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Prelude and Book One: Miss Brooke

Prelude and Chapters 1-6
1. Dorothea and Celia, although sisters, have exceedingly different views of life. Use the text to support this statement.

2. How may Dorothea's decision to marry Casaubon be seen as a political statement concerning the Reform Bill and religion?

Chapters 7-12

1. Both Mary and Rosamond are Featherstone's nieces. Compare their attitudes toward their rich, dying uncle with their attitudes toward the men they love-in Mary's case, Fred, and in Rosamond's, Lydgate.

2. Only Chettam strenuously objects to Dorothea's impending marriage. Brooke, Celia, and Mrs. Cadwallader all feel this is not the match for her. Explain their reasons for not fighting against the marriage.

Book Two: Old and Young

Chapters 13-18
1. Bulstrode thinks it may strengthen Fred's character not to give him the letter Featherstone demanded. Do you agree or disagree with Bulstrode's reasoning? Why?

2. A vicar is a clergyman. Gambling, cards, and billiards are not usually approved by the church. How is it possible for Farebrother, a vicar, to openly gamble at cards and billiards?

Chapters 19-22

1. Reform is one of the problems Lydgate is having trouble with since his move to Middlemarch. Explain this statement in view of both his medical practices and his new place in Middlemarch's society.

2. Dorothea has planned her marriage without taking her husband's personality into account. In what ways has he turned out to be different from the husband she thought he would be?

Book Three: Waiting for Death

Chapters 23-28
inability to repay the loan threaten the structure of Caleb's family?

2. Lydgate is successful in his treatment of his patients. Why, then, do the other doctors dislike him so?

Chapters 29-33

1. Mary and Dorothea are two women from very different families, yet both are extremely ethical. Compare and contrast the possible sources of ethics for each of the women.

2. Casaubon appears to be very much adverse to his second cousin, Ladislaw. Trace this animosity from the first mention of it to the end of Book Three.

Book Four: Three Love Problems

Chapters 34-37
1. The Vincys and the Garths are both relatives of Featherstone's and are kind to him in his illness. Why do Featherstone's other relatives resent them?

2. Dorothea seems unaware that Casaubon is jealous of Ladislaw, yet she unwittingly feeds this jealousy. In what ways does she do this?

Chapters 38-42

1. Brooke is confused that he is thought to be a bad landlord by Dagley. Considering that he will be standing for Parliament on a platform of making improvements for the people, how are Dorothea, Chettam, and the Cadwalladers right in thinking he should not run for office?

2. Caleb is eager to offer Fred a position, but Mrs. Garth thinks it more prudent to wait until he finishes school and decides what he'd like to do with his life. Which position would you take and why?

Book Five: The Dead Hand

Chapters 43-47
1. Lydgate is beginning to realize his position in Middlemarch. How has he arrived at such a dismal point in so short a time?

2. Ladislaw and Lydgate have become friends rather quickly. How do you account for this friendship?

Chapters 48-53

1. The townspeople are having a feud with Bulstrode, saying he is, among other things, too ostentatiously religious and masterful. Now we learn he has cheated his stepdaughter of her inheritance. How can we explain his present personality in terms of his previous actions?

2. Explain in detail, using facts from the novel, why you think Ladislaw may or may not suspect his relationship with...

(This entire section contains 902 words.)

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Bulstrode.

Book Six: The Widow and His Wife

Chapters 54-58
1. Ladislaw has not minded being poor before. What is it that changes his feelings about his financial position now?

2. Dorothea neither desires to remarry nor court Ladislaw, yet her feelings are beginning to overcome her resolutions. How is this illustrated in the text?

Chapters 59-62

1. Why do you agree or disagree with Ladislaw that it would be dishonorable to share in the profits earned by thievery?

2. Using specific references from the text, explain why Rosamond is so disillusioned with her life.

Book Seven: Two Temptations

Chapters 63-67
1. Rosamond's and Lydgate's marriage has rapidly deteriorated. Plot the events that led to this condition.

2. Farebrother is both Fred's and Mary's friend and is in love with Mary. Using examples from the text, explain how it is possible for him to be both.

Chapters 68-71

1. It is said that appearances are not always as they seem. Explain how this is true for Lydgate and Bulstrode.

2. Mrs. Abel has committed murder, but Bulstrode is the murderer. Explain how this theory may be proven using the text as your evidence.

Book Eight: Sunset and Sunrise

Chapters 72-80
1. Dorothea is the one who leads Lydgate's friends to clear his name. Validating your opinion with examples from the text, why do you think it was she, rather than another friend, who insisted?

2. Bulstrode is no friend to Lydgate, yet when Bulstrode is overcome by his emotions, it is Lydgate who tends to him. Why does Lydgate act so kindly toward a man who has severely damaged whatever was left of his reputation?

Chapters 81-86 and Finale

1. Rosamond and Dorothea have achieved happy marriages through mutual help. How have they helped each other?

2. Bulstrode, who could have helped Fred in the very beginning of his troubles, ends up helping Fred when he is no longer a desperate young man. How has this turned out to be to Fred's benefit?

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