{"conf": "middlemarch", "generated_at": "2026-04-26T08:00:02.954878Z", "threads": [{"num": 11, "subject": "Other Eliot", "response_count": 5, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 1997 (01:51)", "body": "Middlemarch is my favorite, but I've enjoyed many of the novels, though I did get bogged down in Romola."}, {"response": 2, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (15:37)", "body": "I read Silas Marner"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Hilary", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (20:27)", "body": "I've read 'The Mill on the Floss'. Loved it, and its humour....all the business about having linen ready in preparation for dying!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Luba", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (14:24)", "body": "I have heard that there is a new TV adaptation of the Mill on the Floss, with Emily Watson as Maggie. Emily was in Breaking the Waves and I can say that she was wonderful. Very moving."}, {"response": 5, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "I haven't read the Mill on the Floss, I use dental floss though. middlemarch conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 12, "subject": "Rosamund", "response_count": 3, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (15:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 2, "author": "Luba", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (15:25)", "body": "Rosamund was such a selfish character. Spoiled all her life, pretty, I think that she just had to pout a little and everybody would fall at her feet. She therefore thinks too highly of herself and has absolutely no idea of what marriage is about. For her it`s not getting to be a spinster, having someone flatter her every day, buy her things and no unpleasantness whatsoever. She is totally childish. Accomplishments and no real feeling for others but herself. Very sad."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Marsha", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (06:34)", "body": "I agree-I think she has no concept of responsibility-it is Lydgate who always feels guilty, not she-even when she went riding against his wishes and had a miscarriage. And the way she flatters the rich, titled bumpkin relative! Ugh! P.S. I like Ladislaw, so I think he did not do anything bad enough to be stuck with Rosamond-for that would be an awful punishment! middlemarch conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 13, "subject": "Cool passages", "response_count": 2, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (23:49)", "body": "\ufffd\ufffdWe mortals, men and women, devour many a disappointment between breakfast and dinner-time; keep back the tears and look a little pale about the lips, and in answer to inquiries say, \" Oh, nothing!\" Pride helps us; and pride is not a bad thing when it only urges us to hide our own hurts -- not to hurt others. Refers to Sir Chetham's recover over the loss of D as a possible mate and his quick transition to Celia. He still cares about her all the way through the book, though, I think, though he realizes Celia is better suited to him."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Hilary", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (15:01)", "body": "That little passage jumped out at me too, Amy. middlemarch conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 14, "subject": "Dorothea", "response_count": 8, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (01:23)", "body": "I love the way they are drawn together from the beginning -- just because they like each other's company. There's no romance there initially, I don't believe. It develops much later. I've been kind of off my Middlemarch kick, too, Kim."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Darcyfan", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (18:40)", "body": "What I can't figure out is....here they were...both in Middlemarch...both in love. How could they avoid seeing each other for so long? How could Dorthea not think of a good reason to go into Middlemarch...to place an ad ...or something! She was obviously not happy with her life....even if she were so disciplined as not to put herself in a situation where she would be vulnerable to gossip or to encourage Will...how could she know he was there and not want to see him?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (21:16)", "body": "She must have wanted to see him. Good question. Maybe she was waiting for him to come round. He always seemed to, eventually."}, {"response": 4, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (06:44)", "body": "Would they have ever gotten together if she had not walked in on Rosamund and him?That situation seemed to bring everything to a head."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (12:26)", "body": "A wonderful, awful scene. Eliot learned how to make people squirm from Austen."}, {"response": 6, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (14:28)", "body": "That scene is very powerful, AMy. In the Davies version, I thought it was well done. All Will can manage to say is \"Please\". I have made the comment several times that I thought Dorothea and Dr. Lydgate would have made a better couple. I t seems that Will is not really worthy of Dorothea. However, I do not think Eliot was trying to create a fairy tale in which the best guy gets the best girl. This is real life, not a perfect world. And, Ladislaw does become a success."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Jess", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (20:56)", "body": "Linda, that question has puzzled me too. I found one interpretation in Cliff Notes. According to Cliff notes they say that Dorthia thinks that Will is going away because he knows of the codicil in the will. Will on the otherhand interprets her silence as an agreement with his plans and an indication of her unwillingness to marry a poor man. Although both sense an emotional rapport, neither can admit it being unsure of the others feelings. I personally love that scene in the movie and feel that both say so much without really saying anything at all. I would have liked to know what would have happened if Sir James didn't walk in!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "skuld", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (20:39)", "body": "I've just watched the miniseries and have read part way through the novel. In regards to the Dorothea and Ladislaw situation, I think it's just one of those things where you can't control who you fall in love with. In theory, Dr. Lydgte and Dorothea would've made the most ideal couple because they seem to be so well suited for each other. However, life doesn't always work out in the most ideal or the most practical way. Lydgate fell in love with Rosamund and Dorothea fell in love with Will. I think that E iot was trying to show this in the novel, life can throw us a curveball sometimes. Some of us will be very happy, while others may end up completely disillusioned, like Dr. Lydgate and his dreams for Middlemarch. Well just my humble opinion. middlemarch conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 15, "subject": "Bulstrode", "response_count": 3, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (02:21)", "body": "Anne, I have not read the book in a couple of years, so I am not clear on the relationships, but I got the impression that the London business was a fence operation and pawnbroker, something like that. An upscale Fagin, sort of."