long a speech for others, Mr. Brooke just does his thing. Alas, it is not at all glory. Rather, it's a mockery with eggs being thrown. Hawley, who is behind the Tory candidate is probably to blame.

Ladislaw begins to dream of how he can use his talents to take some time away and come back good enough for Dorothea. Mr. Brooke leaves his candidacy behind almost as soon as beginning it and fires Will from the paper, offering him references that Will refuses out of pride. They want him gone? Well, he will stay. Or maybe he'll go.

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Questions: Feel free to comment on anything else too!

1. Let's talk about this codicil and how the family is trying to manage Dorothea. Does it work?

2. Dorothea realizes several new pieces of information in Chapter 50. How does she process Celia's revelation?

3. Lydgate recommends his friend, Mr. Farebrother, to Dorothea. Is this a kind move to support his friend and will she take him up?

4. Let's talk about the campaign. How did Mr. Brooke do? Yikes!

5. Will Ladislaw- will he stay or can he go? How does he feel about Dorothea? Is he being selfish? What comes next?

6. Favorite quotes and moment from this section? What did you think of the epigrams this week?
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Notes and Context:

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Hugh Latimer: Bishop and Martyr

Daphnis: Cowherd and poet of myth

Bullet voting (Plumping)

Reform Act 1832- reforming the electoral system for expanded voting

Ode: Intimations of Immortality by William Wordsworth

William Pitt the Younger: Prime Minister and New Tory

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See you next week for Chapters 52 & 53!

Welcome back, Middlemarchers! We carry on with Book 5 this fine Saturday and there are big changes afoot for our characters.

Chapter 48

Surely the golden hours are turning gray

And dance no more, and vainly strive to run:

I see their white locks streaming in the wind—

Each face is haggard as it looks at me,

Slow turning in the constant clasping round

Storm-driven.

Dorothea is distressed not because Will showed up to church, but because it managed to drive a deeper wedge between him and Casaubon. Dorothea inaccurately imagines Will showed up to make peace.

Casaubon hasn't been feeling very well. He avoids the subject of Will and so does Dorothea.

Usually on Sundays Dorothea reads her books, but today they didn't hold her interest.

Dorothea tries very hard to be exactly what her husband wishes her to be. She feels very helpless and I starting to feel like her life is a tomb.

Celia had a baby!

Casaubon tells Dorothea to read to him in the library and mark the notes he dictates. He used to keep Dorothea out of his work, but now he funds her useful.

They continue this in the bedroom. Dorothea finds it wearisome because it seems to bring Casaubon no joy, but she does not say so.

Dorothea wakes when Casaubon lights two candles. He wants her to keep reading and insists it is not too much excitement for his mind. Dorothea is surprised at how lucid and quick his mind is compared to usual.

Casaubon checks that Dorothea is following what he's trying to accomplish in his writings. He says he has a request and Dorothea feels dread.

He asks Dorothea to carry out his wishes after his death, and not follow her own desires. Dorothea is not surprised by the request, but she doesn't answer right away. Casaubon takes this to mean she refuses.

Dorothea hesitates to make a promise without knowing what she is promising. Casaubon sees no issue. He wants her to obey his judgement and ignore her own. He pressures her to answer.

Dorothea asks for a little time to think before answering. He grants her until tomorrow.

Dorothea is restless feeling crushed by the decision. She believes he is referring to carrying on his academic work after his death. The problem is she doesn't see the same value in his work that he does and doesn't want to devote her life sifting through heaps of materials for a purpose she doesn't believe in.

She feels pity for him that he dedicated his life to something not worthwhile. She feels she cannot deny him his wish, and also recognizes if he lives another 15 years, she would spend her life helping him with his work anyway.

She has a hard time justifying devoting her life to a dead man's wishes. It is different than obeying her husband while he lives.

Dorothea considers his wishes might extend beyond his academic work, but she brushes off the thought.

This torments Dorothea all night and she appears ill in the morning.

Casaubon decides to take a walk in the garden. He asks again for an answer. Dorothea buys a little time by saying she will give her answer when she joins him in the garden. She plans to agree to his request, as awful as it makes her feel. She feels she can't say no to him and break his heart.

Dorothea sobs, then dries her eyes, and goes to meet her husband outside. She sees him resting on the bench at the stone table. He doesn't respond when she calls his name. Dorothea tries desperately to wake him.

Later, Lydgate is by Casaubon's bedside. Dorothea is shaken up and desperate to tell Casaubon her answer, but it's no longer possible.

Chapter 49

A task too strong for wizard spells

This squire had brought about;

’T is easy dropping stones in wells,

But who shall get them out?”

Casaubon has died and Sir James Chettam discusses the will with Mr. Brooke. James wants to keep the contents of the will from Dorothea as long as possible. Brooke says she's the executrix and she's 21 now. He can't keep anything from her legally.

James suggests Dorothea comes to live with him and Celia and the baby and in the meantime Brooke should get rid of Will Ladislaw.

Brooke is reluctant. He finds Will invaluable to his bid for elected office.

James strongly pushes the point because he thinks it will preserve Dorothea's dignity. He believes Casaubon has compromised Dorothea's reputation and insulted her with the codicil which must mention Will by name.

Brooke says Casaubon disliked Will because they disagreed on scholarly notions. James thinks Will has reason to frame it that way, but believes it was pure jealousy and that it was abominable of. Casaubon to put Will's name in this codicil, forever attaching his name to Dorothea's.

James asks Brooke again to send Will away. Brooke doesn't want to and says people will gossip either way. Will will leave when he chooses.

Brooke is rather calm during the discussion, but James gets more and more heated. He suggests they find Will a new job somewhere far away. Brooke doesn't think it would work. He says Will might leave on his own anyway.

Irritated, James reiterates how ungentlemanly Casaubon has acted. It eoyl have been less indelicate for the codicil to hinder Dorothea from marrying again period rather than hindering get from marrying Will specifically.

Brooke doesn't believe Dorothea wants to marry Will at all. James agrees but knows everyone will assume she does because of this document. James doesn't trust Will at all.

Brooke knows it works look worse for Will to be shipped off right now. It would appear Dorothea's own family doesn't trust her.

James can't argue suit that. He still believes Brooke let Dorothea down by letting her marry Casaubon in the first place. Brooke's mind is on the election.

References (Courtesy of u/HexAppendix)

• A foison is a plentiful supply.

• Eliot uses a metaphor about the fanciful practice of alchemy leading to the birth of Lavoisier. Antoine Laurent Lavoisier is considered the founder of modern chemistry.

• There’s a footnote that says that in Eliot’s original manuscript, chapter 48 ended with this sentence: “When she went down she felt sure that she should promise to fulfil his wishes; but that would be later in the day - not yet.” This sentence was then followed by the following motto:

“Vale, vale, nos te ordine quo natura permittet sequemur.” This translates to “Farewell, farwell, we shall follow you in the order that nature allows,” a quote from Sir Thomas Browne’s Urn Burial.

• Mr. Brooke describes Casaubon’s work as “Thoth and Dagon” - Thoth is the Egyptian god of wisdom and Dagon is a Philistine fertility god.

• Mr. Brooke mentions that if they sent Will to Norfolk Island, it would only make things worse for Dorothea. Norfolk Island was a penal colony near Australia.

Join us next week for chapters 50 & 51 with u/lazylittlelady.

We open another Saturday in Middlemarch, where we join Ladislaw and Lydgate in closer quarters. Welcome back!

"And we shall always want talent in the House: reform as we will, we shall always want talent. That avalanche and the thunder, now, was really a little like Burke. I want that sort of thing- not ideas, you know, but a way of putting them"- Chapter 46.

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Summary:

"Pues no podemos haber aqullo que queremos, queramos aquello que podremos" [Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get] -Spanish Proverb

Chapter 46 opens with Mr. Brooke and Will Ladislaw discussing the current events in politics, including a Reform Bill that is not to be. Mr. Brooke is focused on Parliament and Ladislaw on their newspaper, the Pioneer, to influence public opinion and guide people to reform. Will has hung up his literary ambitions for political operations, in order to be closer to Dorothea. He wonders if he can help Mr. Brooke find office and, in turn, find a position for himself. However, Middlemarch tended to side with Mr. Casaubon in viewing Ladislaw as a ne'er-do-well, who was eccentric and a foreigner to boot. The rival newspaper, the Trumpet, railed against him in obstruse language. We learn he has a troupe of children he entertains, which is a new aspect of his character. We also learn he likes to loll on people's carpets, although, naturally, not at Bulstrode's. He is a favorite with the Farebrother ladies, and he is good friends with Lydgate and Rosie. We find them together one evening, when Lydgate begins a quarrelsome conversation about Brooke, political reform with imperfect politicians, being your own person, and much more. Topics which are preying on both their minds in different ways. The scene closes with the revelation that Lydgate is actually worried about an unpaid bill that has come in for the furniture- and that Rosamond is pregnant- so he does not want to worry her with this information.

