Middlemarch

Dorothea Brooke is a 19-year-old woman who has lost her parents. She is from a "not exactly aristocratic" (6) but good family nonetheless. Together with her little sister Celia, she goes to live with Arthur Brooke, her "bachelor uncle and guardian" (7). The 60-year-old Arthur lives at Tipton Grange, a sizeable estate that he owns and operates. Each of the orphaned sisters has inherited "seven hundred a-year each from their parents" (8) and Arthur gives them plenty of freedom to do whatever they want. Dorothea is allowed to pursue her interests. She is not only beautiful and intelligent, but also deeply religious. She also possesses "very childlike ideas about marriage" (10) and hopes to marry an intellectually-stimulating man.

The sisters divide the jewelry which belonged to their deceased mother. Dorothea is happy to allow Celia to take many of the items; she is reluctant to wear them but Celia insists that wearing them will show "respect to mamma’s memory" (12). Dorothea only keeps a ring and an emerald bracelet for herself. These pieces fill her with a religious spirit, seeming almost like "fragments of heaven" (15). After a slight disagreement, the sisters silently reconcile.

Arthur hosts two guests for dinner. Reverend Edward Casaubon is an academic middle-aged priest with a "very dignified" (19) manner, while Sir James Chettam is the young heir to a nearby estate who has been courting Dorothea for some time. Chettam's "scrappy slovenliness" (21) contrasts with Casaubon's academic dignity. Over dinner, Chettam tries to win Dorothea's favor by offering her the chance to ride one of his best horses. Dorothea is unimpressed by the offer and insists that she means "to give up riding" (22). She is more focused on Casaubon, whose intelligence and distinguished manner seem deeply attractive to her. Later, she and Celia discuss the two guests. Dorothea wonders whether she may have found a man with whom she can share "the higher inward life" (28) of spirituality.

Casaubon lingers in Dorothea's thoughts. Wondering whether she might make a "suitable wife for him" (30), she invites him to her home and listens to him discuss his book. Casaubon is writing The Key to All Mythologies, which he hopes will provide definitive proof that all religions are "corruptions of a tradition originally revealed" (31) in the Bible. Though he has many notes, he has not yet produced anything readable. Dorothea imagines a future where she helps Casaubon finish this book. She imagines a potential marriage as a union of intellectuals, allowing her to "learn everything" (37).

At the same time, Chettam continues his romantic pursuit of Dorothea. He knows that she wants to improve the lives of the poor people who live on his expansive estate so he improves many of their cottages in an attempt to impress her. He also buys her a puppy, though she is uninterested in such a "parasitic" (39) pet as she worries that she might step on it due to her poor eyesight. She suggests Celia may enjoy the "objectionable" (40) puppy instead, as she believes that Chettam is interested in marrying her sister. Celia knows Chettam's real intentions but she cannot predict her sister's behavior. However, she appreciates Chettam's "readiness" (44) to put her plans into action on his estate.

Celia and Dorothea inspect the new cottages built on Chettam's estate. The cottages were designed by Dorothea. As they return, Celia announces that Chettam is "very much in love" (47) with Dorothea. The potential relationship is the topic of much gossip in the town of Middlemarch. Dorothea is shocked, angry, and annoyed. She decides that she must be "uncivil" (48) toward him. On returning home, she speaks to her uncle. Arthur has just returned from a meeting with Casaubon and he informs Dorothea that the priest has a "very high opinion" (52) of her, so much so that he has offered to marry her. Dorothea is happy, turning down the "impossible" (53) proposal from Chettam. Despite Dorothea's enthusiasm, Arthur is unsure about her marriage to Casaubon. He worries that Dorothea might be too strong-willed to make such a marriage work. Dorothea convinces him to bless the coupling, however, and he hands her Casaubon's written marriage proposal.