}, {"response": 2, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (15:38)", "body": "Anne, Bulstrode knew a Mr. and Mrs. Dunkirk as a young man. Bulstrode becmae a clerk in Dunkirk's pawnbroking business. He noticed some shady activity, but learned to keep his mouth shut. Their daughter, Sarah ran away after finding out her father's dishonesty. Dunkirk then died. His widow began to depend on Bulstrode more and more. Bulstrode propsed and she accepted after he convinced her that the daughter could not be found. Raffles knew the daughter had been found, and was paid for his silence. The widow died and left Bulstrode more than 100,000 pounds. Apparantly, this daughter was Will's mother. Will puts two and two together after being questioned by Raffles. Bulstrode offers Will money to sooth his guilty conscience, but Will refuses. Will is worried about how this situation might affect any futher relationship with Dorothea if it comes out he cane from a dishonest family. I hope this helps, Anne. I do not understnad why most of this was left out of the Davies production."}, {"response": 3, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "middlemarch conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 4, "subject": "Why Middlemarch means so much to me", "response_count": 49, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (01:09)", "body": "I read Middlemarch for the second time when I was going through the realization that I was in an emotionally abusive relationship. I've been divorced now for over 2 years, but am still recovering -- trying to get myself back. I read a lot of eye opening self-help books during that period: Susan Forward's books, Obsessive Love and Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them . Middlemarch, though, I have to say gave me the greatest insight. Eliot herself must have felt the oppression of such a soul murdering force in her life or she would not have been able to write about it so. Another kind of manipulation in a relationship is seen with the genders reversed in the Lydgate-Rosamond marriage. Poor Lygate and Dorothea. What could they have been thinking? I guess they weren't."}, {"response": 2, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (06:53)", "body": "Unfortunately, so little thinking goes into the decision to marry. I have been divorced much longer than Amy and managed to come to terms with my demons before I read Middlemarch. This did not prevent that moment of self-recognition. What quirk of the psyche prompts good, smart women to subordinate themselves to cold, abusive men (to any men)? I had the wonderful experience of reading Middlemarch while I was travelling in England. It added a visual dimension to the reading and makes recollection of the book vivid."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (07:51)", "body": "I read the Godfather while sick in Florence!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (10:14)", "body": "I read the Godfather while sick in Florence! Oy!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (10:43)", "body": "Amen to that Amy I too was in a very emotional abusive relationship, boy it does destroy ones self-esteem, but the best thing we women can do is stick together and read classics. That is what healed me honestly. My first post-depression book was Pride and Prejudice and it was the best thing I have ever done."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (10:55)", "body": "Really, Laura! Classics as therapy. Maybe we are on to something."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (11:07)", "body": "Myretta, I don't know why so many women slip into this terrible trap either. The only excuse I can come up with for my own behavior is that it happens gradually. You go along to get along, then go along a little more, until suddenly one day there is nearly nothing of you left. I don't want to scare anybody, but I put up a first person account of abuse on the web to help people. Don't read it if you are not feeling strong. http://www.pacificrim.net/~blainn/abuse/stories/index.html"}, {"response": 8, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (14:12)", "body": "Amy, my ex used me as a punching bag, while the little one watched. But my little one is a trooper, shw would stand right up to him and dish it back. With her small little slaps. Well anyway, not to get morbid. Exactly one year ago, after being diagnosed as severely depressed I ended up in a hospital, I took charge, got rid of the B*$&%^%*$*%, put myself and Rebecca into therapy. Took anti-depressants which I thought were miracle workers and just started to read. It was the one thing that I could do or myself. My therapist thought it was wonderful, because I was slowly healing myself. I read Middlemarch, but stopped halfway through because I was still drepressed and I found the story bleak. Same with Jane Eyre. Which is why a year later I am finally reading JE and I will finish Middlemarch. I am no longer on anti-depressants, I read all the time to myself and my daughter and enjoy chatting with you guys. I wish I knew you a year ago. I thought I was the only person in the whole world who felt horrible. But now I know that it is very prevalent in our society."}, {"response": 9, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (14:34)", "body": "Amy, first of all I must thank you for starting this conference for Middlemarch, and secondly for getting me back into spring. I have a very wonderful husband and marriage, so I really don't identify with anyone on that score. I watched Middlemarch for the first time because I had heard someone in the P&P bullentin board mention it. I absolutely fell in love with the stories and characters. I feel so sorry for Dr. Lydgate being married to such a woman. And, poor Dorothea to be so bitterly disappointed in our choice of a mate. To me, Middlemarch is a very moving story. I have spent many happy hours reading and watching it. As Amy knows I am captivated by Dr. Lydgate. Shall we have a discussion on him sometime?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (00:36)", "body": "A review by Arthur George Sedgwick from the April, 1873, issue of The Atlantic Monthly for the interested one ;) http://www.theatlantic.com/atlantic/atlweb/classrev/middlema.htm"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (00:39)", "body": "WOW, Johanne! What a find. Hey, you want to change jobs? Can learning the shell and be the linkmaster?"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (07:05)", "body": "Good for you for getting out, and for getting better, Roar. Little one is okay now too?"}, {"response": 13, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (10:59)", "body": "BTW Laura, tried to send you e-mail to no avail, it's not getting there, could you please check you address with the spring ?"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Donna", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (20:13)", "body": ":-("}, {"response": 15, "author": "geekman", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (05:16)", "body": "Sure it is sombre in tone for most of the time, but I do enjoy the many delicious ironies of the novel."}, {"response": 16, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (13:21)", "body": "Johanne, I fixed my email address. It was totally whacked. but my email address is as follows: laura_mccarthy@scudder.com"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Luba", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (09:07)", "body": "Hi, I am new at this and quite excited to finally have found people with whom I can discuss and LOVE Middlemarch and Pride and Prejudice. I am an avid fan! I think what I liked most about Middlemarch was Juliet Aubrey, who played Dorothea so perfectly well. I though she was wonderful, with a reall grasp of what Dorothea was all about. The character of Dorothea is actually brilliant. A tough cookie, that one... All the other actors seemed so right for their parts as well."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (12:49)", "body": "Hi Luisa. How did you find us? Glad you did. I identify a lot with Dorothea. Not as much as I would like with her goodness and charity, but her suseptability."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Luba", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (03:24)", "body": "I found you through Excite searching device. I think I wrote \"Pride...\" and there it was. Out of curiosity, I got here. I saw Pride a year ago, but it still impresses me as no other drama series has. Well, Middlemarch, though in a different way, impressed and touched me too. It was darker, but that great acting quality was there along with the rigour they put into characterization, places, etc. (English is not my first language, so bear with me! :)."}, {"response": 20, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (03:38)", "body": "Happy to see you here, Luisa. Your English is fine. Where are your from?"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Marsha", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (16:14)", "body": "I liked Middlemarch, but not for any personal reasons, so far I had a nice life, w/ relatively few problems, but the characters interested me completely-they seemed so real. I especially felt sorry for Lydgate. I have to confess that I read the book only after seeing the series, so that was one good thing it made me"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Anne", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 1997 (09:32)", "body": "I am new here and think this is great! To actually find others who share my love of Middlemarch is unbelievable. Anyway,I wanted to say the part of Middlemarch that I just play over and over(it's in the movie but not in the book)is the final speech at the end about Dorthia how she always felt she could have done more if she only knew better and how her effect on others was incalculable but she now rests in an unvisited tomb. God! Talk about inspiration!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 1997 (11:22)", "body": "Hi Jess. How'd you find us?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Hilary", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 1997 (21:32)", "body": "This was the part Jess was refering to: 'And Dorothea: She had no dreams of being praised above other women, feeling that there was always something better which she might have done, if only she had been better, and known better. Her full nature spent itself in deeds which left no great name on the earth, but the effect of her being on those around her was incalculable. For the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts, and on all of those Dorotheas who live faithfully their hidden lives, and rest in unvisited tombs.' I love this passage too (slightly different from the book), and was copying it for another idea I have. But I had such a strange experience while I was transcibing this from the video. It took a little rewinding and replaying, and the TV program I kept on cutting back to was a daily magazine program. By chance, they were interviewing a couple of women about domestic violence. One had a terribly maimed face, the result of a petrol attack by a controlling boyfriend. He had received a 15 month jail term, instead of a good behaviour bond, after the woman had fought to get permission to show her face to the judg . During the next commercial break, the news headline concerned another such petrol attack which happened here yesterday in the parking lot of some local shops. I am in awe of the stength shown by this woman, and others whose damage is less visible. And I also try to remind myself that there are gentle, caring, uncontrolling men who feel just as much aborrence."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 1997 (22:55)", "body": "Hil, doesn't she remind you a little of Larry Darrell, the character in Razor's Edge?"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Anne", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (11:43)", "body": "Hi Amy, After searching the Web for a homepage on Middlemarch forever, I accidently stumbled on this Middlemarch through the P&P e-mail board. Thank goodness for small miracles. Is there any site about the Middlemarch miniseries that anyone knows of?"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Amy", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (17:15)", "body": "We just started this, Jess, as spin off of P&P. I have not done a search, but have a feeling we are a smallish band."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Hilary", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (20:20)", "body": "Amy, she does remind me of Larry, although I hadn't made the connection. They are both people who are aware of and try to address the big spiritual questions and journeys; who see all the injustices about them, and try to do something about them, even if unsuccessfully; they appreciate the ordinary people, even if by birth they are not of them (very socialist); and they are brave (in a very JA way - often small-scale, though no less brave for that) and compassionate. How's that for someone who has read neither book? Have I got them right?"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (22:01)", "body": "] Have I got them right? __ I think so. Each adaptation at least captured the essensce of the main characters. They made the world better, like you said, in small ways, one person at a time."}, {"response": 30, "author": "KarenMo", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (13:00)", "body": "I am new to the conference and have just finished teaching (and showing) Middlemarch. I am also teaching Pride and Prejudice and showing the A&E video on a large screen--absolutely wonderful. The students in my Middlemarch class today said that it was the best video they had ever seen. Has anyone on else here noticed the sibling connections--Johnathan Firth plays Fred Vincy (to Colin's Darcy) and Caroline Harker plays Celia Brooke to Susannah Harker's Jane Bennet? We discussed the idea of 19th century fiction as therapy in class today and were taken with the idea that in the 19th century, a self-actualized woman had the possibility of a \"happy ending\" and there were few similar situations we could think of in 20th century fiction. Any suggestions?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (13:32)", "body": "Is is a fiction to film class, Karen? Or are you an English teacher who likes to be sure she engages? Either way, your students are lucky. P&P on a big TV screen? Heavenly! It is sort of the fashion not to go in for happy endings, I suppose. It is viewed as being sappy? Going to have to think about the 20th Century examples. Great notion, that. Good questions."}, {"response": 32, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (14:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 33, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (14:51)", "body": "Sorry about the above. I sometimes lose items from the menu unless I post something. What is the problem?"}, {"response": 34, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (14:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 35, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (16:15)", "body": "Not sure what you mean, Kim. Karen, how about Dagney Taggert in Atlas Shrugged ?"}, {"response": 36, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (08:23)", "body": "Amy, for example, I just read the postings for \"Rossamund\". When I went back to the Middlemarch menu, \"Rosamund\" has disappeared. \"Casaubon\" has also disappeared."}, {"response": 37, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (08:36)", "body": "Kim, if you are browsing only new messages on the main conference page -- and you can tell for sure by looking at the address your browser shows for that page -- then your new topic, Rosamond, would not show up because there were no messages under the topic yet -- just your header. And their may have been no new messages in the Casubon topic. To see all the topics, choose all from the main conference page menu."}, {"response": 38, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (09:48)", "body": "Thank you, Amy. I need to learn more about all this computer jazz."}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenMo", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (13:22)", "body": "What does it mean to be an English teacher \"who's sure she engages\"? I haven't yet figured out how to post a who-I-am (I'm a cyber-novice). But I do teach English. This semester I got to teach 19th and 20th British Fiction and a special topics in area--Jane Austen (which is, of course, how I found you). However, being a big believer in readiness, I think I was ready. I taped PP2when it was first on, then acquired my own copy so I can view weekly then marked the \"good spots\". One thing sort of natura ly leads to the other. Middlemarch is such an overwhelming novel for undergraduates that I hunted up the tape of it and fell in love. Has anyone here read A. S. Byatt's *Possession*? I have access to you all only at work, so I will be posting largely during the week. I feel like I have come home."}, {"response": 40, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (14:32)", "body": "] I feel like I have come home. ___ I do so love to hear that, Karen. I think maybe I left out a word, my most annoying kind of mistake. I meant to say, an English teacher who makes sure she engages. I meant it as a compliment. Show the series, hook the student, make them love the literature even more. There are so few of us here so far, we can do introductions here. Are you in Missouri, by any chance, with your handle, and in Fulton, MO, judging by your email address? There's a womens in Fulton, right? Westminister? Westminster? I lived in St. Louis for 5 years, long time ago. I'm Amy Bellinger. I'm not a scholar, just a reader. I write for a radio trade magazine from home and have been half heartedly trying to get some paying web work, but this volunteer stuff is too much fun when it's about my passion. Oh, and I am in Bloomington, Indiana. Have lived in Central Michigan, Detroit, Chicago and LA."}, {"response": 41, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (23:54)", "body": "I lived in St. Louis quite a while and have been to Fulton, MO. My mom went to Williams Woods College. What did you do in St. Louis Amy?"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (06:02)", "body": "I lived there from 1876-80, Terry. Worked for the St. Louis Public Schools in its PR department during an interesting time to do media relations -- 8-week teachers' strike and court-ordered desegregation."}, {"response": 43, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (09:55)", "body": "I lived there from 1876-80, Terry What was PR like in the 19th century, Amy? Did you learn about this life through hypnotic regression?"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (10:28)", "body": "Oh my goodness. I really am in the wrong century. Actually, I have had a regression done."}, {"response": 45, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (14:05)", "body": "You were there *way* before I was Amy!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Hilary", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (18:58)", "body": "Karen, I read 'Possession' some years ago. It is a great book. The question of a self actualised woman in 20th century fiction.....difficult. One who does come to mind is Honey Barbara in Peter Carey's book 'Bliss' which not many people here know."}, {"response": 47, "author": "MaryC", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (10:04)", "body": "This is my first visit to Middlemarch. When one only has so much time to spend on the net, one has to set priorities! I confess it was the first video series I purchased after P&P2 and I enjoyed it immensely. The casting of the actors is one of the secrets to the quality of the production. I think that is why P&P2 is so enormously attractive. And just what is the attraction for everyone living in St. Louis at some time in their lives? Found this interesting as I believe our own Mr. Darcy spent a year o his youth there himself, if I recall the facts of his bio correctly!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (10:12)", "body": "That's right. His father had a year there. Would it have been at Washington University? If so, he could have lived near me. Maybe I saw a fine looking 17 year old in the grocery store when I was 22 and chastised myself for looking."