(BLOCK-4) (UNIT-2) THEMES, CHARACTERS, TECHNIQUES

 1. Describe the reasons for Dorothea‟s attraction to Casaubon. 

Dorothea's attraction to Casaubon in Middlemarch can be attributed to several reasons.

Firstly, Dorothea is a young woman with a strong desire to make a difference in the world, and she sees Casaubon, a learned scholar, as a mentor who can help her achieve her goals. She is attracted to his intellectual and moral qualities and believes that he can guide her towards a life of purpose and meaning.

Secondly, Dorothea has a romanticized view of the world and believes that by marrying Casaubon, she will be able to participate in his scholarly pursuits and contribute to his life's work. She sees him as a man with a noble mission, and she wants to be a part of that mission.

Thirdly, Dorothea is idealistic and has a desire to improve the lives of others. She believes that by marrying Casaubon, she will be able to use her position as his wife to help others and make a positive impact on society.

Finally, Dorothea is a young woman who is somewhat naive and lacks experience in the world. She is attracted to Casaubon partly because he represents a world of knowledge and sophistication that is new and exciting to her.

2. How does George Eliot perceive her role as a historian of society? 

George Eliot, in her novels such as Middlemarch, aspired to be a historian of society. She believed that fiction could be a powerful tool for understanding human nature and the social dynamics that shape our lives.

As a historian of society, Eliot was interested in exploring the complex interplay of individual lives with the larger social structures and cultural norms that shape them. She sought to depict the complexities of human experience in a realistic and nuanced way, showing how our actions and decisions are shaped by a range of factors, including our upbringing, social class, gender, and cultural background.

Eliot also believed that her role as a novelist was to offer a critique of society and to challenge prevailing social norms and beliefs. She was acutely aware of the limitations placed on women and other marginalized groups in Victorian society, and she used her novels to critique these limitations and to offer alternative visions of a more just and equitable society.

Ultimately, George Eliot saw her role as a historian of society as that of a moralist who sought to use the power of fiction to illuminate the complexities of human experience, to challenge prevailing social norms and beliefs, and to offer a vision of a better, more just, and more equitable society.

3. What are the main issues being discussed in the town of Middlemarch?

In Middlemarch, the main issues being discussed in the town are varied and reflect the social, political, and economic concerns of Victorian England. Here are a few of the key issues:

Reform and political change: The Reform Act of 1832 had recently been passed, extending the right to vote to a larger number of middle-class men. The townspeople of Middlemarch are divided on the issue of reform, with some advocating for further changes to the political system and others resisting any further reforms.

Class and social mobility: Social class is a central concern in Middlemarch. The novel explores the opportunities and limitations faced by individuals from different social classes, and the ways in which social mobility is both possible and restricted.

Gender roles and expectations: The novel explores the roles and expectations placed on men and women in Victorian society. It portrays the limited opportunities available to women, as well as the social and economic pressures that shape their lives.

Religion and morality: Religion and morality play an important role in the lives of many characters in Middlemarch. The novel explores the tensions between traditional religious values and the changing social and economic realities of the time.

Scientific progress and intellectual pursuits: The characters in Middlemarch are interested in a range of intellectual pursuits, including science and philosophy. The novel explores the tensions between scientific progress and traditional religious beliefs, as well as the role of intellectual pursuits in shaping individual identity and social change.