XLV explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Sympathy and Moral Growth

  Gwendolen expresses her fear of being unable to change and her reliance on Deronda for moral strength, highlighting her struggle for moral growth.

• Jewish Heritage and Nationalism

  Mirah's singing of Leopardi's ode links to Mordecai's heroic passion and Deronda's growing connection to Jewish heritage and nationalism.

• Power and Control

  Grandcourt's silent observation of Gwendolen and Lush's interference reflect the dynamics of power and control in Gwendolen's marriage.

Characters to notice

• Gwendolen Harleth

  Gwendolen speaks with Deronda, expressing her fear of being unable to change and her reliance on him for moral strength.

• Daniel Deronda

  Deronda is torn between his commitment to Mordecai and his sense of responsibility toward Gwendolen, feeling a foreshadowing of painful collision.

• Mirah Lapidoth

  Mirah sings 'O patria mia' and is praised by Klesmer; her performance deepens Deronda's connection to Mordecai.

• Henleigh Grandcourt

  Grandcourt observes Gwendolen's behavior but makes no comment, though she fears his reproach.

• Hans Meyrick

  Hans teases Deronda about his conversation with Gwendolen and admires her beauty.

• Klesmer

  Klesmer plays the piano and later praises Mirah's singing.

• Lush

  Lush stands near Gwendolen and Deronda, preventing them from speaking freely.

• Sir Hugo Mallinger

  Sir Hugo's hints about dangers to Gwendolen are recalled by Deronda.

Key passages

• “I begin to think we can only get better by having people about us who raise good feelings. You must not be surprised at anything in me. I think it is too late for me to alter. I don't know how to set about being wise, as you told me to be.”

  Gwendolen tells Deronda she believes improvement comes from being around good people, and she feels it may be too late for her to change, unsure how to become wise as he advised.

  Gwendolen expresses her moral despair and dependence on Deronda's influence.

• “If you despair of me, I shall despair. Your saying that I should not go on being selfish and ignorant has been some strength to me. If you say you wish you had not meddled—that means you despair of me and forsake me. And then you will decide for me that I shall not be good. It is you who will decide; because you might have made me different by keeping as near to me as you could, and believing in me.”

  Gwendolen pleads with Deronda not to give up on her, saying his earlier advice gave her strength, and that his abandonment would decide her fate to be bad.

  Gwendolen places her moral transformation in Deronda's hands, showing her intense reliance on him.

• “There was a foreshadowing of some painful collision: on the one side the grasp of Mordecai’s dying hand on him, with all the ideals and prospects it aroused; on the other the fair creature in silk and gems, with her hidden wound and her self-dread, making a trustful effort to lean and find herself sustained.”

  Deronda feels torn between his commitment to Mordecai's ideals and Gwendolen's desperate need for his support, foreseeing a painful conflict.

  Deronda's internal conflict between his duty to Mordecai and his responsibility to Gwendolen is highlighted.