Marriage and Relationships: One of the central themes in Middlemarch is the exploration of marriage and relationships. George Eliot delves into the complexities of marital life, examining how different characters navigate love, duty, and personal fulfillment. The novel portrays both successful and failed marriages, highlighting the societal expectations and personal desires that influence these relationships.
Social Reform and Progress: The novel is set during a time of significant social change in England. Eliot addresses themes of reform and progress, particularly in the context of education, medicine, and politics. Characters like Dr. Lydgate and Dorothea Brooke embody the struggle for reform, facing both personal and societal challenges in their quest for progress.
Individual Ambition and Disillusionment: Many characters in Middlemarch grapple with their ambitions and the realities that often lead to disillusionment. Dorothea Brooke, for instance, aspires to make a meaningful impact on the world but finds her ideals challenged by the constraints of her environment. Similarly, Dr. Lydgate’s medical ambitions are thwarted by financial and social pressures.
Community and Society: The novel also explores the role of the individual within the community. Eliot paints a detailed picture of the fictional town of Middlemarch, showing how the lives of its inhabitants are interconnected. The community’s norms and values significantly influence the characters’ actions and decisions, often leading to conflicts between personal desires and societal expectations.
Gender Roles and Expectations: Gender roles and expectations are another major theme in Middlemarch. Eliot critiques the limited opportunities available to women in the 19th century, particularly through the character of Dorothea Brooke, who struggles to find a meaningful role beyond the domestic sphere. The novel also examines the impact of these societal expectations on men, as seen in the character of Tertius Lydgate.