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原创性声明本人郑重声明：所呈交的学位论文，是本人在导师的指导下，独立进行研究所取得的成果。除文中已经注明引用的内容外，本论文不包含任何其他个人或集体已经发表或撰写过的科研成果。对本文的研究作出重要贡献的个人和集体，均已在文中以明确方式标明。本声明的法律责任由本人承担。学位论文作者：蚤l魂歌日期：20l丐年‘月‘日学位论文使用授权声明本人在导师指导下完成的论文及相关的职务作品，知识产权归属郑州大学。根据郑州大学有关保留、使用学位论文的规定，同意学校保留或向国家有关部门或机构送交论文的复印件和电子版，允许论文被查阅和借阅；本人授权郑州大学可以将本学位论文的全部或部分编入有关数据库进行检索，可以采用影印、缩印或者其他复制手段保存论文和汇编本学位论文。本人离校后发表、使用学位论文或与该学位论文直接相关的学术论文或成果时，第一署名单位仍然为郑州大学。保密论文在解密后应遵守此规定。学位论文作者：刹疵敦日期：3o13年‘日 摘要乔治·艾略特(1819⋯1880)，英国小说家、记者、翻译家及维多利亚时代最富盛名的作家之一。她的小说以现实主义和心理描写见长。作为文学史上重要的人物，乔治·艾略特始终关注着人类的生存状况，对于19世纪出现的各种道德和精神混乱状态充满了无比的忧患，女性的成长状况是她作品中不可或缺的因素。乔治·艾略特一生创作了大量的作品。其中，1872年完稿的小说《米德尔马契》占据着重要的位置，使她成为19世纪最有影响力的作家之一。在《米德尔马契》这部小说中，艾略特描绘了维多利亚时代女性的生活状况，小说以描写女性的成长而著名。与成长小说相一致的是小说揭示了女主人公多萝西娅成长过程中的追寻主题、精神导师的作用以及她在精神、情感和社会方面的成长。本文尝试从成长小说的角度来解读《米德尔马契》，分析小说中主人公多萝西娅在男权社会中如何不断追寻，并在精神导师的指引下，从稚嫩走向成熟的成长过程。本文由引言、正文和结论三部分组成：引言部分介绍了乔治·艾略特的生平、作品及小说《米德尔马契》的主要内容，并概述了国内外学者对乔治·艾略特及小说《米德尔马契》的研究。正文部分由四个章节组成。第一章扼要综述了乔治·艾略特的成长过程，小说《米德尔马契》的梗概及英国成长小说的主要特征，包括成长过程中的追寻，成长过程中精神导师的作用以及主人公的精神成长、情感成长和主人公在社会方面的成长。《米德尔马契》中女主人公的成长过程与成长小说中的“追寻"及“精神导师”一的作用相契合。第二章主要分析了女主人公多萝西娅积极的探寻：在男权社会对知识的不懈探寻、在社会中对自身身份的不懈探寻及在这个世界上对生活意义的不懈探寻。第三章分析了多萝西娅成长过程中的各种精神导师，他们在女主人公的成长历程中起着至关重要的作用。西莉亚是多萝西娅的特殊导师，帮助她在性格上成熟。布鲁克给予多萝西娅父亲般的关怀和爱。卡苏朋是多萝西娅的多方面导师。威尔是多萝西娅成长过程中必不可少的导师。他给她提供了截然不同的生活方式，激发她放弃不切实际的崇高事业，立足现实的生活，唤醒了多萝西娅的美感以及对生活的爱。第四章分析了小说女主人公多萝西娅三个方面的成长。其精神成长体现在反抗男权社会的压迫，追求独立的女性意识；情感成长表现在自主追求爱情，舍弃以财产为基础的婚恋观；社会方面的成长表现在多萝 摘要西娅从自我主义者变为利他主义者，不断探索和追求自我价值，敢于承担社会责任。结论部分总结出生活在维多利亚时代男权社会中的女性仍然持有对抗男权制度的顽强反抗精神，并且在不懈的追求中积极认识自我、认识社会。论文通过《米德尔马契》中多萝西娅成长道路的分析，揭示了男权社会中女性成长的艰难，并进一步解析了艾略特对女性成长的关注和思考，以及对困境中人性和尊严的肯定。关键诃：《米德尔马契》；成长小说；追寻；精神导师；成长 AbstractGeorgeEliot(1819-··-·-1880)isallEnglishnovelist,journalist,translatorandoneoftheleadingwritersoftheVictorianera．Hernovelsareknownfortheirrealismandpsychologicalinsight．Asanimportantfigureinliterature，GeorgeEliothasalwaysbeenconcernedabouthuman’Sexistenceinthenineteenth．century,whentherearegreatdisordersbothinethicsandspirit,andwomen’Sgrowthisoneindispensibleelementinherworks．Duringherlifetime，GeorgeEliothascomposedlargenumbersofworks．Amongthem,Middlemarch(1872)isanimportantnovel，whichestablishesherasoneofthemostinfluentialwritersinthenineteenthcentury．InMiddlemarch，GeorgeEliotdepictswomen’SexistenceinVictorianAge．Thenovelisrenownedforitsdescriptionofwomen’Sgrowingprocess．CorrespondingwithBildungsroman,thenovelrevealstheprotagonistDorothea’Squests，mentors’rolesinhergrowingprocessandhergrowthinspiritual，emotionalandsocialaspects．ThisthesisattemptstoanalyzethenovelfromtheperspectiveofBildungsromanandexploresDorothea’Squestsinthepatriarchalsocietyandgrowthfromcallownesstomaturityundertheguidanceoffourmentors．Thisthesisiscomposedoftheintroduction，thebodyandtheconclusion．TheintroductorypartincludesGeorgeEliot’Slifeandherworks，especiallyMiddlemarch．Andit。alsomakesaconcisereviewofthepreviousstudiesonGeorgeEliotandthenovelMiddlemarch．Thebodyisdividedintofourchapters．ChapterOnegivesalloverviewofGeorgeEliot’Sgrowingprocess，thestudyofMiddlemarchandthemajorcharacteristicsofEnglishBildungsroman,includingquest，mentors’rolesintheprotagonist’Sgrowingprocessandtheprotagonist’Sspiritual，emotionalandsocialgrowth．ThegrowingprocessoftheprotagonistinMiddlemarchcorrespondswiththecharacteristicsofBildungsmman．ChapterTwomainlyanalyzesDomthea’Spositivequests．Dorotheafirstlyquestsforknowledgeinthepatriarchalsociety,andthenshequestsforself-identificationinthesociety,andfinallyshequestsforthemeaningoflifeintheworld．ChapterThreeanalyzesDorothea’Sdifferentkindsofmentorsinhergrowingprocess，whoplayimportantrolesonDorothea’Sgrowingroad．CeliaisDorothea’Sspecialmentor,whohelpsDorotheabecomematureincharacter．MrIII AbstractBrookprovidesDorotheafatherlylOVOandaffection．Casaubon，canbeseenasDorothea’Sfacetedmentor．WillisanindispensiblementorinDorothea’Sgrowth，whoprovidesDorotheaacompletelydifferentlifestyle，inspiresDorotheatogiveupunrealisticnoblecausesandlivethesecularlifeandawakensDorothea’Ssenseofbeautyandloveforlife．ChapterFourisintendedtoanalyzeDorothea’Sgrowthinthreeaspects．Dorothea’Sspiritualgrowthliesinherrevoltagainsttheoppressionfrompatriarchyandherfemaleconsciousnessofseekingindependence．Dorothea’Semotionalgrowthismainlyreflectedinhermasteringherownlove，abandoningthemarriageoftakingpropertyasitsbasisandachievingequalityinthefamily．Dorothea’Sgrowthinsocialaspectisrepresentedinherchangefromegoismtoaltruismandhercontinuallypursuingself-valuebyshoulderingsocialresponsibility．Finally，thepaperreachesaconclusionthatconfrontedwiththepatriarchalsocietyintheVictorianera,womenstilldaretostruggleagainstpatriarchy,andquestceaselesslyinordertoknowmoreaboutthemselvesandthesocietytheylivein．ByanalyzingDorothea’SgrowingroadinMiddlemarchandexploringthelivingpredicamentofwomeninthepatriarchalsociety,GeorgeEliotrevealsUSherconceillandthinkingaboutwomen’sgrowingroadandheraffirmationofhumanityanddignity．KeyWords：Middlemarch；Bildungsroman；quest；mentors；growthIV ContentsAbstract(inChinese)．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．IAbstract(j0【IEnglish)．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．IllIntroduction．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．⋯．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．1ChapterOneGeorgeEliot,MiddlemarchandBildungsroman,．．．．．．．．．．．61．1GeorgeEliotandMiddlemarch⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯61．2CmaractcristicsoftheBildungsroman⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯91．3Middlemarchas{LBildungsroman⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯13ChapterTwoDorothea’SQuestMotifs⋯⋯．2．1《：№tforKnowledge．．⋯．⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯．⋯⋯．．⋯⋯⋯．．，．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯．⋯．．⋯．．．⋯．152．2QuestforSelf-identification⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．．．．．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯182．3QuestfortheMeaningofLife⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯．．21ChapterThreeDorothea’SMentors．．．．⋯．⋯．⋯⋯⋯．．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．．⋯⋯．．⋯．．⋯⋯⋯⋯．．263．1Celia,SpecialMentor．⋯．⋯．．⋯⋯⋯．⋯．⋯．⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯．．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯．⋯⋯⋯．⋯263．2MrBrook,FatherlyMentor．⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯．．，．．⋯⋯．⋯．．⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．．⋯⋯⋯．⋯．．293,3Casaubon,FacetedMentor⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯．⋯．⋯．⋯．．⋯⋯．．⋯⋯⋯．⋯．⋯⋯．．．⋯．．⋯．，．⋯323．4Will，IndispensableMentor⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．．35ChapterFourThreeAspectsofDorothea’SGrowth⋯．⋯⋯．．．⋯⋯⋯．⋯．⋯．．⋯．．⋯．⋯．．404．1Dorothea’SSpiritualGrowth⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯．⋯⋯⋯．．⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯．⋯．404．2Dorothea’SEmotionalGrowth⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯454．3Dorothea’SGrowthinSocialAspects⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．．48Conclusion．．⋯．．⋯．．．．．．．⋯⋯．．⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯．!；：；Acknowledgements⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．．⋯．．⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯．．⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．．58AbouttheAuthor⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯⋯⋯⋯．⋯．．．．⋯⋯⋯⋯．!；9V IntroductionGeorgeEliot(1819·1880)，notedasoneofthemostdistinguishedofallEnglishnovelists，isaversatilewoman，whoisnotonlyproficientintheknowledgeofafewlanguagesandphilosophicalideas，butalsohasagoodcommandofthevariouskindsofliteratureandscientificknowledge．Sheisaliterarycritic，editor,journalist，translatorandpredominantnovelist．Generallyspeaking,herfamerestsmoreonheracutecharacterizationinhernovels．GeorgeEliot,bomin1819nearNuneatoninWarwickshire，isthepseudonymofMaryAnn(Marian)Evans．Attheageofafewmonthsold,GeorgeEliot’sfamilymovedtocraft,andthereEliotspenttwenty-oneyears’timewiⅡlpeoplethatshelaterportrayedinhernovels．Hermother’Sdeathin1836forcedEliottobecomeherfather’ShousekeeperbmEliotstillfoundtimetocontinuehereducation,readingextensivelyandlearningGermanandItalianeagerly．AftermovingtoCoventryin1841，GeorgeEliotmadefriendswiththeBrays，whichledtoherbeingentrustedwiththetranslationofStrauss’SLireofJesus，theonlypublicationwithhernameonit．ThisinturnresultedinhermeetingthepublisherJohnChapmanwho，whenheboughttheWestminsterReviewin1851，appointedherashismanagingeditor．Herfather’Sdeathin1849urgedEliottomovetoLondon，whereshehadallacquaintancewith．alotofLondon’Sintelligentsia,amongthemthecelebratedphilosopherHerbertSpencerandthetalentedmanofleRersGH．Lewes．GrowingattachedtoGH．Lewes，Eliotmadethedifficultdecisiontocohabitatepublicly、7Irittlhimin1854．SinceGH．Lewesalreadyhadanestrangedwife，hismarriage丽tllEliotwasoutofthequestion．WiththeencouragementofLewes，EliotstartedtopublishherstoriesunderthepennameofGeorgeEliot．WithScenesofClericalLife’Spublication,Eliotimmediatelycameintoprominenceasawriterofsomesignificanttalent．Asanintellectualandversatilewriter,GeorgeEliotistheauthorofeightnovelsaswellasalargenumberofessays，reviewsandarticles．Asasociallyconcernedwriter,Eliotdedicatesallherlifetotheliteraturecreationwhichisingreatrelationtosociety．Thethemesofherworksincludehistory,religion，morality,politics，philosophyandpsychology．HerworksoftheearlierstagemainlytouchuponEnglishcountrypeople’SpatheticyearningforthepaStandsharpinsightintohumanfeeling．ScenesofClericalLife(1856—1858)，AdamBede(1859)，TheMillontheFloss(1860)1 IntroductionandSilasMarner(1861)aretherepresentativesofthisperiod．Duringthelaterpedod，EliotdealswiththemorecomprehensiveissuesanddisplaysthemultitudinousinterestsofdifferentsocialclasseswithinandoutsidetheEnglishsociety,examplesareRomola(1862—1863)，Fe融Holt,theRadical(1866)。Middlemarch(1871-·1872)andDanielDeronda(1876)．AsoneofthemostaccomplishednovelsoftheVictorianage，Middlemarchisallincomparableportraitofnineteenth-centuryEnglishprovinciallife．Throughthisnovel，GeorgeEliotshowsUSthemagnificentencompassingpanoramathatwouldsurveythehistoryofEuropeancivilizationandexhibitafictionalworldwhichrepresentsthemanifestationofsomeprimaryhumanaspirationsandsomeparamountconflicts．Inthenovel，GeorgeEliothammersawayatseveraldifferentstories，beginningwithLydgateandhistrialsasayoungdoctor,andthensheworkshardatDorothea’Sstory．AfterthatGeorgeEliotmakesuphermindtobuildaworldaroundthesetwocharacters，andcreatesamoreextensiveportraitofallentiretownanditsdiverseinhabitants．ThenovelcentersonLydgateandDorotheainessence，twosomewhatsimilarfigureswhoarethesoulofthenovd．Theirmarriages，theirsocialaspirations,andthewayinwhichtheyrespondtosocietalpressureareinasimilarway．Sinceitspublicationin1871-1872，Middlemarchhasreceivedalotofcriticalattention．Scholarsandcriticsmainlyfocusonartisticvalues，Marxistorientation，biographicalandfeministstudies．Asfortheartisticvalues，therearecriticslikeHenryJames，ER．LeavisandJoanBennettwhohavespeciallydoneresearchesonGeorgeEliot’Sworks．TheprestigiouscriticHenryJamesfindsdissatisfactioninGeorgeEliot’Sformalness，callingMiddlemarch‘‘atreasure-houseofdetails’’but“anindifferentwhole'’(James，1970：101)．Withregardtotheformofart，HenryJamesholdsthatEliot’Sworkslackconcentrationanddramaticeffect．姗lileF．R．LeavisonthewholeesteemsGeorgeEliottobeoneofthefewgreatestnovelistswhohavemadecontributiontothegreatliterarytraditioninTheGreatTradition．LeavisthinksofGeorgeEliot’Slaternovdsaspreferableastheearlieronesandadmireshercharacterization(Leavis，1963)．ThisisspeciallyfavoredbyJoanBennett．InGeorgeEliot：HerMindandHerArt，JoanBennettpointsoutthatGeorgeEliot’Slaterworksappealtomodernreadersespeciallyintermsofemotionallevel(Bennett，1948)．ThesecondapproachtodiscussMiddlemarchisMarxistcriticism．RaymondWilliamoffersperceptiveviewsinhisTheKnowableCommunityinGeorgeEliot'sNovels，2 IntroductionwbcrehepointsoutthecauseunderlyingdifferencesfromJaneAusten，GeorgeEliottoThomasHardyina“knowablecommunitywithincountrylife”(William，1969：255)．HehasthegreatestrespectforGeorgeEliotbutatthesametimecriticizesherforherconcernfortheworkingclass．BecausebothDomtheaandLydgatearetryingtobringameliorationandreformtoMiddlemarchSO嬲toimprovethemiserablelifeofthelowerclaSsinMiddlemarch．TheMarxistcritic，ArnoldKettle，andothercriticsfindagreatquantityofhistoricalandsocialmaterialsfromGeorgeEliot’Sworks．TheyfeelsorryaboutGe9rgeEliot’Sconservativeandmechanicalhistoricalvalueandpo硫outthatGeorgeEliotcouldnotprovideacomprehensivetheoryforsocialreform(Kettle,1951)．Besides，GeorgeEliot’Sbiographicalstudiesarerepresentedbydozensofbooksandnumerousacademicpapersandarticles．GeorgeEliotwrittenbyMathildeBlindpmvidesanelaborateviewpointforGeorgeEliot’SaccomplishmentasawomanbaSedonherpreviouslypublishedletters．BlindseldomforgetstopayhomagetoGeorgeEliot’Sachievementwithoutmentioningherbeingafemale(Blind,1988)．JohnW．CrossspendsthreevolumestoprofileGeorgeEliⅨ’Slife,emphaSizingmoreonherintellectandindividuality(Cross，1910)．GordonS．Haightdescribestwomen·--GeorgeEliot’SlifelongpartnerGeorgeHenryLewesandherelderbrotherIssacEvans·-···-whoCanengulfGeorgeEliotinfeelingandexertgreatinfluenceuponherliterarycreationinTheGeorgeEliot"sLetters(Haight,1978)．Asfar嬲feminismisconcerned,RosemaryAshtonacknowledgesthatMiddlemarchismoreofanovelfilledwithparadoxesandmultiplepossibilitiesratherthanapositionPaperonwomanqIlestiom(Ashton，1983)．ManycriticsfeelpassionatelyinvolvedinDorothea’Sfateandtheyuttertheirhorrorandangeratthenovel’Ssubstitutionofmarriageforwork．ArepresentativeviewisdisplayedbySusanKubmanwhoarguesthatshe‘'Can’thelpgettingannoyedatthemerethoughtofEliot’Snotlettingherheroinesleadthesamerebelliousandbravewayasherself’(Ford,1978：252)．SomeothercriticsreferGeorgeEliot嬲agreatfeministforerunnerandseeinherworksexamplesofprotestanddissent．CriticAnnFreemantleemphaSizesthat“GeorgeEliotWaSarebel；shedeniedherclass,hertraditions，hereducation，herfaith,herloyalties”(Hutchinson，1996：115)．AlisonBoothsaysthat“Eliotisquiteskepticalaboutthe‘intentionofnature’argumentthatseparatesmaleandfemalespheresaccordingtogenderstereotypes-～manforgreatness，womanforself-sacrifice'’(Booth,1992：44)．Inaddition,modemcriticscontributetoGeorgeEliot’Sstudybymakingresearch3 Introductiononthecharacters’unconsciousnesswiththeinfluenceofFreudianpsychoanalysis．LauraComerEmery,inGeorgeEliot'sCreativeConflict,analyzesDorothea’Sgrowingprocess，explainingherfantasiesanddefenserfleasl．u'es(Emery,1976)．EdithSimcoxapproachesMiddlemarchfrompsychologicalangle，probingintotheinnerspaceofhumankind．HeacclaimsthatMiddlemarch‘'makesallepochinthehistoryoffictioninSOfarasitsincidentsaretakenfromtheinnerlife”(Karl，1995：506)．