Dorothea reads Casaubon's letter. Strangely, his proposal focuses mainly on himself and his desires. He believes that Dorothea was sent by God to help him finish his work. Despite the weak nature of the proposal, Dorothea feels overwhelmed by "solemn emotion" (59). She accepts Casaubon's proposal and writes him a response. When Dorothea tells her sister about the engagement, Celia is less enthused. She suspects that Dorothea has more of an intellectual interest in the "ugly" (64) Casaubon, rather than a romantic interest. Nevertheless, she gives Dorothea her blessing and hopes for the best. That night, Casaubon dines with the Brooke family.

Mrs. Cadwallader visits Tipton Grange. She is a woman of "immeasurably high birth" (71) who married a priest; despite her fussy, gossiping character, she is popular in the community. On arrival, she chastises Arthur for his liberal politics and warns him that any attempt to run for office will only end in embarrassment. She believes that he should stand up for the interests of his own "respectable" (73) social class, rather than worrying about working-class people. Arthur and Celia tell her that Dorothea is "engaged to marry Mr. Casaubon" (75). Mrs. Cadwallader is shocked and annoyed. She has been trying to arrange a marriage between Dorothea and Chettam since the young girl's arrival in Middlemarch. She leaves to tell Chettam. When she breaks the news, however, she suggests that Chettam focus his romantic attentions on Celia instead, who "admires" (80) him very much. Chettam, upset by Dorothea's decision, decides to "conquer all show of feeling" (85) and pay more attention to Celia.

Casaubon thinks about his relationship with Dorothea. He is perplexed as to why he is not overly enthusiastic about her but decides that literature has "exaggerated the force of masculine passion" (86) and he is acting in a normal, restrained manner. He accepts Dorothea's request to teach her Greek and Latin, as she hopes that she will be able to read to him in these ancient languages. He hopes that this might be useful for his research. Though she is annoyed at her own "stupidity" (88), Dorothea has her own motivation for the lessons: She hopes that her relationship with Casaubon can provide her with an education.

Chettam takes Dorothea's rejection in a stoic manner, though he complains to Reverend Cadwallader (Mrs. Cadwallader's husband) about Casaubon's "character" (95). He pays regular visits to Tipton Grange and continues to build the cottages Dorothea designed. However, his romantic interest is now focused on Celia. Despite his switch in focus, he voices his "vexation" (96) about Dorothea. He asks Reverend Cadwallader to speak to Arthur about stopping the marriage. Reverend Cadwallader disapproves of such "interference" (98) and he does not believe that Arthur has the backbone to stand in the way of Dorothea's desires.

Dorothea, Celia, and Arthur visit Casaubon's home in Lowick. He lives in a large but unhappy rectory. Dorothea is invited to survey her "future home" (100) and suggest any changes ahead of the wedding. Dorothea finds "nothing to alter" (102). She even refuses to choose a bedroom, though Celia makes sure to select "a pretty room" (103) for her sister. Numerous portraits of Casaubon's relatives are scattered around the chosen bedroom. These relatives include his mother and his Aunt Julia, who was disinherited by the family after she ran away with a Polish man with whom she had "an unfortunate marriage" (104).

While touring the estate, Dorothea, Celia, and Arthur meet Will Ladislaw. Will is Casaubon's second cousin and Dorothea immediately notes his resemblance to Aunt Julia. Will is sketching. He invites Dorothea to examine his work, but she claims to be "too ignorant" (110) to judge his particular style of secular art. Will suspects Dorothea is mocking him, though he later realizes that she was being serious. The realization makes him laugh. Casaubon is dismissive of Will's artistic pursuits. He believes that Will is unfocused and superficial, noting how Will seems unwilling to choose a profession due to his "dislike to steady application" (113). Despite his apparent disdain for his cousin, Casaubon has paid for Will to attend Heidelberg University and plans to pay for Will's vacation to Europe.

Will is described as a bohemian figure. In the past, he experimented with "doses of opium" (115) and regimented fasting in an attempt to uncover some latent genius within himself. Casaubon is working on his book, but Will is unimpressed with the project. Will also notes his cousin's apparent lack of enthusiasm regarding his imminent marriage to Dorothea. Casaubon lacks any particular feeling toward Dorothea, though he does appreciate her "young trust and veneration" (119). For Dorothea, the hope is that she will come to understand her fiancé's work once they are married. She hopes that his religiosity will guide her.

