Comparativestudy of the novel Middlemarch and Sense and Sensibility

SUBJECT: Paper No.6 the Victorian Literature
Rollno.32

Study: M.A. Sem.2

Guided by: Heenaba Zala

 Department of English Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University.

Topic: Comparative Study of the Novel Sense and Sensibility AND Middlemarch

Introduction:

 

              ‘Middlemarch’ written by George Eliot and ‘Sense and sensibility’ written by Jane Austene . In the Middlemarch George Eliot express his views on  Marriage life. He describe the Marriage life with the use of Some Characters, Like: DOROTHEA BROOKE, Mr.CASAUBONE, ROSAMOND VINCY,TERTIUS LYDGATE, MARY and FRED. In the Sense and Sensibility Jane austene presents the marriage issues and some reality of life. In the sense and sensibility main characters are Elinor, Marriane, Margaretta, John Willoughby, colonel Brandon, Edward Ferras, Mr.Dashwood, Mrs.Dashwood, Lady Middleton, John Dashwood, Hary, Robert, Mrs.palmer,Ms.Gray and Lucy.

                   In the Novel Middlemarch George Eliot uses too many characters, Mary Garth, Mr.Arthur Brooke, Celia Brooke, Sir James Chettam, Will Ladislaw, Mr.Humphery Cadwallader, Mrs.Eleanor Cadwallader, Mr.Caleb Garth, Mr.Camden Farebrother, Nicholas Bulstrode, Mr.Peter Featherstone, Mrs Jane Waule, Mr.Hawley, Mr.Mawmsey, Dr.Sprague, John Raffles, Rigg Featherstone, Mr.Tyke.

                   In the Middlemarch Dorohea Brooke is a young woman who is live with her uncle and sister in the small town of Middlemarch in England. She is beautiful, intelligent and gorgeous.  But she is also so idealistic, It’s almost laughable. Her main ambition in life is to take on a noble project so she marries a dried up old scholar named casaubone. So that time she thinking that helping him in his research will be the project she’s after, Not so much. Dorothea quickly discovers that he cares more for his own scholarly pursuits than he does for her, so she can’t do much about it. So we can says that she is more dependent on her husband.

                   Tertius Lydgate is a young and idealistic doctor. He moves to Middlemarch to set up a practice with his new fangled ideas about medicine and science. But he encounters a lot of obstacles. First of all, most of the residents of Middlemarch have lived in the town for their whole lives and they don’t trust newcomers. Second, they don’t trust new ideas. And Lydgate is all about scientific progress. Lydgate falls in love with Rosamond Vincy she is the sister of one of his patients. Lydgate marries with Rosamond Vincy.  But he is not happy in his marriage life. Lydgate discovers that Rosamond is a superficial and selfish. Rosamond learns that Lydgate will always be married with his work  as a doctor. And then they run out of money because neither of them knows how to stick a budget.

                   These two unhappy couples The Lydgate and The Casaubone are connected by Mr.Casaubone’s young cousin, Will is a handsome, young artist withseriously, he sparkles. Lydgate finds Will to be sympathetic to his ideas about science and medicine and science Will is an outsider in Middlemarch. Too,they quickly become friends. Everyone seems to like Will. Especially Dorothea, who finds that he understands her in a way her husband doesn’t. But don’t worry Dorothea’s halfway to sainthood, and she’s not about to cheat on her husband. The thing about marrying a much older man, though, is that they pass away and leave you free to remarry.

                   Mr.Casaubone was always jealous of the friendly bond between his cousin, Will and his wife. So Mr.Casaubone leaves a codicil in his Will saying that Dorothea Will lose all the money she’s supposed to inherit from him if she remarries Will Ladislaw. Dorothea hadn’t even though about marrying Will until she reads the Codicol. She thought that they were just friends.

                   After some serious thinking and some misunderstandings, Dorothea and Will decide to get married. They live happily ever after despite the fact that they forferit the large inheritance from dead Mr.Casaubone. Rosamond and Lydgate live unhappily ever after Lydgate dies at a tragically early age leaving Rosamond free to marry someone who is more willing to cater to her whims.

                   As the same time, readers have become acquainted with Rosamond’s university educated, restless and irresponsible brother Fred who is reluctantly destined for the church. He is in love with his childhood sweetheart, Mary Garth is a sensible and Forthright young woman. Who will not accept him until he abandons the church and settles ina more suitable career. Mary’s honesty Contributes to Fred’s losing a considerable fortune, which was bequeathed to him by the aged and irascible Mr.Featherstone, and then rescinded by a later Will which  Featherstone, on his deathbed, begs Mary to destroy. Mary refuses to engage in such an illegal act and begs Featherstone to wait until the morning. Fred in trouble over some injudicious horse-dealing is so forced to take out a loan that is co-signed by Mary’s father, Caleb Garth, to meet his Commitments. When Fred is unable to pay the loan that time Caleb Garth’s finance become compromised since he must pay back the loan himself as co-singer. This humiliation shocks Fred into reassessing his life and he resolves ti train as a land agent  under the forgiving Caleb.  

                   These three interwoven narratives with side plots such as the disastrous though comedic attempt by Mr.Brooke to enter parliament as a sponsor of Reform are the basis of the novel until well into its final third. Then a new thread emerges with the appearance of John Raffles who knows about Bulstrode’s shady  past and is determined to exploit this knowledge via blackmail. In his youth the now fire and brimstone church going Bulstrode engaged in some questionable financial dealings. he also owes the foundation of his fortune to a marriage to a much older wealthy widow. Bulstrode terror of public exposure as a hypocrite leads him to hasten the death of the mortally sick Raffles by giving him access to forbidden alchohol and excessive amounts of opium. But he is too late Raffles had already  spread the word. Bulstrode’s disgrace engulfs the luckless Lydgate as knowledge of the financier’s loan to the doctor become public and he is assumed to be complicit with Bulstrode. Only Dorothea and Farebrother maintain faith in Lydgate but Lydgate and Rosamond are encouraged by the general Opprobrium to leave Middlemarch. The disgraced and reviled Bulstrode’s only consolation is that his wife stands by him as he too, faces exile.

                   The Final thread in the complex weave concerns Ladislaw. The Peculiar nature of Casaubone’s will has meant that suspicion has fallen upon Dorothea and Ladislaw as possible lovers, creating an awkwardness between the two. But Casaubon’s paranoia demonstrates some perception because Ladislaw is secretly in love with Dorothea. But he keeps that fact to himself, having no desire to involve her in scandal or to cause her disinheritance. He has remained in Middlemarch working as a newspaper editor for Mr.Brooke he has a focus  for Rosamond’s treacherous attentions. After Brooke’s election campaign collapses, there is nothing to keep Ladislaw in Middlemarch so he visits Dorothea to make his farewell. But Dorothea released from life with Csaubone but still the prisoner of his Will,  has come to fall in love with Ladislaw. She had previously seen him as her husband’s unfortunate relative, but the peculiar nature of Casaubon’s will fortune. She shocks her family again by announcing she will marry ladislaw. At the same time Fred who has proven an apt pupil of Caleb’s profession, finally wins the approval and hand of Mary.

                   Beyond the principal stories we are given constant glimpses into other scenes. We observe Featherstone’s avaricious relatives gathering for the spoils visit Farebrother’s strange menage and become aware of enormous socia and economic  divides. But these are backdrops for the main stories which true to life are left largely suspended leaving a short finale to summarise the fortunes of our protagonist over the next 30 years or so. The book ends as it began with Dorothea:

“Her Full nature… spent itself in channels which had no great name on the Earth. But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts.”

In the Sense and Sensibility Dashwood family interduced by Jane Austene Mr. and Mrs.Dashwood and their three Daughters Elinor, Marianne and Margaret. John and his wife Fanny have a great deal of money, yet refuse to help his half sisters and their mother. Elinor is youngest sister of Marianne and Margaret.Elinor and Edward Ferras are developing their friendship. He is Fanny’s Brother he was shy and very kind person Elinor likes Edward but is not convinced her feelings are mutual Fanny is especially displeased by their apparent regard, as Edward’s mother wants him to marry well. 

Marianne falls and twists her ankle while walking; she is lucky enough to be found and carried home by a dashing man named Willoughby. Marianne and Willoughby have a similar romantic temperament, and Marianne is much pleased to find that Willoughby has a passion for art, poetry, and music. Willoughby and Marianne's attachment develops steadily, though Elinor believes that they should be more restrained in showing their regard publicly. Colonel Brandon a gentkeman and a bachelor . The Colonel is soon taken with Marianne, but Marianne objects to Mrs.Jennigs attempts to get them together and to the “advanced” age and serious demeanor of the colonel. 

One pleasant day, the Middletons, the Dashwoods, and Willoughby are supposed to go on a picnic with the Colonel, but their plans are ditched when Colonel Brandon is forced to leave because of distressing news. Willoughby becomes an even more attentive guest at the cottage, spending a great deal more time there than Allenham with his aunt. Willoughby openly confesses his affections for Marianne and for all of them, and hopes they will always think of him as fondly as he does of them; this leaves Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor convinced that if Marianne and Willoughby are not engaged, they soon will be.

One morning, Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor, and Margaret leave the couple, hoping for a proposal; when they return, they find Marianne crying, and Willoughby saying that he must immediately go to London. Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor are completely unsettled by this hasty departure, and Elinor fears that they might have had a falling-out. Marianne is torn up by Willoughby's departure, and Elinor begins to question whether Willoughby's intentions were honorable. But, whether Willoughby and Marianne are engaged remains a mystery, as Marianne will not speak of it. Edward comes to visit them at Barton, and is welcomed very warmly as their guest. It is soon apparent that Edward is unhappy, and doesn't show as much affection for Elinor; when they spot a ring he is wearing, with a lock of hair suspiciously similar to Elinor's, even Elinor is baffled. Edward finally forces himself to leave, still seeming distressed.Marianne anxiously awaits Willoughby's arrival, while Elinor finds her greatest enjoyment in Colonel Brandon's daily visits. Elinor is much disturbed when Colonel Brandon tells her that the engagement between Marianne and Willoughby is widely known throughout town. At a party, Elinor and Marianne see Willoughby; Marianne approaches him, although he avoids Marianne, and his behavior is insulting.