ThecharacteranalysisofMiddlemarchhasdrawnlotsofcritics’attention．ManyofthemtrytoexplorethecauseofprotagonistDorothea’Sfinalfate．AndtherealemanycomparisonsbetweenDorotheaandEliot’Spersonallifeexperience．ERLeavisassertsthat‘‘Dorothea,toputitanotherway,isaproductofGeorgeEliot’Sown‘sole-hunger’⋯anotherday-dreamidealself'’(Leavis，1983：92)．Itisnotuntilthe1970sthatGeorgeEliotwasintroducedtotheChinesereaders．Sincethepolicyofreformandopening-upinChinaWascarriedout，ChinesescholarshavecommencedasystematicstudyofGeorgeEliotandherworks．AndtheperspectivesofthestudiesonMiddlemarchrange舶mreligiousmorality,feminism,Bildungsroman，narratologytopsychologicalanalysis．In2012GeorgeEliot’sreligiousmoralityisanalyzedbyDengYingchun’SOnGeorgeEliot'sReligiousMoralityintheEmbodimentofMiddlemarch(Deng,2012)．YuanYingarguesthatDorothea’Sviewsonloveandmarriagereflecttheprogressofethical-perfectionOCuan,2012)．ThefeministthemeisrepresentedbyZhuTaoxiang,DongShunting,TangXixi．ZhuTaoxiangarguesthatinthestiflingmale-dominatedsocialenvironmentwomenshouldbepersonallyresponsiblefortheirwreckofideasbecauseofstigmaticfemaledeficienciesandlimitations(Zhu，2002)．TheconflictsbetweenDorothea’SgreatambitionandtheinadequateoptionsavailabletothemareanalyzedbyDong—Shuming(Dong，2006)．TangXixipublishesTheEntironmentoftheFemaleCharactersinMiddlemarch，whichdiscussesDorothea'spositiveattitudetowardlife(Tang,2010)．AfewscholarsanalyzeMiddlemarchfromBildungsroman．YuWenanalyzesDorothea’Sprocessofself-consciousnessfromtheperspectiveofBildungsromanandfeminismm，2007)．Dorothea’Sprocessofself-fulfillment舔acommongirlisdiscussedbyLiuXinleiinhisthesisforthemaster’sdegreeentitledDorothea§IllusionandBildunginMiddlemarch(Liu,2007)．ThediscussionaboutnarratologyisrepresentedbyLiaoChangyinandLiYing．LiaoChangyinarguesthatGeorgeEliot’Snarrativeslmcturesmetaphorizethe4 Introductionpoliticalstructureofthesociety．Intheparadoxicalnarrativesnuctllres，GeorgeEliot’SthreelaternovelsFelixHolt,theRadical,MiddlemarchandDanielDerondaimplysuchakindofparadoxinthepoliticalmodernization．Thesatisfyingofthedemandforpoweristhelosingofthecontrolofpower(Liao，2006)．LiYingstudiestheauthor’SvoiceandaestheticdistanceinGeorgeEliot’SnovelMiddlemarchfromtheperspectiveofnarratologyandtherhetoricoffiction(Li，2008)．Asfaraspsychoanalysisisconcerned，LiuYiqinganalyzesDorothea’8confusionduringtheprocessofseekingandevaluatingherselfinthemiscellaneousworld(Liu1992)．Dorothea’SchoicesinmarriagesaleanalyzedbasedonJung’SComplextheoryinGuoMengyuan’smaster’sdissertationPeculiarMarriageundertheVeilofComplex(Guo，2005)．Asmentionedabove,MiddlemarchisSOsuccessfulthatmanycriticshaveinterpreteditfromagreatvarietyofliteraryaspects．Basedontheformerstudy,thisthesisintendstoexplorethisnovelfromtheperspectiveofBildungsromanwiththematerialscollectedfirmhomeandabroad,anditisjustanattempttoprovethatthereisagrowingthemeinthisnovel，whichmaybeofsomehelpforustofurtherunderstandGeorgeEliotandherworks．5 ChapterOneGeorgeEliot，MiddlemarchandBildungsromanGrowthisafundamentalanduniversalprocessinhumanbeings’development．Adolescenceisatransitionalstageofhumandevelopmentthatoccursbe钾eenchildhoodandadulthood．Itisthemajorperiodforthespiritual，emotionalandsocialdevelopmentofanindividual．Therealitywithreferencetohowtocompletethetransitionfromacallowandinexperiencedchildhoodtoamatureandexperiencedadulthoodchallengeseveryoneintheirdevelopment．Atthispoint，growth,asaprevalentphenomenonandanessentialindividualexperienceinhumanlife，offersinfinitespaceforliterarycreationandbecomesaneternalthemeofliterature．TheproblemoftheyouthhasalwaysbeenoneoftheacademicfocusesintheEnglishliterature．Bildungsromanisabouttheprotagonist’Sgrowth．ItderivesfromGermanyandlaterthrivesinEngland．InMiddlemarch，GeorgeEliotdelineatesthegrowingroadoftheprotagonistDorotheafromhercallownesstomaturity．ThisthesisaimstointerpretDorothea’SgrowingroadfromcallownesstomaturityfromtheperspectiveofBildungsroman．SoitisvitaltointroduceGeorgeEliot,MiddlemarchandthecharacteristicsofBildungsromanintheformerpartofthischapter．ThelatterpartwillinterpretMiddlemarchasaBildungsroman．1．1GeorgeEliotandMiddlemarchInEnglishliteraryhistory,GeorgeEliotisnodoubtoneofthegreatestandmostoutstandingnovelistsandtheleadingintellectualsinthenineteenthcenturywithherimmenseachievements，enOrmOUSlearning,formidableintelligencewithimaginativesympathyandshrewdpowerofobservation．ThegreatcontemporaryEnglishcritic，ER．LeavispresentsinhisfirstchapterofTheGreatTraditionthat“thegreatEnglishnovelistsareJaneAnsten,GeorgeEliot，HenryJamesandJosephConrad'’(Leavis，1948：1)，andconsidersGeorgeEliottobe‘'notastranscendentlygreatasTolstoy,butgreat，andgreatinthesameway'’(Leavis，1948：24)．Inthepastonehundredyears，GeorgeEliothasremainedatthecenterofliterarytraditionwithallapparentincreaseintheinterestofthecontemporarycritics．6 ChapterOneGeorgeEliot,MiddlemarchandBiidungsromanGeorgeEliotstudieshardandreadswidelyinheryouth，whichenableshertoearnadecentjob，workingasassistanteditorofWestminsterReview．Asanovelist，GeorgeEliothastoadoptamalepseudonyminordertoavoidthecondescensionofmalecriticsforfemalewriters．AfterheridentityofafemalewriteriSknowntothepublic，Eliotsuffersalot，especiallyonhercreation，butshedoesnotgiveup．Shestillpersistsinwritingwithmoreeffortsasafemalewriter．Finally,duetoherintellectualprofundity,herwidescopeofconcernsandherenormousaccomplishmentsoncreation,sheiswelcomedtumultuouslybythepublicandishighlyregarded勰‘‘thebestnovelistaliveinBritain'’．Consequently,shebeatssocialprejudicewithherintelligenceandperseveranceandgainsasocialstatusforherselfandthefemalewriters．Toquestfortruelove，sheopenlyliveswithamarriedmanGeorgeLewes．AsaresulLshehaStoliveinford萨countriessoaStoavoidthecriticismofthepublic．Shegivesuphisfather’Sreligion，whichresultsinalienationfromherfamilies．Underthegreatpressure，shepursuesheridealsdauntlesslyonthegrowingroad．GeorgeEliot’Shumanisticideasandthepainfulexperiencesofhergrowingroadinthemale-dominatixlsocietymakeherhaveaprofoundunderstandingofwomen’Sgrowth．Asawomanwhoexperienceshardshipsoffemale’SgrowthandhaSanunderstandingofthestruggleoffemalesonthegrowingroad，GeorgeEliotwritesthenovelofMiddlemarchwhichisastoryoffemale’Sgrowth．V'rrginiaWoolfappraisesthatGeorgeEliot’Shero’Sstoryis‘‘theincompleteversionofthestorythatisGeorgeEliotherself．Forher,too，theburdenandthecomplexityofwomanhoodwerenotenough；shemustreachbeyondthesanctuaryandpluckforherselfthestrangebrightfruitsofartandknowledge'’(WoolK1994：150)．MiddlemarchislookeduponasGeorgeEliot’SfinestachievementandoneofthemostimpressivenovelsintheEnglishlanguage．Itis,SOvastinrangethatitexhibitsthevividlysweepingpictureofprovinciallifeinthebackwardtownofMiddlemarch．‘‘Astudyofprovinciallife'’isthesubtitleofMiddlemarch．ThissignifiesthatMiddlemarchstandsforthelivesofordinarypeople，thesoulandspiritofthenineteenth-centuryEnglandbymeansoftheunknown，andhistoricallyunremarkablecommonpeople，ratherthanthemajesticadventuresofprincessesandkings．Itcombinesseveralstoriesandcharacters，creatinganetworkofparallelsandcontraSts．Inthenovel，morethanonehundredand6衄charactersaredepictedandorganizedincomplicatedsocialrelationships．Middlemarch，whichincludesthepedodbeforeandafterthe1832ReformBill，isrecountedineighty-sixchapters．The7 ChapterOneGeorgeEliot,MiddlemarchandBildungsromanstoryistoldchronologically．TheprotagonistDorotheaandhersisterCeliahavelosttheirparentsatveryyoungage．AfterfinishingtheireducationabroadthetwobeautifulyoungladieshavetolivewiththeiruncleMrBrookattheTiponGrange．Unliketheothergirlsofmiddle-class，Dorotheaisveryunusualattheverystart—shehasmadeuphermindtodosomethingpracticaltohumanbeings．Sheisaveryferventmaid,“谢mhergenerousardourandidealcravings'’(Pangallo，1994：157)．SheispuzzledOVerwhatsheCalldotorealizeherdreamsandmakecontributiontothesociety．Withnopersonalearningsandrejectedbyotherresources，marriagebecomestheonlyoptionforhertoactuallymakeuseofherself．ItjustSOhappensthattheelderbachelorclergymanMrCasauboncomesintoDorothea’Sviewattherightmomentandimpressesherdeeplybyhisdreamofwritinghisgreatwork,KeytoAllMythologies．Beinginnocentandwithnoworldlyexperience,DorotheasoonmakesSurethatshecanachieveherdreamsunderMrCasaubon’SguidanceandmarrieshimagainstalltheobjectionsafterturningdowntheproposalofSirJameswhomarriesCeliaintheend．Atthepartybeforethemarriage,themajorityofthepeopleintowncomeonthescene，includingthemayor,MrV'mcy,amanufacturer,hisbrother-in-law,MrBulstrode,abankeraswellasthenewdoctor,TertiusLydgate,whoisfromanaristocraticfamily．LydgateisenthralledbyRosamond，thedaughterofMrVmcy,andmarrieshershortly．However,thetwomarriagesturnouttobedisastrous．Dorotheaturnsmoreandmoredisappointed、析mherhusband’Sresearchwork．SheconstminsherselftillCasaubondiesandemancipatesherselfat1astaftermarryingtheromanticWillLadislaw,thecousinofCasaubon．AsforLydgate，afterhavinganostentatiousandvaingloriouswife，heistrappedinfinancialproblemsandhastogiveuphisresearchworkandleaveMiddlemarch．Besides，alongwiththetwostoriestherearealsothelovebetweenMaryGarthandFredV'mcy,thebankruptcyofNicholasBulstrode．thedeathoftheoldmiserMrFeatherstone,andaIloverallaccountofallsortsofpeopleintheprovincialtownofMiddlemarchwiththeircharacteristicpersonalities，multitudinousopinionsandbehaviors．CertainlyGeorgeEliotVividlydepictstheclashesofdifferentopinionsandclaimsbetweengroups，occupationsandgenders，butherrealinterestisintheprofounderconflictsbetweenthosewhoacceptoraresuccumbedtotherestrictiOIlSoflittletownMiddlemarch，andthoselikeDorotheaBrookandTertiusLydgatewhoyearnforlifewhichexpandsbeyonditslimits．ItisunderthisoverallschemethatGeorgeEliotdemonstratesherreflectionuponcontemporaryreligion，science,politics，8 and，whatismentionednoticeablyinthe“prelude”，thewomangrowth．Suchapanoramicnovelisrelatedtothesocialbackground．Ingeneral，theVictorianperiodisthetransitionalperiodfromthepasttothemoderntimes，andoneofthethoroughchangesinvalues，institutions，andcreeds．VictorianAgeisgoingthroughaprofoundchangeinalllevelsoverawidefieldrangingfijomsociety,science，culture，industrytoreligious缸m．Insocialaspect，thereisaninfluxofideasofgenderandclass，sincewomenalebecomingmoreandmorecompetent．Insocial-politicalterms，therealeupheavalssuchasthepassingofthefirstRef．ormBillin1832andtheChartistMovement．Intermsofindustry,theIndustrialRevolutionbringsaboutalargerquantityofsocialmobility．TheeconomyofEnglandischanging,fromanaristocratic，property-basedsystemofholdingwealthandland,toonebasingoncommerce，business，andmanufacturing．TheindustrializationisaccomplishedinEngland：thesteamenergy,themachineryandlaterelectricityareusedinawidescope．Duringthisera,Englandturnsintoafull-fledgedcapitalistcountry．TechnologyisalsochanginginmedicalScience,andinareasliketransportation．ThesechangesaregoingtosweepthroughMiddlemarch．Withtherapidgrowthinindustryandcommerce,SCience,cultureandeducationalsomakegreatadvances．Educationbecomesmoregeneral，andthepopularliteracyincreases．In1859CharlesDarwinpubfishedhisepoch-makingworkOntheOriginofSpecies．Tiffsbooktogether丽motherbetterdiscoveriesinbiology,geologyandastronomyshookthefoundationoftheoldbeliefinthemythoftheworldcreation,givenbytheBible．This，inturn,causedagreatcontroversybetweenscienceandreligion,whichresultedinacrisisofreligionbelief．SothenovelMiddlemarchwrittenbyGeorgeEliotisanepoch-makingpicturescrolloftheVictorianera．1．2CharacteristicsofBildungsromanGenerallyspeaking,BilduagsromanOanberegardedaSanovelwhichtracesthespiritual，emotional，orsocialdevelopmentandgrowthoftheprotagonistusuallyfromcallownesstomaturity．TheGermanwordBildungsromanismadeupoftwoparts：bildungandroman，“wiⅡl‘bildung’referringto‘portrait’，‘picture’，‘shaping’and‘formation’，and‘roman’indicating‘novel’inEnglish'’(Buckley,1974：13—14)．ItsEnglishequivalentsare‘‘apprenticenovel’’，‘'novelofinitiation'’，‘‘initiationstory'’，‘‘novelofeducation'’，‘‘novelofformation'’，‘‘growingupnovel'’and‘‘novelof9 development”．Bildungsromanisfeaturedbythegrowth，education，andspiritual，emotionalandsocialdevelopmentofanindividualnotonlyintheoutsideworldbutmoresignificantlyandultimatelywithinhimself．EventhoughtherearenUlTlerouscharacteristicsofthegenreBildungsroman,aconsensusishardtoreachowingtotheindividualitiesofthemultitudesofworks．ThemosttypicalandfundamentalcharacteristicsofBritishBildungsromanalesummedupasfollowsbasedonthepreviousstudiesonitsEnglishvariants．Tostartwith,intermsoftheme,Bildungsromanisalwaysrelatedwiththethemeofthejourneyorquest．Thisjourneyusuallydenotesthespiritualoremotionaldevelopmentfromyouthtoadulthood．WilfredL．Guerinholdsthatthequestmotifinvolvesalongjourneyduringwhichtheheroorheroinemustperformimpossibletasks，battle丽mmonsters，andovercomeinsurmountableobstaclesSOastosavethekingdom(Guerin，1996：166)．AccordingtoRuiYuping,theprocessofgrowthinallnovelsoftheBildungsromangenrecouldbetracedbacktoheroicmythsandfablesfRui，2004：26-29)．ThegrowingprocessinaBildungsromanisatitsrootsaqueststory,whichdeseribesboththeprotagonist’Sapprenticeshiptolifeandhisorhersearchformeaningfulexistencewithinsociety(Hirsch,1979：293-311)．Theprotagonisteventuallybecomesaccommodatedtothespiritsandvaluesofthesocialorderandfindshisorhernewplaceinsociety(293-311)．ThequestmotifinBritishBildungsromanisembeddedunderacertainsocialorder．Asaresult,Britishliteraturehastherealistictraditionofthebrilliantdepictionofsocialordersinnovelsofdifferentperiods．Thus，BritishBildungsromanhasundergonevariationsowingtochangesofsocialreality．WhatmakesJaneEyreaJaneEyre,insteadofPamela,isdifferentsocialsettingsandthesurroundingsandpersonalitiesofPiparedifferentfromthoseofStephanHero．Nonetheless，thethemeofquestinthewesternliteraturefromancientHomertillthecontemporaryHarryPorterSeriesislasting．Infact,questfortheloftyorholyisamotifwhichrecursinwesternliterature，SirGalahad’SpursuitfortheHolyGrail，JasonandtheArgonaut’SpursuitfortheGoldenFleeceandthepursuitofthethreegoldenapplesinGreekmythologyarelivingexamplesofqueststories．Inmodernliterature,thequestmotifcontinuesenjoyingaliterarypopularity．Thequestforcareel"andidentityisalsoallessentialthemeinmostoftheBritishnovelsoftheBildungsromangenreinthenineteenthcentury．10 Thenarrativeformregardingquestcallbetracedbacktotheancienttimesindifferentcultures．AccordingtoJudaism，RomanCatholismandCb_ristianity,afterthefallofAdamandEve，humanbeingsnevergiveupanychancestosearchfortheirwaybacktothelonglostparadise．TheabundantstoriesintheOldTestamentdiscourseimpressivelythedifficultiesandsufferingsAbraham，Jacob，andMosescomeacrosswhentheywereseekingforthePromisedLandCanaan．InancientGreekmythologyandmyth,therearealsostoriesaboutthequestmotif．Forexample,Homer’SgreatepicOdysseydepictsOdysseus’SwanderingforyearsSO器toreturnhomefromtheTrojanWar．QuestmotifscallalsobefoundinChinesemythology．