From the Bookshelf of Reading the Classics…

Middlemarch

George Eliot

Start date: November 1, 2014

Finish date: December 31, 2014

Discussion: Past Group Reads

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* Washington Square - Reading Schedule
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Apr 17, 2023 Henry Avila rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

George Eliot's ( Mary Ann Evans) masterpiece, Middlemarch set in 1830 England about the aforesaid village's inhabitants and relationships with each other...not too well, this is a novel people. The basic characters or leading personalities Dorothea Brooke young extremely pretty, intelligent but naive orphan raised by a loving uncle Arthur, isn't too bright though with little sister Celia naturally adores her big sibling who unknowingly intermediates her. In a bad move DOROTHEA WEDS Edward Casaub George Eliot's ( Mary Ann Evans) masterpiece, Middlemarch set in 1830 England about the aforesaid village's inhabitants and relationships with each other...not too well, this is a novel people. The basic characters or leading personalities Dorothea Brooke young extremely pretty, intelligent but naive orphan raised by a loving uncle Arthur, isn't too bright though with little sister Celia naturally adores her big sibling who unknowingly intermediates her. In a bad move DOROTHEA WEDS Edward Casaubon a scholar, older bookworm... can you believe it?... (Others unstated here are supporting players). Tertius Lydgate idealistic , highly capable yet impoverished doctor beginning his practice, still an outsider thus not trusted here. Local established medicine men are unfriendly , the new ways unwelcome by them. While Dr.Lydgate struggle to be accepted working mostly in a free hospital and his new wife Rosamond from a prominent family of Vincy ( what there is in Middlemarch) the best looking woman in town but selfish. However she likes nice things the more expensive the better. Dr. Lydgate is afraid to intervene as bills pileup, go unpaid he has numerous patients that lack resources.What can he do ? Her family had opposed the marriage nevertheless nobody could say no to the lady. The big wheel in local society is Ncholas Bulstrode a religious hypocrite and wealthy banker with rather an unsavory background. When a mysterious, uncouth drunken stranger Rafferty appears... what connection has he to the great and powerful Mr. BULSTRODE...? Why is he afraid ...And unfortunate marriages dominates the plot in the era when to escape from them was impossible and scandals must be avoided at all cost otherwise life would become difficult if not impossible. This classic isn't just another but a great examination of society in a small town much more sophisticated than you can imagine. In the Pre -Victorian age people are different still however things haven't changed that much. . . As time passes this key work will never be forgotten, too good for obscurity and we are grateful. ...more

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Oct 24, 2014 Jerilyn rated it really liked it

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Eliot's Middle march is all about the interior life of the characters, and the way their choices affect one another's lives, in the short- and long-term. Introspective dialog delves into philosophy, psychology and morality, so the reader might come to understand what motivates these complex characters. They live in a country village, during the Victorian period when the Industrial Revolution was shaking up major European cities like London, yet these folk lived far removed from it's effects for Eliot's Middle march is all about the interior life of the characters, and the way their choices affect one another's lives, in the short- and long-term. Introspective dialog delves into philosophy, psychology and morality, so the reader might come to understand what motivates these complex characters. They live in a country village, during the Victorian period when the Industrial Revolution was shaking up major European cities like London, yet these folk lived far removed from it's effects for the time being.

On the surface:
Dorothea Brooke: a pure and humble beauty, without guile, frustrated with her inability to do something useful with all she has been given; perceived as "odd" by most Middlemarch residents. Anxious to help those less fortunate than herself, and disdainful of mindless and selfish pursuits, she is a misfit for a woman living in this place and time.
Sir James: naive suitor of Dorothea, blind to the fact that she is neither impressed nor interested in his superficial interests. He humors Dorothea's passion and design for improving the cottages and lives of the poor who live in squalid, unhealthy conditions.
Celia Brooke, Dorothea's more shallow sister. The two have an affectionate relationship nonetheless, living with their eccentric,embarassingly talkative, wealthy uncle.
Rosamunde Vincy: a vain beauty, quick to charm every man who sets eyes on her, determined to get out of Middlemarch, where she admires and appreciates nobody and nothing.
Fred Vincy, Rosamunde's brother: a noble soul stuck in what was once an upper-middle class family, now void of fortune. Deeply in love since childhood of a simple girl, Mary Garth, who currently cares for Fred's sickly and wealthy uncle. Fred makes youthful mistakes in his sincere longing to make good so he can win Mary's hand in marriage.
Tertius Lydgate: young doctor, new in town, with new and strange theories about medicine.
Edward Casaubon: serious scholar and minister, wealthy owner of a large and gloomy estate with an extensive library where he works endlessly on a treatise which he believes will make sense of all mythological and religious faiths, as a single noble truth. Dorothea sees him as deep and wise, and hopes to enrich her education and help him in his work.
Will Ladislaw: Bohemian and sensitive soul, immediately perceptive of Dorothea's inner beauty. The disowned and impoverished nephew of Edward Casaubon, who sometimes gives him aid and financial support, sometimes banishes him out of disapproval of his parentage and preference for art and travel rather than serious pursuits.

There are more characters and much intrigue as the tangled web is woven. I became as thoroughly engrossed in this world as I did that of Downton Abbey after watching the 1st episode. Middlemarch was also a PBS mini-series, but the book is much, much better.
...more

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