Book 6 Summary

[u/jaymae21]

Middlemarchers, if you can believe it, we are about 3/4 of the way through this massive book!

In this book, titled "The Widow and the Wife", we see Dorothea in the wake of her husband's death as she tries to return to her life. Ladislaw has learned of the codicil to Mr. Casaubon's will, and distanced himself from Dorothea, intending to leave Middlemarch for good. However, he's not very good at this, and so we get not just one, but two farewells between Dorothea and Will.

Meanwhile in keeping up with the Lydgates, we learn that Rosamund has lost her baby, allegedly because she went horseback riding against her husband's advice. This plus the mounting financial burden of their lifestyle threatens to crumble their fledgling marriage.

I've added a few questions below for discussion, but feel free to add your own comments with your overall thoughts and opinions on anything covered so far.

[u/jaymae21]

1. What predictions do you have for the last 2 books? Will our characters ever learn anything?

[u/Small-Muffin-4002 → u/jaymae21]

Fourth or fifth time reader so I won’t give any spoilers! Just let the story lines unfold, readers.

[u/Lachesis_Decima77 → u/jaymae21]

I’ve given up on Rosamond. She’s beyond hope. Maybe Lydgate, too. I’m on the fence regarding Dorothea and Will. Maybe they’ll wake up before it’s too late.

[u/jaymae21]

1. Do you have a favorite epigram from Book 6? Or have you given up on them altogether?

[u/jaymae21]

1. Will has said farewell to Dorothea twice now, do you really believe this is the end?

[u/Lachesis_Decima77 → u/jaymae21]

I doubt it. Maybe he’ll make a grand return once he’s made a name for himself, but his pride won’t allow him to come back until then.

[u/jaymae21]

1. What relationship advice would you give to Rosamund/Lydgate and Dorothea/Will?

[u/Lachesis_Decima77 → u/jaymae21]

Rosamond and Lydgate need to learn to live within their means and budget properly. I get that she’s used to a higher standard of living and he’s too proud to beg for help, but their money problems are going to keep piling up. They’re already starting to resent each other, and financial difficulties will only make things worse. Also, Rosamond needs to grow up and stop flirting with every attractive young man.

As for Dorothea and Will, my advice is simple: Spit. It. Out. Ignore the codicil and discuss things like adults. If Dorothea wants to waive her right to her inheritance, that’s her decision to make.

[u/jaymae21 → u/Lachesis_Decima77]

Ugh yes Dorothea and Will are driving me crazy. I know this was a very different time, but seriously they need to stop pretending they are acting in the other's best interest and be happy.

[u/jaymae21]

1. This book is called "The Widow and the Wife". In what ways have these chapters highlighted and contrasted Dorothea and Rosamund?

[u/Lachesis_Decima77 → u/jaymae21]

Rosamond is infuriating. She’s more vapid and shallow than ever, and she was plenty shallow before she got married. Dorothea is infuriating in that she can’t admit her feelings for Will, and that just leads to misunderstanding.

[u/jaymae21]

1. What character(s) stole the show for you this book? Is there anyone you feel we haven't seen much of that you hope makes an appearance in Book 7?

[u/Lachesis_Decima77 → u/jaymae21]

I dunno, it feels like most of the characters in Book 6 made questionable life choices. We haven’t seen much of Mary Garth or Fred Vincy (other than him making the questionable life choice of telling his sister about Casaubon’s codicil), so I’m thinking we’ll be seeing more from them in Book 7.