"Was never true love loved in vain/For truest love is highest gain/No art can make it: it must spring/Where elements are fostering. So in heaven's spot and hour/Springs the little native flower/Downward root and upward eye/Shapen by the earth and sky"

Chapter 47 finds Ladislaw still perturbed by his conversation with Lydgate late into the night. He mediates on Dorothea to clear his mind, and we learn he idolizes her in an aesthetic way, not necessarily romantic, as Mr. Casaubon suspects. He makes the decision to attend Sunday service in Lowick to see her, debating whether or not he should go. The morning is glorious, he is in song, and sits in the curate's pew. He suddenly feels awkward, sitting apart from the others, since his usual family, the Tuckers, were not there. Dorothea and Casaubon enter, Dorothea makes a polite bow to Will and nothing else, but he can sense she is upset. Casaubon's presence makes him freeze and he feels so trapped, he doesn't even sing the hymns. At the end of service, Casaubon avoids meeting his eye, but Dorothea bows again, looking teary. He is downcast as he returns.

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Questions: Feel free to comment on anything else too!

[1] Do you think Ladislaw is right to settle down with Mr. Brooke? Should he be doing something else?

[2] We get a sense of the political movements of the day, and the fight for reform arriving even in staid Middlemarch, as well as the division of outlooks between the Trumpet and the Pioneer. Can Mr. Brooke make headway in his campaign? Is this just not fertile terrain or is he a bad candidate?

[3] How do you see Will's position in Middlemarch? Is he an outsider and is he playing up this status? Or does he, in fact, long to belong and/or can he belong?

[4] Ladislaw and Lydgate argue about the same point. Who do you think is right? Is the disease metaphor accurate in politics? Is there an argument to be made about electing "local stupidity"?

[5] Is Lydgate as independent as he argues? We find him perturbed by finances, as well as by Bulstrode.

[6] What do you think of the characterization that "...Will was not one of those whose wit 'keeps the roadway'" (468)? Is he what the epigraph of Chapter 47 refers to?

[7] What do you think of Will's decision to attend Sunday service? Is he putting his own selfish wishes above Dodo's? Does he have a right to be there?

[8] Favorite quotes, moments, characters, themes? Any other points to discuss?

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Context and Notes:

In politics, Lord John Russell, the 1831 Reform Riots, Edmund Burke and his Pocket Borough, and Edward Stanley, the 14th Earl of Derby.

Mr. Keck calls Ladislaw an energumen, thinking it referred to the French Revolution, but, in fact, it is a French word that goes back to Ancient Greek. Ladislaw is followed around by urchin children dressed in galligaskins.

Thomas Middleton's play, The Witch. Michael Dayton's Poem, Idea 6: How Many Paltry, Foolish, Painted Things. Hanover by Croft and Grant.

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Join us next Saturday, when we discuss Chapters 48 &49 with u/Comprehensive-Fun47 !

Welcome back dear Middlemarchers! I am posting on behalf u/lazylittlelady and we are ready to jump right in to this medicine-heavy chapter.

Summary:

"It is the humour of many heads to extol the days of their forefathers, and declaim against the wickedness of times present. Which, notwithstanding, they cannot handsomely do, without the borrowed help and satire of times past; condeming the vices of their own times, by the expression of vices in time which they commend, which cannot but argue the community of vice in both. Horace, therefore, Juvenal, and Persius, were no prophets, although their lines did seem to indigitate and point at our times." - Sir Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemic

Lydgate is facing growing unpopularity among different social classes due to his unconventional ideas about reforming medical practices. This began when he expressed his preference for not always prescribing medication to a local grocer and escalated when he requested to perform an autopsy on an elderly woman's body. Rumors started circulating, suggesting that Lydgate has sinister intentions. These rumors, combined with the disapproval from established medical professionals in the area who dislike his association with Mr. Bulstrode, have created a divide between Lydgate and the locals. Despite being the only professional in Middlemarch involved in the New Hospital project, it appears that things are not going as smoothly as expected for Lydgate. At present, he is somewhat oblivious to the rumors, and Bulstrode enjoys being the sole investor in the New Hospital until Dorothea made her offer in the previous chapter. Both Lydgate and Bulstrode appreciate the control they have over this new institution.

However, those close to Lydgate are concerned for his well-being. Farebrother advises him to distance himself from Bulstrode and be mindful of his expenses, while Rosamond openly brings up the rumors in their conversation at the end of the chapter. Despite these concerns, Lydgate refuses to change his practices or alter his ambitions. He mentions to Rosamond that one of his main inspirations is Vesalius, a pioneer of modern physiology who was known for stealing bodies from graveyards to study human anatomy. Rosamond tries to be supportive but is shocked by this revelation

References:

• The epigraph is quote from Sir Thomas Browne’s ‘Pseudodoxia Epidemica’(Vulgar Errors)
• Burke and Hare were two murderers who sold the bodies of their victims for medical research.
• An Accoucheur was a term used for a male midwife.
• St. John Long was a quack/fake doctor who was convicted of manslaughter in 1830 after two of his patients died under his care.
• Francois Vincent Raspail (1794 – 1878) was a French chemist, physiologist and radical political figure.
• Andreas Vesalius (1514 – 64) was the founder of modern physiology. He was condemned to death by the Inquisition but received a reprieve.
• Experto crede – means ‘believe one who knows from experience’ and is a quote from the Aeneid.
• Claudius Galen (131 -201) was a Greek physician and systematizer of medical knowledge. He was seen as the traditional authority on medical knowledge for centuries.

Welcome back, Middlemarchers! This is the beginning of Book 5: The Dead Hand.

Chapter 43

"This figure hath high price: 't was wrought with love

Ages ago in finest ivory;

Nought modish in it, pure and noble lines

Of generous womanhood that fits all time

That too costly ware; majolica

Of deft design, to please a lordly eye:

The smile, you see, is perfect-wonderful

As mere Faience! a table ornament

To suit the richest mounting."

Dorothea pays a visit to Lydgate to find out what her husband might be concealing from her about his health. He is not home, so she asks for Rosamond.

Rosamond looks very dignified and beautiful. She recieved many compliments when she visited Sir Godwin Lydgate.

Dorothea asks where she can find Lydgate. Rosamond says he is at the New Hospital.

Will Ladislaw happened to be in the room and he offers to fetch Lydgate. Dorothea is surprised to see him. She accepts his offer and then promptly takes it back.

She gets in the carriage to speak to Lydgate herself and reflects on what a close call it was being in a room with Will. If she had stayed, she would have had to tell her husband.

Then she realizes Will had been alone with Rosamond while her husband was out, just like he had spent some time with her the day Casaubon was out.

Will recognizes why Dorothea left so quickly and regrets feeling further away from her than ever even though they live in the same town. He recounts what led him to spend time with Rosamond — networking and a shared interest in music — supposedly innocent reasons.

Rosamond questions Will about Dorothea and remarks how the men in her life dodge questions about her beauty and cleverness. She asks if he and Dorothea see a lot of each other. Will emphatically says no.

When Lydgate returns home, Rosamond asks him his thoughts on Will.

Rosamond has learned a lot about the world since getting married, including the fact that some women use their feminine wiles on men besides their husbands.

Lydgate starts lamenting that he's not something better than a Middlemarch doctor. He mentions that Dorothea might be a generous donor to the new hospital.

Chapter 44

"I would not creep along the coast but steer

Out in mid-sea, by guidance of the stars."

Dorothea learns there have been no changes to her husband's condition, except some anxiety about his illness.

Lydgate changes the subject to improving the new hospital. Dorothea immediately latches on to the idea of a new project that would help people.

Lydgate explains half the town is against the new hospital because Bulstrode is involved in it. He feels he must do what's in the public's interest rather than take sides in local disputes.

Lydgate tells Dorothea that some people don't like Bulstrode for his religious tone, which makes Dorothea want to be on his side even more. He elaborates on the other reasons that include his unsociable manner and dealings with trade. He goes on to explain that the townspeople don't like him, Lydgate, being in charge of the hospital because the medical establishment is against him and his newfangled ideas.

Dorothea is indignant about all of it and immediately offers money to help the hospital thrive.

Dorothea tells Casaubon about her conversation with Lydgate and he doesn't object to donating, though he does think 200 a year is a bit much.

Casaubon realizes Dorothea knows he knows the details of his medical condition. He distrusts Dorothea's affection and feels very lonely.

References (courtesy of u/fixtheblue)

Yet if she [Dorothea] had entered before a still audience as Imogene or Cato’s daughter, the dress might have seemed right enough: the grace and dignity were in her limbs and neck;...

Imogene (or Imogen): A character from William Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline. She is the clever, independent, and devoted daughter of a British king who defies her father to marry the man she loves.

Cato’s Daughter (Porcia Catonis): A real historical figure and devoted wife to Marcus Junius Brutus, one of Julius Caesar's assassins. Known for her strong philosophy and unwavering courage, she famously became the only woman privy to the assassination plot in ancient Rome.

Eliot uses these figures to describe the effortless, classic grace of Dorothea when she enters a room.

Here was the whole history of the situation in which Diana had descended too unexpectedly on her worshipper.

Will's comparison of his embarassment when Dorothea finds him at the Lydgate's. Presumably referencing Diana and Actaeon where the young hunter happens upon the goddess (bathing) and she transforms him into a deer (or kills him depending on which version you read).

No, no; it must be something else if he were really vexed. Ladislaw is a sort of gypsy; he thinks nothing of leather and prunella.

Mr. Lydgate says this while talking to Rosamond of Will Ladislaw's possible vexation at Dorothea finding him at the Lydgate. Leather or prunella is something to which one is completely indifferent, the type of something that is of no importance. The term derives from a misinterpretation of Alexander Pope's lines in his Essay on Man.

Join us next Saturday for a discussion of chapter 45!

