Marriage is a problem in Middlemarch because no one seems to enter into a partnership; rather, couples enter on severely uneven footing and find the marriage very unstable as a consequence. Mr. Casaubon wanted a secretary and nurse where Dorothea wanted a teacher. Celia wanted a nice gentleman and Sir James wanted Dorothea. Lydgate loved Rosamond and Rosamond loved his social standing.

For Lydgate, Book 7 was a tale of one hardship after another. One of my favorite literary quotes comes from The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. In a scene where a man is straining under the newly-dawned yoke of marriage, Wharton comments that “he took refuge in the comforting platitude that the first six months were always the most difficult in marriage. “After that I suppose we shall have pretty nearly finished rubbing off each other’s angles,” he reflected; but the worst of it was that May’s pressure was already bearing on the very angles whose sharpness he most wanted to keep”. Lydgate has lost all of his prized angles. For him, marriage is literally the root of all evil. His debt stems from overspending in an attempt to provide for his new wife. Under this debt, which is widely known about through Middlemarch, Lydgate stops his scientific experiments. He considers begging for a loan from his family. He belittles himself to Bulstrode. And has every door slammed in his face. He becomes sickly. His practice begins to flounder. It is through these hardships that it is plainly visible that Lydgate loves Rosamond.  He deals with the “pain of foreseeing that Rosamond would come to regard him chiefly as the cause of disappointment and unhappiness”, even crying after she rebukes him. His character transformation has gone from a man with a purpose and grand plans to a shell of a man with little recourse left to him.  This fall works to reinforce the notion that one-sided love cannot make a marriage endure.  I wanted to step into the book and slap Rosamond when she declared that she “wished she had died with the baby” just because she was facing a reduction in her standard of living. I truly feel for Lydgate. After all, how do you go on fighting when the one you love looks at you as a failure?

This whole fiasco is compounded by Rosamond constantly going behind Lydgate’s back. She writes to his uncle and speaks to her father when he expressly did not want her to. She blocks the downsizing of their house, though it might have been their last refuge. She does not care about his opinion in these matters. It is a stereotypical role reversal. In stereotypical family units, the man takes care of financial matters and the women looks after the house, taking care to live within the means she is provided with. In the Lydgate house, Rosamond has no concept of budgeting and bullies and manipulates Lydgate into solutions that will not solve any of their financial problems. Rosamond holds all the cards and is the real power in her house.

This book delves into what marriage means. Is it a pathway to social climb? Should it be sued to secure education? Is there a benefit to losing part of yourself in another person? In reality, Middlemarch gives plenty of examples of marriages that are fundamentally skewed and cracked. In a time where divorce does not happen, Middlemarch provides several test cases that demand choosing a partner carefully.

– Valerie Harrison

Book seven was definitely the buildup section to the end of the book and while all the attention was focused on Bulstrode, Lydgate, Dorothea and Rosamund, I was personally appalled at the town’s people.  I know that scandal is a tinder wood for gossip but I felt sorry for those involved in the middle of it.  For the most part, they had no clue for some time.  I also do not understand why the people would take the word of a drifter as truth instead of asking those who have lived among them.

I understand that when Mr. Garth was approached, he kept his word and did not divulge the information, but his attitude was well know.  He did not agree nor disagree to it, and did not expand and the real culprit is Mr. Hawley.  Mr. Hawley approached and questioned Mr. Garth and just like a game of telephone, the statement of Mr. Garth was so misconstrued that it “had quite lost the stamp of inference” (pg 718).  So, this whole situation was made worse by the gossips and appeared that Mr. Garth was the one who started it.  Such a mess.

The town was so upset that Rosamund was wooed and pulled to a newcomer that, as Trudy previously pointed out, was able to “carry off the prettiest girl in town” (pg 639).  Since Lydgate was already under suspicion it still seems strange that he would be automatically deemed an accomplice on the word of a ragged man, Mr. Raffles.  – Side bar: his name is great, he completed ruffled (raffled) up the community.  – But the town’s people took this unknown as truth verses one that was in their company for a while.  Mr. Raffles was even able to get the people on his side in death with the situation calling him a “poor creetur” and a “finer gentleman” than Mr. Bulstrode (pg 724).  If they would have actually encountered him and interacted with the people, I do not believe that Mr. Raffles would have impacted Middlemarch so much with his waggling tongue.

As for Mr. Bulstrode, he too was treated and never told of anything either, but as he stated, people didn’t care for him much of the time anyway because of his business so he was unaware that anything was different in the town gossip. With a completely awful outing at the town meeting, I truly thought that Mr. Bulstrode was going to have a heart attack and collapse.  It probably would have turned out better for him and his family if he had.     I do acknowledge that Bulstrode contributed to Raffles death.  Raffles was a chronic alcoholic and Lydgate never really said what was wrong with him, just what not to give him.  Bulstrode deliberately did not advise his maid to refrain from giving him alcohol and even gave her the key to the cellar.  Contributed only because without that habit, Raffles would have never been sick.  I will fully admit that I wanted Bulstrode to kill Raffles, but would have preferred that it was done by smothering and not being a coward and sending his maid to do it.  Regarding his personal holiness that was in his own mind, he preached at others but he never listened to the sermon of another which would skew his view.  I vaguely wonder if he may have had some mental deficiencies.  But, I think an ending of Bulstrode going to jail / prison would have satisfied me more.

