MiddlemarchWriting at the very moment when the foundations of Western thought were being challenged and undermined, George Eliot fashions in Middlemarch (1871-2), the quintessential Victorian novel, a concept of life and society free of the dogma of the past yet able to confront the scepticism that was taking over the age. In a panoramic sweep of English life during the years leading up to the First Reform Bill of 1832, Eliot explores nearly every subject of concern to modern life: art, religion, science, politics, self, society, human relationships. Among her characters are some of the most remarkable portraits in English literature: Dorothea Brooke, the heroine, idealistic but naive; Rosamond Vincy, beautiful and egoistic; Edward Casaubon, the dry-as-dust scholar; Tertius Lydgate, the brilliant but morally flawed physician; the passionate artist, Will Ladislaw; and Fred Vincy and Mary Garth, the childhood sweethearts whose charming courtship is one of the many humorous elements in the novel's rich comic vein. Felicia Bonaparte has provided a new introduction to this updated edition, the text of which is taken from the Clarendon critical edition. |
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answer become beginning believe better Brooke Bulstrode Caleb called carry Casaubon Celia certainly coming course dear Dorothea effect Eliot entered everything expected eyes face fact Farebrother father Featherstone feeling fellow felt Fred Garth give given hand head hear hope husband ideas imagination interest keep kind knew Ladislaw lady leave less light living looking Lowick Lydgate marriage marry Mary mean Middlemarch mind Miss morning mother nature never object observed once opinion perhaps poor possible present question reason returned Rosamond round seemed seen sense side Sir James sort speak suppose sure taken talk tell things thought told tone took turned uncle usual Vincy walked wife wish woman write young