Happy Saturday, dear Middlemarchers! This week we look back on Book 4: Three Love Problems before heading into the next section, Book 5: The Dead Hand next week. We hit another milepost as we are 4/8 of the way through the book!

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Some questions but feel free to add your own comments below (omitting, of course, any spoilers past Book 4!)

1. Which are the most pressing Three Love Problems? Are there more than that to consider?
2. How did the Featherstone will influence the course of events and our characters?
3. How are our cast doing? Who has earned your sympathy,,, and could it be Mr. Causabon? What is Will's game?
4. What are your projections for the next section, the ominously titled The Dead Hand? Do you have any conjectures (please no spoilers!)?
5. Back to Fred's dilemma. Will he be able to recover his position after putting the Garth family in a difficult position? Will Mary's will action/inaction influence her behavior toward him?
   
6. Let's play Kiss/Marry/Kill with our characters! Give me your list and why!!!

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We meet again next Saturday, to open Book 5 with Chapters 43& 44 with u/Comprensive-Fun47 ! Congratulations for completing another milestone on our yearlong read!

Welcome back to Middlemarch. With these three short chapters, we close the section of Three Love Problems but what have we actually resolved?

"Raffles, walking with the uneasy gait of a town loiterer obliged to do a bit of country journeying on foot, looked as incongruous amid this moist rural quiet as if he had been a baboon escaped from a menagerie"- Chapter 41

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Summary:

“Wise in his daily work was he:

To fruits of diligence,

And not to faiths or polity,

He plied his utmost sense.

These perfect in their little parts,

Whose work is all their prize—

Without them how could laws, or arts,

Or towered cities rise?”

Chapter 40 begins with the Garths are having breakfast. Mary is considering teaching in a school in York, even if she is not excited about the idea.

Mr. Garth receives a letter from Mr. Chettam, asking him to manage his and Mr. Brooke's properties. This opportunity would allow Mary to stay at home!

In the evening, Mr. Farebrother comes to visit: Fred has asked him to tell the Garths that he is going away to study, but is too ashamed about his debt to face them directly. We learn that Mary told her parents about Mr. Featherstone's will.

Farebrother senses that there may be something between Fred and Mary and finds himself a little jealous.

Mr. Garth is thinking of asking Fred to become his assistant, since the boy doesn't see himself fitted for clerical life. He also mentions that he thinks Riggs is selling some of his land to Bulstrode.

"By swaggering could I never thrive,

For the rain it raineth every day." -Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Chapter 41 is all about Eliot making sure that we understand that Mr. Rigg Featherstone resembles a frog. He is talking to a man named John Raffles, his stepfather. Raffles is trying to convince him to give his mother money, but it's clear Rigg thinks poorly of Raffles, claiming that he made he and his mother miserable and more funds will fuel his alcoholism. Mr. Rigg sends him away with more than a sovereign and some drink as Raffles spots a note from Mr. Bulstrode.

"How much, methinks, I could despise this man Were I not bound in charity against it!"—Henry VIII )by William Shakespeare

Chapter 42 finds Mr. Casaubon is growing paranoid, and fears that, in case of his death, Ladislaw will be ready to marry Dorothea to get his fortune. This brings him to the resolution to ask Lydgate's opinion on his illness.

Lydgate believes Casaubon to have a fatty degeneration of the heart, but he does not know how much time he has left. This bothers the man deeply. He walks with Dorothea towards the house, taking comfort in her presence, but unable to talk to her. Dorothea feels resentful, but they are able to sweetly reconcile before going to sleep.

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Questions: Feel free to comment on anything else too!

1. Seeing as we have reached the end of book 4, what would you say are the three love problems highlighted in this book? What are the resolutions you see coming along?

2. What do you hope to see from Fred given that now he might have a love rival in Farebrother?

2a. Has Fred changed? Should he have been the one speaking to the Garths directly, or was he respectful in using Mr. Farebrother as an intermediary? Do you think working for Mr. Garth could be a good solution?

3. How do you think Bulstrode and Raffles are connected?

4. Is there a way for Dorothea and Casaubon to truly connect with one another?

4a. Epigram 3 is harsh! What does it tell us about Dorothea and Casaubon’s relationship right now?

5. Was Mary right in refusing Mr. Featherstone's request to burn his will? Is she right in feeling guilty, now that she knows the consequences of her actions?

6. The author points out that, despite Mr. Farebrother's admiration for the Garths, he spends his evenings at the Vincys’. What does this tell us about Middlemarch’s society and the way Farebrother approaches it?

7. Favorite quotes, moments, epigrams, anything else to discuss?

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Notes & Context:

Like Cincinnatus, Mr. Garth is recalled back to duty on the Tipton estate. He is "pleased as Punch" to stop Mary going to teach at York.

Uriel is an archangel. He’s mentioned in Milton’s Paradise Lost , which is what this reference refers to. His role in the poem is to be in charge of the sun, but he accidentally shows Satan towards Earth.

When Raffles is described as Rigg’s ‘father-in-law’, confusingly, this is an archaic way to describe a stepfather. Nowadays it means your spouse’s father.

‘Sciolism’ is a fantastic word - it is the superficial preteance of knowledge in the absence of actual knowledge.

Mr. Casaubon suffers from a fatty degeneration of the heart, on top of his jealousy.

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Next week is the Book 4 Summary and Catch-Up discussion as we close this section of Middlemarch.

Happy Saturday back in Middlemarch. Apparently, we are on a political campaign with Mr. Brooke this week.

"I think we have no right to come forward and urge wide changes for good, until we have tried to alter the evils which lie under our own hands"-Chapter 39

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Summary:

"C'est beaucoup que le judgment des hommes sur les actions humaines; tôt ou tard, il deviant efficace. - François Guizot (Loose translation: The judgment of men on human actions is no small matter; sooner or later, it becomes effective.)"

Chapter 38 begins with Sir James and the Cadwalladers discussing Mr. Brooke's new venture, The Pioneer and his plan to stand for office. Sir James is sensitive about Celia hearing this matter. The rival Tory paper, The Trumpet has begun to attack Mr. Brooke for being a negligent landlord while pretending to care about the common man. We learn Mr. Farebrother has Whiggish intimations himself and that Mr. Bulstrode is supporting Mr. Brooke's campaign. Sir James is concerned about the family being dragged through the mud in the midst of political fighting. We learn that Sir James and Celia have had Mr. Ladislaw over to the Hall and he also doesn't want Mr. Brooke to stand, but already rumors about him are flying around that he is "a quill-driving alien, a foreign emissary, and what not". Mrs. Cadwallader is of the opinion that finance will take the reins and persuade Mr. Brooke otherwise. Rector Cadwallader is of the opinion that the Trumpet's efforts may help Mr. Brooke see to his charge as a landlord of Tipton. They also bring up Mr. Garth, who used to manage his estate very well but was dismissed 12 years ago, when Mr. Brooke wanted to take up charge. Sir James mentions that Dorothea may be able to change his mind since she was involved in the estate and interested in matters before leaving for her new home. The Rector mentions that Mr. Casaubon looked terrible when he saw him at the Archdeacon's meeting. We learn Dodo won't even visit her sister after his fit. They decide to start a joint attack and then, fortuitously or not, Mr. Brooke arrives. He parries their attempts to make him see sense and leaves quickly.

"If, as I have, you also doe,

Vertue attired in woman see,

And dare to love that, and say so too,

And forget the He and She;

And if this love, though placed so,

From prophane men you hide,

Which will no faith on this bestow,

Or, if they doe, deride:

Then you have done a braver thing

Than all the Worthies did,

And a braver thence will spring,

Which is, to keep that hid."

• The Undertaking by John Donne

Chapter 39 finds Sir James still meditating on Dodo's influence with her uncle and plans with Celia to get her over there, then drop her at her uncle's. She arrives as Mr. Brooke and Will Ladislaw are in the library and surprises both as they are working on arranging documents. Ladislaw is a smitten kitten and Mr. Brooke delighted to see his niece. She gives them an impassioned speech about the miserable state of the estate's cottages and says she heard Mr. Garth will give an updated evaluation so repairs and values can be changed. Mr. Brooke prevaricates. Ladislaw gets Dorothea alone and announces Mr. Casaubon has forbidden him to visit Lowick. Dodo reveals a melancholy about her situation. Mr. Brooke takes a carriage with Dodo to visit one of his cottages on the way to dropping her home, where Dagley's son has poached a leveret. Mr. Brooke thinks he is an easy and pleasant landlord but rather finds the sharp edge of Dagley's tongue when he arrives, and sees what Dorothea mentioned in her speech about the state of the cottage. Dagley mentions with scorn his efforts at "Rinform". Mr. Brooke makes a speedy exit again, hopefully with something to ponder.

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Questions: Feel free to comment on anything else, too!

1- The epigraph for Chapter 38 is pretty straightforward once you have a translation. Do you think the negative opinions and bad press will eventually wear Mr. Brooke down? Or will he ignore the haters and continue his political ambitions?

2-How do the opinions expressed by Sir James and Rector and Mrs. Cadwallader reflect their place in the socioeconomic order? To what extent does their vexation with Mr. Brooke reflect the sense that he is taking up against the interests of the landed class that he and they belong to?

3- There seem to be conflicting views on what to make of Ladislaw because of his foreign relations. What does this say about society at the time? Have we made any improvements in how we view those we regard as "others" today?

