Multipulsity of theme in middle march

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Name: - Pandya Riva M

Roll no: - 25

Paper: - 6

Topic: - Multipulsity of theme in middle march

In the novel Middlemarch George Eliot examines the themes and some ideas of society and the risks of all these motives in provincial life. The novel is set in the fictitious middle town of middle march during 1829-1832, and it comprises several distinct stories and large cast of characters. Significant themes, idealism, self interest, Marriage, political reform and education also.

• Theresa complex

Dorothea has what has been called, the Theresa Complex, i.e. “a yearning to do well in the work which is so intense that it must answer to some emotional need in the Theresa herself”. Theresa was a Christian saint who had such a yearning .Dorothea has been referred to in the prelude as a later born Theresa. She is Theresa in her lofty aspirations, “struggling under dim lights and entang circumstances”, to achieve her aspirations. But she lives in a society in which there is no particular demand for Theresa.

• . Love

Love keeps people together, but lacks of love and understanding, let them drift apart. Those who are truly love like Will Ladislaw and Dorothea, Mary and Fred are bound together by it, and are very alike in temperament and outlook. Those who lake it like Lydgate and Rosamond, Casaubon and Dorothea are ii-suited to each-other in marriage, and are very disappointed their unions.

• Prejudice

Lydgate and Will Ladislaw cannot seem to beat. People in Middlemarch dislike anyone who is not from Middlemarch, or anyone who reputation seems questionable. Will and Lydgate are both good people, but it is initial prejudices, sometimes based on invalid or circumstantial a reason, that means that they are never liked or accepted each-other.

• Conformity

An issue that is related to social expectation, but is somewhat different. People are supposed to conform to certain social ideas and norms. Dorothea is supposed to be a proper wife, and then a proper widow and follow society’s set guideline about how to fill each position. Will fits no position that society tries to group him into, he is disliked; he refuses to be conventional or proper.

• Social Expectation

Closely linked to society hierarchy, are ideas about how everyone should act in certain situations. Lydgate proposes to Rosamond because society expects and he should do it. Dorothea is pushed to live with someone else or marry again after she is widow, because society expects that it is right. People don’t necessarily follow these expectations, nor should they’ but they do exist, and play a part in people’s lives.

• Self-discovery

There are certain truths which every characters learns about him in the course of trial; Lydgate and Rosamond find out more about their characters through their money troubles, though they do not always adjust accordingly. Dorothea makes the most dramatic journey of self-discovery; and changes a great deal within the course of the novel.

• Reality vs. Expectations

Many characters pre-conceived ideas, especially of marriage, are proven tragically wrong in the course of the book. Casaubon and Dorothea both have unrealistic ideas about marriage, and are disappointed. Lydgate and Rosamond have the same idea, and are let down. Life often defines what one expects, or could predict of it; and the people who are happiest are the ones who have few expectations or are most flexible.

• Gender roles and expectations

Especially relevant to Dorothea, Middlemarch society has very defined ideas of what people of each gender should do within the society, and people, especially woman, who deviate from this norm, are looked down upon. Dorothea is tolerated because she is of good family and does not disrupt the society. She is in however, she faces a great deal of pressure to change herself, conform to other’s ideas, and submit herself to male leadership at all times.

• Progress

Much is changing in the world of Middlemarch, English society is evolving in social, economic, technologic areas, socially, ideas of gender and class are in flux, as woman are proving more and more competent, and the Industrial Revolution is causing a greater amount of social mobility. The economy of England is changing, from an aristocratic, inheritance based system of holding weather and land, to one based on commerce, business, and manufacturing. Technology is also changing, in medical science, and in areas like transportations, and these are changes that are beginning to sweep through Middlemarch.

• Money

Money is the root of evils, but much good, in the novel. Lydgate gets desperate for want of it, Fred despairs when he is little. Dorothea becomes generous when she has too much, and the garths saved carefully since their money is limited. Money has a profound effect on character within the novel, and through many people is judged by how much money they have, many of the best people in the people, like Will Ladislaw and Mr. Fare brother.

• Strength of Rumor

Rumor can do a great deal of damage in Middlemarch, having even more weight than fact in some cases. Both Bulstrode and Lydgate are blackened by rumors passed around society, and will is blackened as well, though he is falsely accused.

• Politics

Everything is political in Middlemarch, with most people strongly backing the conservative poetry. Personal alliances and versions are based on matters of politics and political identification. But even political matters like all things , get personal ,people decide who or who not to support by how they like them, even more so sometimes than any dependence on issues.

• Family Obligation

People within the novel have varying ideas of family, obligation in the novel, though it is a strong force in Middlemarch society. Mr. Featherstone’s relations believe they are entitled to money; Mrs. Bulstrode believes that she must help her family in order to show support. Sir James shows his regard for his family by being very protective and a constant advisor as well. Casaubon dispenses of his obligation through money and Bulstrode attempts also to do the same.

• Unity of Middlemarch

The decision made by every person in middlemarch.seem to have a direct effect on at least one other person .Mary’s decision to Marry ferd means that Farebrother is without a wife .Dorothea’s decision to choose Casaubon leads, Sir James to choose Celia .Balustrade’s dirty dealings with regard to Raffles mean disgrace to both Lydgate and Ladislaw. Everyone connected and its seems no one can move around without disturbing someone else.

• Social position

Social position means a great deal in Middlemarch; it means how much respect a person’s gets, how people treat them, how they are regarded, etc. People of high status are generally treated more delicately than people with little money, Lydgate and Will Ladislaw. Birth and connections are also important in determining a person’s place, and also what benefits they will receive from society.

It gives us a complex, comprehensive and realistic picture of English provincial society in the 1830s. Middlemarch is a work of extraordinary power, full of subtle and accurate observation’ and gives if a melancholy, yet an undeniably truthful portraiture, of the impression mad society.
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