}, {"response": 49, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "Seen as new. middlemarch conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 5, "subject": "Two stories", "response_count": 8, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (01:16)", "body": "I've only read one book of Eliot critisism, but the introduction in nearly every edition of Middlemarch comments on the fact that the book started out as two books --- the Dorothea thread and the Lydgate thread. I have always wondered whether, because the characters and their paths were so firmly fixed in Eliot's head, she could not conceive of Dorothea and Lydgate as a couple. Everybody else I've ever talked to can see it. She blends the two tales so nicely and even makes the disparity mean something, by pointing out in near the beginning that Dorothea and Rosamond could not meet socially. Not a done thing, though Vincy was mayor of the town. Astounding!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "geekman", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (19:00)", "body": "The novel was not only two stories interwoven into one, it was also originally written in bi-monthly parts, so the interweaving of the two stories is even more laudable."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (09:46)", "body": "I always forget about that aspect, Ian. Thanks for reminded me about serialization. The other thing I think is interesting about Eliot, which is brought out in the duel plot, is that, say compared to JA, she deals with the business and working classes. Lydgate's quandry about who to vote for, for the new fever hospital's chaplain? It was a political problem like you would find in any office, and it demonstrates how much more Eliot was \"in the world\" than JA or the Brontes."}, {"response": 4, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (13:45)", "body": "I was disappointed that Lydgate \"caved in\" and voted for Bulstrode's choice. In the novel, we do not meet Lydgate for quite a few pages. In the video, we see him at the beginning. I found it interesting that Davies chose to do it that way."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (15:55)", "body": "I guess \"New guy coming to town\" is a good way to start a movie. There's some action and movement. I was disappointed in him for blowing off Farebrother, too. Another very likeable character."}, {"response": 6, "author": "geekman", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (02:26)", "body": "Mr Farebrother and Mr Caleb Garth are two fine characters, whom Dr Lydgate would have been much better to have had dealings with than any of the other odious people such as Bulstrode. Remember Andrew Davies also started the Pride & Prejudice 2 series that way too, with Bingley and Darcy riding across the paddocks to view Netherfield ?"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Marsha", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (16:21)", "body": "Does Bulstrode belong to any particular denomination of Episcopalian (?) or something else (I'm not very familiar with religion of that time) that makes him more 'supposedely' pious? Just curious-I've read \"Barchester towers\" by Trollope and it had a almost religious war going on between something that was called high and low church- and I had no idea what it was. Can it be that Farebrother is one, and Bulstrode the other, and that is why Bulstrode does not like him, or is he just being his usual disagree ble self? Yes, I also thought Lydgate should have sided w/ Farebrother, but where would his hospital be then? I thought that was the first indication of his giving in to Middlemarch, or am I way off?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Amy", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (18:23)", "body": "] Yes, I also thought Lydgate should have sided w/ Farebrother, but where would his hospital be then? I thought that was the first indication of his giving in to Middlemarch, or am I way off? __ Right. Could be, Marsha. A step toward taking the middle path as Mr Brooke is wont to do. I don't know about the religious question. Eliot in her other books said when characters were specifically Methodist (the evalgelists of the time), so maybe you are right in supposing that Bulstrode is some variant breed of Anglican. middlemarch conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 6, "subject": "Dr Lydgate", "response_count": 22, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (07:16)", "body": "Kim only has net access at work, so she won't see this until Monday, but I'll start anyway. Real time is an illusion, anyway -- isn't it? Over in the Austen conference, Amy2 was talking about \"arcs.\" Meaning the place a character starts, where s/he ends up and what happens in between. The sad thing about Lydgate is that he is such an idealist and ends up \"settling.\" He comes into town wanting to do good small things for Middlemarch and great things for the world. He ends a pathetic panderer to the gouty. Marrying Rosamond threw him off-course, certainly, but was it all her fault? She is an easy one to blame, she is so unsympathetic. But could he have done something to get back on course? We're lucky we have more options now."}, {"response": 2, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (10:54)", "body": "We do have more options but need self-realization and understand our innerselfs in the process. Any change requires a conscious effort and willingness to rattle your cage. Living in denial is or consciously not doing anything is so much easier, a lot less trouble."}, {"response": 3, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (09:11)", "body": "Oh, Amy, my favorite subject to talk about. I am so sorry that Dr. Lydgate thinks of himself as a failure, although looking through his eyes, I can understand. He wanted to do so much for Middlemarch and the medical world, ans as Amy said he ended up \"settling\". Rosamund is a selfish creature, but I suppose Dr. Lydgate could have been stonger. However, he loved her so much and only wanted to please her. A part of the video which really gets to me is when Lydgate tells Rosamund that Bulstrode has given him money to pay all his debts. He cries and apologizes for the misery he has caused Rosamund.And all she is concerned about is giving a party for Will. What a witch! I suppose we can think Lydgate is a little weak, but I still think overall that he is almost perfect. Don't beat me up ladies, but I like him better than Darcy."}, {"response": 4, "author": "geekman", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (04:54)", "body": "Rosamond is a perpetual child. A little like Mrs Bennet in a way. But unlike Mr Bennet, Dr Lydgate does not possess the wit and good humour that endears us to Mr Bennet. Therefore he cannot \" take delight in vexing ...\" Rosie, and besides Rosie does not have the ability to understand that even Mrs Bennet possessed!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (06:30)", "body": "] Rosamond is a perpetual child. A little like Mrs Bennet in a way. But unlike Mr Bennet, Dr Lydgate does not possess the wit and good humour that endears us to Mr Bennet. He is a little on the earnest side, isn't he? But that's what makes him so cool. ]Therefore he cannot \"take delight in vexing ...\" Rosie, and besides Rosie does not have the ability to understand that even Mrs Bennet possessed! I can't stand her."