The age old saying that pride comes before the fall is true; too much pride leads to arrogance and complacency. However, everyone must have a little pride—pride in their work, in themselves, in their capacity for faith. Pride demands that we walk a line. For several Middlemarch residents, personal pride, healthy and otherwise, is being challenged, putting many characters in situations they are not comfortable with.

Lydgate is deeply in debt and his pride is the main reason why. His motives were sweet; he just wanted to provide his new wife with a nice life. Unfortunately, his pride keeps him spiraling deeper into debt because he is controlled by what he thinks society demands a man with a good living ‘should’ have. He can’t immediately sell off possessions because he “thought he was obliged” to maintain a certain standard of living. It is so painful to see him struggle with this pride. Telling Rosamond that they needed to scale back was excruciating. Lydgate has nowhere to turn—he refuses to ask his father in law for help and cannot repossess the healing he dispensed when people don’t pay him for his service. It is touching that Lydgate does not sell the jewelry. He wants to badly to provide for his wife and not take back wedding gifts. He reveals himself to truly love Rosamond, while Rosemond acts like a child and pouts and goes to daddy for help. This stress may humble Lydgate, but he still struggles to provide for Rosamond over himself or his honor.

And then there is Ladislaw. I never truly believed that he loved Dorothea until this book. He always described her in terms of classical, unparalleled beauty, to the extent where his adoration bordered on worship rather than love. However, he hastens to leave Middlemarch when he finds out about the codicil and realizes the effect it could have on her—and his—honor in the eyes of their neighbors. His pride cannot stand being besmirched by gossip. Ladislaw would rather leave Middlemarch for good than have his honor questioned.

Ladislaw turns down the offer of financial assistance from Bulstrode for pride as well. Ladislaw knows that the money from his mother’s family was gotten by dishonorable means. At a time where Ladislaw is questioning his own honor and knows the town is doing likewise, it would be forsaking his own honor to accept the money from Bulstrode. Further, Bulstrode is motivated by pride and honor. He realizes that he is dishonorable—though unwilling to let go of his position of respect attempts to atone by bribing Ladislaw. This Hail Mary is repugnant. Bulstrode makes sure Ladislaw realizes that he has no legal claim on the money, thus protecting his interests while attempting to atone for his sin. Bulstrode is characterized as a clearly impotent, dishonorable old man, trying to eke out some semblance of forgiveness before he dies. By refusing the money, Ladislaw cements his good character and condemns all dishonorable action by Bulstrode —the best punishment that could have happened.

– Valerie Harrison