Marianne angrily writes Willoughby, and receives a reply in which he denies having loved Marianne, and says he hopes he didn't lead her on. Marianne is deeply grieved at being deceived and dumped so coldly; Elinor feels only anger at Willoughby's unpardonable behavior. Marianne then reveals that she and Willoughby were never engaged, and Elinor observes that Marianne should have been more prudent in her affections. Apparently, Willoughby is to marry the wealthy Lady Grey due to his constant need for money.

Colonel Brandon calls after hearing the news, and offers up his knowledge of Willoughby's character to Elinor. Colonel Brandon was once in love with a ward to his family, Eliza, who became a fallen woman and had an illegitimate daughter. Colonel Brandon placed the daughter, Miss Williams, in care after her mother's death. The Colonel learned on the day of the Delaford picnic that she had become pregnant, and was abandoned by Willoughby. Elinor is shocked, though the Colonel sincerely hopes that this will help Marianne feel better about losing Willoughby, since he was not of solid character.

Edward is surprised at the generous offer, since he hardly knows the Colonel. Edward decides to accept the position; they say goodbye, as Elinor is to leave town soon. Much to Elinor's surprise, Robert Ferras and  Edward's selfish, vain, and rather dim brother, is now to marry Miss Morton; he has also received Edward's inheritance and money, and doesn't care about Edward's grim situation. Elinor is horrified at seeing him; he has come to inquire after Marianne's health and to explain his past actions. Willoughby says he led Marianne on at first out of vanity; he finally began to love her as well, and would have proposed to her, if not for the money.

By saying that he also has no regard for his wife, and still loves Marianne, he attempts to gain Elinor's compassion; Elinor's opinion of him is somewhat improved in being assured of his regard for Marianne. Elinor cannot think him a total blackguard since he has been punished for his mistakes, and tells him so; Willoughby leaves with this assurance, lamenting that Marianne is lost to him forever.

Mrs. Dashwood finally arrives, and Elinor assures her that Marianne is out of danger; both Mrs. Dashwood and the Colonel are relieved. Mrs. Dashwood tells Elinor that the Colonel had confessed his love for Marianne during the journey from Barton; Mrs. Dashwood wishes the Colonel and Marianne to be married. Elinor wishes the Colonel well in securing Marianne's affections, but is more pessimistic regarding Marianne's ability to accept the Colonel after disliking him for so long.

Marianne makes a quick recovery, thanking Colonel Brandon for his help and acting friendly toward him. Marianne finally seems calm and happy as they leave for Barton, which Elinor believes to signal Marianne's recovery from Willoughby. She is also far more mature, keeping herself busy and refusing to let herself languish in her grief.

When Marianne decides to talk about Willoughby, Elinor takes the opportunity to tell her what Willoughby had said at Cleveland, and Marianne takes this very well. Marianne also laments her selfishness toward Elinor, and her lack of civility toward most of their acquaintance. Marianne finally says that she could not have been happy with Willoughby, after hearing of his cruelty toward Miss Williams, and no longer regrets him.

The family is stunned when one of their servants returns with news that Edward is married to Lucy, as he just saw them in the village. Elinor knows now that Edward is lost to her forever. Mrs. Dashwood sees how upset Elinor is, and realizes that Elinor felt more for Edward than she ever revealed. One afternoon, Elinor is convinced that the Colonel has arrived at the cottage, but is surprised to find that it is Edward instead. Their meeting is awkward at best; he soon informs them that it is his brother who has been married to Lucy, and not him. Elinor immediately runs from the room, crying out of joy; Edward then senses Elinor's regard for him, and proposes to her that afternoon. Elinor accepts and he gains Mrs. Dashwood's consent to the match.

Edward admits that any regard he had for Lucy was formed out of idleness and lack of knowledge; he came to regret the engagement soon after it was formed. After leaving London, Edward received a letter from Lucy saying that she had married his brother Robert, and has not seen her since; thus, he was honorably relieved of the engagement. After receiving the letter, he set out for Barton immediately to see Elinor. Edward will still accept the position at Delaford, although he and Elinor again will not have enough money to live on comfortably. The Colonel visits Barton, and he and Edward become good friends.

Edward then becomes reconciled with his family, although he does not regain his inheritance from Robert. His mother even gives her consent for his marriage to Elinor, however much she is displeased by it; she gives them ten thousand pounds, the interest of which will allow them to live comfortably. Edward and Elinor are married at Barton that fall.

Conclusion:

                   So In the Sense and Sensibility and In the Middlemarch Jane Austene and George Eliot Both the writer presents the issues of Marriage life. In the Sense and Sensibility Marianne and Elinor Faces the problems and in the Middlemarch Dorothea, Mary, Rosamond and many other characters face the problem. Elinor and Marianne are represents the Sense and Sensibility.  Elinor takes her decisions with practicality and Marianne is too sensitive she likes to live in her utopia world.