Summary
Lydgate visits Farebrother and learns that he supports
his mother, aunt, and sister on his meager income. Farebrother's
mother states that he compares to the best of clergymen, so he should
have the position at the hospital. Lydgate learns that Tyke is a
zealous, strict type. He also learns that Farebrother smokes, gambles,
and studies entomology as well. Farebrother warns Lydgate of Middlemarch's petty
politics and prejudices. He tells Lydgate that he will offend Bulstrode
if he votes for him. However, he says there will be no hard feelings
if Lydgate votes for Tyke.
Lydgate's liking for Farebrother increases with greater
acquaintance. Lydgate disapproves of Farebrother's gambling, and
he knows that Farebrother wants the chaplaincy for the forty-pound salary.
Lydgate dislikes the manner in which money becomes a motive for
men's actions. He is torn, however, because he feels that the salary
might relieve Farebrother of the need to gamble. Lydgate is also
frustrated that his vote will damage his relationship with Bulstrode.
He begins to feel the harness of petty Middlemarch politics. During
the election, Lydgate votes last, breaking a tie. Farebrother's supporters
state that they know how Lydgate will vote and why. The hints insult
Lydgate, but he votes for Tyke anyway. Farebrother treats Lydgate
no differently than before.
Naumann, a painter friend of Will Ladislaw, draws his
attention to a beautiful woman on the streets of Rome. The woman
is Dorothea. Will informs him of her identity, and Naumann asks
him to persuade Dorothea to sit for a portrait. Meanwhile, Dorothea
is sobbing. She cannot name the reason for her sadness. She has
begun to realize that her marriage is not what she expected it to
be. Casaubon states that he wishes to return to his work soon. She
hints that he should begin sifting through his notes and writing
his book. Casaubon takes her suggestion as criticism. He suggests
that she defer to his better judgment. Dorothea, although indignant,
bows to his will because the quarrel pains her.
Ladislaw visits the Casaubons, but only Dorothea is home. Casaubon
arrives, interrupting the conversation. His dry, dark, aged appearance
contrasts starkly with Will's sunny, bright youth. Will agrees to
dine with them the next day. Dorothea begs forgiveness for her short
temper with him earlier, but peace is not fully restored.
Ladislaw takes Dorothea and Casaubon to visit Naumann's
studio. Naumann wants to sketch Dorothea. He flatters Casaubon and asks
him to sit as a model for Thomas Aquinas. Afterwards, he asks to
do a quick sketch of Dorothea. Will is stricken with an intense admiration
for Dorothea. He wishes her to take special notice of him, so he
schemes to see her alone. He goes to visit when he knows Casaubon
will not be at home. Will laments her sad fate in being locked away
in Lowick manor, but Dorothea stresses that Lowick is her chosen
home. Will makes light of Casaubon's plodding scholarship on his
unfinished work. Dorothea takes offense, but only because he voices
the concerns that she herself has been feeling. Will declares that
he will renounce Casaubon's charity because he wishes to be independent.
He hopes to impress Dorothea. She admires his resolve, but she pleads
that he never mock Casaubon's work again. Dorothea reports Will's
plan to Casaubon. He replies that Will is of little interest to
him except as an object of duty, and he asks her not to mention
him again.
Commentary
Lydgate's relationship with Farebrother is rife with personal
conflicts. He is caught between his friendship with Farebrother
and his professional relationship with Bulstrode. The election for
the chaplaincy quickly develops into a moral dilemma. Lydgate is
a moral man, but he suffers from "spots of commonness." Like most
other characters in Middlemarch, he has a number
of small prejudices and moral failings related to the need to balance
self-interest and other people's interests. He disapproves of Farebrother's
minor gambling habit because he disdains the way small sums of money
can determine a man's actions. However, Farebrother must support
his mother, his aunt, and his sister. In addition to these responsibilities, he
needs money to pursue his own scientific hobbies. Lydgate too needs
financial help to pursue his medical research. Lydgate is thus hypocritical
when he judges Farebrother for needing money.
