Dorothea — Middlemarch

~kimmer Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (09:32) seed

Invalid command: only I must apologize for neglecting this conference for so long. I find Dorthea to be an interesting character. She wants to do what is right, but is unhappy for such a time. In the BBC production, in the scene in which Will tells her he is leaving Middlemarch(the first time), her body language is very strong. She gets closer and closer to him as she talks about doing what she wants to do and things that hapen to tie her hands. However, when Sir James walks in, she looks guilty and steps away. The look Will gives her is very telling. Was she really going to tell him she loved him? Why did he not just come out and tell her he loved her? Also, earlier in this scene she says she would never forget anyone she used to know. How that hurts Will! i suppose most lovers must be at cross purposes in the great novels, at least for awhile. Any comments?

~Amy Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (01:23) #1

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.

~Darcyfan Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (18:40) #2

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?

~Amy Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (21:16) #3

She must have wanted to see him. Good question. Maybe she was waiting for him to come round. He always seemed to, eventually.

~kimmer Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (06:44) #4

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.

~Amy Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (12:26) #5

A wonderful, awful scene. Eliot learned how to make people squirm from Austen.

~kimmer Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (14:28) #6

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.

~Jess Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (20:56) #7

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!

~skuld Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (20:39) #8

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.