REDGAUNTLET

The plot revolves around the (purely fictional) return of Prince Charles Edward Stuart to England some years after 1745 in a final attempt to claim the crown. The Jacobite party is energetically led by a Border laird, Redgauntlet, otherwise known as Herries of Birrenswork. He kidnaps his young nephew Darsie Latimer (whose real name is Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet), hoping that his prestige as the head of the house will aid the Jacobite cause. Darsie, whose father was executed for his role in the 1745 rebellion, has been brought up in Edinburgh under an assumed name and in ignorance of his true identity. When informed by Redgauntlet of his family history, he resists all attempts to involve him in the rebellion. Meanwhile Darsie's school-friend the lawyer Alan Fairford (in whom many critics have seen an authorial self-portrait) sets out to rescue him, aided along the way by the Quaker Joshua Geddes, the sea-captain Nanty Ewart, and the blind fiddler Wandering Willie. Both Darsie and Fairford fall in love with the mysterious 'Greenmantle', who lives with Herries as his ward. Redgauntlet fails to whip up sufficient support for the rebellion and the plot is discovered by the government. The Young Pretender is permitted to return to France and his supporters are not pursued. Seeing that his party is no longer regarded as a serious threat, Redgauntlet realizes that the Jacobite cause is finished and accompanies Charles into exile. Darsie is liberated and remains a staunch Hanoverian. Fairford marries 'Greenmantle' who is revealed to be Lilias, Darsie's sister, kidnapped by Redgauntlet in early childhood.

Redgauntlet

Author

Sir Walter Scott

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Series

Waverley Novels

Genre

Historical novel

Publisher

Archibald Constable

Publication date

June 1824

Redgauntlet(1824) is ahistorical novelby SirWalter Scott, set inDumfries, Scotland in 1765, and described byMagnus Magnusson(a point first made byAndrew Lang) as "in a sense, the most autobiographical of Scott's novels."[1]It describes the beginnings of a fictionalthirdJacobite Rebellion, and includes "Wandering Willie's Tale", a famous short story which frequently appears in anthologies.

Plot introduction

The novel's hero is a young man named Darsie Latimer. Early in the novel he is kidnapped by Hugh Redgauntlet, and taken to a village in Dumfries. Darsie's friend Alan Fairford sets out to rescue him. After much intrigue Darsie discovers that Redgauntlet is his uncle, and he is also reunited with his sister. He also discovers that a number of prominentJacobites, and PrinceCharles Edward Stuart(Bonnie Prince Charlie or the Young Pretender) himself are staying in the village. Redgauntlet has summoned them all to start a newJacobite rebellion, and he wants Darsie to join them. However, the Prince is still reeling from the French naval defeats at Quiberon Bay and Lagos, which represented Charles's last realistic chance to recover the British throne for the Stuart dynasty. Furthermore, Redgauntlet discovers that his fellow Jacobites are not as committed as he, and their stated objection is that they suspect the Prince's mistress,Clementina Walkinshaw, of being a spy. During these discussions, General Campbell arrives amongst them to announce that he and the government know what the conspirators are up to. The Prince is allowed to go into exile, and his followers peacefully disperse. Redgauntlet, seeing that the Jacobite cause is now lost, joins the Prince in exile. Darsie is set free having always remained loyal to the current king, and Alan marries Darsie's sister.

Plot summary

Darsie had been Alan Fairford's favourite schoolfellow, and, to please his son, Mr Fairford had consented that Darsie, who received an ample allowance on the understanding that he was to make no inquiries respecting his family until he completed his twenty-fifth year, should live with them. Alan was studying for the law, but his companion had started for his first country ramble, and the story commences with a long correspondence between them. As he returned from fishing in theSolway Firth, with Benjie as his instructor, Darsie was overtaken by the tide, and carried by Mr Herries, dressed as a fisherman, on horseback to a cottage, where his niece Lilias said grace at supper-time; and next morning he was placed under the guidance of Joshua Geddes. The Quaker, who was part owner of some fishing nets in the river, invited him to spend a few days at his house; and while there he heard from Alan that a young lady had called to warn him that his friend was in considerable danger, and to urge that he should at once return to Edinburgh. A letter, however, from old Mr Fairford determined him not to do so; and having made acquaintance with the blind fiddler, who told him a tale of the Redgauntlet family, Darsie went with him to a fishers' merry-making, where he danced with Lilias, who reproached him for leading an idle life, and begged him to leave the neighbourhood.

Mr Fairford had arranged that Peter Peebles, an eccentric plaintiff, should be his son's first client, and Alan was pleading the cause before the Lords Ordinary when his father, by mistake, handed him a letter from Mr Crosbie, announcing that Darsie had mysteriously disappeared. Alan instantly rushed out of court, and started in search of his friend, who had accompanied the Quaker to await an attack on his fishing station, and been made prisoner by the rioters, of whom Mr Herries was the leader. After being nearly drowned, and recovering from a fever, he awoke in a strange room, to which he was confined for several days, when he was visited by his captor, and conducted by him to an interview with Squire Foxley, who, acting as a magistrate, declined to interfere with Mr Herries' guardianship. As the squire was leaving, however, Mr Peebles arrived to apply for a warrant against Alan for throwing up his brief, and startled Mr Herries by recognising him as a Redgauntlet and an unpardoned Jacobite. Darsie obtained a partial explanation from him, and was told to prepare for a journey disguised as a woman. Meanwhile, Alan had applied to the provost, and, having obtained from his wife's relation, Mr Maxwell, a letter to Herries, he started forAnnan, where, under the guidance of Trumbull, he took ship forCumberland. On landing at Crakenthorp's inn, he was transported by Nanty Ewart, and a gang of smugglers, to Fair-ladies' House, where he was nursed through a fever, and introduced to a mysterious Father Buonaventure. After being closely questioned and detained for a few days, he was allowed to return with a guide to the inn.

Darsie was also travelling thither with Herries and his followers, when he discovered that Lilias, who accompanied them, was his sister, and learnt from her his own real name and rank. He was also urged by his uncle to join a rising in favour of the Pretender; and, having hesitated to do so, was detained in custody when they reached their destination, where Alan, as well as other visitors and several of the neighbouring gentry, had already arrived. He was then introduced to a conference ofCharles Edward Stuart's adherents, and afterwards to the prince himself, who refused to agree to their conditions, and decided to abandon the contemplated attempt in his favour. Ewart was, accordingly, ordered to have his brig in readiness, when Nixon suggested that he should turn traitor, upon which they fought and killed each other. Sir Arthur now learned that Fairford and Geddes were in the house; but, before he was allowed to see them, they had been shown into the room where Lilias was waiting, when Alan became aware that his fair visitor at Edinburgh was his friend's sister, and heard from her lips all the particulars of her brother's history. Their conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Benjie, in whose pocket a paper was found indicating that Nixon had communicated with the Government; and, during the confusion which ensued, the Hanoverian General Campbell arrived, unarmed and unaccompanied, and after explaining that the Jacobites had been betrayed weeks before, announced that he was sufficiently supported with cavalry and infantry. The Rebellion was over before it could begin. His instructions, however, from King George were to allow all concerned in the plot to disperse, and he intimated that as many as wished might embark in the vessel which was in waiting.

The Pretender was, accordingly, led by the Laird of Redgauntlet to the beach, and Lilias offered to accompany her uncle in his voluntary exile. This, however, he would not permit, and, after an exchange of courtesies with the general, the prince departed amidst the tears and sobs of the last supporters of his cause, and henceforward the term Jacobite ceased to be a party name. Lilias, of course, married Alan, and Herries, who had asked his nephew's pardon for attempting to make a rebel of him, threw away his sword, and became the prior of a monastery.

Characters

MrDarsie Latimer, afterwards Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet

Mr Saunders Fairford, a Writer to the Signet

Alan Fairford, his son, an advocate

Mr Herriesof Birrenswork, the assumed name of Sir Edward, the Laird of Redgauntlet

Lilias, his niece

Cristal Nixon and Mabel Moffat, their servants

Jack Hadaway, a village lad

Benjie, a village lad

Joshua Geddes, of Mount Sharon, a Quaker tacksman

Rachel Geddes, his sister

Willie Steenson, a blind fiddler

Peter Peebles, Alan's first client

Mr William Crosbie, Provost of Dumfries

Squire Foxley, of Foxley Hall, Cumberland

Master Nicholas Faggot, his clerk

Mr Peter Maxwell, of Summertrees, alias Pate-in-Peril

Tam Trumbull, of Annan, a contraband trader

Nanty Ewart, captain of the Jumping Jenny

Father Crackenthorp, a Cumberland innkeeper and smuggler

The Sisters Arthuret, of Fairladies' House

Father Buonaventure, afterwardsThe Young Pretender

Clementina Walkinshaw - mistress to The Young Pretender, named in Scott's introduction

General Colin Campbell, an English officer

Literary significance and criticism

In the introduction to the novel, Scott discussed the position of the former Jacobites:

Most Scottish readers who can count the number of sixty years, must recollect many respected acquaintances of their youth, who, as the established phrase gently worded it,out in the Forty-Five.... Jacobites were looked on in society as men who had proved their sincerity by sacrificing their interests to their principles; and in well-regulated companies, it was held a piece of ill-breeding to injure their feelings...

Magnus Magnussonwrote:

Its two young heroes, Alan Fairford and Darsie Latimer (Redgauntlet's nephew), between them reflect the duality of Scott's own character. Fairford, an Edinburgh advocate, is the son of a strict, ultra-conservative Edinburgh lawyer; Latimer ... is the young adventurer seeking to discover the secret of his parentage in the wilds of Dumfriesshire. Alan Fairford is Scott's Edinburgh self; Darsie Latimer is his Borders self. Between them ... they discover an ultimate commitment to the Hanoverian peace.[1]

David Daicheswrote:

The picture of the slow disintegration of the meeting, of the embarrassment of the Jacobites when faced with the problem of reconciling their fierce protestations of loyalty to the House of Stuart with the realities of their present situation, is brilliantly done. The scene is one of the finest in Scott. The two worlds are finally brought together, and the romantic one disintegrates.[2]

The early parts of the novel are inepistolaryform consisting of letters between Darsie Latimer and Alan Fairford, or between Darsie and Saunders Fairford (Alan's father). It changes to third person narration from the court case where Alan represents Peter Peebles. The remainder of the novel is mostly third person, with some extracts from the journal of Darsie Latimer.

One of the major highlights of the novel is "Wandering Willie's Tale", which occurs in the epistolary section. Wandering Willie is a wandering musician and the narrator of the tale. It is a ghost story with the climax being an encounter between Willie's grandfather, Steenie Steenson and the ghost of his landlord Robert Redgauntlet (Hugh's grandfather). All of the supernatural events have rational explanations which Willie mentions but vehemently denies.

Middlemarch

Dorothea Brooke, ventenne religiosissima, e Celia Brooke, sorella minore pi moderata, vivono con lo zio, che le ha allevate da quando sono rimaste orfane, a Tipton Grange; pur non essendo aristocratica, la loro famiglia di rango elevato: il carattere di Dorothea estremista, poco indicato per i rapporti con gli altri, troppo rigido nel rispetto della sua morale, mentre quello di Celia pi amabile, moderato dal buon senso.

Dorothea innamorata del reverendo Edward Casanbon, studioso di religione, ed convinta che James Cheltam, un ottimo partito per qualsiasi ragazza ma scarsamente impegnato in problemi culturali e morali, aspiri alla sorella; in realt James fa di tutto per esserle simpatico e, quando Celia gli rivela che non lo fa per ingraziarsi la futura cognata ma perch ne innamorata, piange dallirritazione che una simile eventualit provoca in lei, ma si riprende subito, perch poco dopo lo zio le riferisce lofferta di matrimonio avanzata da Casanbon, che lei accetta senza troppa esitazione e senza badare allet pi anziana ed alla scarsa salute, pregustando invece le gioie duna vita religiosa e studiosa passata accanto ad un uomo di mente cos elevata.

Il matrimonio non ben visto: Celia trova brutto e poco simpatico il cognato, ma si butta tra le braccia della sorella non appena sa del fidanzamento; Mrs. Cadwaller ne indignata, perch si considerava fiera daver combinato il matrimonio con Cheltam; Cheltam non se la prende, accusa il colpo ma si riprende subito e non esita a dirottare i suoi interessi su Celia; anche lo zio perplesso, ma la sua esperienza agli insegna a non interferire, e siccome Casanbon molto freddo e del tutto privo di passione, Dorothea lunica entusiasta, tra la compassione della sorella e la disapprovazione dei vicini; prima di sposarsi si reca a visitare i suoi nuovi possedimenti, dove conosce Will Ladishaw, sfaccendato cugino di Casanbon, convinto assertore del proprio genio inespresso ed in procinto di partire per il continente in cerca di nuove esperienze che gli servano da stimolo.

A Middlemarch vive la famiglia Vincy: il padre fabbricante; il figlio Fred, indirizzato agli studi ecclesiastici, non gradisce n listruzione n il mestiere, ed ha anche debiti di gioco; la figlia Rosamond la pi bella ragazza del paese, annoiata dai concittadini ed in attesa dun principe azzurro che venga da lontano per amarla. Oltre che dalla madre, Fred protetto dal vecchio Featherstone, molto ricco ed ormai prossimo alla morte, che intende includerlo tra gli eredi a dispetto della sorella Mrs. Waule, che gli rivela i debiti del giovane; il vecchio accudito dalla poco graziosa Mary Garth, amica dinfanzia di Rosy; in casa Featherstone Rosy incontra il giovane Sydgate, e tra i due sinstaura subito un sentimento reciproco; nello stesso giorno il vecchio punisce Fred chiedendogli di provare di non aver dato la futura eredit come garanzia per i debiti.

Tramite il padre, Fred ottiene dallo zio banchiere Bulstrode una lettera che lo libera da qualsiasi sospetto e Featherstone gli regala del denaro, anche se meno di quanto saspettasse; Fred si dichiara a Mary, che per gli rinfaccia dessere un buono a niente, neppure dottenere quel diploma che tanti altri hanno ottenuto senza troppa fatica e di vivere soltanto in attesa delleredit.

In viaggio di nozze verso Roma, Dorothea, ora Mrs. Casanbon, scontenta della propria situazione: la fredda ufficialit ed i continui impegni del marito lhanno condotta ad una solitudine tanto fisica quanto morale; comincia ad intravedere un futuro meno roseo e pi grigio, e a capire che il grande sapere del marito non basta a riempire la sua vita; anche Casanbon non contento della moglie, perch vede in lei una superficialit infantile per quanto riguarda il suo lavoro, un entusiasmo ignorante che potrebbe rovinare tutto. A Roma c anche Will Ladishaw, che intuisce come Dorothea si sia sposata pi per servire che per amare, e, a poco a poco, se ne invaghisce. Ai cugini fa conoscere Neumann, un pittore tedesco che, volendo ritrarre la bellezza di Dorothea, esegue un ritratto a Casanbon, glielo vende e, nel frattempo, approfitta della presenza della sua vera modella; Will quasi geloso di Neumann, e, col suo modo desprimersi ben pi franco e naturale di quello del marito, s reso molto simpatico a Dorothea.

Fred non pu pagare un debito di cui il padre di Mary sera fatto garante: non pu rivolgersi a suo padre, che non lo aiuterebbe perch in disaccordo da quando Fred ha deciso dabbandonare gli esami, e perci dovr pagare la famiglia Garth, ma i Garth sono pi poveri dei Vincy, e, pi orgogliosi di Fred, non chiedono elemosine al ricco parente Featherstone; con il suo lavoro dinsegnante, la madre di Mary ha messo da parte quanto basta per far intraprendere gli studi al figlio Alfred, e Mary stessa ha accumulato qualche risparmio servendo Featherstone: tanto gentile, onesto e fiducioso quanto ingenuo nel farsi compromettere da Fred, il buon Garth deve ricorrere ad entrambi i risparmi. Fred si scusa sia con i genitori sia con la figlia, ma ormai lopinione che tutti si vanno facendo di lui che sia bravo pi con le parole che con i fatti: grazie, infatti, alleredit, Fred troppo certo del proprio futuro per trovarsi unoccupazione seria che lo renda indipendente dagli altri; egli non fa che aspettare la morte del vecchio vivendo alla giornata sino a quel giorno. Per questo Mary non accetta le sue dimostrazioni daffetto: ha troppo buon senso per capire come sar la vita di Fred e troppo orgoglio per pensare di accettarla; intanto Fred s ammalato seriamente, e la diagnosi sbagliata del medico di casa Vincy consente a Sydgate di porre rimedio e dintrodursi (ma gli procura anche inimicizie presso gli altri medici); nelle sue frequenti visite bada pi a Rosamond che a Fred, anche se non si decide ad appagare le speranze della giovane. Tornata nel frattempo dal viaggio di nozze, Dorothea apprende del fidanzamento della sorella con James Cheltam, e litiga con il marito che la offende come se lei volesse sempre qualcosa che a lui dispiace, ma poco dopo il marito ha un serio attacco di cuore; Sydgate si rende conto della gravit e gli consiglia di dedicare pi tempo allo svago, mentre rivela a Dorothea che ci imperativo, se si vuole evitare una morte improvvisa, ma Dorothea sa quanto gli studi contino nella vita del marito, e non vede come egli possa cambiare vita da un giorno allaltro e rinunciare alle ambizioni per cui ha lavorato cos tanto; in lacrime Dorothea chiede consiglio a Sydgate, che, commosso, non sa cosa risponderle.