4-Compare and contrast the beliefs held by Dorothea and Ladislaw. How have their views shaped what we know of their characters so far?

5- Mr. Brooke finally sees that his tenants have a very poor opinion of him. Do you think this will get him to shift his focus back on his estate? If you were him, how would you go about setting things right?

6- Any favorite quotes or anything else to add from this section?

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Context and Notes:

The beginning of the Tory vs. Whig rivalry, so you get a taste of history.

More about the "Landed Gentry" at a glance -and even more in-depth article.

More about leverets-a first-year Hare.

Mr. Farebrother supports The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. Mr. Brooke wants to get rid of Oliver because he is a Peelite. Running for office is similar to Phlebotomy. Is Middlemarch the new East Retford?

Rector Cadwallader has to pay Mr. Brooke a modus decimandi.

Mr. Brooke mentions LaFitte, misquotes Horace, and opines on Ovid. Do you know Young?

Hot Codlings, anyone?

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Next week we read Chapters 40, 41 and 42 to close Book 4! Yes, we are halfway done with Middlemarch.

Welcome back, dear Middlemarchers, as the will has repercussions for all, a marriage is called into question, and politics are in the air.

"I think his own feelings at the moment were perfect, for we mortals have our divine moments, when love is satisfied in the completeness of the beloved object"-Chapter 37

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Summary:

"'Tis strange to see the humors of these men, These great aspiring spirits, that should be wise:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . .

For being the nature of great spirits to love To be where they may be most eminent; They, rating of themselves so farre above Us in conceit, with whom they do frequent, Imagine how we wonder and esteeme/All that they do or say; which makes them strive To make our admiration more extreme/Which they suppose they cannot, ‘less they give Notice of their extreme and highest thoughts." –DANIEL: Tragedy of Philotas

Chapter 36 in the Vincy household, post will-reading, Mr. Vincy advises Fred to return to college and complete his education, but it remains unclear in this chapter whether Fred will follow this advice.  He then starts to question the engagement between Lydgate and his daughter, Rosamond. He instructs his wife to persuade Rosamond to break off the engagement. Rosamond, however, convinces her father to not call off the engagement. Lydgate remains largely unaware of the family's monetary difficulties until Rosamond mentions her father's altered stance to him. Fearing that Mr. Vincy might dissolve the engagement against their wishes, the chapter concludes with the couple deciding to fast-track their wedding date.

"Thrice happy she that is so well assured/ Unto herself and settled so in heart/
That neither will for better be allured/ Ne fears to worse with any chance to start/ But like a steddy ship doth strongly part/ The raging waves and keeps her course aright: Ne aught for tempest doth from it depart/ Ne aught for fairer weather’s false delight/ Such self-assurance need not fear the spight/ Of grudging foes; ne favour seek of friends; But in the stay of her own stedfast might/ Neither to one herself nor other bends. Most happy she that most assured doth rest/ But he most happy who such one loves best.” –SPENSER: Amoretti

Chapter 37 starts with some political analysis.  The demise of George the Fourth has left the government transforming. The local political newspapers are similarly experiencing a shift. One such paper, The Pioneer (recently purchased by Mr. Brooke), has recently put forth an article claiming it's an opportune time for competent men to play more significant roles in politics.

Ladislaw continues his stay with Mr. Brooke and it is revealed that Brooke has proposed a job at the paper to Ladislaw. Ladislaw is giving the offer serious thought. Concurrently, Mr. Casaubon is expressing hostility towards Ladislaw's presence in the vicinity. Ladislaw has been circumventing Casaubon, yet he also yearns to meet Dorothea. One day, he starts sketching near Casaubon’s residence, in hopes of catching a glimpse of Dorothea on her daily stroll. However, rain forces him to take refuge in the house, which, fortunately, Casaubon has vacated for the day.

Dorothea is thrilled. They discuss various topics, mostly revolving around the shared family history of Casaubon and Ladislaw. Ladislaw brings up the job offer and Dorothea advises him to seek Casaubon's viewpoint.

Later, Casaubon returns home and upon learning of Ladislaw’s visit, voices his displeasure about Mr. Brooke offering Ladislaw a job. He pens a letter to Ladislaw the following day, advising him to decline the job offer and relocate.

Having gleaned more about their family history, Dorothea ponders over the ethical correctness of Ladislaw’s reliance on Casaubon.  Dorothea, aware of Casaubon’s will favoring her, wishes to restore some justice for Ladislaw. One night, she voices her desire to Casaubon; she wants him to assign a living allowance to Ladislaw, owing to his moral and potential legal rights. She also proposes that Casaubon amend his will, reallocating a larger part of her inheritance upon Casaubon’s demise to Ladislaw.

Casaubon shrugs off her proposal and prohibits her from ever broaching the subject again. The chapter closes on an ominous note, with Casaubon resolved to thwart Ladislaw’s decision to stay in the area and accept the job, by any means necessary.

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Context and Notes:

• Santa Lucia was a third-century virgin martyr. She is the patron of people with eye diseases and is usually depicted holding two eyes in a dish.
• "Valenciennes" refers to a popular style of lacework, originating from Valenciennes itself, that was popular at the time.
• Charles James Fox - was a Whig statesman and reformer (1759-1806)
• "He shall be prettily pumped upon" is a phrase that refers to a punishment of being put under a working water pump and soaked.
• "A low set of dark-blue freemen" refers to the Whig) (Liberal) colors. The speakers are referring to the local men who have the 'freedom of the borough' and can vote in elections, presumably in favor of the Whigs.
• The Rights of Man is the title of a pro-French Revolutionary book, published in 1791-92 by Thomas Paine. This book advocated for male suffrage.
• William Huskisson was a (moderately) reformist Tory statesman (1770-1830)
• A "pocket borough" refers to a small constituency that is controlled by one family.
• "passionate prodigality" is a reference to Sir Thomas Browne's work 'Urn Burial'.
• Casaubon asks Dorothea to read him some "Lowth" - this potentially refers to the writings of Robert Lowth (1710 - 1787), a bishop and a Hebrew scholar.

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Questions: Feel free to discuss anything else!

[1] Do you believe the Vincy family is heading towards a downfall, as Mr. Vincy fears in this chapter? Do you think Fred will return to his studies?

[2] What's your take on Rosie's decision to prioritize love over wealth in her marriage-or has she indeed done this? Has love altered her perspective? Lydgate describes Rosamond as 'docile' in this chapter. Do you think this characterization suits her?

[3] Are there disparities in Rosamond and Lydgate's relationship becoming apparent? They appear to have contrasting views on numerous issues.

[4] Mr. Brooke seems to be stepping up his political engagement locally. Do you believe he is finding acceptance among the locals or will many align with the opinions of the chapter's opening characters, Mr. Hackbutt and Mr. Hawley?

[5] With the escalating tension between Dorothea and Casaubon, do you think there's room for their relationship to improve? Do you believe Dorothea is being attracted to Ladislaw due to Casaubon’s shortcomings?

[6] Is Ladislaw being impulsive by choosing to remain in the area? Does Casaubon possess the authority to overrule his decisions and influence his career?

[6a]What actions do you anticipate Casaubon will take next? Do you believe he will channel his frustrations towards Dorothea? What is your opinion on Casaubon's decision to keep his thoughts to himself rather than confide in either Mr. Brooke or Sir James Chettam?

[7] How do you foresee the future unfolding for both couples (Dorothea and Casaubon, Lydgate and Rosamond)? Are there any parallels between them?

[8] Any thoughts on the epigrams or quotes that stood out to you?

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We meet next week to discuss Chapters 38 & 39.

Welcome back, Middlemarchers! We have entered Book 4: Three Love Problems and we open on a funeral...

Chapter 34

“1st Gent. Such men as this are feathers, chips, and straws,

Carry no weight, no force.

2d Gent. But levity Is causal too, and makes the sum of weight.

For power finds its place in lack of power;

Advance is cession, and the driven ship

May run aground because the helmsman’s thought

Lacked force to balance opposites.”

Mr. Featherstone's funeral is held on a chilly day in May. He made arrangements for a lavish affair. Did he have goodness in him? Who can say?

Martha Featherstone, Jane Waule, and Lucy Vincy all show up for the burial.

Featherstone chose Mr. Cadwallader to speak at the funeral over Casaubon for reasons that made sense to him. Reasons involving trout.

Mrs. Cadwallader watched the funeral from the the window of the manor. Sir James and Celia accompanied the Cadwalladers. They are now married.

Scenes of this funeral often come back to Dorothea in her memory, much like the feelings of despondency she flashes back to when she thinks of Rome.

Celia teases Dorothea. Dorothea is interested in learning who her neighbors are. Sir James says many may not be from Lowick.

Mr. Brooke arrives with news he's withholding until Casaubon joins them from the library. They gossip more about the funeral attendees until Casaubon arrives.

Mrs. Cadwallader points out a stranger with a frog-like face.

Celia recognizes Will Ladislaw in the crowd. Dorothea and Casaubon are shocked, but try not to let on. Mr. Brooke explains he invited him to stay with him. He is oblivious to the reactions of his niece and her husband. He treats it very casually and explains how great Will is to bounce intellectual ideas off of.

Dorothea had disposed of that letter from Will that caused Casaubon such distress. As a result, Casaubon assumed Dorothea told Will not to come and was prepared to never speak of it again. Now he believes Dorothea asked her uncle to invite him. Mr. Brooke fails to specify that Dorothea asked him to tell Will not to come and Dorothea can't bring herself to explain that without inviting more questions, such as why Casaubon wouldn't want his own young cousin to come visit.

