Welcome back Middlemarchers! We hit some rather long chapters this week, so I apologize if I omitted any details—plenty of room for discussion. And I’m fascinated to hear what you all think about the direction the book is taking.

Summary

Chapter 36

After the bombshell that is Featherstone's will, Mr. Vincy starts frantically worrying about his children’s future status in society and financial stability. He first targets Fred, for whom he has scant sympathy. He advises Fred to return to college and complete his education, but it remains unclear in this chapter whether Fred will follow this advice.

With the anticipated wealth and land no longer coming his way, Mr. Vincy starts to question the engagement between Lydgate and his daughter, Rosamond. He instructs his wife to persuade Rosamond to break off the engagement. Rosamond, however, remains steadfast and uses subtle manipulation to convince her father to not call off the engagement publicly. Lydgate, a man of higher social standing but modest financial means, remains largely unaware of the family's monetary difficulties until Rosamond mentions her father's altered stance to him. Fearing that Mr. Vincy might dissolve the engagement against their wishes, the chapter concludes with the couple deciding to fast-track their wedding date.

Chapter 37

This chapter unfolds with an analysis of the ongoing political environment at both local and national levels: the demise of George the Fourth has left the government transforming. The local political newspapers are similarly experiencing a shift. One such paper, The Pioneer, has recently put forth an article claiming it's an opportune time for competent men to play more significant roles in politics. The chapter kicks off with two peripheral characters, Mr. Hawley and Mr. Hackbutt, theorizing that the article points towards Mr. Brooke, fueled by rumors of his recent acquisition of the paper. As it transpires, the rumors are accurate.

Ladislaw continues his stay with Mr. Brooke and it is revealed that Brooke has proposed a job at the paper to Ladislaw. Ladislaw is giving the offer serious thought. Concurrently, Mr. Casaubon is expressing hostility towards Ladislaw's presence in the vicinity, something everyone but Mr. Brooke appears to be cognizant of. Ladislaw has been circumventing Casaubon, yet he also yearns to meet Dorothea. One day, he starts sketching near Casaubon’s residence, in hopes of catching a glimpse of Dorothea on her daily stroll. However, rain forces him to take refuge in the house, which, fortunately, Casaubon has vacated for the day.

Dorothea is thrilled at the prospect of conversing with Ladislaw since Casaubon appears uninterested in her opinions. They discuss various topics, mostly revolving around the shared family history of Casaubon and Ladislaw. Ladislaw brings up the job offer and Dorothea advises him to seek Casaubon's viewpoint.

Later, an irked Casaubon returns home and upon learning of Ladislaw’s visit, voices his displeasure about Mr. Brooke offering Ladislaw a job. He pens a letter to Ladislaw the following day, advising him to decline the job offer and relocate.

Having gleaned more about their family history, Dorothea ponders over the ethical correctness of Ladislaw’s reliance on Casaubon. She is a woman deeply ingrained in the conventions of her era, specifically primogeniture. Nevertheless, the Casaubon/Ladislaw situation lacks the clarity she desires, as both men are descendants of two sisters, neither of whom should have had sole claim to the family wealth. The narrative suggests that Ladislaw’s father was older than Casaubon, hence, he should have been the rightful heir as the firstborn male in the lineage. Dorothea, aware of Casaubon’s will favoring her, wishes to restore some justice for Ladislaw. One night, she voices her desire to Casaubon; she wants him to assign a living allowance to Ladislaw, owing to his moral and potential legal rights. She also proposes that Casaubon amend his will, reallocating a larger part of her inheritance upon Casaubon’s demise to Ladislaw.

Casaubon shrugs off her proposal and prohibits her from ever broaching the subject again. The chapter closes on an ominous note, with Casaubon resolved to thwart Ladislaw’s decision to stay in the area and accept the job, by any means necessary.

Context & notes

Chapter 36:

• The opening epigraph for chapter 36 is a quote from 'The Tragedy of Philotas' (1605)
• Santa Lucia was a third-century virgin martyr. She is the patron of people with eye diseases and is usually depicted holding two eyes in a dish.
• Valenciennes refers to a popular style of lacework, originating from Valenciennes itself, that was popular at the time.

Chapter 37:

• The epigraph for this chapter is a quote from Spenser's 'Amoretti' (1595).
• Charles James Fox - was a Whig statesman and reformer (1759-1806)
• "He shall be prettily pumped upon" is a phrase that refers to a punishment of being put under a working water pump and soaked.
• "A low set of dark-blue freemen" refers to the Whig) (Liberal) colors. The speakers are referring to the local men who have the 'freedom of the borough' and can vote in elections, presumably in favor of the Whigs.
• The Rights of Man is the title of a pro-French Revolutionary book, published in 1791-92 by Thomas Paine. This book advocated for male suffrage.
• William Huskisson was a (moderately) reformist Tory statesman (1770-1830)
• A pocket borough refers to a small constituency that is controlled by one family.
• "passionate prodigality" is a reference to Sir Thomas Browne's work 'Urn Burial'.
• Casaubon asks Dorothea to read him some "Lowth" - this potentially refers to the writings of Robert Lowth (1710 - 1787), a bishop and a Hebrew scholar.