Rosamond molto imbarazzata e spaventata dallindecisione di Sydgate: si parla apertamente dun loro fidanzamento, mentre lui non le ha ancora detto nulla, anzi, un giorno Sydgate confessa di non aver propositi matrimoniali, e questo fa sentire Rosamond uninnamorata non corrisposta; allarmato dalle voci insistenti, Sydgate entra in casa Vincy affliggendo ancor pi Rosamond, e quando vi torna il suo tono freddo provoca le lacrime della ragazza, che cos confessa i propri sentimenti, e, in quel momento, il medico sinnamora definitivamente e si dichiara.

Ormai prossimo alla fine, Peter Featherstone assillato dai parenti che vogliono essere ricordati nel testamento e che inveiscono contro i Vincy, considerati degli intrusi; poco prima di morire il vecchio chiama accanto a s Mary e le rivela daver steso due testamenti, per riservarsi sino allultimo la possibilit di scegliere quale bruciare, ma invita invano Mary a prendere le carte: Mary non se la sente dessere protagonista di un atto cos importante, e gli chiede di chiamare qualcun altro, oppure daspettare il giorno dopo; nonostante il vecchio le ordini di prendere le chiavi e le offra persino del denaro, Mary rifiuta; poche ore dopo Featherstone muore. Si trovano due testamenti, il primo dei quali lascia quasi tutto a Fred, mentre il secondo (quello che voleva bruciare con laiuto di Mary) lascia quasi tutto ad uno straniero, Joshua Pigg. Le conseguenze di questeredit sono la crisi della famiglia Vincy (in cui la sfaccendaggine di Fred ed il matrimonio povero di Rosamond erano tollerati in virt duna futura ricchezza), il senso di colpa di Mary (che stata, seppur involontaria, arbitra della fortuna di Fred), e lo scontento dei Featherstone.

Tornato dal suo viaggio, Will Ladishaw si stabilisce presso il padre di Dorothea, che stima molto le sue capacit, e, comprato un giornale locale, offre un impiego al giovane; Will tanto simpatico a Dorothea quanto antipatico a Casanbon. Dorothea trova in lui la compagnia giovane e vivace che le manca, ed un buon motivo per stimare il marito, da anni benefattore di Will. Casanbon irritato da questa simpatia, considera una specie daffronto la decisione, da parte del cugino, di rendersi indipendente, soprattutto perch intende esercitare nel vicinato, come a voler dimostrare di poter fare a meno di lui e meglio di lui. Casanbon pensa che la simpatia della moglie sia dovuta alla tattica seduttrice di Will; Dorothea difende la sua causa irritando Casanbon, che non gradisce neppure le visite del nipote (in realt semplicemente geloso del giovane attraente); Will considera Dorothea una specie di martire e non esita a considerare Casanbon il suo carnefice: si propone daiutare e servire Dorothea, in modo che possa trovare in lui la comprensione e la dedizione che il marito non le concede; pur essendo ufficialmente riconoscente verso Casanbon, Will sa dellostilit, e la ricambia.

Mr. Brooke ha intenzione di presentarsi come candidato alle prossime elezioni per il parlamento: spinto dalle critiche rivolte al suo comportamento verso i locatari delle sue terre, su pressione di Dorothea e dei vicini costretto ad ingaggiare Caleb Garth per restaurare tutti i villini; questo lavoro risolleva le condizioni della famiglia, cosicch Mary pu restare a casa. Il buon Garth fiero dessere stato richiamato al posto che gi occupava molto tempo prima.

Casanbon apprende della gravit del proprio malanno; la sua freddezza ha posto Dorothea in una solitudine ingiusta, che assomiglia molto ad una reclusione; Dorothea premurosa e sensibile, unottima moglie, e non sa spiegarsi lostilit del marito; ciononostante prosegue umile a volergli bene, contenta delle poche parole affettuose che riceve e di essere utile allingegno del marito, ma Casanbon sempre pi geloso di Ladishaw: pur avendolo bandito da casa sua, teme che alla sua morte il giovane cugino sposer Dorothea.

Celia diventa mamma e Casanbon muore, lasciando come ultimo desiderio un veto ad un eventuale matrimonio tra Dorothea e Ladishaw, come se tra loro vi fosse gi qualcosa; questa postilla al testamento ed un sincero discorso della sorella spingono Dorothea a vedere il marito sotto un altro aspetto: i suoi pensieri egoisti, diffidenti e sospettosi erano certo meno elevati di quanto lei pensasse. Rimessasi, Dorothea deve tornare agli affari di Sowick, e, per prima cosa, affida gli affari spirituali a Farebrothen, tanto buono quanto poco coerente nella sua abitudine al gioco, peraltro dovuta alla necessit di racimolare un po di denaro per i familiari; Farebrothen stima Mary Garth, e le sorelle non esitano a spingerlo a propositi di matrimonio, ma , tra laltro, anche confidente di Fred, che lo incarica di chiedere proprio a Mary se potr mai essere sua moglie, e se approva la sua decisione dintraprendere la carriera ecclesiastica: Mary e Fred sono cresciuti insieme e Fred ha amato Mary da sempre. Mary non pu promettergli che sar sua, perch cos facendo andrebbe contro la volont dei genitori, ma gli promette che non sar mai sua se lui entrer nella chiesa.

Annoiatasi della compagnia della sorella e del neonato, Dorothea torna stabilmente a Sowick, riordina i taccuini del marito ed aspetta con ansia dincontrare Will; su un appunto lasciatole dal marito scrive "non posso sottomettere la mia anima alla tua, lavorando a cose in cui non credo": pur avendo perso la fiducia e la stima del marito, prova come un sentimento di piet verso le cose da lui lasciate, per quelluomo cos turbato e, in fondo, infelice che aveva dedicato tutto al suo lavoro e che era morto prima di completarlo, e la cui moglie era intenzionata a seppellire anche quel poco che rimaneva di lui, cio proprio i frammenti di quel lavoro; ciononostante Dorothea desidera ricevere Will: in lei sempre pi forte lassociare la sensazione dellingiustizia con la posizione di Will, forse privato della sua legittima propriet dai Casanbon, maltrattato e bandito dal marito, ed ora vittima delle malignit, e resta sempre forte il suo sentimento damicizia verso di lui, pur sapendo quello che il mondo intero penserebbe di lei se riallacciasse quellamicizia. Quando Will, intenzionato a trasferirsi in citt per un lungo periodo, si presenta per dirle addio, Dorothea, dapprima molto agitata, stenta a riprendere il suo controllo: come sempre parla con molta sincerit e senza cerimoniali, con un tono di saggezza e rassegnazione; forse Will vorrebbe che lei scoppiasse in lacrime, e sarrabbia; quando stanno per dirsi qualcosa di pi profondo, arriva James Cheltham, e Will deve lasciare Dorothea.

