Greetings Middlemarchers! This week we learn more about Casaubon. (Summary and prompts liberally recycled from last year.)

Summary:

Chapter 8

“Oh, rescue her! I am her brother now,

And you her father. Every gentle maid

Should have a guardian in each gentleman.”

-George Elliot

In chapter eight, Sir James has concerns about Dorothea marrying Casaubon. He heads to the rectory and we’re introduced to Mrs. Cadwallader’s other half - Mr. Humphrey Cadwallader. Mr. Cadwallader, who is a good-natured man, notices Sir James is vexed. Sir James expresses his concerns about Dorothea's marriage. Mr. Cadwallder sees no issue with the upcoming marriage. Sir James continues to express his distaste, saying he doesn’t like Casabuon and that he’s too old for Dorothea. Mr. Cadwallader shares a story that Casaubon is good to his poor relations. Mrs. Cadwallader joins the conversation, and she and Sir James continue to express their dislike of Casubon. Even saying that if you look at Casaubon’s blood under a microscope, you’d see that it would be all semicolons and parentheses. Ultimately, Mr. Cadwallader declines to interfere in Miss Brooke’s marriage to Sir James.

Chapter 9

1st Gent. An ancient land in ancient oracles

Is called “law-thirsty”: all the struggle there

Was after order and a perfect rule.

Pray, where lie such lands now? . . .

2d Gent. Why, where they lay of old — in human souls.

-George Elliot

In chapter nine, Dorothea, Celia, and Mr. Brooke visit Casaubon’s house. Dorothea loves the home, while Celia has some interesting internal dialogue...and thinks quite the opposite. They find a room that once belonged to Casaubon’s mother. The room is still filled with many of her belongings, including portraits of Casaubon’s mother and aunt. Casaubon mentions that he didn’t know his aunt well, because she was estranged from the family after a bad marriage. They then go outside to see the village and church, which impresses Dorothea. Based on what is described the poor people in the area have suitable accommodations that are well-kept. They end the trip by walking through the gardens and we’re introduced to Casaubon’s maternal cousin - Will Ladislaw. Will is interested in the arts and was sketching when the group came upon him. Mr. Brook is impressed by the arts, while Dorothea shares that she never understood the arts. Casaubon and the Brookes walk back to the house. Will laughs thinking Dorothea’s commentary was a slight. Casaubon shares that he is paying for Will’s education and to establish his career. Will seeks to travel instead. Casaubon is not impressed, but Mr. Brooke suggests Will is on a different path — such as exploration or writing.

Context & Notes:

Whigs(or liberals)) sought to give power back to the misrepresented people

Xisuthrus (or Ziusudra) is a hero in the Sumerian version of the flood story, so Cadwallader is referencing Casaubon’s work on his “Key to All Mythologies.”

Fee-fo-fum is a nonsense line that sounds like a giant.

Hop o MyThumb is a fairytale by Charles Perrault

Brio means enthusiastic vigor

Morbidezza means an extreme delicacy and softness (Italian)

James Bruce and Mungo Park were explorers

Thomas Chatterton and Charles Churchill were both poets