Study Questions

1. For what reason does Rosamond see Dorothea?

2. What is Dorothea's method in convincing Rosamond that Lydgate is the injured party?

3. What does Dorothea have to say about the Lydgates' relationship?

4. During her meeting with Rosamond, why is Dorothea so sad?

5. In what way does Rosamond try to help Dorothea?

6. What is the purpose in Miss Noble's coming to Lowick Manor?

7. What information does Ladislaw give Dorothea?

8. What reaction did Chettam have to the news of Dorothea's impending marriage?

9. How is the reconciliation between the former Brooke sisters achieved?

10. How did Fred and Mary come to live at Stone Court?

Answers

1. Rosamond is afraid to refuse to see Dorothea. It is Lydgate who asks her to do so. She fears Dorothea may explain why she left the previous day.

2. Dorothea carefully explains that Lydgate's friends firmly believe he knew nothing of who Raffles was or what was done to him. He honestly believed Bulstrode thought he'd been too hasty in refusing the loan and changed his mind.

3. Dorothea reassures Rosamond that Lydgate had not explained this to her because it pained him too much to bring the matter up to her.

4. Dorothea is so sad because she thinks she is saving three lives, none of them her own. She still thinks Rosamond loves Ladislaw, and he her. She is trying to prevent Rosamond from decimating her marriage, destroying Lydgate, and damaging Ladislaw's honor by continuing this three-sided relationship. The worst sorrow for her is that she knows she loves Ladislaw, even though she still thinks he loves Rosamond.

5. That night, when Ladislaw is there, Rosamond slips him a note along with his teacup telling him she has told Dorothea that he doesn't love her, but Dorothea.

6. Ladislaw fears Dorothea will not see him so he asks Miss Noble, of whom they are both fond, to request that she see him.

7. Ladislaw tells Dorothea he's sorry he hadn't told her of his lineage himself. Bulstrode had offered him money in an attempt to make amends, which he refused. He knows he will be poor and feels he must leave. He would rather be with her.

8. Chettam had been angry to hear that Dorothea would be marrying Ladislaw and blamed Brooke for allowing her to throw away her inheritance from Casaubon like this.

9. When Dorothea gives birth to her first child, Celia cries to her husband that her sister will harm the baby by not knowing what to do. Chettam bows to his wife's tears and the sisters are reconciled.

10. Bulstrode wants very much to make amends with his wife. When she asks him to help Rosamond, he explains he can't. Lydgate has severed all relations with him. Then he suggests he help Fred by telling Mrs. Bulstrode to ask Caleb to allow Fred to manage Stone Court (under Caleb's supervision) and live there.