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Has everybody started middlemarch?
I am not that good in leading discussion threads.

Middlemarch was first published in 1871 and 1872, as a serial novel in eight parts, which came out every two months. This was Eliot's most comprehensive and sweeping novel to date, and was intended as a study of provincial British life. Eliot worked on several different stories, starting with Lydgate and his trials as a young doctor; then she worked on Dorothea's story, writing the first ten chapters as they appear in the finished book with only this character and her world in mind. Eliot then decided to build a world around these two characters, and create a more sweeping portrait of an entire town and its various inhabitants; Lydgate and Dorothea acted essentially as the core of the novel, as two somewhat similar figures who were the soul of the novel.

I look forward to seeing this interweaving of the stories.

The novel is very much concerned with women's roles, women's lives, and how they should be changed. However, it also exposes Eliot's ambivalence on the subject. Although she had no children and lived with her lover, George Lewes, without being married, at the same time she believed that women should be married, and had obligations to their husbands and children. The novel advocates change in women's roles, and in their spheres of influence; but, at the same time, no woman is happy who isn't married, and in a solid partnership with her husband. This tension in Eliot's personal views forms the struggles that Rosamond, Dorothea, and Celia face, and determines the outcome of their unions according to their character and effectiveness.

I already notice this in how Dorothea wants a smart husband and wants to work with him and not just sit around. It isn't as noticeable yet as with The Mill On The Floss where the son was quite stupid but got these great opportunities and the daughter was actually really intelligent but didn't get to do anything. But the story just started so we will see where Dorothea and Celia end up.

What did you guys think of the first few chapters? Do you like the characters etc?

I need to finish Proust first, but I will read Middlemarch this summer and catch up with you guys. Good luck with the book!

Dorothea is not perfect at all. She is stubborn and actually not that intelligent, although she wants to be. She clearly picks the wrong man to marry and doesn't listen to her sister for some advice or even opinions. But maybe Eliot will knock some sense into her in the next part of the novel.

Mr Brook could indeed be a Dickens character but Dickens's characters are more of a caricature. I like James just because he is supposed to be good guy and brings a puppy on horseback. He truly is a prince charming, good natured and all... The rest of the characters are not really likeable, but it would make for one boring book if everyone was like James.

So far I've been enjoying it. I've been meaning to read more "classic" literature, and this is perfect! I've been meaning to read Middlemarch for a long time.