Middlemarch: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in Middlemarch, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- DorotheaDorothea is an earnest young woman whose religious ambitions shape her ideas about marriage.First seen in chapter 2
- CasaubonCasaubon is a learned reverend whom Dorothea anticipates meeting at dinner.First seen in chapter 2
- CeliaCelia is Dorothea’s sister, who asks to divide their mother’s jewels.First seen in chapter 2
- Mr. BrookeMr. Brooke is the guardian with whom Dorothea and Celia live.First seen in chapter 2
- Sir James ChettamSir James Chettam is a man whom Dorothea assumes admires Celia.First seen in chapter 2
- Will LadislawWill Ladislaw is Casaubon’s cousin, whom Dorothea meets during her visit to Lowick.First seen in chapter 10
- LydgateLydgate is a medical man whose ideas draw comment at a local dinner party.First seen in chapter 11
- RosamondRosamond is a member of the Vincy family who admires Lydgate’s family connections.First seen in chapter 12
- FredFred belongs to the Vincy family and plays the flute with Rosamond accompanying him.First seen in chapter 12
- MaryMary discusses Fred’s unsuitable church career with Rosamond and refuses to marry him if he asks.First seen in chapter 13
- Mr. BulstrodeMr. Bulstrode is the man from whom Featherstone demands a letter denying rumors about Fred’s debts.First seen in chapter 13
- FeatherstoneFeatherstone demands reassurance about Fred’s debts and makes possible financial help depend on obtaining a letter.First seen in chapter 13
- Mr. FarebrotherMr. Farebrother visits the infirmary, where Bulstrode proposes replacing him with Mr. Tyke.First seen in chapter 14
- Caleb GarthCaleb Garth is Mary’s father and guarantees Fred’s debt of a hundred and sixty pounds.First seen in chapter 15
- Chapter 2
Dorothea and Celia divide their mother’s jewels, exposing differences that end in affectionate reconciliation.
- Chapter 6
Dorothea accepts Casaubon’s proposal, hoping marriage will bring learning, service, and a fuller life.
- Chapter 13
Featherstone demands a letter denying rumors about Fred’s debts, while Rosamond imagines marrying Lydgate.
- Chapter 19
Lydgate breaks a tied chaplaincy vote in favor of Tyke, preserving Bulstrode’s support but troubling his conscience.
- Chapter 21
Dorothea’s offer to help Casaubon provokes their first angry exchange during their stay in Rome.
- Chapter 25
Fred admits he cannot repay his debt, leaving Caleb Garth responsible and threatening the family’s savings.
- Chapter 27
Lydgate identifies Fred’s typhoid fever after Wrench fails to recognize the danger.
- Chapter 31
Lydgate tells Dorothea that Casaubon has a heart condition that may cause sudden death.
- Chapter 32
Rosamond’s tears awaken Lydgate’s tenderness, and their flirtation becomes an engagement.
- Chapter 34
Mary refuses Featherstone’s demand to fetch a will for burning, and he dies with both wills untouched.
- Chapter 36
Featherstone’s second will cancels Fred’s large inheritance and leaves Joshua Rigg the land.
- Chapter 38
Will chooses Brooke’s newspaper work despite Casaubon’s opposition, while Dorothea’s appeal for him provokes her husband’s anger.
- Chapter 45
Dorothea offers two hundred a year to support the New Hospital after hearing Lydgate explain its difficulties.
- Chapter 49
Dorothea decides to obey Casaubon’s unexplained wishes, but finds him dead before she can answer.
- Chapter 51
Dorothea learns that Casaubon’s codicil removes her inheritance if she marries Will Ladislaw.
- Chapter 57
Fred asks to learn Caleb’s business instead of entering the Church, and Caleb agrees to employ him.
- Chapter 59
Lydgate reveals his debts to Rosamond, but their discussion of household economies exposes conflicting expectations.
- Chapter 62
Will learns that Bulstrode deprived his mother of an inheritance and refuses financial restitution.
- Chapter 65
Rosamond secretly stops Lydgate’s plan to transfer their house and asks Sir Godwin for financial help.
- Chapter 71
Bulstrode lends Lydgate a thousand pounds, permits forbidden brandy for Raffles, and fails to explain limits on his opium.
- Chapter 72
Raffles’s revelations and news of Bulstrode’s loan turn public suspicion against both Bulstrode and Lydgate.
- Chapter 82
Dorothea urges Rosamond to support Lydgate, and Rosamond reveals that Will loves only Dorothea.
- Chapter 84
Dorothea assures Will of her trust and chooses marriage to him over her inherited wealth.
- Chapter 88
Fred and Mary build a happy household, Lydgate gains wealth without fulfilling his ambitions, and Dorothea supports Will’s public work.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- RomeRome is the destination where Casaubon proposes pursuing research during his marriage journey.First seen in chapter 11
- MiddlemarchMiddlemarch is the setting of familiar society that Rosamond wishes to escape.First seen in chapter 12
- Stone CourtStone Court is the destination of Fred and Rosamond’s planned ride.First seen in chapter 12
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