IntheTa／eoftheWhiteSnake，forinstance，thewhitesnakemonsterchangesintoabeautySO勰torepaythebenevolentyounggentlemanXuXianforhavingrescuedherlife．Thewomanmonster’squestfortruelove，meritandhumanityenjoysgreatfameinChina．AnotherexamplecallbefoundinJourneytotheWest,whereTangXuanzangandhisthreeskilleddisciples’questfortheBuddhistscripturedespiteofmanydifficultiesandmonsterssetbyGodsisfamiliartotheChinese．Secondly,intermsofcharacters，mentomareindispensibleelementsintheprotagonist’Sdevelopment．Sociologically,everyone’Sgrowthmaybeinfluencedbyotherswhowillenrichhisorherexperiencesandbetterhisorherknowledgeofsocietyineitherpositiveornegativeaspects．Duringthecourseofobservingthesocialrolesofthosepeople,theyounggraduallyestablishtheirOWIIrolesandbecomeawareofthedirectionoflife．(Rui，2004：125)RuiYupingtracestheroleofmentorswitharchetypaltheoryandholdsthatthearchetypeofmentorcouldbetracedbacktoGodortheWhit昏HomePrince(124)．Youngpeoplemustlearntostandandconquerdifficultiesundertheguidanceofseniors，orrathermentors．Ruicategorizesmentorsintothreegroups：positivementors，negativeme．orsandnatureorGodaSmentors(125)．Thepositiveguidesilluminatetheprotagonistinhisorherlifeattitudes，lifestyles，principlesandtechniquesinlivinginconcordwithothers．Thenegativeonesalwaysleadtheprotagomsttolosehisorherinnocence，andpropelhisorhergrowingfromthenegativeaSpects．TherearesomecommoncharacteristicsofthepositivementorsintheBildungsroman．Firstly,althoughtheyareusuallyolderthantheprotagonists，theyCantreattheprotagonistsaSequals．Second，theycanbehelpfulandsympathetic．Third，theidentityandpersonalityofthesementorsareinmostcasesveryspecial，andthisspecialtyleadstocertaindistancebetweenthementorsandthemainstreamsociety,ll whichmakesiteasierformentorstobeongoodtermswithprotagonistsinthestory．Thenegativeguidesmainlyrefertothreekindsofguides：onemisdirectsthelifeoftheprotagonist；anotherprovidestheoppositeflameofreference．Incontrastwiththebad,thegoodhasadistinctdefinition．AndthetKrdonehasalotincommonwimSatanintheBible，withoutwhoseallurement，AdamandEvecouldnotgainintelligenceandwouldbeinnocentandnaiveforever．Thirdly,therearenlreeaspectsofgrowthinBildungsroman：spiritualgrowth,emotionalgrowthandtheprotagonist’Sgrowthinsocialaspects．Bildungsromanalwaystracestheprotagonist’Sspiritualdevelopmentandconcentratesontheprotagonist’Smaturitycharacterizedbyhispsychologicalchangesaftergoingthroughsomesignificanteventsexerteverlastinginfluence．SinceloveormarriageisalwaysintermixedintheBildungsroman,moreoRenthannot,theprotagonist’Semotionalgrowthisrepresentedinhisorherviewonloveandmarriage．Inaddition,Bildungsromanattachesimportancetotheconflictbetweenindividualityandsocialization，theobjectiverealityoftheworld．Andthiskindofconflictisofteneliminatedattheendofthestory、Ⅳittltheheroarrivingatacompromisewithhisorherenvironment．Thisistheprotagonist’Ssocialgrowth．Exceptfortheabovementionedessentials，someothercharacteristicsarefundamentalinBritishBildungsromanaswell．舢linall，thereisanunfailingconcernonthefemalegrowthinBritishBildungsroman．FromSamuelRichardson’SPamelaandClarissaHarlowetotheVictoriannovelsoffemaledevelopmentlikeJaneEyreandPrideandPrejudiceandthemostpopularexamplessuchasTheMillontheFloss,andSOonandSOforth,Britishnovelistshaveaconstantconcernonthedevelopmentofthefemaleprotagonists．Additionally,Britishprotagonists，especiallyfemaleprotagonistsofBildungsmmanstoriesCanbeinalaterstageofliferatherthanlimitedinadolescentyearsasintheGermanmaleorigin．Therearequitefewfemaleprotagonistswhoareinaccordance、析ⅡlBuckley'sdefinitionofasensitivechildwhogrowsupinthecountryside(Abel，HirschandLangland，1983：7)．Theprotagonist’Sagerangesfromteenagetotwenties．JaneEyre，TheMillontheFloss，andLittleWomendostartwiththeheroine’Schildhood；butmoreoften,novelsshowthewomendevelopmentlaterinlife．MostofthefemalenovelsofgrowingstoriesprovethatfemaleprotagonistsstillneedtogrowupaRertheyexperiencemarriagesandmotherhoods．Thus，asecondpatternoffemalegrowthprevails(7)．Theinsufficiencyofmarriageandchildbearing12 formostfemaleprotagonistmeansthedelayoftheirdevelopment(7)．Manyfemaleprotagonistsbegintheirjourneyaftermarriage，andDorotheainMiddlemarchisjustacaseinpoint．AllthecharacteristicsofBildungsromangenrementionedabovealethefeaturesinmostofthegrowingupstories，whichdistinguishthisspecificliterarygenrefromothergenres．However,notallstoriesconcerningBildungsromancoverallthefeatures．Theymayhavetheirownpeculiarities．Basedonthearchetypalcharacteristics，Bildungsromanhasdevelopedandchangedwiththedevelopmentofsocietyandtheshiftofloeality．1．3MiddlemarchasaBildungsromanMiddlemarchcallbeviewedasaBildungsromanitdealswiththethemeofgrowth,coming-of-age，questself-identificationand、7lrimthespiritual，emotional，and．socialgrowthoftheprotagonist．ThenovelpresentsDorothea’Sdevelopmentfromacallowgirlfullofimaginaryideastoamatureandexperiencedwoman谢mfamilyandchildandapeacefulheart．Thereforeindifferentperiodssheexhibitsherselfasacharacter、啊tlldifferentthoughts．TherearecertaintruthswhichDorothealearnsaboutherselfinthecourseoftrials．InMiddlemarch，Dorotheamakesthemostdramaticjourneyofself-discoveryandquest,andchangesalotwithintheco．urseofthenovel．InMiddlemarch，itsefffnsthatDorothealiveswithoutanadventure,althoughsheyearnsanepiclifedeepinhermind．Andherstoryhappensinaworldofthedomesticsetting．Actually,formostwomeninthatperiod,especiallythoseintheupperandmiddleclasses，thedomesticsettingisthesolesphereavailabletheirgrowthanddevelopment．DorotheaovercomesdisiUusionmentandobstaclesinordertobecomemature，althoughthesedifficultiesaredifferentfromthoseheroesconfrontontheirquestindependenceandfreedom．TheheroesoftheadventurerinBildungsromandesiretoleavehome,SOthattheycalldiscovertheirtrueselves，whiletheheroinesofdomesticitywouldliketodiscovertheirtrueselvesinthedomesticsettings．Infact，Dorothea’SstoryisinthetraditionoftheBildungsmman：itrecordsaprocessofinitiation，education,growth,wherebytheheroinemakesdecisivediscoveriesaboutherownnatureandtherealityaroundher．Firstofall，Middlemarchcontainsaseriesofgrowingprocessoftheprotagonist13 Dorotheafromaninnocentandcallowgirltoamaturewoman．Topursueknowledge，self-identificationandthemeaningoflife，shebravelyrebelsagainstfate．Althoughthiskindofbehaviorisblindandchildish，itreflectsandmirrorsthegrowingprocessofDorothea．Secondly,fromtheaspectofcharacters，itmainlycontainssomementors，whoinfluenceDorothea’Sgrowth．Therearepositivementorsandnegativementors．Inthisnovel，Dorothea’SsisterCeliaisbothapositiveandcompanion-likementorandshe,toalargeextent,guidestobecomematureincharacterandsharesthehappinessandSOrrOWwithher．AlthoughDorothea’SuncleMrBrookisconstructedfit8aweakfigurewithlimitedauthority,heplaysasignificantroleinDorothea’Sdevelopment．Throughheruncle，Dorotheaenjoysfatherlyloveandaffection．MrBrookbehavesjustlikeaguardian,protectingasagentle,loving“father'’withkindnessandwillingness．Henotonlyattemptstoletaccepttraditionalvalues，butalsopointsoutthemeaningofmarriage．Inaddition,herespectsDorothea’Sdecision,givinghereverychancetotastetheflavoroflife．Casaubonacts嬲afacetedmentortoDorothea．Firstly,hehelpsrealizethathastemakeswaste：blindworshipandlackofmutualunderstandingcouldleadtothemlhappymarriage．Secondly,aSahusband，Casaubonhelpsrealizethatitisherdutytofulfilltheroleofwifehoodinthemarriage．Consequently,DorotheatakescareofCasaubonwhenheisfoundfaintedandnearlydying．Lastbutnotleast，Casaubondoesharmtohishealthintheprocessofpursuingknowledge,whichmakesrealizethatbeingabookwormisuselessandknowledgewouldbecomeusefulonlywhenitservespeopleandthepublic．WillisanindispensiblementorinDorothea’Sgrowth．Firstofall，heprovidesacompletelydifferentlifestyle，whichenlightenstoliveforfreedomandliberation．Andthen,heinspiresDorothea—togiveupunrealisticnobleCausesandlivethesecularlife．Atlast，heawakensDorothea’Ssengeofbeautyandloveforlife．Inconclusion,MiddlemarchisaboutDorothea’Sgrowthfromcallownesstomaturityandfrominnocentimaginationtomaturereconciliationwithsocialreality．Dorothea’SgrowingroadaccordswiththecharacteristicsofBritishBildungsroman．ThethesiswillmainlystudyMiddlemarch嬲aBildungsromanfromtheessentialsofquestmotifs，mentorsandtheprotagonist’Sthreeaspectsofgrowth：spiritualgrowth，emotionalgrowthandsocialgrowth．14 ChapterTwoDorothea’SQuestMotifsMiddlemarch，althoughhavingacomplicatedform，displaysDorothea’Smultiplequests：herquestforknowledgeinthepatriarchalsociety,questforself-identificationinthesociety,andquestforthemeaningoflifeintheworld．Dorothea’Squestismultipleinthatsheencountersdifficultissuessuchasgenderrelationsandreligionwhileseekingforherdreamsconcemingknowledge,self-identification,aswellasthemeaningoflife．Themulti·facetedquestliesinDorothea’Sexperiencefromcallownesstohermaturitythroughoutherlifetime．2．1QuestforKnowledgeWomeninVictorianEnglandisshutoutfromtheformaleducationanddeniedaccesstothehigherlearning,whichpreventswomenfromcontributingtosocietyandthereforedeprivesthemoftheintellectualdevelopmentasmen．Atthattime，thetraditionalrulescallforwomentostayathomeandbeagoodangelicdaughter,wifeandmother．ThereisnodoubtthatDorotheaisdeniedbysocialconventionstheaccesstothemasculinelearningeventhoughsheisawomanwhohasaneagerdesiret0beallintellectuallearner．Asaladyofthelandedgentry’Sclass，Dorotheahasconsiderablefortuneandllighsocialstatus．What’Smore，shehasbeeneducatedinconventschoolabroad．Consequently,shehasagoodcommandofmanypassagesofPascal’SPenseeandJeremyTaylorandisfamiliar砸mKeble’SChristianYear，whichisgenerallyacknowledgedastheprivilegeofmales．Muchlikethemales，“Dorotheaisardent，intelligent,qmcktoformherownopinionandvoiceitwithmoreenergythanisexpectedofSOyoungalady'’(Eli鸲1994：19)．Thismakesasharpcontrast丽mthesocialexpectation：“Womenwereexpectedtohaveweakopinion；butthegreatsafeguardofsocietyandofdomesticlifeWas，thatopinionsWerenotactedon'’(Eliot，1994：11)．Withaseriousmindand‘'eagernesstoknowthetruthoflife'’，Dorotheastruggles“inthebandsofnarrowteaching'’and‘'pettyCOUIBes”．AsfarasDorothea15 isconcerned，educationsomethingthatwillenablehertoact．ShesaystoSirJames：“Iamoftenunabletodecide．Butthatfromignorance．Therightconclusionthereallmesame，thoughIamunabletoseeit”(Eliot,1994：32)．WhenDorotheafindsouttherenowaytodosomethingsociallyuseful，anddoesnotknowwhatexactlyshelookingfor,sheturnstolearning，theprofound，sacredknowledgewhichappearstoholdthekeytoherfantasyofsainthood．Dorotheaafraidofthehelplessnessofwomen．Therefore，shelongsforbreakingawayfromthehelplessconditionbyvirtueofknowledge．Inspiteoftheprejudiceagainstandmisunderstandingabouther,Dorotheaneverstopsherquestforknowledge，whichadvocatedbyEliot．Itstatedinthenovelthat：‘'thoseprovincesofmasculineknowledgeseemedtoherastanding-groundfromwhichalltruthcouldbeseenmoretruly⋯”(Eliot,1994：64)．Inordertoprotestagainsttheprejudicepeopleputuponher,Dorotheagraspseverychancetoprovethatgirlsalsohavethecapacityofmasteringknowledge．ItstandstoreasonthatDorotheawishesto。improveherselfbyholdingdownalltheabjectfactorsburiedsomewheredeepinher,andtoobtainopportunitytoanideawhichsimplysymbolizedbyandasmasculineknowledge．Asthenovelstates，“shecouldnotreconciletheanxietiesofaspirituallifeinvolvingetemalconsequences，withakeeninterestguimpandartificialprotrusionsofdrapery．HermindWastheoretic，andyearnedbyitsnatureaftersomelofbrconceptionoftheworldwhichmightfranklyincludetheparishofTipponandherownruleofeonduetthere'’(Eliot,1994：10)．Fromthequotation,wecanseethatDorotheagivestopprioritytoknowledge．Shelongsforknowledge，ameaningfullifeanddoesn’twanttoconfineherselftotheperfecteducationforwomen．“She，hardlymorethanabuddingwoman,butyetwithallactiveconscienceandagreatmentalneed，nottobesatisfiedbyagirlishinstructioncomparabletothenibblingsandjudgmentsofadiscursivemouse'’(Eliot,1994：29)．Wecanalsoseethatdissatisfiedwithgirlisheducation，Dorotheasetsherselfapartfromotherwomenofherageandquestsformentalnourishment．Dorotheawantstopursuemasculinestudiesconsideredtootaxingforwomen．Shelustsforaguidewhowillenlightenherspiritualandintellectualroad．Butinthenineteenthcentury,theeducationwomenreceivedWasquitelimitedincomparisonwiththatofmen．JustaswhatEliotsaysinthenovel，“thelimitededucationDorotheahasreceived，quiteunsystematicanddefinitelyreligiousandfeminine，asamatterof16 fact，seemsverylittleandinadequate”(Eliot，1994：10)．However,Dorotheaisthirstyforknowledgeandeducationandneedstodirectheruncommonintelligenceintouse．Dorotheahasthecovetousnessforknowledgeandcravesafterknowledgeasanaccesstoequalachievementwimmen．Sincethesocietydoesnotallowformaleducationforwomen,Dorotheahastoconnectherambitionwithhermarriage．Shedeterminestogetmarriedwithsomeonewhomayguidehertothefullandmeaningfulworldsheyearnsfor．Ifshepossessestheeducationthemaleshave,shewilldevelophertalentsandchoosehoWtousethosegifISinactiveservicetotheworld．Thereforesheexpressesherideasaboutmarriageasfollows：‘'Thereallydelightfulmarriagemustbethatwhereyourhusbandwasasortoffather,andcouldteachyouevenHebrew,ifyouwishedit'’(Eliot,1994：12)．nisobviousthatDorotheaisauniquemiddle-classwomanintheVictorianperiod，forsheconceivesmarriageasamean8ofachievinghereducation．Throughthemarriage,sheisburningforsomeonetogivedirectionandinstructiontoher,andMrCasaubonappearsattherightmoment．ForthefirsttimeDorotheameetsCasaubon,sheisdeeplyimpressedandfascinatedbyhisspeechinthedinnerparty,whichisconfirmationforDorothea’SbeliefinCasaubon’Swide-rangeknowledge．ShesteadfastlybelievesthatthedriedbookwormCasaubonseemstohaveagreatsoul，towhomshecanturnforunderstanding,compassionandinstruction．Herferventnatureseeksprinciplesinallknowledge，andshefanciesthatradiantcorrespondencesinCasaubon’Sattractivelylabyrinthineresearcheswillsaveherfromtheignoranceandbewildermentwhichhaveresultedfromherlimitededucation,restrictedinbythelabyrinthinecoursesofsociallife．“Hethinks、)l，itllme，”saidDorotheatoherself,“orrather,hethinksawholeworldofwhichmythoughtisbutapoortwopennylllilTOr．Andhisfeelingstoo，hiswholeexperience-一whatalakecomparedwithmylittlepool”(Eliot,1994：26)．ItisundoubtedlythatDorotheathinksthatMrCasaubon,nowengaginginhisgreatworkwithregardtoreligioushistory,isamanofwide-rangeknowledgeandasuitablehusband．Toputitinanotherway,Casaubonisamanofgreatlearningwhocanhelphereffectuateherdreamofgainingknowledge．DorotheafallsintotheillusionofhermarriagewimMrCasaubon．“ItwouldbemydutytostudythatImighthelphimthebetterinhisgreatworks．TherewouldbenothingtrivialaboutOurlives．Everyday-thingswithUSwouldmeanthegreatestthings．ItwouldbelikemarryingPascalIshouldleamtoSeethetruthbythesamelightasgreatmanhasseenitby'’17 【Eliot，1994：30)．Thus，DorotheaiSmarriedtoEdwardCasaubon，onlyforadmirationofhisscholarlymindandfulfillingherquestforknowledge．DorotheamarriesCasaubonbecauseofherunyieldingbeliefthathewillleadhertowardstheintellectualheightstowhichsheseeks．Dorothea’Ssenseoffulfillmentinthisboringbutknowledgeablemanisvestedinheranticipationtobecomeeducated，tohavehercuriositynurtured，andtobeofforeverusefulnesstoamanof6ft、，whoreallyneedshernineteen-year-oldeyesforreading．Whereas，heryeamingforknowledge“wasnotentirelyoutofdevotiontoherfuturehusband⋯shehadnotreachedthatpointofrenunciationatwhichshewouldhavebeensatisfiedwithhavingawisehusband；shewished，poorchild,tobewiseherself’(Eliot,1994：103)．Marriage,tosomeextent,becomesaliberatingpowerforthecleverVictorianwomen,becauseonlybygettingmarried,Cantheyheallowedtoenjoyawiderscopeofexperienceoilchatting谢tllpeopleorsavoringthelifeinalibraryoutsidethehouse,withoutthefearofinvitingunnecessarygossiporevenscandal．Aftermarriage，DorotheaanticipatestoassistCasauboninhisacademicpursuitsasthepoetJohnMilton’Sdaughtershelpmeirfather．Throughthisroleofwifehood，sheCallobtainaccesstotheeducationavmlabletomenonly．Thesocialrestrictionsplacedonwomenmakehertakeacircuitousroutetoknowledge．EventhoughlearningGreekandLatinisunacceptedbysodety,bysubmittingtoanothersocialconvention,wifelyduties，Dorotheasucceedsinfindingawaytowisdom．obviouSlXasaVictorianwoman，tofulfillherdesireforknowledge,DorotheamarriesCasaubon．Throughtheroleofwifehood,Dorotheawantstoquestforknowledge．Itisundisputable．ItisalsoacallowwayforDorotheatoquestforknowledge．2．2QuestforSelf-IdentificationWomen’SsocialstatusinVictorianEnglandisinferiortothatofmen．Regardedasdependants，decorationofmenandpropertytobeusedtothebestadvantageoftheirfathersormaleguardians，womenareoftenarrangedtoincreasetheland-holdings．Thepatriarchalsocietyconsistentlydeniesfreedomandpersonhoodtowomen．Women，SidentityinVictorianeraisonlytobedaughters，wivesandmothers．Asaperson,theydonothaveidentification．．18 ChapterTwoDorothea’SQuestMotifsDorotheawouldgetmarriedatacertaintime，whichmeansthatsheidentifieswithwomen’Sidentityinthepatriarchalsociety．However,shenevergivesuphereffortstoquestforself-identification嬲aperson．DorotheahaSopinionsofherownanddoesn’tliketofollowthecrowd．Exhibitingnodesireorwillingnesstopleaseothers，Dorotheaisendowedwithsenseofindependence．ShealsohaSanunyieldingconvictioninherway,carryingoutherplansresolutelyanddecisively．Inthebeginningofthenovel，‘'DorotheastandsoutinpoordresswithitssleevesnotlessbareofstylethanthoseinwhichtheBlessedVirginappearstoItalianpainters'’(Eliot,1994：1o)．Socialconventionrequireswomentodresswithatouchofthecoquette．Womenaretaunttoaxiomthemselvestobefairladiesinordertoincreasetheirvalueinthemarketofmarriage．Theyneedtomakethemselves鹊charming鹤possible．WhileDorotheadoesnothaveanyinterestinperformingthewomanlydutiesandsheisnotinterestedinthefemininepaStimesofherclass：jewellery,visitsandgossip--alifemostwomenarepreparedtosettledownto．SowhenCeliaadvisestodividetheirmother’Sjewels，DorotheafeelsastonishedandexplainstoCdiathatDorotheawillneverweal"them．ThenCeliatakesuphercouragetotellDorotheathatMadamePoinconwhoisstricterinsomethingsthanDorotheausedtowearornamentsandChristians，especiallywomenwhoareinheavenalsoweal笃jewels．WhenCeliaasksDorotheatoputonanecklace,Dorotheasaysthatshewillfeel‘'asifIhadbeenpirouetting．Theworldwouldgoroundwithme,andIshouldnotknowhowtowalk'’(Eliot,1994：16)．Apparently,Dorotheahasnonotionaboutjewelsandfeelsuneasyaboutthem，nottomentiontowearthem．Therefore,Dorotheaonlykeepsaringandbracelet,renouncingtheotherornamentswhicharehershare．WhenCeliaasksifshewillWearthem，Dorotheasaysratherhaughtily,“Ican’ttelltowhatlevelImaysink'’(Eliot,1994：16)．Itisdifficultforgirlstoregardwearingornaments鹤degeneration．WhatthequotationtellsusisthatDorotheawillSticktoherstandardandnotfollowsuit．Dorothea’Squestofself-identificationiswelldisplayedinherunwillingnesstopleaseothersandherresistancetoherfamilyandherneighbor’Sattempttoreshapeherbehavior．AlthoughtheprevailingimageofallidealwomaninVictorianAgeis“allangelinthehouse”，whoisobedient,docile，andignorant,butinordertoemphasizeDorothea’Seagerneedforself-identification,theauthordepictsanadolescentwhoisopen,ardent,andnotintheleastself-admiring．ThesepeculiaritiesofDorothea’ScharactercauseMrBrooktobeallthemoreblamedintheneighbouring19 familiesfornotsecuringsomemiddle-agedladyaSguideandcompaniontohisnieces．AndDorotheaobjectstothisadvice．What’Smore，Dorotheapresidesinheruncle’Shousehold，andquiteenjoyshernewauthority．Apparently,heractioncanbeseenaSasignofprotesttotheoutsideaccusationandprotectionofherownself-identification．Byopposingmiddle-agedwoman’scompanion，Dorotheagetsasenseofpleasure，andobtainsherself-identification．ItisassumedthatwomeninVictorianerashouldbepleasingtomen．However,Dorotheaturnsoutanexception．Onetime,ChettamsuggestsDorotheatofidethehorseandtellsherthateveryladyoughttobeaperfecthorsewomanSOthatshemayaccompanyherhusband．Dorotheaspeaks谢mcoldbrusquerie,‘‘IhavemadeupmymindthatIoughtnottobeaperfecthorsewoman,andSOIshouldnevercorrespondtoyourpatternofalady'’(Eliot,1994：23)．ThequotationwellillustratesDorothea’Seagernesstomaintainherself-identity．UnderSirJamesChettam’Sadvice,Dorotheadoesnotresorttoself-rectificationbyothers’requirements，butsheholdspersistenceinherinherentpursuitforfreedom．Inaddition,ChettamoffersDorotheaatinyMaltesepuppy,sinceladiesatthattimearefondofthesedogs．DorothearefusesbysayingthatIbefieveallthepettingthatisgiventhemdoesnotmakethemhappy．Theyaletoohelpless：theirfives剐弓toofrail．Aweaseloramousethatgetsitsownlivingismoreinteresting．IliketothinkthattheanimalsaboutUShavesoulssomethinglike0111"OWII，andeithercarryontheirownlittleaffairsorcallbecompanionstous，likeMonkhere．Thosecreaturesareparasitic(31)．FromthequotationwecanseeDorothea’Sfirmstandpointaboutnotkeepingpets．Dorothearefusestobeidentifiedwiththetraditionalwomen．Onthecontrary,shespreadsherlovetowardstheseanimals．Dorothea’SrigidityinheropinionandanxietytovoiceherselfisalsoanimportantpartofDorothea’Squestforself-identification．TheappearanceofDorotheaimpressesusdeeplywithclevernessandconfidence．EventhoughDorotheaisusuallyspokenof嬲‘'beingremarkablyclever'’(Eliot，1994：9)，clevernessisconsideredasnotgoodforagirlbyherfamilyandneighbors．Forinstance，afterCeliaknowsthefactthathersisterhasengagedtoEdwardCasaubon,Celiathinksthat‘‘clevernessseemedtohermorepitiablethanever'’(Eliot，1994：81)．EdwardCasaubon，ontheonehand，speakshighlyofDorothea’Sintelligenceinhisconversationwithherbyclaimingthatshewillbehisperfectcompanion；ontheotherhand，herefusesDorotheatotakepartinhiswork．Inordertoprotestagainsttheprejudicepeopleput20 uponher,Dorotheagraspseverychancetoprovethatgirlsalsohavethesameintelligenceandwisdomasmen,SODorotheasparesnoeffortstohaveheropinionairedout．HerfirstattemptistomakeSirJamesChettaminterestedinher．WhenChettamasksheropinionaboutfarmmanagement，Dorotheasaid“it’Sbettertospendmoneyinfindingouthowmencallmakethemostofthelandwhichsupportsthemall，thaninkeepingdo字andhorsesonlytogallopOVerit．Itisnotasintomakeyourselfpoorinperformingexperimentsforthegoodofall”(Eliot,1994：19)．ItalsomakesCasaubonobserveDorotheanewly,sincesuchayoung鲫asDorotheashowsrareinsightintosocialreform．Anothertime，whenMrBrookandCasaubondiscussthewayofarrangingdocuments，Dorotheatellsherunclethat“I丽Shyouwouldletmesortyourpapersforyou，uncle．1wouldletterthemall，andthenmakealistofsubjectsundereachletter'’(Eliot，1994：21)．ThisrevealsthefactthatDorotheapursuesself-identificationandhopesheropiniontobevaluedandappreciated．MrCasaubonrecognizesDorotheaasanexcellentsecretary,whileMrBrookrefusesbysayingthat‘‘ICan’tletyoungladiesmeddle、析mmydocuments．Youngladiesaletooflighty'’(Eliot,1994：21)．ItmakesDorotheaunhappybecauseinheropinion,Casaubonwillthinkthatshetrulyhasthiskindofshortcomings．DuringanotherconversationwithMrCasaubon,Dorotheaopenedhermindoneertainthemeswhichshecouldspeakoftono011t：whomshehadbeforeseenatripton,‘espeeiaUyonthesecondaryimportanceofecclesiasticalformsandarticlesofbeliefcomparedwiththatspiritualreligion,thatsubmergenceofselfincommunicationwithDevineperfection,MrCasanbonunderstoodheratOllCe，andhealsoassuredherofhisownagreementwiththatviewwhendulytemperedwithwiseconformity’(26)．Dorothea’Squestforself-identificationisalsotheprocessofconstructingherentity．Notrelyingonothers，Dorothealearnstothinkandmakeplansindependently．Notblindtoothers’arrangements，shehasherownperspectiveofthevalueandtheworld．灿linall，Dorotheagrowsfromasubordinategifltoamaturewoman丽Ⅱltheabilitytojudgeandmakechoices．2．3QuestfortheMeaningofLifeThePreludeofMiddlemarchmakesacomparisonbetweenSaintTheresa,whodevotesherselftothecourseofpracticalworkandmakesherselfaspokesmanfor2l socialreformandjustice，andDorotheawhohasardorandenergytoleadanepiclifeandisdepictedasalaterbornTheresa．WomeninVictorianagearenotinstructedtocultivatemeirabilityinvocationbuttoadaptthemselvestobefairladiesSOastoincreasetheirvalueinthemarketofmarriage．Work，inthescnscofself-development,directlyconflictswiththesubmissionandsuppressioninherentinthefeminineideal．Womenneedarealmformeirachievements；whattheyneedisthesanlesenseoffulfillmentasmendo．However,astheVictorianeraismale-dominated，itisratherdifficultforwomelltohaveequalopportunitieswithmen．Dorotheagrowsintoanexceptionalwoman,ayoungladyof‘'eccentdcities”，assheisknownintheneighborhood．Dorotheaisnotgratifiedbytheprospectofalifeofeaseandcomfortcharacteristicofwomenofherclassatthattime,butsincerelyyearnsforrisingaboveherpeers，abovetheirtrivial，piteousconfinementoffemininity,andtomoddherlifeintosomethingbroaderinrangeandprofounderinmeaning．Herreli西omardorfindsoutletinhereagernesstoembracethesacreddoctrinessheCalllayholdofandinherdreamofalifeofglorythroughreligiousmartyrdom．Unlikeothermiddle-classwomen,Dorotheaisunwillingtoliveanidlelife，andhasanambitiontoachievesomethingunconlnlonlikeSaintTheresa．Dorothea’SdeceasedparentshaveleftherandhersisterCeliaeachallinheritanceofseven—hundred-poundayear,whichisenoughtosustainthetmButDorotheahasherowndreams．Shedislikestoleadameaninglesslifebyidtngawaytimeandshedoesnotwanttobelike“flowerswhichareplantedintoorichasoil，strengthandusefuhaessaresacrificedtobeauty'’(Wollstonecraft,1975：5)．Dorotheaalwaysmakesattemptstopursuesomegrandconceptionoftheworldandseekmartyrdomforlofbrideas．Shehasbeeninsearchofaroadwhichcanleadhertotherealizationofvaluablelife．Shejustwantstodedicateherself,justliketheSaintTheresa．Asnotedinprelude，sheaspirestobeanewStTheresa．Theresa’Spassionateandidealnaturedemandsanepiclife．Dorotheabums、Ⅳitllaflame-likespirit，“foralongwhileshehadbeenoppressedbytheindefinitenesswhichhunginthemind，likeathieksummerhaze,overallherdesiretomakeherlifegreatlyeffective'’(Eliot，1994：29)．However,theVictorianwomenofthenineteenthcenturyweresupposedtohaveweakopinions，nleywereconsideredtobenotusedtochoosingoccupation．SoDorothea’Seffortsarenotreadilyappreciatedbythepeople around，asnotedinprelude：Hereandthereacygnetisreareduneasilyamongtheduddingsinthebrownpond,andneverfindsthelivingstreaminfellowship、^，imitsownoary-footedkind．HereandthereisbornaSaintTheresa,foun&essofnothing，whoselovingheat-beatsandsobsafteranunattainedgoodnesstrembleoffandarodispersedamonghindrances，insteadofcenteringinsomelong-recognizabledeed(Prelude)．SinceDorotheaCall’tfindaprofessioninthepublicsociety,sheisdeterminedtomakereformonheruncle’SpropertyTiptonGrange．Dissatisfiedwithheruncle’swayofmanagingtheestate,Dorotheastrivestomakegreatimprovementsonhisproperty．Ontheonehand,sheblameshisunwillingnesstospendmoneyontheprojectsresponsibleforsociety；,ontheotherhand，shedrawsupplanstoimprovetenants’livingconditionsandredesignⅡleircottages，busyingherself丽mvisitingthepoorandhelpingthesick．Asayoungwoman谢t11ahi曲socialstatusandalargeproperty,Dorothealikestodevoteherwealthnottotheshallowpursuitsofthearistocraticshehasbeenborntobuttomagnificentcauses，buildingmodelhousesandrepairingthecottagesofheruncle’Stenants．Dorotheahasstrongbeliefthat“iftenantscouldliveinnewmodelcottagesinthetightofherdesign,itwouldmakethelifeofpovertybeautiful”(Elior,1994：32)．WhatevernobleeausesDorotheahasinmind，whatshedesiresistoachievethegreatnessofStTheresa．Butherignoranceaboutherselfandthesociety,andherpersonalexperienceoftherestrictionsofthissmallworldsheisdwellinginmakeherthinkaboutthingstooidealistically,insteadofreallyunderstandingthenatureoflife．Unfamiliarwiththelifestyleofthepoor,Dorotheac孤’tassurethattheyCanleadhappylives．NobodyinMiddlemarchconsidersheraimsveryseriously．Brookdoesnotthinkmuchofherplanandheinsiststhatbusinessshouldnotbewhattheyoungladyconc盯nandignoresher．TheyoungbaronetSirJamesChettamtakesmoreinterestinherthantheplan,butinordertoWOOher,heexpresseshisreadinessinbuildingthenewcottagesonhisownproperty．Consequentlyherplanisnotcarriedoutcarefully．Dorothea’Sfirstdreamabortsnotbecauseofherinabilitytocompletethetaskorherslothfulness，buttheunfavorableenvironment-一women’Sopinionsareneverappreciatedandmeansoffulfillingthemisnevermeanttobeprovidedfor．MarriagelifesurroundsDorotheawithennui．Casaubon’sdeaththrowsherintobitternessandvoid．Personalagonyurgeshertofindthemeaningoflife，SODorotheatransmitsgoodnesstotheworldaroundherwhenshe‘‘holdsupanidealforothersin23 ChapterTwoDorothea’sQuestMotifsherbelievingconceptionofthem”(Newton，1984：162)．“Ifwehadlostourownchiefgood，otherpeople’S900dremainsandthatisworthtryingfor'’(Eliot，1994：770)，whichisamovmgexpressionfromDorotheawhensheisundergoingthemostintensepersonalagonyandisdeterminedtosavepeoplefromtrouble．Inasocietywhichischaracterizedbyitsrestrictionsonwomen’Svocationalopportunities，Dorotheaiscompletelyunabletomaterializenobleaspirationsonherown．ThereforeDorotheaconnectsheraspirationswithpeoplearoundher．Thisnoblecause，however,seemedhardlyfeasibleinthenineteenthcenturysociety．InsuchaprovincialtownasMiddlemarch,thereWaslittlechancefortheyoungwomantomakeherdreamscometrue．Withherloveandaffection,DorotheadeliversLydgatefromtheBulstrodescandalandrescueshis丽feRosamondfromlosingheartinhim．WhenLydgateisinvolvedintheBulstrodescandal，thewholesocietyholdsaprejudiceagainsther．ThemajorityofpeoplebelievethathetakesMrBulstrode’SmoneytohidethetruthofMrRaffles’death．Nobody,evenincludinghis谢危Rosamond,believeshimtobeinnocent．Nobodyisinsolidaritywithhim．ThewholesocietyisagainstMrLydgateandthereisnoplaceforDorothea’Ssupportandtrustfulness．However,DorotheadoesnotbelieveinLydgate’SdishonorablewayinthescandalandstronglysuggeststhatthedistinguishedpeopleshouldstandouttodefendLydgate．What’Smore，whenthescandalthreatensLydgate’Smarriage，DorotheaperceiveswhathashappenedtotheLydgatesbythelightofherexperienceinmarriage．Dorotheaissurethatthereissomementalisolationandalienationbetweenhusbandandwife．Dorothea’SSOITOWandsufferingsinthemarriagesendhertothereliefofothers．SoshetellsNbLydgatethetruth,vindicatingLydgate'sinnocence．Inthemeantime，Dorotheanotonlyofferscomfortandsupport,butalsogivesLydgateonethonsandpoundtopayoffMrBulstrode’Sdebt．