Middlemarch facts for kids
Title page, first ed., Vol. 1, William Blackwood and Sons, 1871 (First volume of eight)
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| Author | George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) |
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| Working title | Miss Brooke |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novel |
| Set in | English Midlands and briefly Rome, September 1829 — May 1832 |
| Published | 1871–2 |
| Publisher | William Blackwood and Sons |
| Media type | |
| 823.8 | |
| Preceded by | Felix Holt, the Radical (1866)' |
| Followed by | Daniel Deronda (1874–6)' |
| Text | Middlemarch, A Study of Provincial Life at Wikisource |
Middlemarch, A Study of Provincial Life is a famous novel by the English author George Eliot. Her real name was Mary Ann Evans. The book was first published in parts between 1871 and 1872.
This story takes place in a made-up town called Middlemarch in the English Midlands. The time is between 1829 and 1832. It's a big story that looks closely at the lives of many different people in a small town. It explores their dreams, mistakes, and how they try to find happiness.
Contents
What is Middlemarch About?
Middlemarch is a story about everyday life in a small English town. It follows several characters and their different paths. The book shows how people's choices affect their lives and the lives of others around them. It also looks at how society and its rules can shape people's futures.
Main Characters and Their Stories
The novel has many characters whose lives become connected. Here are some of the main ones:
Dorothea Brooke's Journey
Dorothea Brooke is a young woman who wants to do something important with her life. She is very intelligent and cares deeply about helping others. Dorothea marries an older, scholarly man named Edward Casaubon. She hopes to help him with his big research project. However, she soon finds that her marriage is not what she expected.
Tertius Lydgate's Ambition
Tertius Lydgate is a new doctor who comes to Middlemarch. He has big plans to improve medicine and help people. He marries a beautiful woman named Rosamond Vincy. Lydgate faces many challenges, including money problems and misunderstandings with the townspeople. His story shows how hard it can be to make big changes.
Fred Vincy and Mary Garth
Fred Vincy is Rosamond's brother. He is a charming young man but often gets into trouble. He is in love with Mary Garth, who is a kind and sensible woman. Their story is about growing up and learning what is truly important in life.
Themes in the Novel
Middlemarch explores many important ideas.
Dreams and Reality
Many characters in the book have big dreams and hopes. Dorothea wants to make a difference, and Lydgate wants to change medicine. The novel shows how their dreams often clash with the realities of life. It teaches us that things don't always go as planned.
Marriage and Society
Marriage is a very important topic in Middlemarch. The book shows different kinds of marriages and how they affect people's lives. It also looks at the rules of society and how they can limit people, especially women, in the 1800s.
Community Life
The town of Middlemarch itself is like a character in the book. The novel shows how everyone in a small community is connected. News travels fast, and people's actions affect their neighbors. It's a study of how a "provincial life" works.
Why is Middlemarch Important?
Middlemarch is considered one of the greatest English novels ever written. It is praised for its deep understanding of human nature. George Eliot created characters who feel very real. The book also gives us a detailed look at life in England during the 1800s. It helps us understand the challenges and hopes of people from that time.
The book is also special because it tells many different stories at once. All these stories weave together to create a rich picture of life. It shows how small choices can have big impacts.
About the Author: George Eliot
George Eliot was the pen name of Mary Ann Evans. She used a male name to be taken more seriously as a writer in her time. She was a very intelligent woman who wrote many famous novels. Besides Middlemarch, she also wrote Adam Bede and The Mill on the Floss. She was known for her deep thoughts and her ability to understand people's feelings.
Images for kids
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George Eliot
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Dorothea Brooke and Will Ladislaw
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Mary Garth and Fred Vincy
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Rosamond Vincy and Tertius Lydgate
See also
In Spanish: Middlemarch para niños
