Should have read classics discussion
Group Book Discussions
>
Discussion for Middlemarch-Book 3 (Waiting for Death) starts with chp. 23
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Lisa, the usurper
(new)
Jul 09, 2012 07:34AM
Mod
reply
|
flag
I was so hopeful when the last part of Book II had scenes that were entertaining and advanced the story, when we got character interaction that was interesting. The relief seems to have been short-lived. With the beginning of Book III we are back to lonnnng paragraphs of descriptive prose, during which not much happens but we are introduced to more characters and given much more detailed descriptions of characters we had met in passing. I really want the author to quit telling me about these people (this cast of thousands) and let me see them in action. Let them speak for themselves. Surely we will get to more of that soon. [end rant]
Soon after my ranting post above, the story really picked up again. This book is titled "Waiting for Death," and the author sets up situations where it looks like three different characters might die: Freddy catches a fever that could be fatal; Casaubon has what looks like a heart attack; and old Featherstone appears to be finally approaching his end. I kind of wish Casaubon would die, but I'm afraid he is going to be with us for a while.
Yes, it all started moving in this book. Interesting how the behaviour differs between the men who are born to money and those who are not. In his careless pursuit of self-interest Fred tries to resolve his money problems by borrowing more, which he does from Caleb Garth, who has to work for his living, causing him and his family great financial loss.Likewise, the relationships between men and women. Lydgate sees a woman as ornamental, Casaubon's sees a wife as a submissive servant. Dorothea's ideal is a great soul - not a man, and Rosamind's exists in romance novels.
Lydgate believes the merit of his work will bring him professional success. He wants to reform medical practice but alienates Wrench when treating Fred's typhoid, rather than including and educating him to strengthen his ideas of reform.
Casceil, I am in book IV now and Casaubon is still alive, but for how long..?
This book moves along too with some interesting events.
The book doesn't speak well for the moneyed classes as having much common sense, does it?
I think this is what Eliot is trying to show the reader. How irresponsible and selfish the holders of old money are. How they see wealth as their right and they see no need for ethics or morals - that's for the lower classes!I also think she is showing how the increase and diversity of occupations brought about by industrialisation which created the middle class - 'new money' - gave rise to social mobility, but also created insecurity. Compare Fred's attitude regarding his borrowing and gambling debts to Lydgate's working to establish his medical practice.
Do you think this whole idea of how everyone's actions connect and affect each others lives is what the author intended with this novel?
I'm sure it's at least part of it. There are so many interconnections between the characters, and they keep making new connections. There is no reason for there to be any connection between Will Ladislaw and Mr. Brook, but Mr. Brook creates one with his "clever pen" when he writes to tell Will that Casaubon can't host a visit due to health, and Brook has the great idea to invite Will to stay with him instead.
And my, the problems that causes in book IV. I must not tell you too much, but you are going to enjoy book IV where gossip abounds, romance blossoms, Fred truly ends up in a financial mess taking others with him ....I will leave you to read it all and meet you over in the book IV thread when you have finished. I won't be reading any further until the weekend now.
I've barely started Book IV, but I should make some headway by the weekend. See you there.