Additionally,sheisdeterminedtodonatetwohundredpoundayeartotheNewHospitaltosustainLydgate’Sliving．Furthermore，shealsorescuesMrFarebrotherfromhisbadhabitofplayingwhistformoneybygivinghimtheLowickliving．MrFarebrotherisaclergyman，large，tolerantandcharitable．withnogreatf甄mindoctrinesandsomeuneasinessinhispositionasaspiritualclergyman．HeisasymbolofthegreathistoricaltransitionssketchedoutbyFaerbach：‘‘Heiscaughtbetweenatheolo#caltraditionandmodemanthropology．HeisabletoliveaSatheologianwhoworShipsGodin,notabove，humanityandthenaturalworld'’(Chase，1991：57)．24 Besidesactingasaclergyman，MrFarebrothermakesallexhaustivestudyoftheentomologyofhisdistrictandhassharpinterestinnaturalsciences，especiallyonthefaunaandflora．Hisstudyisfilledwithexpensiveillustratedbooksonnaturalsciences．Withlowsalary,heoftengoestoplaywhistformoneywhichhasmalignanteffectsonhisreputation．Hespendsallthechance-gottenmoneyonhiscollections．MrBulstrode,thebankerandthesponsoroftheNewHospital,whohasgreatinfluenceOVerMiddlemarch,thinksthatMrFarebrotheris‘‘amandeeplypainfultocontemplate，Isupposethereisnotaclergymaninthiscountrywhohasgreatertalents”(Eliot,1994：122)．SoMrFarebrotherisdeprivedofthepriesthoodwhenthefirstchancecomestohimowingtohisbadhabitsofsmokingandwhistplaying,althoughheisshortofmoney．Besideshisexpensivehobby,hehasthreerelativestoroarup，hiswidowedmother,hisunmarriedauntandsistef．WhenDorotheahearsofMrFarebrother’Sspecialsituation，shegivestheL0丽cklivingtohimasawaytosavehimfromhiswhistplaying．Froma础whopursuesnobleidealinherimaginationtoawomanwhoquestsforthemeaningoflifeinreality,Dorothealearnsthedistancebetweentheimaginationandreality．Throughhelpingpeopleintroublearoundher,Dorotheafindshervalueinthemale-dominatedworld．Womencan’tchangetheirenvironment,yettheycanadapttothesocietybyfindingameaningfullifewithintheirworld．25 ChapterThreeDorothea’SMentorsarenecessaryelcmentsintheprotagonist’Sdevelopment．Sociologically,everyone’Sgrowthmaybeinfluencedbyotherswhowouldenrichhisorherexperiencesandbetterhisorherknowledgeofsocietyineitherpositiveornegativeaspects．Duringthecourseofobservingthesocialrolesofthosepeople,theyounggraduallyestablishtheirownrolesandbecomeawareofthedirectionoflife(Rui，2004：125)．RuiYupingdividesmentorsintothreegroups：positivementors，negativementorsandnatureorthedivinebeingsasmentors(125)．Positivementorsarefurtherdividedintothreekinds：thosewhoarealmostperfectinmoralsandknowledge，andthosewhoaccompanytheprotagonistasfriends，andthosewho&remerelypasser-bys．ThearchetypeofnegativementorisSatan．Therearethreetypesofnegativementors：thosewhodirecttheprotagonistastray,thosewhoare‘'bad’’exampleswhoremindtheprotagomstofwhatis‘‘good’’andthoseSatan-likepeoplewhosetemptationleadstheprotagonisttowisdombutunhappinessduetolossofinnocence(Rui，2004：126)．InMiddlemarch，therearebothnegativeandpositivementors，whorespectivelyhelporhinderDorothea’Sdevelopmentinhergrowingprocesstowardthereconciliationwithsociety．AlthoughtherearemanypeoplewhoinfluenceDorothea’Sdevelopment,thepresentthesiswouldmainlyfocusonCelia,MrBrook,CasaubonandWill，whoinfluenceDorotheainhergrowingprocessfromaninnocent，naivegirltoamaturewoman．3．1Celia，SpecialMentorGenerallyspeaking,positivementorsareolderandmoreexperiencedthantheprotagonistinBildungsroman．CeliaisDorothea’SspecialmentorbecausesheismuchyoungerandissupposedtogetguidancefromDomthca．However,itisCeliawhoguidesDorotheatobecomematureincharacter．Sharingthesameexperienceoftheirchildhood，Celiaknowshersister’SmindandbehaviorsmorethanDorotheaknowsaboutherself．Bycommonsense,CeliacouldfindoutwhenDorotheahasgonetoextremesandexcessivenessinhercharacter26 ChapterThreeDorothea’SMentorsCeliaisatypical‘‘angelinthehouse'’inthenineteenth-century．Shehaseverymeritrecommendedinthepatriarchalsociety,likehumility,patienceandself-contr01．SheisDorothea’Syoungersister,themorecalmandadroitofthetwo，andwhoisalwaysverysensibleandperceptivewhentheyareinvolvedwithpeopleandtheMiddlemarchworldaroundthem．ShealwaysactsiIlaproperwayandneverdoesanythinginbreachoftheconvention．Celiawasnotimpulsive：whatshehadtosaycouldwait,andcamefromheralwayswiththe8alnequite，staccatoevenness．WhenpeopletalkedwithenOlgyandemphasisshewatchedtheirfacesandfeaturesmerely．Shenevercouldunderstandhowwell-bredpersomconsentedtosingandopentheirmouthsinm4ridiculouslllallnerrequisiteforthatVOCalexercise"(33)．Inaword，CeliaembodiesthevirtueDorothea1acksandstrugglestolearn．CeliaissetincontrastwithDorothea．Beingcraftieranddirectedbyreasonorration,Celiahas‘'morecommon-sense'’andcaresalotaboutworldlyaffairs．Celia,admittingherweakness，actuallyissober-mindedinhandlingmattersandCanseethroughthings．“Celia,whosemindhadneverbeenthoughttoopowerful，sawtheemptinessofotherpeople’Spretensionsmuchmorereadily．Tohaveingeneralbutlittlefeeling,seemstobetheonlysecurityagainstfeelingtoomuchonanyparticularoccasion”(Eliot，1994：64)．Dorotheastandsforthelatter,payingnoheedtowhatotherssay．ProblemforthemisthatDorotheaisSOenergetic,SOenthusiastic,SOimpulsiveandsometimesSOstubbornlyirregularanddomineeringthatsheovershadowsCelianowandthen,especiallybeforethevicissitudesinDorothea’Smarriage．ButCeliagraduallygainstheupperhand．ThereisanothermeritwithCelia,whichallowshertoprevailoverDorothea：alwaystakingnothingtooearnestly：‘'havingoncesaidwhatshewantedtosay,Celiahasnodispositiontorecurtodisagreeablesubjects．Ithadbeenhernaturewhenachildnevertoquarrelwithanyone—onlytoobservewimwonderthattheyhavequarreledwithher⋯”(Eliot,1994：46)．YetinMrLydgate’swords，Dorotheaisalwaystooserious．Byanalyz吨theircharacteristics，wefindthatDorotheaismoreinclinedtobeinfluencedbyCelia．Despitebeingmuchyounger,Celiaismorematureandrealistic．WheneverDorotheamakesaninappropriatedecision,CeliathinksitisofgreatusetoinfluenceDorothea’Smind．‘‘Allthroughtheirgirlhoodshehadfeltthatshecouldactonhersisterbyawordjudiciouslyplaced一-byopeningalittlewindowforthedaylightofherownunderstandingtoenteramongthestrangecoloredlampsbywhichDodo27 habituallySaW”(Eliot，1994：779)．CeliaalwaysappearswhenDorotheaisinhopelessanddesperatesituations．SheisalwaysthefirstpersontoshareDorothea’ssufferings．AfterCasaubonhasasuddenheartattack,Dorotheaisinhermostmiserabledays；Celiaprovidesherwimspiritualcomfortandencourageshertoliveforsomethingmeaningful．WherlCasaubon’swilldiscloseswhichharmsDorothea’sreputation,itisCeliawhoinvitesDorotheatoherhome,tryingtodistractherattentionandsharehersorrow．WhenitisnolongerpossibletohidethewillfromDorothea,CeliaalsogivesDorotheaalesson．Celiasays“youhavegotawrongnotioninyourheadasusual，Dodo，IcallSeethat；itvexesme'’(Eliot,1994：469)．Celia’slisteningandunderstandingconsoleDorotheaalotandmakeherfeelsecure．CeliacontinuouslygivesDorotheawarmthandstrengthandaccompaniesheruntilDorothearecovers．Insomeregards，Celiaismorethanalittlesister；,sheismorelikeaconfidanttoDorothea．HavingallacquaintanceofDorothea’smindandbehaviors，Celiadoesherutmosttohinderherfromdangerandunnecessarysacrifice．Just笛Celiasays，‘'NoneofthemknewDodoaSwellasCeliadid，Orknewhowtomanageher'’(Eliot,1994：469)．Ina$elllSe，itisCeliawholightsDorothea’shopeforlifeandnurtureshernewrealizationofherselfasaphysicalandspiritualproviderforDorothea．CeliacorrectsDorotheawhenshedoesanythingwrong,comfortingherwhensheissad．FindingSirJamesChettaminterestedinherplansofcottage,Dorotheatreatshimwithmoleenthusiasm，whichleadstoChettam’smisunderstandingthatDorothealikeshimandwillaccepthisproposal．ButthefactisthatDorotheaneverconsidersChettam胬anidealistichusband．Inordernottooffendhersisterdirectly,CeliaensuresDorotheabytellingherthatSirJamesistomarryDorothea；meanwhile，shetellsDorotheanottomakethatmistakeagain．ShealsotellsDorotheathatitisbettertohearwhatpeoplesay．Duringtheconversation，Celiasaysdirectly,Well，IamsorryforSirJames．Ithoughtitrighttotellyou,becauseyouwentOn弱youalwaysdo，ile,C'elrlookingjustwhereyouarc，andtreadinginthewrongplace．Youalways∞ewhatnobodyelsesees；itisimpossibletosatisfyyou；yetyouae、，臂seewhatisquiteplain．Thatisyourway,Dodo(37)．Beingconsciousofwhatkindofmistakeshemakes，Dorotheaexplains，“Itisverypainful．．．Icanhavenomoretodowiththecottages．Imustbeunciviltohim．Imusttellhim1willhavenothingtodowiththem．Itisverypainful'’(Eliot，1994：37)．UnderCelia’sinfluence，Dorothearealizeshermistakeandmakesuphermindto apologizetoSirJamesChettam．Anothertime，Dorotheaexpressesheropinionaboutpatience，whichisacomplimenttoCasaubon’SpatiencetowardshisnephewWillLadislaw．Shesays，“Itisnoble，peoplemayreallyhaveinthemsomevocationwhichisnotquiteplaintothemselves，maytheynot?Theymayseemidleandweakbecausetheyaregrowing．Weshouldbeverypatient诵meachother,Ithink’’(Eliot，1994：81)．AssoonasDorotheaandCeliaarealonetogether,CeliadirectlypointsoutDorothea’Simpatience，‘'whenpeopledon’tdoandsayjustwhatyoulike，youareveryimpatient'’(Eliot，1994：81)．CelianotonlygivesDorotheasisterlylove，butalso。triestoprotectanddefendDorothea鹤much勰possible．WhenlearningaboutthenewsoftheengagementofDorotheaandCasaubon，MrsCadwalladerasksCeliaifDorotheacaresaboutSirJames．OutofconcernforDorothea,Celiasays，‘'Dodoisverystrict．ShethinksSOmuchabouteverything，andis80particularaboutwhathe．says．SirJamesneverseemedtopleaseher'’(Eliot,1994：56)．WhenMrsCadwalladerjumpstoaconclusionthatDorotheamustencourageSirJames，whichisnotverycreditable．Celiasays，‘'Pleasedon’tbeangry、ⅣimDodo；shedoesnotseethings．ShethoughtSOmuchaboutthecottages，andshewasrudetoSirJamessometimes；butheiskind，henevernoticedit'’(Eliot,1994：56)．Tosomeextent,CeliatakesontheroleeitherasasisteroranintimatefriendtoDorothea,leadingandinspiringhermaturation．Insomesense，CeliaisapricelesssisterforDorothea．Throughoutthenovd，CeliaisalwaysSOunfailing,ilnImlne，serene，andactivethatsheobviouslyfunctionsasDorothea’Smentor．CeliaofferswiseiustructionsandindispensablesupporttoDorotheaandfunctions嬲thelighthouseduringDorothea’Svoyagetowardmaturity．TheinfluenceCeliaexertsonDorotheaispositiveandbeneficial．Withherguidanceandhelp，Dorotheastepsforwardsmoothlyonthejourneyfromcallownesstomaturity．3．2Brook,FatherlyMentorAlthoughDorothea’SuncleMrBrookisdepictedasaweakfigurewithlimitedauthority,heplaysasignificantroleinDorothea’Sdevelopment．ThroughheruncleMrBrook,Dorotheaenjoysfatherlyloveandaffection．MrBrookbehavesjustlikeaguardian,protectingherasagentle，loving“father'’withkindnessandwillingness．Mr29 ChapterThreeDorothea’sMentorsBrooknotonlyattemptstoletDorotheaaccepttraditionalvalues，butalsopointsoutthemeaningofmarriage．Inaddition，MrBrookrespectsDorothea’Sdecision，givinghereverychancetotastetheflavoroflife．MrBrookservesasafatherlyfigureinthenovel．ThoughMrBrookisnotDorothea’Sbiographicalfather,heplaysthefather’SroleinDorothea’Sgrowingroad,alwaysinstructingDorotheaandworryingaboutherwelfare．NotonlydoesMrBrookgivethefatherlyloveandaffectiontoDorotheawhenshelives谢mheruncleBrook,healsoadvisesherduringherjourneyonthegrowingroad．Asamanwhotravelsalotandacceptsallkindsofideas，MrBrookhimselfalwaysdiscussessocialissueswithhisguests．Underhisinfluence,Dorotheabecomesinterestedinmasculineknowledgeandsocialreform．Toacertainextent,MrBrookunconsciouslycreatesanintellectualatmosphereforDorothea．MrBrookadvisesDorotheatofollowtheefiqueueofthepatriarchalsociety．Asheisthespokesmanofpatriarchy,whathesaystoDorotheaisexactlythethingspatriarchyrequireswomantodo．Forexample,MrBrookadvisesDorotheatoplaypiano．AlthoughMrBrookisnotportrayedasamoralparagon,aperfectman,headdressestoDorotheaseveralpiecesofadvice．Inthewholenovel，thereareseveralpiecesofadviceinwhichMrBrookcommentsonDorothea’Sbehaviorandinstructsher．AllthesepiecesofadviceserveasapartofDorothea’Seducation．Inthissense,MrBrookservesasamoralizernotonlyforDorothea,butalsoforthereaders．MrBrookisaseniormentorinDorothea’Sacquaintancewhoseemstoofferherunderstanding,sympatheticguidanceandintellectualstimulation．Duringtheconversation，BrookmakescommentsonDorothea’SpursuerssuchasSirJamesChettamandCasaubon,andanalyzestheiradvantagesanddisadvantages．ThoughMrBrooklacksstrengthandpersuasiveness，hedoeswarnDorotheathatmarriage“isanoose'’．“Lifeisn’tcastinamould--notcutoutbyroleandline，andthatsortofthing．Inevermarriedmyself,anditwillbethebetterforyouandyours．Thefactis，Ineverlovedanyonewellenoughtoputmyselfintoanooseforthem．Itisanoose，youknow．Temper,now．Thereistemper．Andahusbandlikestobemaster'’(Eliot,1994：41-42)．Additionally,MrBrookhaswarnedDorotheathatCasaubonissterileinIniIldandheart．HegivesinsighttoDorotheaconcerningthemeaningofmarriageandwomen’sstatusinmarriage．Heoffersadvicetotheprotagonistonhowtobehaveandconstructherownidentity．Unfortunately,Dorotheadoesn’tunderstandhisadviceat thattime．Regardlessofthiswarning,DorotheacontinuestoindulgeherselfinfancyingaboutMrCasaubonandtheirmaritallife．BeingconsciousofDorothea’SdecisiontomaltyCasaubon，MrBrookgivesDorotheaachancetogrowup．AndMrBrookbelievesCasaubon’SwaysmightsuitherniecebetterthanChettam’S．Brooksays，Youshalldoasyoulike，mydear．1wouldnothinderCasaubon；IsaidSOatonce；forthereiSnoknowinghowanythingmayturnout．Youhavenotthetastesaseveryyounglady；andaclergymanandscholar-whomaybeabishop-thatkindofthing-maysuityoubetterthanChettam．Chettamisagoodfellow,agoodsound-heartedfellow,youknow；buthedocsa’tgomuchintoideas．Idid’when1washisage．ButCasaubon'seyes，now．Ithinkhehashurtthemalittlewithtoomuchreading(42)．OnlyaftersufferingtheconsequencesofblindlytrustingandrelyingonothersagainandagaindoesDorothealearnwhatMrBrookindicates．Undoubtedly,MrBrook’SpredictionsnodoubtmakeDorotheapreparetofacethefollowingdifficultiesandhardshipsbravely．MrBrooknotonlygivesDorotheaguidanceonlife，butalsoinfluenceshermorally．MrBrookteachesDorotheatotreatCasaubonwithpatienceandsympathywhenCasaubonisfoundfaintedinthelibrary．InfluencedbyMrBrook,Dorotheabeginstohaveanewunderstandingofmarriagelifeandbecomestoleranttowardstheshortcomingsofherhusband．MrBrookalsopraisesDorotheaforherappropriateelevemessandadmonishesherwhenshedoessomethinginappropriate．MrBrookquiteappreciatesherclevernessunderspecialcircumstances，whichCanbefoundinhissuggestionMrLydgateshouldtalktoDorotheaandputonhertoamusingtacticstodiverseMrCasaubon’SattentiononhislaboriousworkwhenCasaubonhasaheartattackandisnolongersuitableformentalwork．AsfarasMrBrookisconcerned,hefulfillshisroledutifullyandiSalwaystryingtoprotectDorothea．AfterMrCasaubon’SmaliciouswillisexposedtotheDorothea’Srelatives，SirJamesChettamasksMrBrooktosendWillaway．FamiliarwithWill’Scharacterandbehaviors，MrBrookmakessurehecan’tsendhimawayimmediatelywithoutanexactreason．InordertodefendDorothea’Sdignityandreputation,assoonastheelectionends，MrBrooksellsthePioneerstoanotherelectorandsendsWillawayasallexcuseofMrBrook’Sbadhealth．MrBrookalsoshowsDorotheahistoleranceandbenevolence．Dorothea’Smarriage、7l，iⅡl、矾llisconsideredillsamistakebythelocalpeople．Asaresult，3l DorotheaandWllllivesalienatedfromherrelatives．