Book Four – Three Love Problems. (Links to Books
One,
Two, and
Three.)
1) Dorothea is among those who watch Mr. Featherstone’s funeral procession from a window. She makes the comment to Celia,
“"I am fond of knowing something about the people I live among," said Dorothea, who had been watching everything with the interest of a monk on his holiday tour. "It seems to me we know nothing of our neighbours, unless they are cottagers. One is constantly wondering what sort of lives other people lead, and how they take things. I am quite obliged to Mrs Cadwallader for coming and calling me out of the library." (
Chapter 34)
What do you think of the group that watches the funeral from the window, and why do you think they make that decision? Do you agree with Dorothea’s statement, and how do you think it shapes her interaction with her Middlemarch neighbors?
2) In
Chapter 35 we hear of the contents of Mr. Featherstone’s will. What did you think of how items were distributed? What did you think of the character’s reactions to the will? Were you surprised about Joshua Rigg?
3) In
Chapter 36, we see Rosamond “handling” her father. What did you think this revealed about each of their characters, and about the impending wedding and Rosamond’s relationship with Lydgate? Do you think that Mr. Vincy gave his blessing willingly?
4) In
Chapter 37, we learn more about the political issues of England at the time, and Mr. Brooke’s interest in becoming involved in them. How has the book impacted your opinion and knowledge of the
Reform Act? What do you think about Mr. Brooke’s interest in politics, and of his purchase of The Pioneer and his hiring of Ladislaw? What do you think of the friendship between Ladislaw and Brooke?
5) Later in the same chapter, there is an exchange of letters between Mr. Casaubon and Ladislaw. What did you think of this exchange, and of each of their actions, and how do they impact Dorothea?
6) Will and Dorothea discuss religion in
Chapter 39:
"Please not to call it by any name," said Dorothea, putting out her hands entreatingly. "You will say it is Persian, or something else geographical. It is my life. I have found it out, and cannot part with it. I have always been finding out my religion since I was a little girl. I used to pray so much -- now I hardly ever pray. I try not to have desires merely for myself, because they may not be good for others, and I have too much already. I only told you, that you might know quite well how my days go at Lowick."
"God bless you for telling me!" said Will, ardently, and rather wondering at himself. They were looking at each other like two fond children who were talking confidentially of birds.
"What is / your / religion?" said Dorothea. "I mean -- not what you know about religion, but the belief that helps you most?"
"To love what is good and beautiful when I see it," said Will. "But I am a rebel: I don't feel bound, as you do, to submit to what I don't like."
"But if you like what is good, that comes to the same thing," said Dorothea, smiling.
"Now you are subtle," said Will.
What do you think of this exchange? How is Eliot’s life and beliefs mirrored in their thoughts? How well does it reflect the cultural milieu of England at the time?
7) Mr. Casaubon contemplates Dorothea’s relationship with Ladislaw at the end of
Chapter 42:
"In marrying Dorothea Brooke I had to care for her wellbeing in case of my death. But wellbeing is not to be secured by ample, independent possession of property; on the contrary, occasions might arise in which such possession might expose her to the more danger. She is ready prey to any man who knows how to play adroitly either on her affectionate ardour or her Quixotic enthusiasm; and a man stands by with that very intention in his mind -- a man with no other principle than transient caprice, and who has a personal animosity towards me -- I am sure of it -- an animosity which is fed by the consciousness of his ingratitude, and which he has constantly vented in ridicule of which I am as well assured as if I had heard it. Even if I live I shall not be without uneasiness as to what he may attempt through indirect influence. This man has gained Dorothea's ear: he has fascinated her attention; he has evidently tries to impress her mind with the notion that he has claims beyond anything I have done for him. If I die -- and he is waiting here on the watch for that -- he will persuade her to marry him. That would be calamity for her and sucess for him. / She / would not think it calamity: he would make her believe anything; she has a tendency to immoderate attachment which she inwardly reproaches me for not responding to, and already her mind is occupied with his fortunes. He thinks of an easy conquest and of entering into my nest. That I will hinder! Such a marriage would be fatal to Dorothea. Has he ever persisted in anything except from contradiction? In knowledge, he has always tried to be showy at small cost. In religion he could be, as long as it suited him, the facile echo of Dorothea's vagaries. When was sciolism ever dissociated from laxity? I utterly distrust his morals, and it is my duty to hinder to the utmost the fulfilment of his designs.
What does this betray about his opinion of Dorothea and of Ladislaw? What do you think he thinks about his health and his future wellbeing? How does he relate to Lydgate? Does he trust his medical opinion?
8) We end Chapter 42 and this section with Dorothea ruminating on her marriage to Causabon. What do you think of their relationship and what have they learned about each other? The end of the chapter states:
"Dorothea!" he said, with a gentle surprise in his tone. "Were you waiting for me?"
"Yes, I did not like to disturb you."
"Come, my dear, come. You are young, and need not to extend your life by watching."
When the kind quiet melancholy of that speech fell on Dorothea's ears, she felt something like the thankfulness that might well up in us if we had narrowly escaped hurting a lamed creature. She put her hand into her husband's, and they went along the broad corridor together.
What did you think about her decision, and about the ending of this chapter and section?
9) The name of this book is “
Three Love Problems” What are the three love problems, and have they been resolved by the end of the section?
10) Anything that I have missed?
1 cup finely chopped, seeded red pepper
The book gave tips about suspending the red pepper in the jam after it came out of the water bath, but warned against tilting it. I ended up putting them on the side, so they are cascading in their suspension. Since then, I’ve been advised that there is no worry about breaking the seal with turning upside down, so the next time I do this, I’ll just flip them back and forth until they set.
