Topic #1

Four pairs of lovers have achieved successful marriages through very different, difficult paths. How did they do this?

Outline

I. Thesis Statement: In George Eliot's Middlemarch, four couples have circuitously followed various paths to happy marriages.

II. Dorothea and Ladislaw

A. Ladislaw's repudiation of Casaubon's financial support
B. Rosamond's admission to Dorothea that Ladislaw loves only Dorothea
C. Ladislaw's return to Middlemarch to tell Dorothea he would not cause her to become penniless by marrying her regardless of the codicil to her deceased husband's will
D. Dorothea's explaining that she has a private income other than her inheritance

III. Rosamond and Lydgate

A. Dorothea's visiting Rosamond to proclaim Lydgate's innocence and dread of further hurting his wife
B. Ladislaw's declaration of love for Dorothea, not her
C. Bulstrode's leaving town and any association with Lydgate
D. Dorothea's loan of 1,000 pounds so that they may not be in debt to Bulstrode and still keep their home

IV Fred and Mary

A. Fred finishing school
B. Mary declaring her love for Fred, not Farebrother
C. Caleb employing Fred
D. Mrs. Bulstrode asking her husband to help her family which leads him to tell her to have Caleb engage Fred (under his supervision) to manage Stone Court and reside in it with Mary

V. Celia and Chettam

A. Dorothea telling Celia she views Chettam as an excellent brother-in-law
B. Chettam liking Dorothea's plans for the cottages and wanting to build them on his estates
C. Dorothea marrying Casaubon and leaving for a six-week honeymoon
D. Chettam continuing to come to Tipton Grange to discuss the cottages and staying to chat with Celia

Topic #2

Ladislaw is something of a mystery until well into the novel. How has George Eliot constructed his secrets to keep him a mystery?

Outline

I. Thesis Statement: Ladislaw's background makes him one of the most mysterious characters in the novel.

II. Connection with Casaubon

A. Ladislaw's grandmother and Casaubon's mother were sisters
B. Dorothea sees a portrait of Ladislaw's grandmother and is told by Casaubon that she made an "unfortunate" marriage
C. Casaubon had been supporting both Ladislaw's mother (until her death) and Ladislaw (until he returns from Rome)

III. Connection with Bulstrode

A. Bulstrode's first wife was Ladislaw's grandmother
B. Ladislaw's mother had run away to the stage before her own mother married Bulstrode
C. Bulstrode denied Ladislaw's mother her share of her father's (the deceased husband of Bulstrode's first wife) business
D. Raffles recognizes Ladislaw's name when visiting Bulstrode
E. Bulstrode offers Ladislaw his mother's share of the business

IV. Childhood

A. Ladislaw knew nothing of his grandparents' business, his grandfather's demise, or his grandmother's remarriage
B. Ladislaw's father died young of a disease which emaciated him
C. Ladislaw's mother had to apply to Casaubon for the money they needed to live
D. Casaubon supported them only financially, having no other interest in either Ladislaw or his mother

V. Recently

A. Visits his second cousin, Casaubon, at Lowick Manor
B. Studies art in Rome under his friend, Naumann
C. Returns to Middlemarch where he is the editor of Pioneer for Brooke
D. Is greatly disliked by Casaubon who is jealous

Topic #3

Sometimes, young people need a mentor-someone other than a parent or relative-during their young adulthood. How has Farebrother filled this role for both Fred and Lydgate?

Outline

I. Thesis Statement: Farebrother plays the role of mentor to both Fred and Lydgate.

II. Fred

A. Advises him to finish school
B. Acts as his emissary to the Garths when his shame at being unable to repay the loan Caleb cosigns prevents him...