Duetohiscareforandherfamily,MrBrookforgivesandletsDorothea’seldersoninherithisfortune．砸sactmakestheBrookfamilywholeagainandselves嬲acomforttoDorothea．AlthoughMrBrookisinslrumentaltoDorothea’seducation,healsosetsobstacles011herwayofgrowth．MrBrooklikestodabbleineverything，butneverchoosesany丘】【edoccupation,just嬲heisconstantlysayingthathehasgoneintoalittleofeverything．Hechargesexorbitantrents，buthistenantsliveundermiserableconditions．AlthoughBrookclaimshimselftobemagnanimousandkeenOnC：hari坝hedoesnothingpracticaltohelpimprovethelivesofthepoortenantslivinginTipton．HeneglectshisOWllestateandtenantswhilehewritesaboutpoliticalreform．Hisimage雒incompetentlandedgentrysetsanegativeexampleforDorothea．Thesetenants’poorlivingconditionsstimulateDorothea’shopetohelppeoplearoundher、7Irimherlimitedability．Onthewhole,MrBrook’spositiveinfluenceonisgreater．ItisMrBrookwhogivesfatherlyloveandaffection,impelstoembracetraditionalvalues．ItisalsoMrBrookwhoimpartswisdomofmarriagelifeandmoralitytoDorothea．MrBrookhelpshertransformfi：omaninnocentandnaiveyoungwomllllintoamatureandindependentindividual．硼1econtributionofMrBrookisnotonlyknowledgeonfife,butalsoinfluenceOnDorothea’smorality．WiththeguidanceofMrBrook,Dorotheabecomesmaturenotonlyinintellect,butalsoinspirit．Actually,thewisdomgetsfromMrBrookturnsouttobetorchlightandhasatremendouseffectuponDorothea’sliferoad．3．3Casaubon，FaeetedMentorCasaubonplaysmultiplerolesinDorothea’sgrowingroadandhasirrflueneedinseveralways．ActingfitsDorothea’ssocialmentor,Casaubonpointsouttherightwayofgrowthforandinspiresheralot．ItisCasaubonwholetsenduretheunhappymarriagebasedonhastinessandlackofmutualunderstanding,andmakesherperformtheroleofwifehood．Heisalsoalivingexamplewhopursuesknowledgelikeabookwormandbringsabouthisdeath．Underhisinfluence，Dorothearealizesthatbeingabookwormisuselessandknowledgewouldbecomeusefulonlywhenitservespeopleandthepublic．32 Firstly,theunhappymarriagewithCasaubonmakesDorothearealizeherignoranceaboutherselfandherheart．Aftermarriage，itOccurstoDorotheathatwhatsheneedsisnotaperfecttypeofpedantwhoisdryinheartandmindandisnotyoungenoughtoenjoythefreshnessandvitalityoflife．ShecomestorealizethathersolitarycomesfromherincomprehensionofMrCasaubon’Sinnerworld．Sheunderstandsthatherfirstunhappymarriageresultsfromherhastinessintrustandeagernesstofulfillherdesireformoreknowledge．TheadversitybringsordealsandpainstoDorotheaandhelpstoaccelerateherprocessofgrowth．HerdisillusionmentaboutmarriageimpelsDorotheatostep011theroadtowardmaturityandfacesharpreality．instantly．Infact,thetragicmarriageispartlyowingtoDorothea’S‘'moralstupidity'’whichallowshertoimaginehowshewoulddevoteherselftoMrCasaubon，andbecomewiseandstronginhisstrengthandwisdom．‘'Andthroughout，heregoistictendencyofviewingtheworldinherownfavorisevidentinherfeelingstowardsCasaubon'’(Barrett,1988：37)。‘'Dorothea'seagernesstoescapethecommonlady’Slife，herhastinessintrust,andherbeingimpressedbytheindefinitenessofhergreatlyeffectivematrimoniallireresultinblindnesstowardstheunworthinessofCasaubon'’(Barrett,1988：75)．ItisdearthatDorotheaisasblindtoCasaubon’srequirementsashetohers．Asaconsequence,suchamarriagebringsaboutabiaerdisillusionmentonbothparts．Secondly,itisCasaubonwhoimpelsDorotheatofulfilltheroleofwifehood．Thetraditionalfemininevirtueattachesimportancetoself-control，self-sacrificeandhumility．NowthatDorotheamakesaninsanechoiceinmarriage,whatshecanonlydoisfaithfultoherchoiceandconscientiouslyperformsherobligationsofmarriage．Therefore,shehastosurrendertotheoldmarriageidealsandexecutethedutiesofawife．Dorotheaseemstocomplywiththemoralityanddutyofawifeinmarriage．Sherecedesintotheobscurity,notmakinganyrequest．Afterhermarriage,DorotheamakescompliancetoherhusbandCasaubon’Sinclination,especiallywhenCasaubonhasaheartattack．Inordertocomfortherhusband，DorotheadoesnotdothingswhichCasaubonfeelsdiscontentedwithasmuchaspossible．ShewasalwaystryingtohewhatherhusbandwishedandneverabletoreposeonhisdelightinwhatsheWas。Thethingthatsheliked,thatshespontaneouslyearedtohave，seemedtohealwaysexcludedfromherlife；forifitwasonlygrantedandnotsharedbyherhusbanditmight鹄wellhavebeendenied(455)．Dorotheacompletelytakeshermarriageasakindofconsecration，consecrating33 theknowledge，youthandeveneverythingtoCasaubonandtheirmarriage．Eveninlaterperiodofhermarriage，especiallyaRerWilltellsheruselessnessofCasaubon’sworkandLydgateinformsherofimpendingdeathofCasaubon，Dorothea’SirritationanddissatisfactioninmarriagebegintobesuccumbedtotenderpityforCasaubon’Ssufferings．ShegraduallylearnstoacceptCasaubonaswhatheisandundertakestocomforthimbyconformingtodutyofaloyalwife．WhenMrCasaubonasksDorotheatocontinuewritingKeytoAllmythologies，shepromisesafteranight’Smeditation,althoughshedoesnotappreciateitsvalueanylonger．Althoughshelosesheartinherhusband’Sresearch，sheimlnersesherselftotallyinMrCasaubon’Spointlesswork．ButforCasaubon’sdeath,Dorothea,wouldassuredlycontinuewithherexcessivelyprosaicmarriageaswell．Herdesirehamperedandherheartinasolitarystate，sheneverseekspositivelytoseparatewithMrCasaubon．Shehasinfactgonethroughanafflictivepsychologicalstruggletobreakawayfromprisonofegoismintoalifeofcompassionforherhusbandandwouldattendtohimselflesslyandwithoutawordofgrumble．Dorotheawakesuptorealitythatmarriageisaduty．Andshehastoundertakeherdutyeventhoughshebecomesawarethatitisemblematicofendlesssufferingandself-sacrifice．Thirdly,CasauboncontributestoDorothea’SattitudetowardsknowledgebyshowinghisfruitlesseffortinintellectualpursuitatCOStofhishealthandevenhislife．HehasnosmallinfluenceuponDorothea’Sgrowth．WhatexertmostinfluenceuponDorotheaisnothisverbalinstructions，buthintsDorotheagetsfromherdistress．MrCasaubonrepresentstraditionalpatternsofmasculineauthority．HiscauseinworldistowriteKeytoAllMythologies，amarvelousbookonmythicalsystemsorerraticmythicalsegmentsinworld．NotonlydoesDorothearegardhimasdistinguishedasJohnLockeorJohnMiltonwhenshefirstmeetshim，buthealsoconsidershimselfasawould-beexpertonancientmythologies．Nopassionsexistinhislifebecausehequencheshispassionsinhisearlyyearsbydevotingallhislifetowork．AsfarasDorotheaisconcerned，Casaubonisinmanywaysapatheticcharacter．Hemadeadesperateattempttowritegreatbookthroughouthiswholelife，whichheknowsistOOambitious．CasaubonsetsabouthugetasktofindsomeongintoelucidateallmythologiesinhistorySOthathisnameandresearchwillberecordedinhumanhistory．Asisstatedinnovel，‘'hisnotesalreadymadeaformidablerange ofvolumes，butthecrowningtaskwouldbetocondensethesevoluminousstill—accumulatingresultsandbringthem，liketheearliervintageHippocraticbooks，tofitalittleshelf’(Eliot,1994：25)．Thereforeheimmerseshimselfinhardwork,sortsthroughallmythologicalbooks，andtranscribesnotestomakepreparationsforhisgreatworkSOastoconquerhistorywimreason．Butwhenhelockshimselfinthelabyrinthinebooksandramblesthroughinrelicshistory,hefeelsconfusedandlost．Heworksindarklifewithoutsunshineandhappiness，feelinglonesomeandfi匠ghtened．Casaubon’Sgreatworkdoomshim．Beingawarethathisideashavebeenmockedbymorecompetentscholars，Casaubonisstillimpossibletofacethismortification．Toalargeextent,hislifehasbecomeaperpetualpretensewherethereis110ventforhismanyfrustrations．Ultimately,hediesfailingtorealizehisambitions，withoutaccomplishinghislife-longproject．Knowledgeheredoesnotconducetohappinessandimmortalityfame,butbringsgreatpressuretoCasaubonandturnsouttobehisburden．HispretensetobealearnedscholarbringshimselfSOmuchstressesandstrainsthathesuffersfromheartattack．Hishealthcontinuesonthedowngrade,andheeventuallydies．Casaubonisindeadend，whichthesmartDorotheaactuallyevadesafterseeingCasaubon’Sfailure．DorotheawitnessesthefateCasauborhandsheisnotwillingtoletithappentoher,whichmakesDorothearealizethatbeingabookwormisuselessandknowledgewouldbecomeusefulonlywhenitSel"Vespeopleandthepublic．触linall，fromdifferentwaysandvariousmeans，Casaubon’SspiritualguidanceenablesDorotheatorealizethenegativeeffectofhastinessinmarriage，thefulfillmentwifehoodandtheproperwaytopursueknowledgeandutilizeittoservethesociety．UnderCasaubon’Senlighteningguidance，Dorotheaisnolongeragirlwhoholdsachildlikeviewaboutmarriage．ThankstoCasaubon’Sspiritualguidance,Dorotheashakesoffcallowness，makesasuccessfultransitionintoadulthoodandbeginsherpursuitnewliresteadfastly．3．4win,IndispensableMentorWillLadislawisanindispensiblementorinDorothea’Sgrowth．Firstall，heprovidesDorotheaacompletelydifferentlifestyle,whichenlightensDorotheatoliveforfreedomandliberation．Andthen，heinspiresDorotheatogiveupunrealisticnoblecausesandlivethesecularlife．Atlast，heawakensDorothea’Ssensebeautyand35 loveforlife．WillLadislawisaromanticcharacterinspiteofhisdilettantenature．胁f’Smore，WillisanoutsidertotheMiddlemarchsocietythoughheisadistantcousinofEdwardCasaubon．HeoffendsandgrievesMiddlemarchsocietyingeneralbyhiseasyandirregularmanners．Heisnotattentivetothingslikecastleorconventions．Willhopesformuchandhetakesdelightinmanythings．Heisakintowomenanddoesnothaveabiastothem．Heisexactlyabsorbedinwhatispeculiartowomen’sdilemmabysharingmanyoftheirconditions，andyetleadinganemancipatedlifc．Thisemancipationdependsonhisbeingaman,wimfreedomtotravel，tolivewherehelikes，andtomakehisownfriends，whichisincontrast丽mDorothearestrainedinherfirstmarriage．，11lebestwaytotakecareoftheworld,hetellsthealtruisticandenthusiasticDorothea,istoappreciatelifeinartoranythingelse．HeinterpretsaIlttoDorothea,indoctrinatesDorotheawinlconceptsofindependenceandfreedomandencourageshertoemancipateherself．WillisagreatconsolationtoDorothea’Ssightandheart．HealwayslistenswholeheartedlytoDorotheaandunderstandsher．HebecomesconsciousofDorotheaandopenlyadmits‘‘acelCuaingreatness'’inher．Will’Swillingness‘'toseemoreinwhatshesaidthansheherselfsaw'!seemssunshinetoDorotheainhercaptivityatL0丽ck．Dorotheaviewshimasamanwhounderstandspeople’Sfeelings，andshelongsfortalkingwithhimlike“雠wateratherthirstylipstospeakwithoutfeartotheonepersonwhomshehadfoundreceptive⋯”(Eliot,1994：350)．InWill，Dorotheaatlastdiscernsheranticipatedspiritualresonanceaswellashopefulperspectiveinlife．Infact,inthenovel，Willisdepictedonpurposeasanoutsider,adilettante,amanofromanticpersonality,amanwithoutsocialstatus，money,C4tl'eerandtheavatarof—freedomandfeeling．Forhim，theperfecthumanconditionisnotthatofself-repression,ofthe‘‘martyrdom’’thatWillindictsDorotheaforpracticin吕butthatofthepo叽inwhosesod‘'knowledgepassesinstantaneouslyintofeeling,andfeelingflashesbackasaneworganofknowledge'’(Eliot，1994：231)．WecanfindDorothea’SsatisfactioninWiuinthenovel：W'dloccasionallyWaSlikealunetteope埘缸inthewallofherprison,givingheraglilllpSeofthesunnyair；,andthispleasurebegantonullifyherorigillalalarmatwhatherhusbandmightthinkabouttheintroductionofWiUasheruncle’sguest(348)．Wordslike‘'light'’，‘‘skin’’，‘‘curveandline’’and‘‘touching'’suggestthat Dorotheaobtainpleasureandstrengthwhensheis1eRalonewimWill．Thepositiveinfluenceencouragestogetridofwearinessandennui．Willalsobringsbacktothereality,impelshertogiveuptheunrealisticcauses．DorotheaexpoundsherlifepursuittoWillatgreatlength：Ishouldliketomakelifebeautiful—-Imcalleverybody’slife．AndthenallthisillalllCllSCexpenseofart,that8ct：mssomehowtolieoutsidelifeandmakeitnObetterfortheworld，painsOIIC．ItspoilsmyenjoymentofanythingwhenI锄madetothinkthatmostpeoplealeshutoutfromit(213)．．Willreplies：IcaUthatthefamtieismofsympathy．．．Thebestpietyistoenjoy-WhenyouCall．Youa心doingthemostthentosavetheearth’scharacteras陋agreeableplanet．Andenjoymentradiates．Itisof13．0llsctOtryandtakecareofalltheworld；thatisbeingtakellca托ofwhenyoufeelddight-inart01"anythingelse．Wouldyouturnalltheyouthoftheworldintoatragicchorus，wailingandmoralizingovermiseryT．IsuspectthatyouhaveSOmOfalsebeliefinthevii'tuftSofmiseryllandwanttomllkcyouIivea1／lartyl'dOlll(213)．IfwesayCasaubon’sironicalsoulobstructsDorothea’semotionalstream，theappearanceofWill，likearainfallexpectedforalongtime,satisfiesDorothea’sthirstforlove．Dorothea’senchantmentinWilliSstatedinthenovel嬲follows：WillLadislaw'ssmilewasdelightful,unlessyouWt。I'Cangrywithhimbeforehand：itw豁agushofinwardUghtm眦醯嘣tingthetransparentskin弱well酗theeyes，andplayingabouteverycIlI'VCandlineasifSOmeArielwe他touchingthemwithanewcha_rm，andbaaishingforeverthetracesofmoodiness099)．Doro—theahasalsodevelopedgenuineadmirationandaffectionforWinsinceheisinclinedtobecapableofunderstandinghertruly．Intheend，thespecialrelationbetweenthemnurturesmutuallOVCandcareforeachother．Her$ellSl：ofbeautyandloveisarousedbyW!ill，especiallywhenshemisunderstandstherelationshipbetweenW!illandMrLydgate’swifeRosamond．OnOnehand，DorotheadoesnothopeRosamondtoruinherfamilyandreputation．Ontheotherhand，sheisindespairtoseethatherlovewouldbetakenawaybyamarriedwomRll．WhenseesWillwithRosamond，sheshowsaheroicgestureonthesurface：IfwehadlostOlllrowllchiefgood，otherpeople’sgoodwouldremain,andthatisworth37 tryingfor．SomeCallbehappy．Iseemedtoseethatlllorcclearlythanever,whenIWaSthemostwretched．1canhardlythinkhowIcouldhavebornethetrouble，ifthatfeelinghadnotcometo111t；tomakestrength(770)．Eventually,Dorotheasurpassesherselfwhenrealizing‘‘nolifewouldhavebeenpossiblewhichwasnot丘lled丽themotion”(Eliot，1994：781)．WeCallarriveatasafeconclusionthatWillhascertainqualifies，whichareparticularlylikelytodrawDorothea'sattentionatterherexperiencewithCasaubon．Willisaboveboardandmagnanimous；hisintelligenceisquickandlively-·-··ahappycontrasttoCasaubon’sponderouserudition．AsJohnBennettcomments，‘'hisnature|isinmanywayscomplementarytoherown，’(Bennett，1948：17)．Willisneitheramallofprofoundlearning,norafatherlylover,whooverthrowsDorothea’schildishviewofmarriage．WillmakesDorotheaengrossedinpersonalemotionsinsteadofgrandcauses，bringsthelaterbornTheresabacktoearth,makingherrealizethatmarriageisnotanoblecauseattheexpenseofa1)锈'SOll’shappiness，butaconcreteneedofpersonalemotion．FinallyWill'sromanticandpositiveexuberancetowardlifefillsingapsinDorothea’sinnerheartandgetsridofDorothea’sseI坞eofseparation．WillinstructsDorotheatoconnectthepastwiththepresent，theremoteandmajesticcausewiththetriflingrealisticlifearoundourselves．Inaddition,duetoWill’Sinfluence，Dorotheastartstobeexposedtothewhollynewideathat“thebestpietyistoenjoy'’(Eliot,1994：213)．IncreasingacceptanceofherOWllsensualityandemotionalrequirementsenableshertoechoherinllcrcallofintensefeelingandtoacknowledgeherloveforWill．ComparedwithCasaubonandSirJames，Willwhoappearsasfillartisticdilettante，embracesmodemvaluesandquestsforaestheticexperiences，hasalotincommollwithDorothea．Notonlydoeshiszealousshowingofadmirationandappreciationappealtoherfemininefeeling,butalsohisdetailedknowledgeaboutartandhisromanticphilosophyoflifehasanattractiontowardsherspiritualnature．ItisperhapsonlyinrelationwithWillthatDorotheaclearlyrediscoversthathernatureofenthusiasmandfondnessisnottobeneglectednordisposedof．Ashiningfuturecomesuptoheronlywhenshehasutterlydesertedanyanticipationsoffuturehappiness，whenshestopsthinkinghowanythingwouldturnout-一simplywonderingwhatwouldcome．ThankstoWill’Scomfort,Dorothealearnstoadmireandappreciateartand38 beautyforitsownsakeanddoesn’tchaseairyandvagueidealismanylonger．UnderWill’sinfluence，Dorothealivesouthergirlhooddream．WillisindeedtheonlyoutletandsaviorforDoroth％．WillwakesupDorothea’sconcealedandrepressivefeelingtoloveandtobeloved，andmoreimportantly,deliversherfromself-negationtoself-awareness．Dorotheafinallyachievesphysical，intellectualandspiritualcommunicationthroughWill．39 ChapterFourDorothea’SGrowthinThreeAspectsAsinmostofthetraditionalmaleBildungsroman，theherousuallyfinisheshisgrowthandhismaturationthroughseriesofactionsaroundtheworld．Andtheactionisavisiblejourneyfromtheruralareatotheurbandistrict,fromthecountrytothetownorcity．SomefemaleBildungsromanalsom．akessomesimilaractionssuchasMaryTurnerandJaneEyre．While，thisactionmaytakesanotherformandthat’Saninvisibletraveloraspiritualtraveltoahigherspiritualoremotionalstage．Theheroineusuallyhassomeproblemsordisadvantagesinherspiritual，emotionalandsocialworld．Andafterexperiencingmanydifficultiesorhardtime,shegetsherinnerworldgrownandobtainsamorecolorfulworld．AsRuiYupingpointsoutthatgrowing,asamajorturningpointinone’Slife，entailsphysicalandpsychologicalgrowthasindispensabledementsofone’Sgrowingprocess@ui，2004：125)．InthenovelMiddlemarch，Dorothea'spersonaldevelopmentistheorganicunityofspiritual，emotionalandsocialdevelopment．Hergrowthmakesupthemajorcomponentandprominentfeatureofhercoming-of-ageprocess．4．1Dorothea’SSpiritualGrowthIndividual’SgrowthisthethemeofMiddlemarch．AsSusanFraimansays，spiritualdevelopmentisalifelongprojectwhichisfarbeyondtheseasonofyouth(Fraiman,1993)．Dorothea’Speculiarexperienceasawomanenrichesanddeepensthethemeofgrowthandisregardedasanextensionofgrowththeme．Dorothea’Sspiritualgrowthisr印resentedinhermarriagewithCasaubon,duringwhichDorotheacontinuallyrevoltsagainsttheoppressionfrommale叫dominatedmciety．Atthesametime,Dorotheadarestovoiceandstruggleforherownindependenceduringhergrowingprocess．DorotheachoosesCasaubonasherhusband．Aftermarriage，shedevotesherbodyandsoultohimwillingly．Asforman咖gCasaubon，Dorotheanaivelythinksthatshewillhelphimaccomplishhisgreatwork．Inthemeanwhile，shewilltotallydevoteherselftosomethinghonorableandmarvelOUS．However,E1iotdescribesDorothea’Ssubjectiveassumptionsandblindwomhipandcomments：‘‘Thiskindof narcissism，infact，isjustignorantandstupid”(Eliot，1994：31)．Asaresult,Dorothea’Sblindidolizationmakesherfallintolossaftermarriage．Shesuffersfromtheoppressionofthemalepowerandhastobereconciledtotheoldmarriagemoralsandfulfillsthewife’Sduty．IttakesalongtimeforDorotheatobeawareoftheoppressionfromCasaubon．CasaubonfirstlyignoresDorothea,suppressesherfemininetendemess，andthendesertsherinRomeinfavorofhismustylibraries．Hedesertsherinotherways嬲well，nervouslyrefusingeveryphysicalovertureandemotionaladvance嬲indicationofherbehavinginamostunaccountable,privilyfemininemallner．CasaubonhasnoregardforDorothea’Sfeelingsandresponsestoherlovecoldly．11ledistressofDorothea’Srejectedaffectionandthesolitarinessoftheirmutualmisunderstandingalwayshauntsher．Dorotheaisneverinvitedtospillouthergirlishandwomanlyfeelingtohim．Casaubonusedtospeakwitllhisconstantpropriety,askinghisbridetositdownwhenshedisplaysheradmirationbykissingandtouching,asifheconsidersthesemanifestations嬲ratherdisgustingandstartling．Casaubonvoicesacomm．onnineteenthcenturyviewwhenhetalksofthe‘'characteristicexcellence'’and‘‘greatcharmofwoman’snaturebeingitscapacityofallardentself-sacrificingaffection’’(Eliot,1994：50)．彬硒thisassumption,Casaubonneverthinks嚣muchabouthisowneligibilitiesformakingadelightful酬happyashethinksofothersformakinghimselfpleased,勰ifamallCallchoosenotonlyhiswife，butalsohiswife’Shusband．CasaubonhaSaninstinctiveantagonismtowardswomenandthinksoftheminferiorton吼Secondly,CasaubonabsolutelyrefusesDorothea'shelpliterallyandmetaphoricallyandkeepsherentirelyoutofhiswork,andevenhislifetoo．Casaubonhashimselflaboredinanunderworldinfernalregionfromwhichthereisnoreturn，andheisdesirousofadjudgingthesameafterlifetoher．ToCasaubon,marriageisnottobeautifyhislife,buttoprovidehelpwithhislife-longworkinordertomakehisownambitioncometrue．Hewantstoreceiveothers’admirationofhisintellectualpursuits，andDorothea,isjustthefightpersonhethinkswhoappearstobesubmissiveenoughtofollowhisdirective．HetakesDorotheaasaninstrument．Inthenanleofduty,hisextremeoppressionsuffocatesDorothea．Casaubonisselfish,andanaspiringidealist．HeismeanttobeafamousauthorofareligiousworkandDorotheaisjustthesecretarychosenbyhim．Casaubonisalsodesirousofcontrollinghiswifeevenafterhisdeathbyputtingahardbridleonher．His、航Shistoputouttheflameof41 Dorothea’Slife．CasaubondoesnotregardDorotheaasahumanbeingatall，butratherasmerelyallobject．Differentfromherdreamandanticipations，aftermarryingCasaubon,Dorothea’Smarriedlifeisexceptionallyunhappy．Shehastolivemoreandmoreinarealtombtyingherbodyandsoul，wherethereistheequipmentofaphantasmallabor啦ddmgwhatwoddneverseethelight．Toliveinthetombistobesentencedtoadisastrousfate；Dorotheahaslostherselfinherownworld，restrainedbyCasaubon．Casaubon,asanauthorityofpatriarchalculture，controlslifewithhypocritepiety．WillhasaccusedthatDorothealiveslikeamartyr：Isuspectthatyouhave$omefalsebeliefinthevirtBosofmisery,andwanttomakeyourlifeamartyrdom。Youtalk舔ifyouhadileverknownanyyouth．Itismonstrous～aSifyouhadavisionofHadesinyourchildhood,liketheboyinthelegend．Youhavebeenbroughtupinsomeofthosehorriblenotionsthatchoosethesweetestwomantodevour-一likeMinotaurs(213—214)．Will’Sverbalpowerpromptlychangesdcadmetaphorintomythwhichisusednotinthedefinitesenseofincorrecthistorybutinthericher,morepositivesenseofastorywimanemblematicmeaning,comprisedofstereotypedepisodesandinvolvingcharacterswhoarelargerthanlife．Hereheintertwinesmetaphorandallusionwithmythology．ItisundoubtedthatWillcomparesMinotaurtoCasaubon,andDorotheaistheyoung鲥swallowedbythisgiganticMinotaur,sheandherlifewouldbedevastatedbyhim．Inaddition，theboyinthelegendisaninth-centurymissionertoScandinavia,whoseboyhoodvisionisapromiseofhisownultimatemartyrdom．Will’Swordsprophesybitternessinherfirstmarriage．Constantlydisheartenedbyherhusband，Domtheahasthehorribleunresponsivenessoftheworldwhichencirclesher,asifeverythingisshrinkingbackfromthis“lunatic'’woman,adangeroustrespasserwhowouldmindomesticpeace．Dorotheaismadekeenlyawareoftheardorandpaininanotherunyieldingwoman,andsenses“anewcomradeship”丽mthedeadwomanexhibitedintheminiature-～auntJulia，Will’Sgrandmother．Dorotheahastofightinthedarkandendeavorstofindherself．Julia’SbraverebellioncausesDorotheatospeculateontherelationshipbetweenhusbandandwifc,guidesDorotheatoanewspiritualworld．JuliasetsagoodexampleforDorotheaandboostsself-consciousness．Gradually,itdawnsonDorotheathatmenarechieflythedemagoguesoftlleirowndistressandthesexuallydiscriminatingsocietyfurtheraggravateswomen’Sstatusof victims．DorotheausedtolookdownuponwomenalittlefornotdoingbeRerthingsandshapingtheirlivesmore．Butshegetsmoretolerantaftermarriageandhasafullerexperienceofwomen’Slot．Asamatteroffact,Dorotheaalwaysusestheman-dominantdoctrinetorestrainherself．However,sheperceivesthatCasaubon’Soppressionthreatensherfreedomandindependence．Experiencingthepainandlossofgrowth·-·-·-inordertogainindependenceandindividuality,DorotheahasnootherchoicebuttorevoltagainstCasaubon．ThefirstconfrontationoccurswhenDorotheainsiststhatCasaubonstopaccumulatingnotesandwritingimmediately．Andallyournotes，saidDorothea,whosehearthadalreadyburnedwithinheronthesubject80thatDewshecouldnothelpspeakingwithherOgrfltongue．‘AⅡthoserowsofvolumes-wiUyounotnowdowhatyouusedto卸嘲ko口—-W珊younotmakeupyourmindwhatpartofthemyouwilluse．andbegintowritethebookwhichwillmakeyourvastknowledgeusefultotheworid?1willwritetoyourdictati衄．or1willcopyandexactwhatyoutellme．Icallbeofnootheruse’(194)．CasaubonviewsDorothea’Seagerparticipationinhisproject8．8intellectualcompetitiofi．Findinghislife-longwork,KeytoAllMythologies，impossibletofinish,apprehensivenessanddreadoccupiesCasaubon’Smind．InordertomaintainhisdignityanddominanceOVerhiswife，Casaubonactsasifhewerequiteconfidentofhisknowledge．HeoftenmakesaspeechaSfollows：Mylove，hesaid,withirritationreinedinbypropriety,’’youmayrelyuponmeforknowingthetimesandtheseasolls，adaptedtothedifferentstagesofaworkwhichisnottobem黜'edbythefacileconjecturesofignorantonlookers．Ithadbeeneasyformetogainatemporaryeffectbyaintoofbaselessopinion；butitiseverthetrialofthescrupulousexplorertothesalutedwiththeimpatientseemofchattererswhoattemptonlythesmallestachievements，beingindeedequippedfornOother．AnditwerewellifallsuchcouldbeadmonishedtodiscriminatejudgmentsofwhichtheUuesubject-matterliesentirelybeyondtheirreach,fromthoseofwhichtheelementsmaybecompassedbyailatTowandsuperficialsurvey(195)．ItisevidentthatCasaubonisindignantatDorothea’Srebelliouswayoftalkingandenduresasenseofbe扛ayM．Interror,theoldmanforeseesthatDorothea’Sworshipforhimisinplaceof“themostexasperatingofallcriticism”．HehasneverimaginedthatDorotheamightcallhisauthorityasamanandahusbandintoquestion．CasaubonisgreatlyvexedatDorothea’Scomment，sinceheadmitsthatDorotheaiSamenacetohissuperiority嬲amanandhusband．HehasmeanttofindaveneratorofhimselfbychoosingDorotheaashisyoungcompanionandwire,neverharboringthe43 ideathatshemightstandoutandgiveutterancetoherviews．Whenthestorygoeshere，Casauboncannolongerneglectthefemalevoice，whichreflectsthatDorothea’Svoicelesspositioninthefamilyhaschanged．Thesecondconfrontationisabouttheredistributionofproperty．DorotheagraduallylearnsofWill’SfamilyhistorythatWill’SpaternalgrandmotherJulia,theauntofCasaubonisdisinheritedbythefamilybecauseJuliamarriesthemallshecherishesandWill’smothersharesthefateofthepredecessor．Will’Sfamily,tosomeextent,symbolizes“theeconomicdispossessionofwomeninpatriarchy-一aroutinepenalizationforthoseheadstrongsoulsandrebelliousspirits”(Gilbert,1979：529)．DorotheaexpressesherapologiesforWillandhisfamily．Sheisquiteconvincedthatanoblemanlikeherhusbandwillnotwitnesshiscousinsufferfrominjusticeandpropertylossanddonothingelse；thereforesheconfidentlysuggeststoherhusbandthathesparehalfofthepropertyintendedforhertoWillbecauseherconscienceisuneasywhenthinkingofpossessingthepropertywhichbelongstoWill．However,Casaubondoesnotcon(；urwithDorotheaasanticipated．Onthecontrary,CasaubonrebukesDorotheagravelyforonceagaininterveninginhisownaffairs‘'onwhichyouhaveassumedajudgmentonsubjectsbeyondyourscope'’(Eliot,1994：361)andCasaubonfurtherindicatesthatthisshouldbethelasttimeDorotheaevermakesreferencetothingswhichare‘‘distinctlyandproperlymine'’andsheisabsolutely‘‘notherequalifiedtodiscriminate'’(Eliot,1994：361)．Beforedeath，CasaubonaddsacodiciltohiswillthatifDorotheamarriesWillafterhisdeath,shewillloseallhispropertyfromCasaubon．Bythecodicil，CasaubonwouldliketoseizeDorotheainatenaciousgrip．ThecodicilintendstogetcommandofDorothea’Sfutureasallavariciousimmanent．Whereas，whenDorotheaagreestotakeoffhermourningcap，itsymbolizesthebeginningofDorothea’SfreedomfromthecontrolofCasaubon,notonlyinphysicalsense,butalsoinspiritualsense．ThemarriagebetweenDorotheaandWillisanotherforcefulrevoltagainstCasaubon’Soppression．TheconflictwitllCasaubonmakesDorotheamorepositiveandmoIIemature．Dorotheahasaclearunderstandingofmale’Soppressioninthenovel．DorotheahasnotheldthehopeonchangingCasaubon’Smind．Instead，shevoicesheropinionandkeepsCasaubon’Smoraledown．Consequently,shebecomesfleerandmoreindependentinherthoughtandspirit．Byrevoltingagainstthedomesticoppressioninthepatriarchalsociety,Dorothea’Swomanconsciousnessincreasessteadilyandshe gainshergrowthspiritually．4．2Dorothea’sEmotionalGrowthIntheBildungsroman，loveisalwaysintertwinedintheprotagonist’Sgrowingprocess．InMiddlemarch，Dorothea’Semotionalgrowthisrepresentedinherfemaleconsciousnessaboutmarriage：pursuingloveandmarriageatthecostofstatusandfortuneandtryingtoachieveequalityinthefamily．AfterCasaubon’Sdeath,Dorotheamorefemaleconsciousness．aboutloveandmarriage．Basedonherownexperience，shehaslearnedtheafflictionofloveandmarriagewhichislackofmutualaffection,thedangerofthealienationbetweenhusbandandwife,andwhatshecherishesinmindisthestatusequalityandemotionalharmonybetweenhusbandand、7l，i佗．InMiddlemarch，DorotheahasmetWillmorethanonetime,homeandabroad,leavingpositiveimpressionsupontheromanticman,andshehasevenspokentoCasaubonoutofconsiderationforhisfighttothefamilyproperty．Throughthecontact谢mW．1l，DorotheaisinfatuatedwiththepassionateandromanticartistictemperamentofWill．Inthenovd，thereareseveralsimilardescriptionsrevealingDorothea’SpleasureinseeingandtalkingtoW¨1．Thusthemerechanceofseeing顺llonceinawhileissaidtobe‘‘likealunetteopenedinthewallofherprison,givingheraglimpseofthesunnyair'’(Eliot,1994：348)．Similarly,Willisdeeplyimpressedbythebeautifulandintelligentlady．‘‘Hewillneverlosesightofher．HewouldwatchOVerher-一ifhegaveupeverythingelseinlifehewouldwatchoverher,andsheshouldknowthatshehadoneslaveintheworld”(Eliot,1994：347)．Befo—retheybecomelovers，thereareafewincidents，throughwhichDorothea’SunconsciouslovetoWillisawakened．ItjustSOhappensthatonedayDorothealearnsofthefinancialdifficultyofLydgate，husbandofRosamond，andgoestoseehim．TheresheisshockedtofindWiUalonewithRosamond．Dorotheablusheswithsurprise，butstretchesoutherhandwithasmileofwell-markedpleasure．AssoonasshestartsfortheNewHospital，whereLydgateisworking,hermindisobviouslyattractedbysomesuddenthought,andshegoesoutoftheroomhardlyawareofwhatisimmediatelyaroundher--hardlyawarethatWillunfastensthedoorforherandoffersherhisanntoaccompanyhertothecarriage．ItisevidentthatDorotheahasallindistinctdiscomfortandfeelsconfusedlymelancholyaftershecatchessightofthatSCene45 Foralongtime，DorotheadoesnotassWeherselfofherfeelingstowardsWill．ThemorningseparationwithWillappearstobetheendoftheirpersonalrelations．But“DorotheadidnotknowthenthatitwasLovewhohascA)metoherbrieflyasinadreambeforeawaking，wimthehuesofmorningonhiswings⋯thatitWasLovetowhomsheWassobbingherfarewellashisimagewasbanishedbytheblamelessrigorofirresistibleday'’(Eliot，1994：521-522)．Sheonlydiscernsthatthereissomethingunalterablyamissandlostinherlife，andhermeditationaboutthefuturealethemorereadilysharpenedintoresolve．．OnlywhenDorotheaseesWillandRosamondaloneagaindoesDorothearealizeherlovetoWill．Whenshecomesacrossthemaloneagain，shefeels‘‘asifshehasdrunkagreatdraughtofscornwhichstimulatesherbeyondthesusceptibilitytootherfeelings'’(Eliot,1994：748)．ThoughDorotheaoverlooksthewholething,leavesforheruncle’Sfarm，andover-enthusiasticallyoccupiesherfortheday,sheisastonishedanddisturbedtofindthatherheartispalpitatingviolently,andthat‘‘itisqll=iteusdesstotryaRerarecoveryofherformeranimation'’(Eliot，1994：749)．