}, {"response": 6, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (08:13)", "body": "Cool is right. Being earnest is part of his charm. Not to mention his dark good looks."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (13:45)", "body": "Just like, rich, dark chocolate. Yum, yum!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (15:59)", "body": "You know, I like Lydgate, but... I don't know, my heart does not skip a beat either for the book character or the mini series portrayal."}, {"response": 9, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (00:19)", "body": "So for whom does your heart falls for Amy ?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (07:12)", "body": "] So for whom does your heart falls for Amy ? __ Nobody really! Odd for a romantic, no? I identify with Dorothea, who is the idealist type of romantic, maybe that takes care of my romance fix for this story. How about you Johanne?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (10:28)", "body": "I know I am in the minority, but I still adore Dr. Lydgate. He is such a good person. He ends up in a horrible position. I think Douglas Hodge is wonderful! He really brought the character of Dr. Lydgate to life. I agree with Mari. YUm Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (11:43)", "body": "Let me think about this one Amy, I'll get back to you, cause truthfully fantasizing and reality is quite different... But a tad careful aren't we...experience maybe (for me it is)? I know I'm diverging from this topic but ever seen Douglas Hodge as Declan and Trevyn McDowell (Rosamond) as Michelle Hauptmann in \"Capital City\", a TV series (1990) look at the fast paced world of bank finance. They were also lovers in this series..."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Hilary", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (14:44)", "body": "It has been bothering me that I had seen Hodge somewhere before, - must be 'capital City' - and I didn't realise McDowell was there too. I also have a feeling that I have seen Hodge in a sit-com too, which interfers with my appreciation of his Lydgate. I like Lydgate, his idealism, earnestness, and 'softness', but I don't fall for him."}, {"response": 14, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (09:06)", "body": "I still think Dr. Lydgate would have been much happier with Dorothea. That would have left Rosamund for Ladislaw. However, she would have grown tired of him after awhile I am sure. Can you imagine how different Lydgate's life would have been with Dorothea by his side?"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (09:17)", "body": "Right, Kim, Rosamond would not have understood Ladislaw's passion for making the world better either. I can't stand her. An afterward in my edition of Middlemarch says something like \"some readers think Dorothea and Lygate would have been suited for one another.\" I thought to myself, ' Some ? Why it springs to mind so naturally I should wonder at someone who would not consider it and wish to advance it if she were some Emma in that book."}, {"response": 16, "author": "geekman", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 1997 (18:40)", "body": "Dr Lydgate is very well played by Douglas Hodge. As an aside, Douglas Hodge and Trevyn McDowell were lovers in Capital City . And DH has also been in other recent series of note, namely A Fatal Inversion . So, back to the topic at hand. Dr Lydgate is also tainted by the low morality and unethical behaviour of those about whom he transacts daily. It is for this reason too that his fall is so terrible, in that his ideals were so high, but the indifference of thosw close to him causes him to lower and lose. Rosie was no help. If only Dorothea and and Mr Farebrother had a better influence upon him, but alas, alliance with Rosie also allies him with Bulstrode, who's downfall also brings Lydgate down - tainte by association. Rosie would never have been truly happy in any relationship, especially in one where there was a lack of money. Any alliance with Ladislaw would have been a an even worse fate for her."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Luba", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (13:59)", "body": "I agree with Amy somehow. Dorothea engaged me so much in Middlemarch that I almost forgot to look around for cool, handsome fellows. :) I have to say, I prefered the character Jonathan Firth played (name???) to Lydgate, though he was charming and touching himself. But there was something compelling about J.F....moving and funny. Maybe his playfulness at the beginning and latter resolves to make it up to Mary. But Juliet Aubrey (Dorothea) was SMASHING! :-)"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Luba", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (14:01)", "body": "I agree with Amy somehow. Dorothea engaged me so much in Middlemarch that I almost forgot to look around for cool, handsome fellows. :) I have to say, I prefered the character Jonathan Firth played (name???) to Lydgate, though he was charming and touching himself. But there was something compelling about J.F....moving and funny. Maybe his playfulness at the beginning and then latter attempts to make it up to Mary. But Juliet Aubrey (Dorothea) was SMASHING! :-)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Luba", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (14:02)", "body": "Sorry about the repetition. Clumsy me! :)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (14:08)", "body": "S'alright Luisa. Everybody does it. Yeah, the Fred Vincy character showed some wonderful growth, as did Dorothea. Maybe that's what we most want to see in a fictional character."}, {"response": 21, "author": "Hilary", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (20:24)", "body": "As a way of seeing that growth, I liked the way Fred 'rescued' Lydgate in the gaming room. I liked Fred and Mary and Garth very much."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Luba", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (13:00)", "body": "Yeah, Mary Garth had sort of a motherly expression when she beheld Fred, but at the same time she really looked as if she wanted to respect him and believe in his promises and couldn`t. It made a lot of sense that Fred wanted to earn her respect as well as love. middlemarch conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 7, "subject": "Snowed in....with Middlemarch", "response_count": 23, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "amy", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 1997 (08:22)", "body": "Kim, I had wondered where you were, doll. Are you okay? Back at work? Middlemarch is a passion of mine. It could be its own conference. Now where is that pesky Raphael? Arnessa, was he on your list to contact?"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Elaine", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 1997 (10:10)", "body": "I loved the book Middlemarch but have not been able to rent the video. Is it worthwhile to purchase?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 1997 (12:34)", "body": "Kim, Amy, Elaine, I am with you on this one. Rufus Sewell and the actor who played the doctor (pray excuse me, but it has been many months since I have seen the production), are very fine indeed. The production and adaptation were also very well done, I MHO."}, {"response": 4, "author": "jane", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 1997 (12:40)", "body": "I listened to Middlemarch as a book on tape a few weeks ago (I had read it before and also seen the series) and there was something in the end about Dorothea that made me think immediately of Amy. I won't say what, to avoid embarrassing her (you). Jane"}, {"response": 5, "author": "LauraM", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 1997 (12:57)", "body": "Mari, the guy who played the doctor was Douglas Hodge, very handsome in a CF sort of way. I liked it but, I found it a little depressing for me. The only bright spark was Rosamunde and the blonde hair is what made me think of bright. I found it to be a very dark and brooding adaptation."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 1997 (14:33)", "body": "] made me think immediately of Amy. ___ She dashed to the bookshelf."}, {"response": 7, "author": "geekman", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 1997 (02:58)", "body": "Middlemarch is currently being rescreened by our National Broadcaster, ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) on Sunday evenings at 7:30 pm. No amount of sunshine or fine evenings are going to keep me from seeing this superb series again. :-)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Anna", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 1997 (04:11)", "body": "is available on tape in Oz? I was unaware of it, but will purchase an aerial connector for my box and attempt my first trip on the tv waves for 10 years on Sunday. The problem will be; what happened so far?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Kim", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 1997 (08:49)", "body": "Elaine, in my humble opinion, Middlemarch is definitely worth purchasing."}, {"response": 10, "author": "amy", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 1997 (12:58)", "body": "Jane, you know what's funny? I had forgetten you said that the thing that reminded you about me was about Dorothea? I started to read the Finale and so far have identified with Fred, Mary and Lydgate. Not Rosamond one whit, though. Don't tell yet. Let me guess. Such rich real characters."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 1997 (15:17)", "body": "BTW, what kind of a first name is Tertius? Greek, Roman, etc.?"}, {"response": 12, "author": "geekman", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 1997 (17:20)", "body": "Anna, I think we are up to the third of six episodes. Dorothea is married to a sickly Casaubon, and Rosamond has captured Lydgate's heart with her sweet singing and beautiful piano playing. The Garth and Vincy families fight on. I've the novel Anna, if ever you want to read it."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Anna", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 1997 (20:45)", "body": "I'll see, thanks Ian."}, {"response": 14, "author": "churchh", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 1997 (14:30)", "body": "\"Tertius\" means \"third\" in Latin (as a name, \"third-born son\")."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 1997 (12:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 16, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 1997 (12:38)", "body": "Oops, sorry!Blame it on the weather......."}, {"response": 17, "author": "geekman", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 1997 (05:55)", "body": "Huh! It's been hot and fine here!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "DaRcYfAn", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 1997 (17:29)", "body": "Kim...After our discussion in the Pemberley Drawing Room I went on a hunt for Middlemarch. I have it on order and it will be here in one week...I'm afraid I could not find it as reasonably as you did...but after all your recommendations and what I have r ead here...it sounds like it will be worth it! After I am finally able to watch it...lets discuss it! Linda in GA"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 1997 (19:11)", "body": "Congratulations, Kim. A pusher first class."}, {"response": 20, "author": "Kim", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (14:57)", "body": "Linda, I would love to discuss Middlemarch with you! I do so hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I am sorry that you could not find it any cheaper."}, {"response": 21, "author": "amy", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (01:45)", "body": "Linda, I've put up a new Middlemarch conference. Don't wuite n\u007f\u007f\u007f\u007f wy\u007f w\u007fqu\u007f quite know how to start yet, though. Sorry. Just got a new telnet porgram and am not so sure how to do things in it."}, {"response": 22, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (06:55)", "body": "I see you downloaded. QVTNet. Let me know if I can help."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (07:02)", "body": "Okay, Myretta, I may. Backspace key is driving me a little nuts but that may be because I originated the session from access. middlemarch conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 8, "subject": "Will Ladislaw", "response_count": 10, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (10:39)", "body": "I did not care much for Ladislaw when I first watched Middlemarch. However, after reading the book and watching the video again, I liked him better. Rufus Sewell, in my opinion, was perfect for Ladislaw. In the book, it talks of Will tossing his curls around, and Sewell certainly had the hair for the part!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "genie", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (11:05)", "body": "When I read Middlemarch for the first time last winter (during my 19th century phase thanks to all the Jane Austen), I hadn't seen the BBC production. I was living overseas when it aired in 93 or 94, whenever it was. My first impressions of the book were that it was heavy and pedantic. However, it stuck with me and I found myself going back to clarify ideas or plot threads, etc. My favorite character was Will Ladislaw, mostly because \"he had suffered so much injustice\" both at the hands of society a d at the hands of Eliot's critics who found his characterization in general a failure. I always champion the underdog! Anyway, to get to the point, I thought Rufus Sewell's portrayal of Ladislaw was outstanding. I became a bigger champion of Ladislaw and a big-time fan of Sewell. What I guess I am trying to get around to saying is: Count me in on any discussion of Will. He is, IMHO, a very complex and fascination character despite what the critics said and still say."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (12:52)", "body": "I think Sewell brought some needed fire to the character. I suppose I have to confess I too wondered what Dorothea saw in him. But isn't that the case sometimes? Maybe we have to just trust there was a spark that neither could ignore."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Dina", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (13:32)", "body": "I sometimes think most of the men in the novel could (or would have) been in love with Dorothea, mostly because of her goodness. Ladislaw was in a position and persistent enough. I also felt she and the good Dr. would have made a nice couple. But would they have been allowed to do the good they wanted? Did they have the money between the 2 of them? Or would they have been defeated by the pettiness of those surrounding them? If you think about it, the only people who ended up \"well\" (and I am not talking j st money) were Rosamond's brother and his new wife (sorry I have forgotten their names)."}, {"response": 5, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (13:39)", "body": "You know what guys, I really did not like Will Ladislaw, I thought him boorish. He didn't have any spark, he had no vision. Why didn't he speak up about his cousin leaving him out of the will. And why did he allow Casaubon to treat him that way? I'm a big fan of Sewell and you guys really should see him as Fortinbras in HAMLET. He looks Gorgeous!!!! And I found Dorothea to complacent. She too had no spark. She marries a guys 40 years older than she is, only because she thought that he was Smart and knew things, but to find out that he knew nothing. His book he was writing was other peoples thinkings. Am I making much sense? If not let me know and I'll stop Anyway to all the RS fans run out see Hamlet. At least at $7.50 for a 4:02 min movie you know you are definitely getting your moneys worth PS Kenneth Branagh is Shakespeare"}, {"response": 6, "author": "geekman", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (04:32)", "body": "Rosamond's brother was Fred Vincy who with the great love and help of Caleb Garth is saved from his directionless life. Fred of course loved Mary Garth from when they were children."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (06:26)", "body": "There's another neat, loveable character -- Mr Garth. I always figured he must have been based on Eliot's own dad, who was in a similar line of work."}, {"response": 8, "author": "genie", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (12:46)", "body": "I am posting here to sort of jump start or re-invigorate this discussion of Will Ladislaw. I will preface my comments by saying that I hated the character Rosamund, both in the book and in the screen adaptation. That such a petty, selfish woman could destroy an idealistic, intelligent man like Lydgate that way was detestable. Accordingly, I applauded when Will \"shredded\" her after Dorothea's appearance at the Lydgate's house when she encounters Will and Rosamund together. Perhaps it was not a gentlem nly thing to do and Will feels bad that he did it, but he can't and won't apologize and well he shouldn't. Rosamund, in her own weakness and selfishness, has almost cost him everything ... his honor, his dignity, and Dorothea."}, {"response": 9, "author": "genie", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (12:48)", "body": "Amy, I too, really liked Caleb Garth. His goodness and integrity fairly glowed. I have read in a book of criticism of Middlemarch that Garth was indeed based on Eliot's most beloved father."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (14:23)", "body": "] Accordingly, I applauded when Will \"shredded\" her after Dorothea's appearance at the Lydgate's house when she encounters Will and Rosamund together. __ Me too. It was better than Darcy telling Caroline to bug off. It was like everything came into focus for him, as if we were thinking, \"What am I doing?\" middlemarch conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 9, "subject": "Not all somber", "response_count": 10, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (06:20)", "body": "There are some great comic characters and situations in the story. Rivaling some of Austen's jerks was Mr. Brooke -- his wishy-washy take-the- middle ground ways drive you nuts. Or how about the situation where everybody is waiting for old Featherstone to die? Have you known greedy families like that? Reminded me a little of Chuzzlewit."}, {"response": 2, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (13:14)", "body": "Oh yes, It reminded me of Chuzzlewit also. I really have to say that in the miniseries I really did like Fred Vincy. Even though he was considered a no-gooder, I found his romance with Mary to be real."}, {"response": 3, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (13:50)", "body": "In the video, I find the scene amusing in which the young man(Plymdale I think) is showing passages to Rosamund. The look on his face when Dr. Lydgate laughs at the book makes me smile. Rosamund looks like the cat that just swallowed the canary."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (06:58)", "body": "I agree, Kim. Poor old Ned never had a chance after Lydgate came to town. I'd love to see a real copy of \"Keepsake\" to see just how sappy it was. Wonder what the modern day equivilent of it is, if there is one."}, {"response": 5, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (15:35)", "body": "Probably Harlequin Romance novels. Or better yet, Danielle Steele, Jackie Collins, Joan Collins, et al."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Luba", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (03:32)", "body": "Hi, back again! I agreed with Fred Vincy being a lovable character and I liked the way Mary waited for him to settle down before risking everything in a marriage that might have gone wrong if \"done\" too early and with no means. She too is a strong, intelligent character. Fred and Mary make a truly real, believable couple."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (03:42)", "body": "It does not hurt that he has just a touch of that Firth look in the miniseries. I don't see a lot of resemblence, really. The hair is nice, and once in a while Jonathan gives off that little grimace and eye-roll of disgust or exasperation that reminds me of brother Colin."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Luba", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (10:55)", "body": "The smile is very much like Colin Firth`s, I think. Jonathan has a more fragile appearance, more juvenile. I like his looks. There`s this frankness about both Firths grins. :-)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (10:59)", "body": "But the better part of the grin is in the eye, maybe?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Luba", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (13:46)", "body": "Yeah, and those dimples. I remeber I had this surge of utter delight when I saw Colin Firth smile at the end of Pride. I laughed myself the first time. He looked so completely radiant and I was used to seing him frown in disgust... He has great piercing eyes. Great eyes! :-) middlemarch conference Main Menu"}]}]}