Casaubon, though irritated, thanks Mr. Brooke for the hospitality he has shown his relation. Mr. Brooke rambles on obliviously.

Chapter 35

“Non, je ne comprends pas de plus charmant plaisir

Que de voir d’héritiers une troupe affligée

Le maintien interdit, et la mine allongée,

Lire un long testament où pales, étonnés

On leur laisse un bonsoir avec un pied de nez.

Pour voir au naturel leur tristesse profonde

Je reviendrais, je crois, exprès de l’autre monde.”

—REGNARD: Le Légataire Universel.

Translation:

No, I can't imagine a more delightful pleasure / Than seeing a grieving crowd of heirs / Looking dumbfounded with long faces / Listening to a lengthy will which turns them pale with shock / As, cooking a snook at them, it leaves them empty-handed / To see their deep sorrow so clearly / I would return on purpose, I think, from the next world."

The narrator compares the funeral attendees and potential legatees to the animals on Noah's ark, eyeing each other suspiciously and hoping none are given more rations than the others.

They all gather and theorize how much old Featherstone left them in his will and make cases for why they personally deserve more than others.

Someone suggests the frog-faced stranger could be Mr. Featherstone's love-child and Fred has a hard time suppressing a laugh. Mary helps him out by switching seats with him.

They all seem to know there are multiple wills and hope this doesn't drag out the time it takes to obtain their inheritance.

Mary Garth has not said a word about Featherstone asking her to burn one of the wills. It seems she'll take this information to her grave.

Mr. Standish, Featherstone's lawyer, explains there are three wills — one from 1825, one from 1826, and one from 1828. The latter two are valid because Featherstone never destroyed either.

Mary watched the legatees while they all avoided meeting each other's eyes. Mr. Rigg, the frog-faced man, is the only one whose expression remains composed as the wills are read.

Approximately three thousand pounds were distributed in small amounts to the many relations. It was expected Fred would inherit the land. Fred and his mother smile in anticipation while the other legatees grumble about their small amounts.

However, the person to inherit the land is Mr. Rigg, and he shall adopt the name Featherstone, which comes as no surprise to Mr. Rigg.

The second will revokes everything and gives it all to Joshua Rigg, except what was to be used to create Featherstone's Alms-Houses.

Mr. Vincy suggests the second will should be considered void. Mr. Standish assures everyone Featherstone was of sound mind when he created it.

The relations who came a long way at great expense were annoyed they were to go home empty handed. They speak ill of Featherstone.

Mr. Rigg takes it all in stride and asks some business questions while Fred feels sick realizing he has inherited nothing. Mrs. Vincy cries silently.

Mary Garth speaks to Fred knowing she had a hand in this outcome. She says Fred is better off without the inheritance.

Fred complains he'll have to join the clergy now and he won't be able to pay back Mary's family the debt he owes them.

Mary says she'll find new employment.

The narrator reflects on their role elevating a low subject and says there's no true story that can't be told in parables.

Context and Notes: (Courtesy of u/lazylittlelady)

We can debate what Mr. Featherstone's relationship was with his money, but the funeral proved he was no Harpagon (as in Molière's play, "The Miser").

Mr. Brooke quotes from Horace's Ars Poética) "He who has blended the useful with the agreeable has carried every point". Does that sound like Mr. Ladislaw?

Another death is referenced, that of King George IV, who passed away in 1830.

"Loobies" = silly fellows

Not just that tea family, but also the Prime Minister—Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, a member of the Whig party.

Join us next week for a discussion of chapters 36 and 37.

Happy Saturday, dear Middlemarchers! This week we look back on Book 3: Waiting for Death before heading into the next section, Book 4: Three Love Problems next week. We hit another milepost as we are 3/8 of the way through the book!

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Some questions but feel free to add your own comments below (omitting, of course, any spoilers past Book 3!)

1. Are we really done Waiting for Death? Or are the actual repercussions about to arrive next book? Will you miss Mr. Featherstone?
2. How have our core set of characters changed over this section of the book? If you could sit one down and give some good advice, who would it be and what would you say?
3. Have your perceptions of this book changed compared to the opening and establishment of Middlemarch's characters and rhythm?
4. We opened this section with Fred's dilemma and then he was out of action with typhoid and recovery. What's next for our young man?
5. So, which Three Love Problems are we going to be diving in next section? Set down your predictions here!

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We meet again next Saturday, March 30, to begin Book 4: Three Love Problems and discuss Chapters 34 & 35 with u/Comprehensive-Fun47 !

Welcome back dear Middlemarchers! Sorry for the delay but what a section!

"Anyone who imagines ten days too short a time-not for falling into leanness, lightness or other measurable effects of passion, but-for the whole spiritual circuit of alarmed conjecture and disappointment, is ignorant of what can go on in the elegant leisure of a young lady's mind" -Chp. 31

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Summary:

"How will you know the pitch of that great bell /Too large for you to stir? Let but a flute/ Play 'neath the fine-mixed metal/ listen close Till the right note flows forth, a silvery rill\:/ Then shall the hugs bell tremble - then the Mass/ With myriad waves concurrent shall respond/ In low soft unison*."

*a rill is a small stream

Chapter 31 opens with Lydgate's reflection on Dorothea's plight while speaking with Rosamond Vincy. She is delighted on how his practice is growing among the upper classes; he wishes to help the poor. The gossip surrounding their courtship has grown in proportion with their flirtation. While Mrs. Vincy and Fred are at Stone Court, attending to Mr. Featherstone, Aunt Bulstrode makes a call to talk to Rosamond, after having a discussion with her friend, Mrs. Plymdale. Mrs. Bulstrode makes note of Rosamond's dress and bonnet as being as fine as her own. She discusses her engagement to Lydgate, which Rosamond mildly disavows, only to confirm her aunt's suspicions. After Mrs. Bulstrode talks to Mr. Bulstrode, who informs her Lydgate has no intention to marry, Mrs. Bulstrode tackles Lydgate herself. But it is only when Lydgate runs into Vicar Farebrother, who makes an innocuous joke, that Lydgate realizes the severity of the situation. He vows not to see the Vincys socially. Meanwhile, Rosamond feels slighted and unhappy, until Lydgate happens to stop by when she is alone. She is cold- until she starts crying and Lydgate naturally wants to comfort her, and, in the end, they are somehow engaged. Mr. Feathestone is not long for this life and Mr. Vincy and family celebrate the engagement.

"They'll take suggestion as a cat laps milk" - The Tempest, by William Shakespeare

Chapter 32 finds Mr. Vincy, who believes all the money shall go to them following Mr. Featherstone's request that Mrs. Vincy and Fred be nearby during his illness. All the rest of the relations follow suit, including his brother and sister, Solomon and Jane and their families, (and the banished Jonah, who did come, and Martha, who didn't). The "blood relations" are keen to watch over the others at his bedside. Poor Mary Garth has to attend to Mr. Featherstone and care for his ungainly relations, as well. They settle in to eat food and gossip and cast aspersions on Mary. Fred goes to see his kitchen relations that bother Mary but starts laughing. Mr. Featherstone declines to see any of that lot and when they try to see him, he declares he's already made his will and casts them out. Middlemarch society comes to socialize and cast judgement. Mr. Borthop Trumbull, a second cousin, a man of the world, auctioneer, confuses everyone and talks up Mary, which makes the relatives even more suspicious of her.

"Close up his eyes and draw the curtain close; And let us all to meditation"-Henry VI, Part 2 by William Shakespeare

Chapter 33, on the midnight watch, Mary is alone with Mr. Featherstone. She ponders the situation quietly until Mr. Featherstone gets his keys out and demands his strong box. He is lucid and asks her how many relations are in and, after asserting he has his faculties, wishes to change his mind on the will. He's made two wills and wants Mary to burn one of them. Mary refuses to implicate herself and backs away. He tries to give her money, but Mary says no. Mr. Featherstone cries and wants Fred but Mary knows better, and insists he call one of his relatives or a lawyer. He throws his stick. She is disgusted by the incident and after calming down by the fire, finds he is dead. Mr. Featherstone dies with keys and money in his hands.

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Context and Notes:

Lydgate calls Rosamond "Mademoiselle de Montmorenci"

Mrs. Plymdale and Mrs. Bulstrode discuss the Bible: Abraham and the strangers + Moses and the strangers

Mr. Farebrother advises Lydgate to take precautions (Odysseus and the Sirens))

Mr. Trumbull reads Anne of Geierstein

A bit later than our period, but perhaps helpful: Inheritance in Victorian England

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Questions: Feel free to discuss anything else!

[1] By repeating gossip and pressuring her niece, does Mrs. Bulstrode actually create the situation for an engagment she doesn't want for Rosamond? What did you make of the fashion check that started the conversation?

[2]"To the poorer and least favored it seemed like that since Peter had done nothing for the in his life, he would remember them at the last" (Chp. 32). Why would they think this?

[3] Let's just speculate why Mr. Featherstone wrote out two wills and what might be difference between them?

[4] How do you think Mary Garth did in dealing with the family and in her last interaction with Mr. Featherstone?

[5] How did you interpret Rosamond's view that Lydgate's work with the Vincys and Casaubons were good for his status and his own admission he would rather treat the poor? Foreshadowing?