Spesso i sentimenti di Dorothea, in apparenza cos forte e sicura, si esprimono attraverso il pianto (reale, preteso od imminente), e cos il suo sguardo e le lacrime sono il metodo pi semplice di descrivere le sue emozioni: Will era stato lunica gioia della sua breve esperienza matrimoniale, e, pur senza rendersene conto, quella che lei aveva considerato unamicizia era qualcosa di pi; decisa comunque, pur essendo poco pi che ventenne, a non risposarsi, si mette alacremente al lavoro con Caleb Garth per migliorare i suoi possedimenti; il molto lavoro consente al buon Garth di assumere Fred (che, sfidando le ire del padre, ha rinunciato alla carriera ecclesiastica e non esita a confessare il suo amore per Mary ed il suo bisogno di riabilitarsi lavorando) alle sue dipendenze. Il padre di Mary lieto di offrirgli unoccasione, forse influenzato dal gesto di Mary (che decise le sorti delleredit), mentre la madre ne dispiaciuta: sperava in Farebrothen, un marito che avrebbe elevato di molto il rango della famiglia, ma Caleb, pur fiero di questa possibilit, giudica il grande affetto di Fred pi importante per il futuro di Mary; quando per Fred apprende delle diverse speranze della signora Garth singelosisce di Farebrother, il suo migliore amico, e, sconsolato, si presenta da Mary, professandosi certo che lei finir per sposare il pastore; Mary, infatti, spesso ospite della sua famiglia per piccoli lavori, ed quindi influenzabile dalla madre e dalle sorelle del bravuomo, oltre che dalla propria madre e, soprattutto, da Farebrothen, perfetto in ogni sua maniera, colto ed elevato, tanto migliore di Fred sotto ogni aspetto, ma Mary quasi soffende di questa gelosia.

Sydgate si trova in difficolt economiche ed ha qualche disaccordo con Rosemond: Rosemond stata infatti viziata, abituata allo spreco, testarda e disubbidiente; amante dellequitazione, nonostante il marito le avesse proibito quello sport, perde un figlio cadendo, incinta, da cavallo; gongola nel frequentare il ramo nobile dei Sydgate, perch ama essere invidiata; non per nulla ben disposta verso la nuova vita che le difficolt economiche rilevatele dal marito le prospettano, e, disubbidendo ancora una volta, chiede aiuto a suo padre, che peraltro sempre stato poco favorevole al matrimonio e non ha nessuna intenzione di provvedere; infine, non appena saputala, rivela a Will la postilla del testamento di Casanlon.

Bulstrode, altro ricco zio di Fred, ha cominciato la sua carriera dal nulla: orfano, allevato in una casa di carit, aveva iniziato a lavorare come impiegato; preso da una foga spirituale, aveva anche pensato di diventare missionario. Il membro pi ricco della sua congregazione, Demkirk, laveva accolto in casa sua e gli aveva affidato gli incarichi che favorirono linizio della sua fortuna. Morti Demkirk ed il figlio di questi, e fuggita la figlia per darsi al teatro, Bulstrode sera trovato nella condizione di poter sposare la ricca vedova; prima di sposarsi questa volle verificare se la figlia avesse messo al mondo un bambino, nel qual caso gli sarebbe stato concesso qualcosa degli averi dei Demkirk; ma, per impadronirsi dellintera eredit, Bulstrode corruppe luomo che aveva rintracciato la giovane affinch non rendesse noto lesito delle sue ricerche. Bulstrode giustificava questo, e, in generale il suo attaccamento alla ricchezza, con una visione molto egocentrica della provvidenza, che lavrebbe scelto per disporre nel bene ci che altri avrebbero disposto nel male; morta la moglie, Bulstrode sera conquistato una posizione rispettabile di banchiere e benefattore a Middlemarch, ed aveva sposato Harriet Vincy; ora per era ricattato da Raffles, lunico uomo che sapesse del misfatto; lipocrisia di Bulstrode ancora pi grande per il fatto che i traffici dei Demkirk erano tuttaltro che puliti: prestavano denaro su pegno senza troppi scrupoli sulla provenienza dei beni impegnati; Bulstrode decide comunque di porre rimedio al male arrecato allerede naturale, che risulta essere Will Ladishaw, ma questi rifiuta sdegnosamente del denaro proveniente da traffici disonesti; dopo un ultimo saluto a Dorothea, ormai innamorata e persino gelosa, Will parte da Middlemarch in cerca di unoccupazione.

Sydgate simpiega nellospedale che Bulstrode ha fatto costruire, ma la situazione familiare peggiora: nonostante i debiti, Rosemond si ostina a non voler abbandonare il suo tenore di vita, lo contraddice e disubbidisce in tutte le decisioni, agisce di nascosto per evitare che si realizzino i suoi piani di sacrifici. Sydgate si rivolge invano a Bulstrode: quando i creditori gli entrano in casa, Rosamond decide di tornare dai suoi.

Bulstrode decide di liberarsi di Raffles portandolo lontano da Middlemarch, ma Raffles ritorna in condizioni fisiche disperate, e viene trovato da Caleb Garth, al quale rivela in delirio il passato di Bulstrode; informato Bulstrode, Garth rifiuta di lavorare ancora per lui: Bulstrode sa che Garth non parler con nessuno, ma teme che Raffles possa delirare ancora in presenza di altri, e perci lo veglia personalmente ed esegue le prescrizioni di Sydgate; presto per comincia a sperare nella morte del suo persecutore e finisce per accelerarla, omettendo deseguire alcune delle raccomandazioni del dottore; pur dingraziarsi questultimo, gli presta i soldi necessari per pagare i creditori. Pur felice daver risolto i suoi problemi, Suydgate non capisce il motivo di tanta generosit dopo il primo rifiuto; prima dammalarsi Raffles ha comunque parlato con un abitante di Middlemarch, e la voce s sparsa velocemente; alla prima occasione Bulstrode viene pubblicamente accusato dai suoi nemici, e Sydgate viene considerato suo alleato: entrambi vengono isolati, ma mentre la moglie di Bulstrode decide di seguirlo comunque con affetto, Rosamond viene scagliata ancora pi lontano da Suydgate, e tra i due sinstaura lincomprensione pi totale. Dorothea si offre di aiutare Sydgate, sia moralmente (difendendolo dalla calunnia), sia economicamente (finanziando lospedale istituito da Bulstrode e pagando il debito di Suydgate verso questi); si reca persino a casa sua per convincere Rosamond ad abbandonare i propositi di partenza e per testimoniare la sua stima nei confronti del marito, ma nella sala daspetto di casa Sydgate trova Rosamond e Will Ladishaw intenti, mano nella mano, a sussurrare teneramente lun laltra i propri problemi; Rosamond soltanto imbarazzata dessere colta in quellatteggiamento, ma Will, rendendosi conto daver perso la fiducia di Dorothea, sinfuria con lei, e mentre Dorothea cerca di non soffrire pi del dovuto per quellimmagine che guasta i suoi buoni propositi (e, in generale, per quelloffesa che il suo buon cuore non meritava), Rosamond sprofonda nellumiliazione e nella disperazione: abituata ad essere coccolata da tutti e da tutti preferita, deve sopportare la preferenza che Will accorda a Dorothea, proprio quando sperava di trovare in lui qualcuno che le prestava pi attenzioni del marito; invece Will non si lascia impietosire neppure dalla sua umiliazione, mentre Sydgate ne ancora innamorato ed ancora commosso da ogni sua depressione. Dorothea si rende conto daver amato Will: quando la coscienza si sostituisce allemozione del momento, scoppia in un pianto dirotto; la sua grande forza morale nasconde ancora una volta un punto di grande debolezza che lei stessa ha contribuito, con un comportamento infantile, a rendere ogni giorno pi debole. Dorothea rifiuta sempre di rendersi conto dei suoi sbagli finch non ha altre alternative, ed allora piange; passa una notte intera sul pavimento di casa, ma il giorno dopo ha gi riacquistata tutta la sua forza e si dirige nuovamente verso casa Suydgate: Rosemond laccoglie freddamente, poich vede in lei la preferita di Will e la preferita di Suydgate, e teme questi suoi vantaggi, ma il solito tono naturale, cordiale, sincero e colmo demozione con cui, dimenticando lincidente del giorno prima, Dorothea affronta i problemi di Suydgate, vincono la diffidenza di Rosemond, tanto che finiscono per abbracciarsi piangenti, e Rosemond trova il modo di spiegarle che, con quellatteggiamento equivoco, Will stava confessando il suo amore per Dorothea e vanificando le speranze di Rosamond: Dorothea felice di questa rivelazione, e, se non felice, Rosamond perlomeno convinta che il suo miglior rifugio tra le braccia del marito, che, pur rimpiangendo qualche carenza di carattere nella moglie, sa di essere a sua volta legato a lei, e si sente responsabile della sua felicit.