On the same point, Raffles was diagnosed with alcohol poisoning, most likely alcoholism and an ill-functioning liver, which was confirmed by the other doctors.  These same doctors defended Lydgate’s practices and that he did nothing wrong and yet the people still believe Lydgate to be a scoundrel and he lost more patients.  No one bothered to mention to the townspeople that alcohol poisoning creates delirium would could negate the information that Raffles provided as was provided by Lydgate at the initial consultation.

I guess, all the towns people really wanted to have a new scandal.  It created business, as this information “required dinners on it” and any and all ladies “went out to tea” oftener (pg 723).  It seems that there was not this much commotion or business and socializing since the auction earlier.  People and their reactions are very interesting to me. I am also still amazed that no matter what the time or era, people still gossip mongers and how many others are destroyed during chin-wagging.  Mrs. Bulstrode is the largest loser of the group, she lost everything.  Even if she would have submitted and left or divorced her husband, she would then become the divorcee which would have ousted her from the Middlemarch community.  Valerie was right early on in Book Three – maybe they should have all considered moving.

Vickie Culpepper

Two persons are tempted… but, in my opinion, one will survive intact, while the other collapses. The author’s skill of maintaining interesting dialogue, stimulated by exceptional portrayals of how the human mind thinks, is fascinating. George Eliot has a true gift for analyzing why people make the choices they do.

Lydgate was not held in high esteem by the local community, so his credit crisis is met with derision. Partly they are influenced by his ability to carry off the prettiest girl in town (p639); and Middlemarch doctors are apprehensive of Lydgate’s vision of medical reform, because it might dislodge their own unchallenged position of authority. Rosamund belonged to the town/she was one of them; therefore, any financial arrears must be due to the outsider ’s flaws.

Lydgate, an innate ‘giver’ (to his profession and to his wife), did not grasp the extent of his overspending until he realized that his job was not sufficient to support their lifestyle. Rosamund, always the center of attention, could not comprehend any needs or desires but her own.

When Mr Farebrother noticed that Lydgate seemed bored (p641), he offered a friendly ear, but Lydgate felt threatened by this innocent gesture. The young physician was afraid to lose control of his life and admit failure in both marriage and profession. Plagued by monetary worry, he was distracted from his enthusiasm for medicine. Prospects were grim when he confessed to himself that incompatibility is chiefly between scientific ambition and a wife who objects to that kind of residence. (P 679) Reaching out to her, emotionally, she responded with a lukewarm regard, and Lydgate dreaded a future without affection (P 649).

Rosamund did not have the ability to comprehend another’s viewpoint if it caused pain or discomfort to herself. Her retorts to Lydgate regarding why they must downsize, centered on social class and personal riches, and she blamed the lowering of his reputation, not her own selfish fears. Lydgate’s anger was stoked when she made financial decisions behind his back. Making no effort to work with him, his emotional outbursts only convinced her of her own virtue. Rosamund had learned how to manipulate the social system of male dominance, using pitiable complaints and tears… forcing her husband to back down on any rational proposals to deal with their debt. When her plans went awry, he shouldered the burden and disappointment. Rosamund’s feminine charms were her impenetrable defense.

What frightened Lydgate most about their vulnerable relationship? To lose his love for her, would mean there was nothing to bind them. So the young physician gave up his unrealistic expectation of an ideal wife who would devotedly honor and obey him. With the added disappointment of ignoring his research, he couldn’t bear to lose anymore of his hopes. Rosamund, on the other hand, gave up easily, when her airy conditions for happiness in marriage had not been met (P 661).

What could Lydgate do besides beg, borrow, or gamble … none of which fit his temperament. Pushed to the brink, he showed up at the local pub, startling Fred, who immediately turned away from his plan to gamble that night. Sensitive souls, like Fred and Mr. Farebrother, saw through Lydgate’s strange behavior, as they provided temporary rescue.

Soon enough, Lydgate’s humiliating circumstances compelled him to face Bulstrode, asking for a gift of 1000 pounds. At first, the banker denied, until the sorry episode with Raffles triggered an immediate change of heart. Bulstrode’s ‘gift’ was only offered with the intention of preventing the anguish of an imminent disgrace (P 688). But his devious payment to his protege is secondary to the evil deed he committed of Raffles’ murder. How heart-rending, but true, that a ‘man of God’ chose the path of dishonesty, initially to expand his ministry, but ultimately believing that his way was more important than God’s way. Bulstrode lost respect for human compassion, thus God’s voice was silent in his consciousness. Lydgate’s suffering on account of his natural empathy has the potential to result in his renewal; whether that includes his marriage remains to be seen.