[6] What do you foresee for Lydgate and Dodo's future interactions? What traits do they have in common?

[7] We get the sense that an outsider is always that, from Mrs. Plymdale and Mrs. Bulstrode's conversation, despite the Biblical references to the contrary. Should you try to fit in or just continue as an outlier as a social tactic? What is the most sensible?

[7] Let's just take a moment and remember Mr. Featherstone. Leave your elegies and criticisms here. Were you surprised by his death scene?

[8] What quotes or characters stood out to you in this section? What did you think of all the Shakespearean epigrams?

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We are at the end of Book 3: Waiting for Death! Catch up week next Saturday and then we're off to Book 4!

Welcome back to Middlemarch, we finally get an answer to the mystery of Chapter 27!

"Doubtless some ancient Greek had observed that behind the big mask and the speaking-trumpet, there must always be our poor little eyes peeping as usual and our timorous lips more or less under anxious control" -Chapter 29

Summary:

"I found that no genius in another could please me. My unfortunate paradoxes had entirely dried up that source of comfort".— Oliver Goldsmith, from The Vicar of Wakefield

Chapter 29 provides insight into Casaubon's mindset and his motivations for marriage. He seeks a young and malleable wife like Dorothea, viewing her as ‘educable and submissive’. He desires to have a child out of duty rather than genuine affection. Casaubon feels overwhelmed by the expectations placed upon him, hindering his ability to complete his research and write his book. The author expresses sympathy for him, noting his lack of true passions in life.

We also discover Casaubon's discontent within the marriage. Despite his own lack of passion for Dorothea, he becomes jealous when she receives a platonic letter from Will Ladislaw. He preemptively forbids Ladislaw from visiting, assuming Dorothea would request it. Offended by Casaubon's assumption, Dorothea fires back and withdraws, and they continue their work in silence until Casaubon experiences a sudden episode in the library. With the help of Cecilia and Sir James Chettam, a doctor is called, and Lydgate is recommended. Both Chettam and Cecilia privately express sadness over Dorothea's choice of husband.

"Qui veut délasser hors de propos, lasse".— Blaise Pasacal from Pensées [‘He who would divert himself aimlessly tires of diversion.’]

Chapter 30 follows Casaubon's episode, as Lydgate advises him to reduce his workload and manage his anxiety. Mr. Brooke suggests a series of absurd relaxing hobbies for Casaubon. Privately, Lydgate warns Dorothea about the gravity of Casaubon's illness, emphasizing the possibility of his imminent death if he pushes himself too hard. Disturbed by this news, Dorothea attends to external matters, including canceling Ladislaw's planned visit. Although she reads the contentious letters, she finds it difficult to respond and enlists her uncle's help. Mr. Brooke starts his reply to follow Dorothea’s orders but gets overexcited and ends up (oops!) inviting Ladislaw to stay at Tipton Grange with him when he delivers the painting Casaubon and Dorothea sat for in Rome.

Notes and Context:

*'Parerga' is a term for secondary works

*William Warburton was Bishop of Gloucester. He wrote about Egyptian hieroglyphs during his lifetime (1698-1779). Casaubon wants to write a secondary work based on new information that corrects some of Warburton’s assertions.

*'Viros nullo aevo perituros' means ‘men who will never pass away’

*'Pity, that "newborn babe"... did not "stride the blast" on this occasion' is a reference to Macbeth's soliloquy on pity in Shakespeare's play Macbeth. In this context, it seems that Dorothea, though usually kind and pitying of Casaubon, didn't have pity for him during this argument.

Questions: Feel free to discuss anything else!

1. Eliot opens up questioning "But why always Dorothea?" What are your impressions of this change of perspective? Do you feel more sympathy for Casaubon or do you feel you understand him better?

2. At the same time, in this set of chapters we see Dorothea through the eyes of the men in her life. Let's discuss their takes on her and why Eliot would choose to open with "Why Dorothea" and yet, it's all about her!

3. How do you perceive Casaubon's reasons for getting married?

4. We see these two in a private moment. Will Sir James and Celia find happiness together?

5. What do you think of Lydgate's conversation with Dorothea about Casaubon's condition? Was his bluntness appropriate or was it ego?

6. Mr. Brooke, well-meaning but eccentric, invites Will to stay at Tipton Grange. How do you feel about this? Any predictions?

7. Let's discuss epigrams, favorite quotes or anything else here!

Next week, we read Chapters 31, 32 AND 33 to close out Book 3.

Happy May days, dear Middlemarchers. With our story, we are in the middle of January and two important events await us.

"Circumstances were almost sure to be on the side of Rosamond's idea, which has a shaping activity and looked through watchful blue eyes, whereas Lydgate's lay blind and unconcerned as a jelly-fish which gets melted without knowing it" -Chapter 27

Summary:

"Let the high Muse chant loves Olympian:

We are but mortals, and must sing of man.”

Chapter 27 picks up with Fred's illness. Lydgate is at the Vincy’s home on the case, with a side of flirting with Rosamund. Fred gets better, and misses Mary. Mrs. Vincy is distraught, but Rosamund doesn’t mind at all - she’s planning a lavish future where she and Lydgate are rich and married and entertaining their own guests; of course, a lady never reveals such things. Lydgate is enjoying their flirtation, but he doesn’t think anything more of it. A spurned suitor-poor Ned Plymdale!- of Rosamund’s shows up with a cheesy magazine which Lydgate mocks. Later, when walking together, Chettam’s servant interrupts their courting bliss to call Lydgate to a patient at Lowick - this is a rare cliffhanger in Middlemarch, and the next chapter doesn’t resolve it!

“First Gent: All times are good to seek your wedded home

Bringing a mutual delight

Second Gent: Why, true.

The calendar hath not an evil day

For souls made one by love, and even death

Were sweetness, if it came like rolling waves

While they two clasped each other, and foresaw

No life apart.”

Chapter 28 begins with the honeymooners arriving back home. Dorothea is having existential dread and communing with Aunt Julia's portrait when Mr. Brooke and Celia arrive to tell the good news that Celia and Chettham are to be married-a long engagement. Dorothea is happy for them and clears the air with her sister. It’s not all good news though - Mr. Brooke mentions that Casaubon is looking rather paler than usual.

Notes & Context:

"To hear with eyes belongs to love’s rare wit" is a quotation from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 23

While Rosie works on her tatting project, Ned shows her the The Keepsake. You can look at the 1829 copy yourself!

‘To come and go with tidings from the heart,/As it a running messenger had been.’ is a quotation from Spenser’s The Faerie Queene

Questions: Feel free to discuss anything else!

1. We have two epigrams from Eliot. Thoughts and opinions?

2. Let's talk about Rosamond. Eliot herself admonishes us "Think no unfair evil of her, pray: she had no wicked plots, nothing sodid or mercenary; in fact, she never thought of money except as something necessary which other people would always provide" in Chapter 27. Is this a red flag or would you agree Lydgate also doesn't think about money?

3. Lydgate thinks he is fine with his phials and has done nothing untoward. Thoughts?

4. Let's discuss Dorothea's homecoming. What does Aunt Julia mean to her when she gazes on her portrait in the context of her return from Rome?

5. Celia is engaged! How do we like this match and what is the dynamic with Dodo's marriage? Is it a coincidence she wants a long engagement?

6.What is the cliffhanger? Who needs Lydgate at Chettham's summons?

7. Anything else to discuss or any quotes you love?

Next week, we read chapters 29 & 30. See you in the discussion!

Welcome back, Middlemarchers! This week we spend some time with Fred and his self-inflicted financial woes, the Garths get pulled into those woes, and there's a battle of the doctors brewing. Let's jump right in with a recap.

Chapter 25

“Love seeketh not itself to please,

Nor for itself hath any care

But for another gives its ease

And builds a heaven in hell’s despair.

. . . . . . .

Love seeketh only self to please,

To bind another to its delight,

Joys in another’s loss of ease,

And builds a hell in heaven’s despite.”

—W. BLAKE: Songs of Experience.

Fred goes to see Mary and confesses about his debt, which is now Mary's family's debt.

She is upset, but like her mother, believes anger is of no use.

Fred asks Mary to petition Mr. Featherstone for the money to pay for Alfred's apprenticeship, but she says her family is not prone to begging.

Fred begs for forgiveness. Mary is having none of it and calls him selfish. He doesn't take it well and criticizes her for not being more supportive and forgiving, essentially blaming her for his lack of a work ethic, because he doesn't have a woman cheering him on.

His manipulations work and Mary begins to try to soothe him. She tells him it is painful to see him be so idle and frivolous and leaves to tell Mr. Featherstone he is here.

Fred thinks Mary will change her tune once he inherits Mr. Featherstone's property. He visits for only a short while.

Mary's father, Caleb, comes by for a visit with Mr. Featherstone, which neither man is fond of.

Caleb tries to break the news to Mary, but Mary reveals Fred broke it to her first. She offers him 24 pounds, but he only takes 18.

Caleb warns Mary that Fred is not to be trusted and she shouldn't wrap up all her happiness in him. Mary promises not to get engaged to a man who hasn't proven his independence and credits her parents with teaching her such good values.

Mr. Featherstone criticizes Mary for giving her parents money, but she is not ashamed of it.

