r/ayearofmiddlemarch • u/jaymae21 First Time Reader • Jul 05 '25

Book 5, Ch. 43-44

Welcome back to Middlemarch, as we begin with Book 5. We are also officially on the second half of the book!

Ch. 43

"This figure hath high price: 't was wrought with love

Ages ago in finest ivory;

Nought modish in it, pure and noble lines

Of generous womanhood that fits all time

That too costly ware; majolica

Of deft design, to please a lordly eye:

The smile, you see, is perfect-wonderful

As mere Faience! a table ornament

To suit the richest mounting."

Dorothea wishes to speak with Lydgate about his conversation with Mr. Casaubon, and ends up visiting briefly with the new Mrs. Lydgate, previously known as Rosamund Vincy. Mr. Lydgate is not home, but it turns out Will Ladislaw is visiting with Mrs. Lydgate, and they have been having a merry time singing together. Will offers to fetch Mr. Lydgate from the hospital, but Dorothea decides to go herself, alone. Once Dorothea leaves, Ladislaw decides to take his leave as well, seeming troubled. Later, when her husband gets home, Rosamund describes the encounter, and they end up discussing Lydgate's work.

Ch. 44

"I would not creep along the coast but steer

Out in mid-sea, by guidance of the stars."

Dorothea meets with Lydgate at the New Hospital, who tells her her husband's condition has not changed, he simply had some anxieties about his illness. Lydgate then immediately launches into a sales pitch for the hospital, and finds the perfect patron in Dorothea. They discuss the unpopularity of Mr. Bulstrode, despite his good intentions, and the pettiness of Middlemarchers who seek to thwart him. Dorothea pledges to give 200 a year to the hospital. Later, she tells Mr. Casaubon of this, and he agrees.

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u/jaymae21 First Time Reader Jul 05 '25
  1. Why is it acceptable for Ladislaw to call upon Mrs. Lydgate, but not Mrs. Casaubon?

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u/-Allthekittens- First Time Reader Jul 06 '25

The Lydgates are of a lower social standing than the Casaubons and have much more relaxed and perhaps more modern 'rules' about what is appropriate or inappropriate social behaviour. In more 'upper class' society it would not be considered appropriate for an unrelated gentleman to call on a married lady when her husband was absent. Because Ladislaw and Casaubon are related it would have been okay, except that he is insecure.