The couple is officially presented as engaged at a dinner party at Arthur's home. Also in attendance is the newly elected mayor of Middlemarch, Mr. Vincy. He sits near his brother-in-law, a banker and fervent Evangelical Christian named Mr. Bulstrode, whom some call a "hypocrite" (123). A young doctor named Dr. Lydgate has recently purchased a local practice from a colleague. Unusually for a medical man, Lydgate is a gentleman whose family is "really well connected" (127). Rosamond Vincy, Mr. Vincy's daughter, is also in attendance. Once the dinner is finished, the engaged couple plans to leave on vacation. They marry and go "on [their] way to Rome" (131), where Casaubon will be able to study certain documents in the Vatican museum that he hopes will help with the writing of his book.

Dr. Tertius Lydgate falls in love with the "perfectly lovely" (132) Rosamond Vincy, even though he expected to remain single for the foreseeable future. Rosamond quarrels often with her older brother Fred, who has returned home after leaving university without finishing his exams. Rosamond has long insisted that she will not "marry any Middlemarch young man" (139). She is known for her intelligence as well as her good looks. At breakfast, she tries to subtly ask Fred questions about Lydgate.

The “incy family is well-connected in Middlemarch. Mr. Vincy’s sister is married to Mr. Bulstrode. The sister of Mrs. Vincy was previously married to Peter Featherstone, though she is now dead. Featherstone himself is suffering from old age and ill health, meaning he is not “long for this world” (143). The Vincy family expects the very wealthy Featherstone to leave his fortune to Fred. Featherstone’s housekeeper is Mary Garth. She is related to Featherstone through his first wife (who died many years before). Rosamond mentions her interest in the new arrival in Middlemarch, Dr. Lydgate. She wants to visit him and searches for an excuse to do so. As Lydgate is providing his services to Featherstone, she plans to accompany Fred on a visit to Featherstone’s house at a time that she knows the young doctor will be present.

Featherstone meets his sister, an elderly woman named Mrs. Waule. She is concerned that Featherstone will leave nothing in his will for his family. In an attempt to influence his plans, she shares “the talk up and down in Middlemarch” (149) about Fred’s gambling habits, saying that he is borrowing large amounts of money because he assumes that he will inherit Featherstone’s fortune. Rosamond and Fred enter and Featherstone requests a private audience with Fred. Rosamond visits Mary Garth, who works as Featherstone’s housekeeper, who she has known since “childhood” (153).

Featherstone confronts Fred about the rumors, which Fred insists are nothing more than a "silly lie" (155). He is being honest but he privately worries that he may have told someone about his expectations regarding the inheritance. Featherstone asks Fred to supply him with "a letter from Bulstrode" (157) that confirms that Fred has no plans to pay off his gambling debts with Featherstone's land. Fred knows that Bulstrode will resent such a demand. He knows that his uncle is reminding his nephew of his power and authority. Nevertheless, Fred has no choice but to comply with his miserly uncle's "order" (158).

In Mary's room, the women talk about Lydgate. Rosamond has long hoped to marry a wealthy, well-connected man from outside Middlemarch. While Mary and Rosamond are both in their early 20s, Mary lacks Rosamond's wealth, prospects, and beauty. Despite her "plainness" (159), she is an intelligent, shrewd woman. She is occasionally bitter about her diminished status and stature. During the conversation, Rosamond mentions her father's displeasure that the "idle" (162) Fred has lost his religion and quit university. Mary defends Fred, claiming that his becoming a priest would be hypocritical.

The women rejoin the men when Featherstone and Fred have finished their conversation. Then, Lydgate visits to care for his patient. Rosamond and Lydgate feel an immediate attraction to one another. As Rosamond and Fred return home, she dreams about "falling in love" (166) with the young doctor. Meanwhile, Fred decides that his father would be better placed to conduct "the unpleasant business of speaking to Bulstrode" (170)