Tudy Hill

Since Lydgate is in debt he needs to find a way out of debt without selling anything that he gave to Rosamond. Finally Lydgate thinks he has the perfect idea. Lydgate is going to sell his house with all the furniture and he and Rosamond can live in a smaller house that may not be as nice, but still comfortable. Lydgate refuses to ask for help, because he does not want to be a beggar or have a bad reputation. Lydgate also believes that Rosamond loves him so much they will be fine as long as they are together and she will not mind a smaller house. What Lydgate did not expect was Rosamond’s vanity to try and derail all of Lydgate’s plans.

Rosamond did not want to live in a smaller or sell her beautiful home. So she decides to take matters into her small little delicate hands. The first thing she does is she goes straight to her papa and asks for money. Lydgate specifically told her, “do not ask for money from your father”. Rosamond thinking she is her parents’ favorite child and asks. Mr. Vincy for money. Mr. Vincy tells her to leave and seems to find it funny that the man he did not want Rosamond to marry is in debt and has to find a way out of it, since Rosamond wanted to marry Lydgate thinking she would be set for life. Rosamond also tries to tell Lydgate to ask for a salary for his work at the hospital from Bulstrode. Lydgate’s work at the hospital was meant to be volunteer work. Rosamond also says that Lydgate could dismiss the servants, but makes it sound like she would never want to live in a house where they don’t have servants.

Since that plan failed she goes to Mr. Trumball whom Lydgate had gone to earlier that same day to tell him that their house is not for sale which is a contradiction to what Lydgate had said earlier that day. She also tells Mr. Trumball not to tell Mr. Lydgate of the plan. In Rosamond’s mind she gets to keep her house and Lydgate could find some other way to make some money. She just wants to keep her beautiful house and her furniture. However this causes problems since the debt collectors come to the Lydgate’s house and start seeing what they could make money with. The debt is also no small debt. The Lydgates are 1,000 pounds in debt.

Lydgate becomes so desperate to keep his problems as secret as possible that he goes to the Green Dragon. The Green Dragon is the only club in Middlemarch. It has billiards and you can gamble at billiards and that is exactly what Lydgate does to try and earn some money to pay off his debt. Lydgate is unable to make the amount of money he needed and sees Fred and feels a bit embarrassed.

Fred still does not want to go into the church and is actually enjoying his work with Mr. Garth as a land agent. Mrs. Vincy is actually okay with seeing Mary as a daughter in- law when she sees how well Mary interacts with children at the Vincy Christmas party. There is just one problem. The vicar Mr. Farebrother is also in love with Mary. I don’t think that is really going to go anywhere though. The reason being Mary won’t marry Fred if he goes into the church so why would she marry a vicar.

Julia Rogan

“To think that the part one little woman can play in the life of a man, so that to renounce her may be a very good imitation of heroism, and to win her may be a discipline!” (644). This summary of thought provided by Mr. Farebrother perfectly encapsulates the nature of each romantic relationship within Middlemarch. Although this novel has presented more than just a detailed look at love and romance, it is impossible to deny the themes as anything other than major. As for the role women play in the lives of men, one only has to look at the late Mr. Casaubon or poor Dr. Lydgate to appreciate the sentiment behind Farebrother’s musings.

Since Casaubon easily won over Miss Dorothea Brooke at the onset of the story, it quickly became clear that married life was a kind of discipline that Edward was neither prepared nor inclined to take on. Expectations of what a wife would provide were so limited in his mind that when Dorothea exceeded his imaginings, Casaubon was quite unprepared in his reactions. Poor Mrs. Casaubon’s attempts to share her husband’s studies at least provided her with a greater understanding of who her husband truly was, but Mr. Casaubon could never claim to have made the same revelation about his betrothed.

Dr. Lydgate, whose past experiences with love left him chilled to the topic, finds himself blinded yet again by the beautiful Rosamond Vincy. Lydgate seems to suffer from a bad case of lust as well as a poor judgement of character in his hurried match with Rosy and he pays dearly for it. A woman who only sees her husband as a means to an end, Rosamond is not the partner that Tertius needs, choosing to undermine his wishes and act without any consideration his feelings. While Lydgate may have learned a harsh lesson with his first paramour, he must unfortunately revisit the agony of ill-matched love in his unhappy marriage.

Fred Vincy, tormented though he may be, might have the best and most extensive “study” of his beloved out of the beleaguered lovers of Middlemarch. As a former childhood companion, Fred has known Mary Garth so much longer than Lydgate and Casaubon knew their wives, and it is for this reason that I feel hopeful for their union. While Farebrother may lay a similar claim to his knowledge of Mary’s personality, Fred seems to know what lies in Mary’s heart and she in his. While their personalities may not seem compatible, their understanding of each other creates a better foundation for their hopeful marriage than those before them.

For all the rushed relationships in Eliot’s book, it seems that those who are reluctant to learn about and be examined by their partners are the one’s doomed to unhappiness. Love and partnership is a kind of discipline that those who partake must apply themselves ardently and willingly. While the lesson may be much too late for Mr. Casaubon and may be even Dr. Lydgate, one can only hope that Mary’s (possibly) intended has applied himself more to the study of her than to academic studies.

Emily Fleischhauer