Quando sincontrano, Dorothea e Will capiscono che il loro amore mimetizzato da amicizia non pu durare a lungo in quella forma: Will si dispera, ma Dorothea decide egualmente di sposarlo, anche se dovr rinunciare alleredit di Casanbon e vivere in una delle tante strade di Londra con gli esigui guadagni di Will, ma, non essendo mai stata attaccata al denaro, non essendo abituata a grandi spese personali neppure nellabbigliamento ed avendo sempre pensata la sua agiatezza come eccessiva, Dorothea sente di poter sacrificare il suo mondo nonostante le minacce dei parenti ed i curiosi rimproveri della sorella.

Anche Bulstrode lascia Middlemarch; al nipote Fred lascia, sotto la responsabilit di Caleb Garth, la conduzione della propriet appartenuta a Featherstone, ed ora in suo possesso; cos Fred e Mary possono sposarsi: sotto locchio attento e contento di Caleb Garth, laffetto di Fred (che dura sin dallinfanzia) e la saggezza di Mary garantiscono per il futuro.

Alla nascita del primogenito, Dorothea si riconcilia con il parentado: ben conoscendo il suo nobile carattere ed i suoi generosi sentimenti (che, sfociati spesso in illusioni, hanno assunto laspetto di errori, complicando la vita a lei ed a coloro che le sono affezionati) nessuno vuole portarle rancore.

Il romanzo costruito su tre coppie principali: Suytgate-Rosamond, Dorothea-Will e Fred-Mary; Dorothea e Sydgate sono i personaggi pi compiuti, entrambi idealisti frustrati dalla vita pi che dalla societ; Fred e Mary sono due caratteri complementari, quasi a s stanti, da sempre destinati a vivere insieme ma sottoposti ad una serie di prove prima di ottenere il premio finale: le loro personalit sono pi normali e pi comuni, pi rurali e pi popolari, prese da problemi concreti che si ripropongono giorno dopo giorno e non da tragedie o slanci idealistici. Attorno a queste coppie ruotano molti altri personaggi: i buoni (come Caleb Garth e Farebrother), i cattivi (come Bulstrode e Raffles), i simpatici (come Celia) e gli antipatici (come Casanbon); tutte le loro vite sono viste nellambito del matrimonio: i loro caratteri sono svelati dai rapporti con linnamorata o con la moglie e viceversa; in quasi tutti i casi (compresi Sydgate e Dorothea) il coniuge lo specchio rivelatore dellanima del personaggio, attraverso i piccoli gesti e le reazioni spontanee, alle sollecitazioni della compagna o del compagno; le storie sintrecciano dando origine al villaggio, che, nel momento di giudicare, assume vita autonoma: il giudizio non del singolo, ma della comunit (cos per il fallimento di Sydgate, per il passato di Bulstrode, per il secondo matrimonio di Dorothea); gli eventi non rappresentano fortune o tragedie eccezionali, e proprio per questo sono assunti a simbolo universale, della gente che giace in tombe abbandonate e che ha fatto la societ cos com, risolvendo i problemi quotidiani della propria esistenza; la variet di queste piccole vite descritta dalla moltitudine di personaggi; tra i tanti la Eliot addita Dorothea e Sydgate, quelli che si rendono conto di essere parte della societ e che, con le loro sole vite, vorrebbero cambiarla in meglio, ma i loro desideri ed i loro sforzi sono nulli nella massa di minuscole vite che sono minuscoli contributi al cambiamento globale, ma tanto numerose che, sommate insieme, soffocano qualsiasi individualit, e soffocano il bene cos come soffocano il male, sicch Bulstrode e Casanlon non alterano che di poco la vita di coloro che sono stati infelici per causa loro. Questa legge della dinamica duna societ media (cio n aristocratica n proletaria, n urbana n rurale) contempla un certo numero di forze: denaro, rango, professione, che agiscono tra due persone determinando il comportamento reciproco; quando, per, si tratta dun microcosmo familiare (le due persone sono, cio, marito e moglie od innamorati), interviene la forza pi nascosta, che agisce in uno strato pi profondo, nella mente: lincomunicabilit, limpossibilit di confidare interamente s stessi nonostante il bisogno di farlo (Sydgate con Rosamond, Dorothea con Casanbon, ma anche i Bulstrode, Will e Dorothea, ecc.), di farsi capire e di farsi aiutare, limpossibilit, quindi, di unire gli sforzi individuali. Ma, nonostante la rinuncia ai propri ideali, alla fine sono tutti felici (salvo i cattivi), perch nella coppia si realizza una parte di s.

Middlemarch Plot Analysis

Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.

Initial SituationDorothea marries Mr. Casaubon; Lydgate marries Rosamond

Already, the plot of Middlemarch goes against traditional Victorian plots. Usually, the protagonist gets married at the very end, but here, these two couples are married by the end of the first volume. Dorothea longs to do great and noble work in the world, but she can't really explain what that work will entail. She thinks that marriage to a scholar like Mr. Casaubon will somehow satisfy all of her inexpressible longings. And Lydgate thinks that marriage to Rosamond will be like a chivalric romance. They're both wrong.

ConflictEveryone is disillusioned by marriage

Dorothea discovers that Mr. Casaubon is too tied up in his own little world to pay any attention to her, and Mr. Casaubon begins to fear that Dorothea doesn't look up to him enough. Lydgate realizes that Rosamond's seeming docility is just an act and that she's really as stubborn as a mule, while Rosamond discovers that Lydgate lives for his work, and not for her.

ComplicationWill Ladislaw shows up in Middlemarch

Dorothea is happy to see Will, but his appearance puts another strain on her marriage: Mr. Casaubon is jealous and suspicious of the friendship between Dorothea and Will, and he tries to stop them from seeing each other. Meanwhile, Will has made friends with Lydgate and Rosamond and hangs out at their house a lot. He's not conscious of it, but Rosamond is developing a crush on him.

ClimaxMr. Casaubon dies and leaves an unfair codicil in his will

The codicil in Mr. Casaubon's will makes it impossible for Dorothea and Will to see each other without causing a lot of gossip. The codicil says that if Dorothea remarries Will Ladislaw, she'll forfeit all the inheritance from Mr. Casaubon. The implication is that she wanted to marry Will in the first place. Will feels like he can't go anywhere near her without people whispering about how he's only after her money.

SuspenseDorothea catches Rosamond and Will together

Dorothea is ready to ignore her dead husband's codicil because she has realized that she's in love with Will, but then she walks in on Rosamond and Will alone together. She thinks they're making out, but really Will is telling Rosamond to back off because he's in love with Dorothea. Will they ever get over this misunderstanding?

DenouementRosamond explains it all

Even after seeing Rosamond and Will together, Dorothea is generous enough to visit Rosamond to try to help her save her marriage. Rosamond is so touched by Dorothea's generosity that she tells Dorothea that everything was her fault she was coming on to Will, and he was rejecting her, when Dorothea walked in. Will's in love with Dorothea after all!

ConclusionDorothea and Will marry and live happily ever after; Lydgate and Rosamond do not

The final chapter (the "Finale") explains what happens to all of the major characters. Dorothea and Will marry even though it means giving up Mr. Casaubon's fortune. And Lydgate and Rosamond live unhappily ever after. Until Lydgate dies and Rosamond is free to remarry.

Whats Up With the Ending?

The ending ofMiddlemarchis a problem for a lot of readers and critics: is it a happy ending? This is an honest question we learn in the "Finale" chapter what happens to all the major characters: Mary and Fred live happily ever after; Lydgate and Rosamond live unhappily, but at least non-adulterously, until Lydgate dies and Rosamond is free to remarry.That's all fine, and what we would have predicted. But what about Dorothea? She becomes Mrs. Ladislaw, and Will becomes an important politician. Wasn't Dorothea destined for greater things? The narrator tells us that many of her friends thought so: "many who knew her, thought it a pity that so substantive and rare a creature should have been absorbed into the life of another, and be only known in a certain circle as a wife and mother" (8.finale.13). Her brother-in-law, Sir James Chettam, always used to say that Dorothea should have been a "queen," and yet she ends up playing the conventional Victorian role of "wife and mother." Are we supposed to be disappointed that she doesn't lead an "epic" life?Take a look at the final lines of the novel Eliot says that Dorothea's "full nature, like that river of which Cyrus broke the strength, spent itself in channels which had no great name on the earth." In other words, Dorothea's lofty, idealistic nature is like a river that gets dammed up and redirected and turned into lots of smaller canals. So, instead of being a wide and powerful river, her energies get turned into narrower channels. Is this a bad thing? Seems like it could be but read on.The narrator goes on to say that Dorothea's "effect [] on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts." So, the good thing about the river that gets redirected into many narrow channels is that it provides water to lots of people, even if they don't realize what a great and powerful river it used to be. It's the same way with Dorothea: her "effect" on the people around her is "incalculably diffusive." And this is important, too: it might not have been an "epic" life in the sense that she didn't complete any of her grand plans, but just because her "acts" were "unhistoric" (i.e., not worthy of being recorded in history books alongside great battles and lives of kings and queens), doesn't make them any the less important in the long run.The ending ofMiddlemarchmight not be "happy" in the traditional sense after all, the final words are "unvisited tombs" but maybe it's not as pessimistic as it at first might seem. We're all performing "unhistoric acts" everyday, and although we might not see all the consequences of what we do, the effects still could be as "incalculably diffusive" as Dorothea's.

Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction

Middlemarchfalls into the category of literary fiction pretty tidily: it's a novel, it's written in prose, and the third-person narrator is concerned with developing characters that have psychological depth and that react to events in a way that seems bothrealisticandsympathetic(i.e., we're able to imagine ourselves in their position, even if we don't agree with it).CallingMiddlemarcha work of "historical fiction" is slightly more problematic. What makes something "historic," anyway?Middlemarchwas written in 1870-71, but it takes place in 1830-32. Does a gap of forty years make it historical fiction? The novelist who (arguably) invented historical fiction, Sir Walter Scott, wrote his first novel,Waverley, about historical events that took place sixty years before the time of writing. So, if sixty years makes something "historical fiction," why not forty years?

Middlemarch Narrator:

Who is the narrator, can she or he read minds, and, more importantly, can we trust her or him?

Third Person (Omniscient)

The narrator ofMiddlemarchdoesn't just know everything about everybody in the novel (that's what "third person omniscient" means), she seems to know everything about everybody, ever. The narrator is always making references or comparisons to literature, art, music, science, and history these references are so frequent that most readers are constantly flipping to the footnotes or visiting the "historical references" section of Shmoop's "Shout Outs." Why does the narrator do this? Well, one effect of all those references is to make the struggles of the individual characters seem more timeless and universal. The narrator is always switching from the micro-level problems of characters in the novel to the macro-level trends that those characters represent. And by frequently referring to famous authors (Shakespeare, anyone?), the narrator is able to make the point that the struggles she's representing inMiddlemarcharen't unique to the nineteenth century they're timeless.

Middlemarch Setting

Where It All Goes Down

Middlemarch, England

The novel is set in the fictional town of Middlemarch, England in 1830-1832. (For more on why it's set in 1830, when it was written in 1870, check out the "In a Nutshell"; for more on the town of Middlemarch, see "What's Up with the Title?") Aside from a couple of flashbacks (to Lydgate's time in France and Bulstrode's time in London) and Dorothea and Mr. Casaubon's honeymoon in Rome, the novel stays pretty well glued to Middlemarch.

Whats Up With the Title?

Middlemarch is the name of the town where almost every scene of novel takes place. It's a pretty average place, as the "middle" part of the name suggests. It's a fictional town, but one that is supposed to be representative of dozens of other towns like it at this point in English history. It's in the "middle" of England, toonorth of London, and pretty much in the "middle" of nowhere you get the picture.The second part of the title, "A Study of Provincial Life," sounds almost scientific. Eliot wants to suggest that she's giving the reader an objective, anthropological "study" of the way people really lived in the provinces (in the country, in other words outside of major cities like London, Edinburgh, and Manchester). But how objective is Eliot? Well, science is certainly a major theme of the novel (see the "Themes" section), but the narrator's "scientific" objectivity comes and goes

Portrait of Will's Grandmother

Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory

The portrait of Will's grandmother comes up again and again. Dorothea associates it with Will, because it looks like him, but it could also be seen as a symbol for unhappiness in marriage. It seems to work both ways. Early on in the novel, the narrator says outright that Dorotheafelt a new companionship with it, as if it had an ear for her and could see how she was looking at it. Here was a woman who had known some difficulty about marriage. Nay, the colours deepened, the lips and chin seemed to get larger, the hair and eyes seemed to be sending out light, the face was masculine and beamed on her with that full gaze.(3.28.5)Dorothea feels "companionship" with the painting itself, and imagines that the woman in it can listen sympathetically to her trouble because she had had problems, too. But then she starts to imagine that it's actually an image of Will Ladislaw, who is the only person who has ever listened to and understood her. The association of the painting with Will Ladislaw, and with harsh judgments more generally, continues throughout the novel. Towards the end of the novel, Dorothea openly caresses the miniature painting: "she took the little oval picture in her palm and made a bed for it there, and leaned her cheek upon it, as if that would soothe the creature who had suffered unjust condemnation" (6.55.2). It's not clear whether the "creature" she's trying to soothe is Will Ladislaw or his grandmother, or maybe it just stands in for all people who are judged unfairly.Dorothea doesn't just associate the portrait with Will Ladislaw because of the family resemblance. Will's grandmother gave up the Casaubon family fortune to be with the man she loved (also named Ladislaw, of course). Dorothea's interest in Aunt Julia and her portrait could also be seen as foreshadowing her eventual decision to give up the Casaubon family fortune to marry her Ladislaw. So the portrait could be doing something more complicated than the simple association with Will Ladislaw, or with injustice it could be seen as a symbol of the ways that history repeats itself.

Analysis of Major Characters

Dorothea Brooke

Dorothea is an exceptional woman: she is smart, pious, and beautiful, and the governing principle of her character is her desire to help the needy, seen in her interest in redesigning the local farmers cottages. By giving money to Lydgates hospital, she is able to help the less fortunate, and by giving money directly Lydgate, she frees him from his debt to Bulstrode. Her philanthropic impulse indicates her essential goodness.

Dorothea is also stubborn and strong-willed, going against common advice to wed Casaubon, a much older man. Her marriage to him is driven by her desire to be taught by him, and she devotes herself to him entirelyand is appropriately devastated when he dies. Unfortunately, Casaubon doesnt trust her unmitigated devotion, either to his work or in loving him. When Dorothea learns of a clause in his will that forbids her to marry his cousin Will Ladislaw, Dorotheas devotion to her deceased husband shifts. She feels betrayed by his insinuation that she was unfaithful. In response, Dorothea refuses to finish Casaubons work, an indication that she is returning to her independent, pre-marriage self. When Dorothea does marry Ladislaw, she reveals her growth as a person. This marriage is a mutual understanding and partnership, and both members are equals. This marriage required Dorothea to flout convention and forgo her inherited wealth, and her willingness to do so show that she has regained her earlier rebellious energy but with a newfound maturity.

Tertius Lydgate

Lydgate enters Middlemarch as the bright, cutting-edge handsome new doctor. Although he is of high birth, Lydgate wants to be a country doctor. Lydgates desire is not entirely selfless, but he is genuinely interested in helping others. He is motivated by the desire to reform medical practices, and he symbolizes change and reform coming to Middlemarch. At first, things go well for Lydgate. His practice grows, he starts a new hospital, and he gains a reputation as a good doctor with patients of high social and financial standing. But when he abruptly falls in love with Rosamond, things begin to go downhill rapidly. Marriage ruins Lydgate, both financially and idealistically. As he gets further and further into debt, his personality changes, vacillating between coddling and soothing Rosamond and feeling intense bitterness toward her. The financial burden of marriage comes between him and his desire to reform the provincial medical practices of the neighborhood. In addition to his debts, the scandal of Raffles death marks him as an accomplice to murder.

Rosamond Vincy

Rosamond is the most genteel character inMiddlemarch. Her interests are not serious; she is concerned with social niceties, upward mobility, and living well. While Dorothea is beautiful, Rosamond is stunning and swanlike, a model of perfection. Although Rosamond comes from a middle-class background, her education lifts her to a higher social circle. She represents the ability to change social status through conduct, but in the end her education ruins her marriage and happiness.

Rosamonds primary motivation is social advancement, which fuels her desire to wed Dr. Lydgate. Initially Rosamond seems to genuinely love Lydgate, but when he loses his money, Rosamond loses interest in him. Their marriage fails as Rosamond struggles to keep her house and her possessions and becomes petulant and manipulative in the process.