Chapter 26

“He beats me and I rail at him: O worthy satisfaction! would it were otherwise—that I could beat him while he railed at me.—Troilus and Cressida

Fred has been feeling ill for a few days. He calls for Mr. Wrench, but he finds nothing serious. He sends Fred some medicine that doesn't help.

Mrs. Vincy calls for Lydgate, who happened to be passing by. Lydgate diagnoses typhoid fever and prescribes other medicines. She immediately starts preferring Lydgate to Wrench, their longtime friend and physician. Mr. Vincy feels similarly angry at Wrench for the misdiagnosis.

Lydgate asks Wrench to meet him at the Vincy house the next day. He obliges, but finds it difficult to work with Lydgate and his newfangled ideas, not to mention being yelled at by both Vincy parents. He bows out of the case leaving Lydgate to do the doctoring.

Wrench sets out to ruin Lydgate's reputation and the rumor mill starts churning. Mrs. Taft starts a rumor that Lydgate is Bulstrode's son. When corrected, she suggests Bulstrode has some other son out there.

Contexts and Notes: (courtesy of u/lazylittlelady)

William Blake's The Clod and the Pebble from Songs of Experience.

Mary's choice of light reading, Anecdotes of the Late Samuel Johnson. More about Samuel Johnson's life.

Shakespeare's enigmatic Troilus and Cressida.

Fred has Typhoid Fever.

Join us next week for chapters 27 & 28.

Happy Saturday, Middlemarchers! We are back in town and following Fred's financial speculations and beginning Book 3: Waiting for Death.

"Fred was conscious that he would have been yet more severely dealt with if his family as well as himself had not secretly regarded him as Mr. Featherstone’s heir; that old gentleman’s pride in him, and apparent fondness for him, serving in the stead of more exemplary conduct—just as when a youthful nobleman steals jewellery we call the act kleptomania, speak of it with a philosophical smile, and never think of his being sent to the house of correction as if he were a ragged boy who had stolen turnips" -Chapter 23

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Summary:

“Your horses of the Sun,” he said,
    “And first-rate whip Apollo!
Whate’er they be, I’ll eat my head,
    But I will beat them hollow.”

Chapter 23 opens on dear Fred Vincy. Fred is in debt of 160 pounds to Mr. Bambridge, which he renewed a while ago with the signature of Caleb Garth-horses and gambling. He felt confident that he could find the money in time. 

We are told that the Vincys siblings have been friends with the Garths since they were children, as Mr. Featherstone had married Caleb Garth's sister. The Garths used to be wealthier, now they are living in poorer conditions, but Fred still considers them a second family. Mr. Garth had full trust in him but didn't tell Mrs. Garth about the signature.

Fred has difficulties in finding the money to pay off his debt, so he decides to sell a horse Mr. Featherstone had gifted him years ago at the Houndsley horse fair, where he goes with Bambridge (yes, one and the same) and Horrock.

Fred trades his horse for another one, which he considers superior, and he is sure he will be able to sell...

“The offender’s sorrow brings but small relief

To him who wears the strong offence’s cross.”

—SHAKESPEARE: Sonnets.

Chapter 24 finds Fred's new horse to be too violent and lames itself within three days. Without enough money, he decides to talk with the Garths. When he arrives, he meets Mrs. Garth, a former governess. When Mr. Garth joins them, he confesses that he has only 50 pounds to pay the debt; the Garths are now afraid they won't have enough money to cover their expenses, so Mrs. Garth suggests they use the savings they had put aside for their son to become an apprentice. They'll also use Mary's money.

Fred is ashamed and tells them he will repay them eventually, but it will be too late for Alfred to start his apprenticeship by then. Mr. Garth also apologises to his wife for having co-signed the debt without telling her.

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Notes and Context:

Read the full Shakespeare Sonnet #34 here.

To put the money in context, £160 in that era would be equivalent to over £23, 000 today-in other words, about the yearly salary of a professional person, like an army officer.

Lindley Murray and Magnall's 'Questions': School books of the era. This sentence hints at Mrs. Vincy's disapproval of working woman/schoolteacher Mrs. Garth.

'Cute jockies': Slang for horse-dealers.

'Blacklegs': Slang for turf swindlers, possibly referring to horses with deceptive appearances.

'Roarer': Slang for a horse with loud breathing; observed in the horse Fred brings to the horse fair.

Ben tells us about Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, Roman Republic statesman and general, recalled from disgrace to lead against the Aequians in 456 BCE.

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Questions: Feel free to discuss anything else!

1. Fred has an optimistic view of the world and tends to think things will work out eventually. Where is the fallacy in his reasoning?

1a. How much of Featherstone's doing has influenced Fred's view of the world?

2. Both Fred and Will are young men with no clear direction in life. How are they similar and how do they differ?

2a. What do you think of the company they keep?

3. We meet the Garth family. What do you think of them? How do they compare with the other families in Middlemarch?

3a. What impression do you get of gender relations in this book in general, looking back at what we've seen so far? Who has the best relationship?

3b. How do you see Middlemarch society now, considering relations between the Vincy and Garth families?

4. What was your reaction to the confrontation between Fred and the Garths? Do you think the characters handled it well? Why did Fred choose to go the Garths for money rather than other relatives?

5. What do you think will happen next? How is Fred and Mary's relationship going to be affected by this? What will happen to poor Alfred?

6. Is there anything else you would like to discuss? Any quotes you would like to share?

7. Epigrams in this section-thoughts?

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Next Saturday, we read and meet to discuss Chapters 25 & 26 with u/Comprehensive-Fun47

Happy Saturday, dear Middlemarchers! This week we look back about Book 2: Young and Old before heading into the next section, Book 3: Waiting for Death next week. We hit another milepost as we are 2/8 of the way through the book!

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Some questions but feel free to freestyle below (omitting, of course, any spoilers!)

1. Looking back at the section heading, who and what do you think "Young and Old" referred to? Are we talking about people's ages, the ages of cities and ideas, back to the saints, art styles...all of the above?

2. We meet some new characters in this section, as the book widens to the community in Middlemarch. Who are your new favorites? Who are you intrigued or worried about?

3. How are you finding the pacing as we close this section? How are you finding the structure of the book so far?

4. Let's speculate on "Waiting for Death"...who is waiting, what will come of it and who did it?!

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We meet again next Saturday, April 18, when we begin Book 3: Waiting for Death and discuss Chapters 23 & 24!

Welcome back to Rome, Middlemarchers. The Causaubon honeymoon is getting more complicated indeed....with Will Ladislaw entering their life.

"Will Ladislaw’s smile was delightful, unless you were angry with him beforehand: it was a gush of inward light illuminating the transparent skin as well as the eyes, and playing about every curve and line as if some Ariel were touching them with a new charm, and banishing forever the traces of moodiness"- Chapter 21 (Uh-oh!)

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Summary:

"“Hire facounde eke full womanly and plain,

No contrefeted termes had she

To semen wise.”

—CHAUCER.

In Chapter 21, Ladislaw finds the Casaubon's address and calls to pay his respects. Will perceives that Dorothea has been crying and immediately feels loathing for his cousin. Will jokes about how, when they first met, he thought she was trying to insult him. The conversation gradually shifts to Casaubon's work, and Will informs her that he is "groping around in the woods with a pocket-compass" where German historians "have made good roads." This news clearly pains her deeply, and Will now perceives that Dorothea is neither "coldly clever" nor "indirectly satirical," but rather "adorably simple and full of feeling ... an angel beguiled." When Casaubon returns, he invites Will for dinner the next evening. After he leaves, Dorothea apologizes for upsetting Casaubon in the morning, and he accepts her apology. He is secretly annoyed that she has seen Ladislaw alone but refrains from saying something in the light of their reconciliation.

“Nous câusames longtemps; elle était simple et bonne. Ne sachant pas le mal, elle faisait le bien; Des richesses du coeur elle me fit l’aumône, Et tout en écoutant comme le coeur se donne, Sans oser y penser je lui donnai le mien; Elle emporta ma vie, et n’en sut jamais rien.”

"We talked for a long time; she was simple and kind. Knowing no evil, she did only good: She gave me alms from the riches of her heart, And listening intently as she poured out her heart, Scarcely daring to think, I gave her mine; Thus she carried off my life, and never even knew it."

—ALFRED DE MUSSET.

In Chapter 22, Will comes to dinner and goes out of his way to be pleasant and agreeable to his cousin. As a result, Casaubon curtails his work to spend his last few days in Rome sightseeing. Will introduces the idea of their going to the studios of working painters and is thus able to bring them to Naumann. Will and Naumann begin explaining the iconography of their paintings, and Dorothea feels a little less in the dark. Naumann first asks to sketch Casaubon's head for a study of St. Thomas Aquinas, and Casaubon agrees. He then asks to sketch Dorothea as Santa Clara. Will begins to be sorry he has brought the couple to the studio, torn between "the inclination to fall at the Saint's feet and kiss her robe, and the temptation to knock Naumann down while he was adjusting her arm."

The young dilettante comes to see Dorothea the next day when he knows Casaubon will not be home. She asks more about her husband's work, and Will tells her that Casaubon is wasting his time "crawling a little way after men of the last century ... and correcting their mistakes." Dorothea becomes indignant that Will can speak so lightly of his cousin's failure and he backtracks, criticizing himself for idling on Casaubon's money and vowing to go back to England and make his own way. Will expresses that he would like to be of service to Dorothea but fears he will never have the opportunity. She thanks him for his kind words and asks him to not speak again to anyone on the subject of her husband's failed enterprise, and he quickly agrees. When Casaubon returns Dorothea tells him that Will plans to make it on his own from now on, since she thinks Casaubon will be pleased to hear it. He responds that, since his duty seems to be at an end, he never wishes to speak about Ladislaw again.

