Middlemarch · Chapter
Chapter LXIV explained
Lydgate and Rosamond's marriage deteriorates under financial strain.
What happens
Lydgate and Rosamond's marriage deteriorates under financial strain. Lydgate considers selling their house and moving to a smaller one, but Rosamond resists, clinging to social appearances. Their conflict deepens as Lydgate struggles with professional and personal disappointments, while Rosamond feels increasingly alienated and resentful.
Themes in this chapter
Money and Economic Pressure
Lydgate's financial crisis drives the chapter's conflict, forcing him to consider selling the house and seeking help from relatives.
Marriage and Illusion
The romantic ideals of marriage have faded for both Lydgate and Rosamond, replaced by disappointment and practical struggles.
Gender Roles and Women's Agency
Rosamond's limited power in the marriage is evident; she can only resist passively while Lydgate makes decisions.
Social Class and Provincial Life
Social status and appearances are central to Rosamond's concerns, as she fears the stigma of living in a smaller house.
Characters to notice
- Tertius Lydgate
Struggles with financial pressure and marital discord; considers selling the house and seeking help from Sir Godwin.
- Rosamond Vincy
Feels disappointed in marriage; resists Lydgate's plans to economize and clings to social status.
- Mrs. Plymdale
Discusses her son Ned's upcoming marriage to Sophy Toller with Rosamond, emphasizing social propriety.
- Camden Farebrother
Lydgate speaks with him, attempting to maintain a cynical facade about money.
- Sir Godwin Lydgate
Mentioned as a possible source of financial help; Lydgate considers visiting him.
- Ned Plymdale
His upcoming marriage to Sophy Toller is discussed as a potential opportunity for Lydgate to sell his house.
- Borthrop Trumbull
Lydgate considers employing him to negotiate the sale of the house.
Key passages
“Poor Rosamond for months had begun to associate her husband with feelings of disappointment, and the terribly inflexible relation of marriage had lost its charm of encouraging delightful dreams.”
Rosamond now saw her husband as a source of disappointment, and the rigid reality of marriage no longer inspired the pleasant fantasies it once did.
Highlights the erosion of romantic illusions in the Lydgate marriage.
“In marriage, the certainty, 'She will never love me much,' is easier to bear than the fear, 'I shall love her no more.'”
For Lydgate, accepting that Rosamond might not love him deeply was less painful than the thought that he might stop loving her.
Reveals Lydgate's emotional vulnerability and fear of losing affection.
“The shallowness of a waternixie's soul may have a charm until she becomes didactic.”
A woman's superficiality can be appealing until she starts giving orders.
Lydgate's internal irritation with Rosamond's attempts to advise him on his practice.