Character List

Dorothea Brooke

Oldest of two daughters, and raised by her bachelor uncle, Mr. Brooke. Dorothea is an excessively religious, pious girlto the extent that she withdraws from the activities she likes most, and convinces herself to marry a man, Mr. Casaubon, who cannot satisfy her emotionally or mentally. Dorothea, although she is fairly well-educated, is nave about the outside world; when her marriage disappoints her, she is forced to learn that she cannot make a life through other people, and that she must fulfill her purpose in life through her own effort.

Celia Brooke

Dorothea's younger sister, the more calm and ordinary of the two. Although she makes no challenges to convention, Celia is sensible, and very perceptive when it comes to people and the Middlemarch world around her. She marries the kind and sensitive Sir James Chettam, a much better match, and made for better reasons, than her sister's union.

Mr. Brooke

Dorothea and Celia's guardian and uncle, brother to their deceased father. He is a strong-willed man, with definite, though outdated, ideas about what women should and should not do. Mr. Brooke means well, however, and has few qualms about flying in the face of Middlemarch conventions and politics, if need be.

Edward Casaubon

Dorothea's middle-aged husband, a crusty old scholar with an inability to feel emotion or love. He slaves away on a project called "The Key to All Mythologies," a work that is supposed to integrate his life's learning. However, Casaubon really has no intention of writing or finishing it, and has lost his ability to live and his will to achieve in the musty pages of books. He is also a man prone to jealousy and insecurity, which places a great burden on his young wife, Dorothea.

Sir James Chettam

Begins pursuing Dorothea at the beginning of the novel, but gives her up for her sister Celia when Dorothea becomes engaged to Casaubon. Chettam is an affable, kind man, who listens ardently to Dorothea's plans for improving the life of rural folk, and then takes great measures to make her plans a reality. Unlike many of the men in this novel, he does not subscribe to ideas that women should be weak, ornamental, and limited in their activities to household affairs; this makes his union with Celia a happy one, and cements his friendship with Dorothea.

Mr. Cadwallader

Preacher of Sir James' parish, and a trusted friend and advisor to him as well. He is kind, though has strong opinions in certain issues. He is often at Freshitt, Sir James' estate, for casual occasions and conversations.

Mrs. Cadwallader

Wife of Mr. Cadwallader, also rather kind-hearted, though with a tendency to be a bit of a busy-body. She knows all about neighborhood affairs, showing perhaps a little too much interest in other people's business.

Will Ladislaw

Young cousin of Mr. Casaubon, whom Casaubon has little regard for. He is kind though proud, and very intelligent. But, he is of lower social and economic standing than Casaubon because both his mother and grandmother married beneath themselves, and were disowned as a result. He is Dorothea's true love, and both of them bring out the best in each other.

Dr. Tertius Lydgate

Young man of about 30, of good family and social connections. He is the newest doctor in Middlemarch, and gains a lot of criticism from the old guard for his new methods and outsider status. He is proud to a fault, bright, and thinks that he has the capacity to be a great innovator in medicine. He falls in love with Rosamond and marries her, though his finances are less than ideal.

Rosamond Vincy

Very vain, empty-headed young woman, though her social graces and manner are perfect. She loves Lydgate because he is an outsider with impressive connections, and flatters her often. She needs constant attention from male suitors, even after marriage, and only the finest things around her. She treasures expensive possessions and furniture even more than her husband Lydgate, which causes great discord.

Mr. Vincy

Rosamond and Fred's father, mayor of Middlemarch. His family is one of the foremost in local society, and he is a merchant of good standing, dealing in cloth. Their family is not all rich, but got money from business. Mr. Vincy is very economical and works hard, though the rest of his family does not.

Mrs. Vincy

Wife to Mr. Vincy, and originator of many of her daughter Rosamond's flaws. She is also rather empty-headed, materialistic, and impractical; she gets Rosamond used to a very high standard of living, beyond even her husband's needs. She is not a bad woman, though she is recognized as being flawed, and not as steady as her husband.

Fred Vincy

The Vincys' only son; he starts out as a spendthrift and a very irresponsible young man, though by the end of the novel, he is doing decidedly better. He is in love with Mary Garth, though she is below him in social standing. However, Mary is much more sensible than he is, and gets him to work hard and prosper.

Mary Garth

Oldest child of the Garths, she works for Mr. Featherstone at Stone Court until his death. She is an intelligent girl who knows a good bit of literature, and she also has good experience with human nature. Mary is very affable, practical, and independent. She also helps Fred to improve himself immeasurably.

Caleb Garth

Mary's father, a hard-working man who manages estates and does improvements and construction projects on properties. He is far from rich, and very generous in spirit; overall a good man, who is always honest, and treats people well. He has a number of children, Mary being the most prominent. Fred becomes his apprentice when he cleans up his act.

Mrs. Garth

Wife of Caleb, just as honest and upstanding. She gives lessons to her own children and to village children as well, making extra money from this. She prizes responsibility, education, and honesty, and makes sure all of her children have these traits. She is a harder judge than her husband, but they are still a good match.

Mr. Featherstone

Owner of Stone Court, and very wealthy; related to both the Vincys and the Garths through his two childless marriages. He is a stern, unkind old man who uses his wealth as a threat to other people. He leaves his estate to his illegitimate son Mr. Rigg, which disappoints the Vincy family a great deal.

Mr. Rigg

Illegitimate son of Featherstone; he is disliked by people in Middlemarch for his common origins, and for being an outsider. He handles business and accountancy matters, and sells Stone Court to Mr. Bulstrode. He is stern and not very social, but not as mean as his father.

Mr. Bulstrode

Another prominent figure in Middlemarch, who runs a bank, a hospital, and other institutions. He has a good deal of money, and is prosperous; but his tendency to sermonize and keep an absurdly pious faade in public means that he is very unpopular with many people.

Mrs. Bulstrode

Mr. Vincy's sister; she is a very good woman, honest, upstanding, and faithful. She is also very good at evaluating other people, and their affairs. She gives excellent advice to Rosamond about marrying, and to the Vincys as well. Though her husband got his start in London, she is a true Middlemarcher, with a long family history there.

Mrs. Waule

Mr. Featherstone's sister, whom Mr. Featherstone does not like. She only comes to see him when he is dying, with the expectation that he will give her money in his will. A rater unpleasant woman, and not good company either.

Farebrother

A very honest and good man, though he is also human and would be the first to say so. He is in the clergy, and makes very little money; he supports his sister, mother, and aunt with this money, which is a bit of a strain. He is a good friend to Ladislaw, Lydgate, and others; he is also in love with Mary Garth, and she regards him highly.

Mr. Tyke

Another clergyman in the area, though his preaching is more sanctimonious, and favored by Bulstrode. He gets the position as the chaplain at the hospital instead of Farebrother for political reasons, although Farebrother is favored personally and as a preacher by most of the neighborhood.

Naumann

Will's painter friend in Rome, who appreciates Dorothea's beauty.

Trumbull

Town auctioneer, and business advisor to Featherstone. He seems to know Featherstone better than almost anyone, and is the only person other than Rigg who receives anything from his will.

Mr. Raffles

Rigg's stepfather, a good-for-nothing. Also a former business partner of Bulstrode's. He helped Bulstrode in some very disreputable trades, and comes back years later to blackmail him. He effectively blackens Bulstrode's name, then dies of alcoholism while under his care.

Christy Garth

The Garths' oldest son; he is a real academic excelling in languages and other subjects. He is responsible, upright, and everything that the Garths treasure in a person's character.

Captain Lydgate

Lydgate's flighty, wealthy, and airheaded cousin. Lydgate doesn't care for him at all, though Rosamond adores him because he pays her a lot of attention.

Godwin Lydgate

Lydgate's very wealthy uncle, who turns down Rosamond's request for a loan. He seems rather haughty, and not generous at all.

Miss Noble

Farebrother's aunt, who has never married. She is kindly, and Will is a very good friend to her.

Ned Plymdale

Vain suitor of Rosamond's, though she rejects him. He goes on to do well financially, and get married to someone else.

Mrs. Plymdale

Ned's mother, very proud and boastful about her son's success. Bitter that Rosamond rejects him.

Middlemarch Summary

Dorothea and Celia are two Middlemarch sister of marriageable age. Dorothea chooses Casaubon, a dried-up old scholar, for her husband, much to everyone's dismay. Celia, more sensible, choosesSir James Chettam, a local nobleman who wanted to marry Dorothea, before she turned him down. Celia andMr. Brooke, Dorothea's uncle, try to counsel her against marrying Casaubon, though she will not listen. Dorothea likes him because he is educated, and she wants to learn, though the marriage is a total mistake.

Dorothea and Casaubon get married; Casaubon hopes for someone to comfort and serve him, and Dorothea wants to be of use in his work. They go on honeymoon in Rome, and there they meetWill Ladislaw, Casaubon's young cousin, whom Casaubon dislikes. Dorothea and Will become friends immediately; they love to talk to each other, and seem to have a real connection, which Casaubon is very jealous of. The honeymoon turns out to be a disaster; Dorothea feels alone and unwanted, as her husband devotes his full time to his studies, and none to her.

Fred Vincyis an irresponsible young man who is used to people providing all the money he needs. He was unable to finish college because he had no aptitude for it, and He has a gambling debt against him, which he cannot pay because he has no job. He hasCaleb Garth, an honest family man, co-sign for the debt. Fred receives money from his uncle Featherstone with which to pay the debt. However, he wastes this money, and the Garths, who have little money, end up having to pay it. Fred is very sad, since he believes that this will jeopardize his hopes for Mary, their oldest daughter.

A young doctor named Lydgate moves to the town; he has new methods in medicine, which make some of the older, more established doctors his enemies. Rosamond, the Vincys' vain daughter, takes to him immediately, because he has good connections, and is new to Middlemarch. He likes her, but doesn't plan to marry; she believes he is all hers, and will propose very shortly. Lydgate takes the controversial step of charging patients for his service. Some people don't like this new way of doing things, but Lydgate is also able to cure some difficult cases, so his renown is mixed.

Lydgate is drawn toward Bulstrode, who is very influential though not too well-liked in the town. Lydgate is also compelled to vote with Bulstrode on certain issues, like who to serve as hospital chaplain; he does this to please Bulstrode, though he does not please his conscience.

Featherstone, an old cranky man who is a relative of the Garths and the Vincys, is dying; his relatives all come to visit, hoping that he will put them in his will, since he has tons of money and property. Fred has special hopes that he will get money, being as close to the old man as most people can be. Featherstone's relatives turn up in droves when he is sick, all hoping to be put into his will and get some money. He ignores all of them, and hasMary Garth, who is his housekeeper, either entertain them, or have them go away. He dies, and leaves everything to his illegitimate son,Mr. Rigg, leaving Fred very disappointed.

Dorothea's marriage continues to be a very unpleasant thing; the dynamic of their marriage does not change, though Casaubon grown more irritable. He expects her to devote all her time to making him feel better, soothing his insecurities, etc.; however, he doesn't tell her what he wants her to do, leaving her completely confused about everything. He doesn't expect that Dorothea should be a human being, with her own opinions and ideas; Dorothea becomes less and less content in the marriage.

Will Ladislaw moves to Middlemarch, much to Casaubon's displeasure. Mr. Brooke, Dorothea's uncle, has bought a newspaper, The Pioneer, and hires Will to work on it. Will and Mr. Brooke are politically progressive, which means that they are not well-liked in the neighborhood. Mr. Brooke decides to try and run for office; but he is mocked a great deal and gives up. Will is very politically adept, though, and should go into politics himself someday.

Lydgate, though he has no intent of marrying so soon, proposes to Rosamond; she accepts, and they are to be married. The couple are warned that they are not suited to each other; Rosamond has no sense of money, and likes things that are too expensive. However, the two are married, as Rosamond soon begins spending more than Lydgate actually has saved.

Casaubon is in a bad condition; Lydgate says that it is a heart ailment, and can kill him suddenly. Casaubon asks Dorothea to promise to follow his wishes after he dies; she does not promise immediately. But, before she can give him her answer, he is dead, and she is widowed.

There is a clause in Casaubon's will about Dorothea not marrying Will, or else she forfeits her property. This clause is a shock, and does not speak well of Will's character. Dorothea goes to visit her sister and Sir James, and their new baby, Arthur. However, she soon finds out about the clause, and is deeply troubled by it.

Fred is told to get a job by his father; instead, all that he can do is go back and finish school, which makes Mary a little happier. The Garths come upon a great deal of good fortune; Caleb Garth gets some new properties to manage, which means that the family has some money at last.Farebrotherand his family also start doing well; Dorothea gives them her large parish, and the extra income will allow Farebrother to marry, and will ensure that they have enough money to live a little better.

Meanwhile, Lydgate is deeply in debt; he cannot pay back his loans, and his business is failing quickly. Rosamond applies to her father and his uncle for loans, but nothing seems to work. He is in a nervous, desperate state, and the marriage is not looking too good either. Rosamond begins to hate him because he tries to deny her all the nice, expensive things that she likes. She treasures her precious things more than she does her husband, who is too stressed to pay attention to her. She begins keeping company with Will Ladislaw, and fancies that he loves her. He does not, but it keeps Rosamond content for some time.

Will finds out about the clause in Casaubon's will, and becomes determined to leave. He sees Dorothea one last time, and they have a very heated confrontation. He leaves and goes to London, to find another job; she stays and tries not to think of him too often.

Fred does not want to go into the clergy, and he has Farebrother speak to Mary for him. Mary says that she is determined to marry Fred if he will make good on his promise to get a job, but says he should not be a preacher. Fred decides, quite by accident, to become an assistant to Mary's father. His parents are not very pleased by this, but this is all he wants to do, or has any aptitude for.

Bulstrode buys Stone Court from Mr. Rigg, who decides to leave town and go back to the coast. Bulstrode meetsMr. Raffles, a man from his past, very much by accident; Mr. Raffles was in a questionable business of selling stolen goods, and will blackmail Bulstrode if he doesn't get money. Raffles also married Rigg's mother; but Rigg wouldn't give him any money, and told him to leave immediately.

Rigg comes again and again to haunt Bulstrode; Bulstrode pays him to leave, but Raffles comes back, and he is very ill. Raffles tells Mr. Garth about Bulstrode's past; but Mr. Garth is too scrupulous to spread this knowledge around, so Bulstrode thinks that he is safe. Raffles dies at Bulstrode's house, under Lydgate's care; this doesn't look good, but Raffles died of natural causes relating to alcoholism. Bulstrode offers Lydgate a large loan to keep him from going bankrupt; Lydgate takes it, though it looks really bad, like a bribe. Bulstrode also found out that he had married Will Ladislaw's grandmother, and had deprived Will of his rightful inheritance. He tries to repent by offering Will a good deal of money, but Will refuses, which is good.

Will comes back, but Dorothea catches him with Rosamond, in what looks like a bad situation. Dorothea is disappointed, and angry with Will; Will is in turn angry with Rosamond for making things look like he loved her, when he didn't at all. Will debates whether to go and see her or not; Sir James wants him out of the neighborhood again, thinking that he is no good, and he needs to protect his sister-in-law.

Raffles told his story to a few more people than just Caleb Garth; the story gets around to Middlemarch, and things start looking very bad for Bulstrode. Lydgate is also connected with this, as the loan is thought of as some kind of bribe for being quiet about the circumstances regarding Raffles' death. Dorothea, however, believes that Lydgate is innocent. She, Farebrother, and a few others convince him to stay; in time, public opinion is not so much against him, though his practice continues to diminish.

Bulstrode, however, has to leave Middlemarch because the scandal is so bad. His wife is very sorry, because she had no idea that his past was so dirty; she is a very good person, and makes up her mind to stay with him no matter what. He leaves in disgrace, though Lydgate, who is innocent, stays behind.

Fred is doing well in his work for Mr. Garth;Mrs. Bulstrodeleaves him the management of Stone Court, and he gets to live there as he takes care of the property. He and Mary become engaged, though Farebrother also wishes to marry her. But their engagement will be long, while Fred continues to prove himself through work, and saves money for marriage.

Dorothea bails out Lydgate with money to pay Bulstrode back. Finally, Will comes to see her; though she cannot marry him or else lose her property, she decides she doesn't want to lose him. Dorothea gives up all of Casaubon's money and property to marry Will; Celia and Sir James are shocked, though she has made the right decision. Sir James continues to think badly of the marriage; but Will and Dorothea go to London, Will is elected to Parliament, and they are very happy.