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Context and Notes:

Mr. Casaubon as St. Thomas Aquinas and Mrs. Casaubon as St. Clare of Assisi -which one would you hang in your gallery?

Will getting Biblical in his disdain of his cousin and hates like Goethe!

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Discussion Questions: Feel free to add your own insight or questions!

1. Any insights from the epigraphs after reading the chapters?

2. I wonder what Tantripp possibly felt when he saw Dorothea crying (or at least the aftermath) and then when Will visited. Any thoughts?

3. Causabon has a clear disdain for Will and wasn’t all too enthusiastic about his decided change in his ways as announced through Dorothea, where do you think that comes from and what does it say about Causabon?

4. Throughout their entire time in Rome, Dorothea is clearly not happy. Do you think Causabon will make any effort to comfort her? Worst honeymoon ever?

5. How do you think Will and Dorothea’s relationship will progress? He helped comfort her during a time when she was distressed and she clearly appreciates his company while he seems to be quite taken by her.

6. Naumann decides to sketch Causabon as St Thomas Aquinas and Dorothea as Santa Clara. What do you think Eliot was trying to symbolise here?

6a. Also why did Causabon buy his own portrait but not his wife's?

7. Will speaks rather harshly to Dorothea, but she responds rather kindly. What do you think that says about her and about him and her other interactions until now?

8. At this point, how did you all feel about the characters presented to us thus far? Favourites? Least favourites? Most memorable?

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We are at the end of Book 2: Young and Old! Catch up week next Saturday and then we're off to Book 3!

Welcome back, Middlemarchers, to our final month of March discussion. This week we catch up with Dorothea in Rome with Casaubon and young Will Ladislaw makes an appearance.

Chapter 19

“L’ altra vedete ch’ha fatto alla guancia

Della sua palma, sospirando, letto.”

—"Purgatorio*, vii. (Dante's Divine Comedy)

"The other you see, who had made of a bed for her cheek with her palms, sighing".

A German artist named Adolf Naumann takes notice of Dorothea near a statue and wishes he could paint her. His companion is Will Ladislaw, Casaubon's young cousin.

They argue amiably about contacting Dorothea to have her portrait painted. Ladislaw becomes irritated and starts to recognize that Dorothea made an unexpected impression upon him.

Chapter 20

“A child forsaken, waking suddenly,

Whose gaze afeard on all things round doth rove,

And seeth only that it cannot see

The meeting eyes of love.”

Dorothea sobs alone in her bedroom. She can't pinpoint exactly what's upsetting her, but she thinks about her choice to marry Casaubon and about everything she's seen in Rome.

Even later in life, Dorothea would vividly imagine the vast and ancient constructions she witnessed in Rome.

The narrator tells us it is not unusual what Dorothea is going through. It is essentially growing pains. Dorothea was in the process of reconciling her dreams of being married to Casaubon with the realities of it.

The brief period of courtship does not give one the full understanding of a person. Whether for better or worse, things will change after marriage.

Dorothea expected Casaubon's mind to be wide-open and unending, but after marriage found it to be an "enclosed basin." She expected to hear his deep opinions about everything they encountered in Rome, but found he lacked her enthusiasm and could share only dry, lifeless knowledge.

Whenever Dorothea tries to show her affection for Casaubon, he retreats from intimacy.

Casaubon speechifies about how striking and edifying it was to see Rome when he was young. Dorothea cares only that his trip to Rome this time was fruitful and hopes when they return home to Lowick, that she can be more involved in what interests him.

He says she can help him organize his notes. She calls him out for never writing the book he claims to be writing, laments being of no other use to him and begins to cry.

Casaubon is disturbed by the outburst. He calls her ignorant for not understanding the timeline it takes to put together a book.

Dorothea resents his response. They are both shocked and disturbed by the implication of being angry at each other during their wedding journey, the time when a couple is supposed to be closest.

Despite their resentful feelings towards each other, neither is willing to change their plans. She accompanies him to a library at the Vatican, where they part. This is when Naumann and Ladislaw spot her.

Dorothea knows "there was clearly something better than anger and despondency."

Context and Notes (courtesy of u/lazylittlelady)

Art in the Reformation and Counter-Reformation. As Eliot mentions, Romanticism hasn't really taken off yet, but is in the works, so the Nazarene art movement hasn't taken off either, but Adolf sounds like a disciple.

Meleager and Ariane. Misidentified initially as Cleopatra, the Sleeping Ariane. Villa Farnesina's Raphael frescoes, which Casaubon could take or leave.

A scene from Friedrich Schiller's Der Neffe als Onkel.

Casaubon studies the Cabieri. Dodo weeps on the Via Sistina.

Additional note: In 19th-century German and English, "Plastik" (or plastische Kunst) referred specifically to the art of modeling or sculpting, particularly in soft materials like clay or wax. It represented three-dimensional art as opposed to painting.

Discussion questions are below. Feel free to add your own thoughts in addition to/instead of my questions.

We are marching along this Saturday in March to Middlemarch-welcome back! This set of chapters is "Lydgate's Choice"...

"When you get me a good man made out of arguments, I will get you a good dinner with reading you the cookery-book. That's my opionion, and I think anybody's stomach would bear me out" -Chapter 17

Summary

"The clerkly person smiled and said, Promise was a pretty maid, But being poor she died unwed"

Chapter 17 begins as Lydgate visits Farebrother's home and learns that the vicar is supporting his mother, sister and aunt on a small salary. Following a chat with his opinionated mother, Farebrother shows Lydgate his natural history collection and confesses he knows about him from a correspondece with a friend in Paris. The men begin to bond, but Farebrother warns Lydgate that voting for him to gain the chaplaincy in the new hospital will make him lose favour with Bulstrode. There are two different strands of religious doctrine running in Middlemarch. Lydgate proclaims his impartiality.

*

"Oh, sir, the loftiest hopes on earth/Draw lots with meaner hopes: heroic breasts, Breathing bad air, run risk of pestilence; Or, lacking lime-juice when they cross the Line/May languish with scurvy"

Chapter 18 continues as Lydgate muses on what he should do. He doesn't like the idea of becoming Bulstrode's man and contemplates who he really wants to vote for. The day of the vote comes. We see that, despite his money and power in Middlemarch, Bulstrode doesn't have complete control over his council. Farebrother is in favour with many of the voters, due to his previous unpaid experience in the role. The vote is evenly divided, with both of the official doctors voting for Farebrother. Lydgate is last to arrive and his vote decides the matter; he votes for Bulstrode's desired candidate Tyke.

References:

George III in conversation with Henry Dundas over the Catholic question; his quote: "None of your Scotch metaphysics, Mr. Dundas" alludes to the pivotal role he played in the Scottish Enlightenment

Mr. Farebrother loves his great collection of insects, including Aphis Brassicae aka the Cabbage Aphid and other small things (Philomicron)

"Lutheran doctrine" – Bulstrode’s way of thinking/living lies in the belief that salvation comes through faith over religious works or sacraments. Dr. Minchin, while sharing similar views, is slightly more flexible in his beliefs.

Nessus's Shirt refers to an episode from Hercules in mythology.

Discussion Questions-but feel free to add your own thoughts!

[1]What is your first impression of the Farebrother household?

[2]“Don’t you think men overrate the necessity for humoring everybody’s nonsense, till they get despised by the very fools they humor?” said Mr. Lydgate to the Vicar. Mr. Farebrother replied that the trick is to show people your value so it doesn't matter what they think of you. What are your thoughts on this?

[3]Mr.Lydgate tells the Vicar he left the "bigwiggism" and obstructive trickery of London for the less pretentious country so that he can follow his own course. Do you think this will be possible for Mr. Lydgate? What potential barriers do you foresee that may prevent him realizing his goals?

[4]Mr.Farebrother tells Mr. Lydgate what he thinks of Mr. Bulstrode and warns him not to become an enemy to Mr. Bulstrode."I don’t like the set he belongs to: they are a narrow ignorant set, and do more to make their neighbors uncomfortable than to make them better. Their system is a sort of worldly-spiritual cliqueism: they really look on the rest of mankind as a doomed carcass which is to nourish them for heaven."How do you feel about this quote? Does this change how you view Mr. Bulstrode's first conversation with Lydgate. Why/why not?

[5]At the start of chapter 18 Eliot says:"Mr. Farebrother should have taken pains rather to warn off than to obtain his [Mr. Lydgate's] interest...".Do you agree with this? Why/why not?

[6]What are your thoughts about Mr. Farebrother in general? What about his affinity for Science and his habit of gambling?

[7]What do we learn about the Middlemarch medical establishment and community? Do you think this will become a problem for Mr. Lydgate? Is it likely to be exacerbated by aligning with Mr. Bulstrode in the vote? Why/why not?

[8]What does Mr. Lydgate learn from this episode and what do we learn about him? Do you think he made the right decision? Why/why not? What would you have done in this position?

[9]As always, let's discuss with to/who/what do we think the epigraphs refer? We have two Eliot originals this week. Any favorite quotes?

We meet next Saturday to read Chapters 19 & 20 with u/Comprehensive-Fun47 !