# LXXIV explained — Middlemarch

> Chapter companion for Middlemarch by George Eliot.

## What happens

Mrs. Bulstrode becomes aware of the town's bad opinion of her husband. She learns the truth from Mrs. Hackbutt and, after a period of private anguish, resolves to stand by him. She removes her ornaments, dresses plainly, and goes to him, offering silent comfort and solidarity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Community and Gossip

The chapter extensively explores how Middlemarch society discusses and judges the Bulstrode scandal, with women using 'candor' and 'charity' to inform Mrs. Bulstrode of her husband's disgrace.

### Marriage and Illusion

Mrs. Bulstrode's initial ignorance and subsequent confrontation with the truth about her husband shatters the illusion of their marriage, yet she chooses to stand by him.

### Selfishness and Moral Compromise

Bulstrode's past actions and the moral compromise they represent are the hidden cause of the scandal, while Mrs. Bulstrode's decision to remain faithful highlights a contrasting moral stance.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Bulstrode

Learns of her husband's disgrace, undergoes a private crisis, and resolves to share his shame without reproach.

### Nicholas Bulstrode

Awaits his wife's reaction in anguish; is withered and shrunken, and weeps when she offers comfort.

### Rosamond Vincy

Mentioned as a fellow victim of scandal, associated with her aunt's misfortune.

### Mrs. Hackbutt

One of the gossips who discusses the Bulstrode scandal and informs Mrs. Bulstrode of the truth.

### Tertius Lydgate

Evasively answers Mrs. Bulstrode's questions about her husband's health, avoiding the painful revelation.

## Key lines

> In Middlemarch a wife could not long remain ignorant that the town held a bad opinion of her husband.

In Middlemarch, a wife would quickly learn that the community thought poorly of her husband.

_Sets the stage for Mrs. Bulstrode's inevitable discovery of the scandal._

> She took off all her ornaments and put on a plain black gown, and instead of wearing her much-adorned cap and large bows of hair, she brushed her hair down and put on a plain bonnet-cap, which made her look suddenly like an early Methodist.

She removed her jewelry and fancy clothes, dressed in simple black, and styled her hair plainly, resembling an early Methodist.

_Symbolizes her renunciation of pride and embrace of humility before facing her husband._

> Look up, Nicholas.

Raise your eyes, Nicholas.

_Her first words to him after learning the truth, offering a gentle command to face her._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/middlemarch_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters