# LXVII explained — Daniel Deronda

> Chapter companion for Daniel Deronda by George Eliot.

## What happens

Deronda returns from the Abbey to find Lapidoth, Mirah and Ezra's father, now living with them. Lapidoth tries to ingratiate himself with Deronda, offering to help transcribe manuscripts, while Ezra and Mirah struggle with the burden of his presence. Meanwhile, Deronda visits Hans Meyrick, who reveals that Mirah is jealous of the 'duchess' and that she loves Deronda, leading to a tense but ultimately reconciliatory conversation between the two friends.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sympathy and Moral Growth

Ezra and Mirah endure the daily strain of their father's presence, showing heroic patience and moral resolve in the face of familial duty.

### Jewish Heritage and Nationalism

Lapidoth's presence and the work on Jewish manuscripts highlight the ongoing exploration of Jewish identity and heritage.

## Character check-ins

### Daniel Deronda

Returns from the Abbey to find Lapidoth installed; feels repulsion toward Lapidoth but accepts his help; later visits Hans and learns of Mirah's feelings.

### Mirah Lapidoth

Struggles with her father's presence; tries to shield Ezra from him; feels constrained and reserved around Deronda due to her father's influence.

### Mordecai Cohen

Endures his father's presence as a severe duty; insists on supervising all work with the manuscripts; feels like he has a convict on leave under his charge.

### Lapidoth

The undesirable father who has moved in with his children; tries to make a favorable impression on Deronda; offers to transcribe manuscripts but shows restlessness.

### Hans Meyrick

Appears worn and wizened; admits to smoking opium; reveals to Deronda that Mirah loves him, leading to a tense but honest exchange.

## Key lines

> The godhead in us wrings our noble deeds From our reluctant selves.

Our noblest actions are often forced from us by a divine inner impulse, even when we are unwilling.

_Opening line sets the tone for the moral struggles of the chapter._

> Poor Ezra felt very much as if he had a convict on leave under his charge.

Ezra felt like he was supervising a prisoner on temporary release.

_Describes Ezra's burden in overseeing his father's work._

> What duty is made of a single difficult resolve? The difficulty lies in the daily unflinching support of consequences that mar the blessed return of morning with the prospect of irritation to be suppressed or shame to be endured.

Duty is not just one hard decision; it is the ongoing, daily endurance of the unpleasant consequences that follow.

_Reflects on the ongoing challenge of caring for Lapidoth._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/daniel_deronda_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters