MiddlemarchMiddlemarch is a monumental novel, and as much a delight to read today as it has ever been. George Eliot's immortal creations, the saintly and beautiful Dorothea Brooke, the dry-as-dust Edward Casaubon and the anguished progressive Tertius Lydgate, shine forth as some of the most exquisitely drawn characters in all of English literature. Eliot was at first criticised for the "inartistic" realism of her story, which she subtitled "A Study of Provincial Life" as if to claim it as a scholarly contribution to the new science of sociology. But what she had really written was an eternal masterpiece of candid observation, emotional insight and transcending humour. |
Common terms and phrases
Bambridge believe better Brooke's brother Brother Solomon Bulstrode Bulstrode's Cadwallader Caleb called Casau Casaubon Celia Chettam consciousness dear Dodo Doro Dorothea everything expected eyes face Farebrother father Featherstone feeling fellow felt Frank Hawley Fred Vincy Fred's Freshitt friends gentleman George Eliot girl give glad gone hand happy Hawley hear hope horse husband imagine kind knew Ladislaw lady living looking Lowick Lydgate Lydgate's marriage married Mary Garth mean Middlemarch mind Miss Brooke morning mother never opinion paused perhaps Plymdale poor pounds question Raffles reason Rector Rome Rosamond seemed sense silent Sir James sister smile sort soul speak Stone Court suppose sure talk tell there's things thought Tipton told tone took Trumbull turned uncle usual Vicar Vincy's walked Waule wife Will's wish woman wonder words young