Whenshereturnshome，Dorotheahasreachedtheutmostlimitofresistance．Shesinksback‘'helplesswithintheclutchofinescapableanguish．．．Shelockedherdoor,andturningawayfromittowardsthevacantroomshepressedherhandshardonthetopofherhead,andmoanedout---‘OhIdidlovehim”’(Eliot，1994：784)．BythetimeDorotheaconfessesherloveforWill，shehaseventuallydiscoveredherhiddenselfthathasbeencloaked，separated，orimprisonedbymechanismsofrepression．Meanwhile，Willalsoburstsout：“Explain!Tellamalltoexplainhowhedroppedintohell!Explainmypreference!Ineverhadapreferenceforher,anymorethanIhaveapreferenceforbreathing．Nootherwomanexistsbythesideofher．1wouldrathertouchherhandifitweredead，than1wouldtouchanyotherwoman’sliving’’(Eliot,1994：792)．Asreaders，weCalleasilyfeelthestrongemotionsandgenuinelovebetweenDorotheaandW!i11．Onthebasisofunderstanding,affectionandesteem，thelovebetweenWillandDorotheaistrueandeasytosustain．However,thereisabarriertothem，whichisthepropertyandsocialstatus．ComparedwithDorotheaWillhasneithertheeconomicfoundationnorthesocialstatus．Asisstatedinthenovel，duetoCasaubon’Sunwholesomeegoismandenvy,CasaubonhasleftinhiswillthatifDorotheagetsmarriedwithWill，Casaubonwillforfeitalltheproperty．Itisclearlythatelementsofthepatriarchalcustomsofmarriage,suchasparentage，rankandwealth,provide hindrancetotheirunion．Casaubon’ScodiciliSashackleofwealththatpresumestocontrolDorothea’Squestforfreedomandlove．ItisalsothebuttonthattriggersoffthedesireconcealedinDorothea’Sheart．ItisDorothea’Sawakeningandlongingfortruelovethatpusheshertoescapefromthedarktomb．Dorothea’SfeelingstowardsWillareinasensearousedbyCasaubon’Stestamentaryprohibition，theverylackoffeeling．AttractedbyWill’Svigor,notwillingtobemanipulatedbysuchmaterialfetters，andtofollowhertrueheartandbeloyaltoself,DorotheagainsthecouragetofightagainstMrCasaubon’Swillandthetraditionalfamilyvalue，givesuphersocialstatusandpropertyresolutelyandmarriesWill．Asamatteroffact，Dorotheadoesnotcareaboutpoverty---"Ihatemywealth'’(Eliot,1994：772)．ThisdecisionnotonlymakesCasaubonfailtocontrolDorothea’SlifethroughhiswillbutalsohelpsDorotheagetridofthefetterofthecustomsofthetraditionalmarriagetowome玛eliminatesthegapbetweenDorotheaandWill，andenablesthemtoachievetheeconomicequality．Abandoningthepropertyisuncommonandforward-lookingtoth．enineteenthcenturywomen,especiallytothewomenfromthemiddleandupperclasses．Dorothea’Sprecedingacceptanceofherownlimitedvisiondoomsher,buthercapabilitytotranscendherOwnweaknessaccelerateshergrowingconsciousness．JustasBertHombackwrites：“themostremarkable，beautifulthinginMiddlemarchwillbeDorothea’SdiscoverythatshelovesWill．Thatshegivesupafortunetomaltyhimisinsignificant；thatshegivesherselftohim，freely；,andtakeshiminreturniswonderful’'(Homback，1988：84-85)．Thisimpliesthataselflesssenseofeachotherpredominatetlleirunitedpositions．Dorothea’SmarriagetoWillisalwaySregardedasthetragedyofDorotheaandthedissolutionoffemininestruggleforequality．Whereas，tomaltyWillsatisfiesDorothea’SowndesireandcorrespondswithherOWnfeelings．DorotheaisnotmerelycontentedwiththedomesticleveoradmirationbetweenherandWill．Inordertoachieveherdream,Dorotheaknowsclearlythatshehastogainsupportfromthefamilyassheistrappedinamale-dominatedsociety．ThiskindoffreedomcallobviouslynotbegainedinhermarriagewithCasaubon．OnlyinthemarriagewithWillcarlDorotheaachievecertainfreedomandindependence．IfDorothea’Sfirstmarriageistoexecuteheridealforknowledge，wecansaythathersecondmarriageispurelyforlove，whichCanbeviewedasDorothea'semotionalgrowthindefianceoftheconventionalpatriarchalcustomsofmarriagebasedonstatusandproperty．47 IntheeyesoftheMiddlemarchers，Dorothea’Sbehaviorisinappropriate．Butsheisnotbaffledthistime，andhersecondmarriageisallenormousprogresscomparedwithherfirstmarriage．Hersecondloveandmarriageturnsouttobeahappyone．UnderDorothea’Shelp，Willgrowsintoanenthusiasticpublicmall,andiselatedintoParliamentbyaconstituencywhopayshisexpenditure．Furthermore，WillpermitsDorotheat0performheridealsaftermarriage．Dorotheaalsomakesherdreamcometruebyhelpingherhusbandfightagainstwrongsexistinginthesodetyandsherealizesherownvaluesindevotingherselftothepublicserviceoutsidethefamily．Theybothchangefrominfantileegoisticpeopletothemorallymatureadults，responsibleanddutiful．Toputitanotherway,Dorotheacontributesalottoherdemocraticprocessofthesocietybymeansofmarriagewhichistheonlycareeravailabletowomenatthattime．Inotherwords，sheexertsgreatinfluenceuponherdomesticpoliticalfield．WhenDorotheagetsmarriedwimWill，sherevealshergrowthasawoman，Thismarriagehasreachedamutualunderstandingandlove,andbothDorotheaandWillareinequalstatus．ThismarriagerequiresDorotheatosneeratconventionandgiveupherinheritedwealth，andherreadinesstodoSOshowsthatshehasgainedherearlierrebelliousenergybackbut、加thanewfoundmaturity．ThisreflectsDorothea'smatureattitudetowardmarriage，thatis，marriageshouldbetheresultoftruelove，notfortuneorstatus．ThisalsosymbolizesthematurityofDorothea’Semotionalworld．4．3Dorothea’sGrowthinSocialAspectsthenovelMiddlemarch，theauthorEliotdeftlyportraysDorothea'Sgrowthinsocialaspect,whichpresentsapanoramicpictureforanindividual’Sgrowthintomaturity．Undoubtedly,thetransitionintonewrolesinsocietyisoneoftheessentialchangesofindividualdevelopment．Throughoutthenovel，Dorothea'sgrowthisapmcessboundupwithbothindividualizationandsocialization,duringwhichsheendeavorstokeepadynamicbalance．Socializationisafundamentalprocessofindividual’Sgrowth．Itdenotestheprocessinwhichindividualsestablishaspecificsocially-acceptedpsychologicalandbehavioralpattern,andbecomeeligiblemembersofsocietyundertheinfluencesofcustoms．thenovel，Dorothea’Sgrowthinsocialaspectisrepresentedinherdevelopmentfromherpreliminaryfocusonindividualitytoherultimatecompromise48 withpeoplearoundherbymediumofself-renunciationthroughtheawakeningofhersocialresponsibility．Therefore，shegrowsupintoallaltruisticindividual．AccordingtoGeorgeEliot,‘‘theself'sneedforasenseofmeaningandvalueisprojectedoutwardsontotraditions，institutionsandcustomsofacountryorpeople’’and‘'thereisnoprivatelifewhichhasnotbeendeterminedbyawiderpubliclife'’(Newton,1984：35)．Inthisregard，theindividualCan’tbeseparatedfromthesociety．AndDorothea’Scompromise诵也thepubliclifeisjustifiable．AndEliot’Sconcernaboutherprotagonist’SgrowthinsocialaspectsiswelldisplayedinMiddlemarch．SincethefulfillmentofhersocialresponsibilityisvitalintheprocessofDorothea’Sgradualgrowthinsocialaspects，itisessentialfor1lstohavealookattheawakeningofhersocialresponsibilityfirst．ForDorothea,theprocessofbecomingconsciousofherdutyisharshandfimstrated．Asanadolescent,Dorotheafightsagainsttheoutsideendeavorswhichtrytoshapeherintoaconventionalmodeledwoman．Shequestsforheridentity,butheridentitywhichshepursuesCall’tcoexisttheprovincialplaceshelivesin．Beingawomanwhoislongingforherownconsciousness，shefocusesherselfonherpursuitofwhatshewants．Butherpathofsearchingforself-fulfillmentisfullofobstacles．Trappedinherowndilemma,sheisdifficulttorealizeherdutyintermsofsocialresponsibility．AfterCasaubon’Swillunfoldstohereyes，shefeelsdistressed．Sheburieshersorrowinmind．Withtheelectionathand,MrBrookispreparingforhiselectoralspeech．AndCeliahasjustgivenbirthtoababyandSir．Chettamisbusy、)l，imit．Itisstatedinthenovel，‘'Manysoulsintheiryoungnudityaletumbledoutamongincongruitiesandlefttofindtheirfeetamongthem，whiletheireldersgoabouttheirbusiness”(Eliot,1994：189)．HerrelativearenotavailableforwhatDorotheathinksandfeels，SOtheharshrealitygivesDorotheaasenseofoppressivevoidandmakeshermentallytortured．Dorotheadoesnotknowhowtobalanceherinnerdesireandtheruthlessreality．Andsheisunwillingtoshareherfeelings、析mherrelativesaftermarriage．Inordertoexorciseherinnersufferings，Dorotheaconsolesherselfinthevisionofgettingawayfromhermiserablesituationtosearchforsomethinglessdrearyanddepressed．Beingindulgedinherownfeelingsandengrossedinherpursuitofhappiness，shegetsmoreagonizedandagitated．Herquestsshowthattheprocessofhergrowthinsocialaspectsishandinhandwimhermisgivingsandanxieties．ButwhenDorotheaisimmersedinherdepressionalone,causedbytheintimatesceneofW_illandRosamond，herloveforWillandRosamond’Scruelty,shedwellson49 Lydgate’Ssufferinginthescandalandtheirmarriage．Allheractivethoughtrepresentsherselfthetrialsoflot．Shesuddenlyrealizesthat“thisyoungmarriageunionwhich,likeherowll'seemedtohaveitshiddenaSwellasevidenttroubles’’(Eliot,1994：749—750)．AndwhatsortofcrisismightnotthisbeinthreefiveswhosecontactwithherslaidallobligationOnherasiftheyhadbeensuppliantsbearingthesacredbranch?Theobjectofherl"髓cuewerenottobethoughtbyherfancy：theywerechosenforher．SheyearnedtowardstheperfectRight,thatitmightmakeathronewithinher,andrulehererfalltwillo‘WhatshoddId0-howshouldIactnow,thisverydayifIcouldclutchmyownpain,andcompelittosilence，andthinkofthosethree’(750)!HercontactwiththosethreepeopleremindsDorotheaofhersocialresponsibilitysheisexpectedtoperformanditisactuallyimpossibleforhertoignoresuffering．Inordertogetherselfoutofthemiseryofbeingafflictedwithhersenseofduty,shecomestor骼cueLydgateandsavehismarriage．Afterundergoingaseriesoftrialsandstruggles，Dorotheaunderstandsexperience，whichhelpsheroutofherself-centeredworld．Thedesiretocorrectpeople’SprejudiceagainstLydgateandsavemarriageexhortshertorenounceself-loveandconcentrateonthesufferingsofothersinsteadofbeingself-centered．ThroughhelpingtheLydgates，sheexpeTiencesatransformationinherspiritualconsciousness．Sherealizesthatherlifecan'tbeseparatedfrompeoplearoundher．Itisherdutytosavepeoplefromtheirsufferings．ThefollowingquotedpassageoffersUSadetailedandvividdescriptionofhowDorothea'sinnerworldundergoesthespiritualtransformationandherworldbecomebroaderthanbefore：Sheopenedhercurtains．andlookedouttowardsthebitofroadthatlayinview,withfieldsbeyond,outsidetheentrance-gates．Ontheroadtherewasamanwithabundleonhisbackandawonlallcarryingherbaby,inthefieldshecouldseefiguresmovie-pod．stheshepherdwithhisdog．FaroffinthebendingskyWasthepearlyhg埏andshefeltthelargenessoftheworldandthemanifoldwakingsofmentolabourandendurance．Shewasapartofthatinvoluntary,palpitatinglife,andcouldneitherlookout011itfromherluxuiousshelterasamerespectator,norhidehereyesinselfishcomplaining(750)．DorotheacomestorealizethatshehasspenttoomuchtimeOn‘‘selfishcomplaining'’and“asamerespectator’．Forthefirsttimesheseesthepossibilityofshiftingthepositionfromwhichshelooksatherownsufferings，oftakingherstand outofherself,andlookingatherownlifeasallinsignificantpartofadivinelyguidedwhole．Faced诵mtheearlyhindranceanddilemmathatsuffocatesherlife，Dorothearecognizesthatshehasbeentooself-indulgedtopayattentiontootherpeople’Sinnerfeelings．Dorotheaarrivesataconclusionthatshewouldgetarelieffromtheconflictsbetweenheraspirationandtheharshrealityifshestepsofthesituationofconcentratingonherownsorrowsandbreaksawayfromtheegoism，maintainingnothingofself-love．Andhersenseofself-centerednessisgraduallyrelievedbyherconsciousnessofothers’existence．Althoughshehasundergoneegoisticimpulsesandseverespiritualsufferings，Dorotheaquitshermindoffighting‘againstwhatwouldpreventherpursuitsandshestopscenteringonherOWndesiresandhappiness．Shefinallydeterminestocompromiseherselftoperformhersocialresponsibility．Heraltruismtakestheplaceofheregoismeventually．Therefore，herpreviouspersistenceinself-pursuitisconvertedtoself-renunciation．Andshebeginsherroadtowardself-renunciationandaltruismwithali出heart．Inthissense，Dorotheaachieveshergrowthinsocialaspects．NotonlydoesDorotheaembarkonherjourneyofabandonmentofegoism，shealsosetstothepathofmartyrdomandendurance．LydgatealsohasachangedopinionofDorothea：HethinksthisyoungcreaturehasaheartlargeenoughfortheVh'ginMary．Sheevidentlythinksnothingofherownfuture，andwouldpledgeawayhalfherincomeato∞e，asifshewantednothingforherselfbutachairtositinfromwhichsheoanlookdownwiththosecleareyesatthepoormortalswhopraytoher．SheseemstohavewhatIneversawinanywomanbefore一-afountainoffriendshiptowardsmen一-amencanmakefriendofher⋯Herlovemighthelpamanmorethanhermoney(730)．ThechangeinDorothea’SrelationshipwitllMrLydgateisherfirststepofherabandonmentofselfishnessandherdemonstrationofaltruism．Therefore，MrLydgate,feelssatisfiedwithDorothea’StransfonilationinbehaviorandstartstoSeeheraS11lexrlrginMary．DorotheahasbecomeasymbolforthetruedisinterestednessinLydgate’Sview．Beforethisincident，Lydgatesupposesthatitwillbetroublesometotalk幻suchwomen．‘'Theyarealwayswantingreasons，yettheyaretooignoranttounderstandthemeritofanyquestionandusuallyfallbackontheirmoralsensetosettlethingsaftertheirowntaste”(91-92)．WhenDorotheafulfillshersocialresponsibility,shearrivesatthepeacefulbalancewimthesocietyandobtainsadeeperunderstandingofothers’griel．Herneighborstakedelightinherquietnessandgaincomfortinherresignation．She51 graduallyrealizesthatitishernegligenceofthesocialobligationsthatmakesherinconsistentwithhercommunity．Bytalangcareoftheafflictionofothers，Dorotheaisgainingaroleofperformingherdutyratherthanconcentratingonherownrequirements．Shealsogetscomfortinself-renunciation．Asaresultsheembarksonanewandhighermentalstatusandobtainspeacefulnessinsocialaspects．Herbenevolenceanditseffectscallbememorizedgenerationaftergeneration,whichisbestexplainedbyEliot’SwordsintheFinale：Herfinely-touchedspirithadstillitsfineissues，thoughtheywerenotwidelyvisible．Herfullnatul℃，likethatfiverofwhichCyrusbrokethestrength,spentitselfinchannelswhichhadnogreatnalneontheearth．Buttheeffectofherbeingonthosearoundherwasincalculablydiffusive：forthegrowinggoodoftheworldispartlydependentonunhistoricacB；andthatthings玳not80ill诵thyouandmeastheymighthavebeen，ishalfowingtothenumberwholovedfaithfullyahiddenlife，andrestinunvisitedtombs(795)．Tosumup，bygetting耐oftheself-centerednessandtakingcareofthesufferingsofothers，Dorotheagrowsinsocialaspects．Intheprocessofblindlyandcontinuallyexploringandpursuingself-value，Dorothealearnstoshoulderresponsibilitywithinherscope．Inthisrespect，Dorotheasuccumbstothesocietyandachieveshermaturityinsocialaspects．52 ConclusionThisthesisprovidesatestamenttothegrowththemeinGeorgeEliot’Snovel一-Middleamarch．Inthisthesis，thequestmotifs，mentorsandthreeaspectsofgrowthintheBildungsromanprovideasoundbasistoexplorethegrowingroadoftheprotagonistinthenovelandreflectthefemalegrowthasawhole．ThegrowingprocessinaBildungsromanderivesfromaqueststory,whichillustratesboththeprotagonist’Sapprenticeshiptolifeandhisorher’questformeaningfulexistencewithinsoCiety．Intheend，theprotagonistsurrenderstothespiritsandvaluesofthesocialorderandfindshisorhernewplaceinsociety．Middlemarch，althoughhavingacomplexform,representsDorothea’Smultiplequests：herquestforknowledgeinthepatriarchalsociety,questforself-identification,andquestforthemeaningoflife．Dorothea’SquestiSmanifoldinthatsheisconfrontedwithdifficultissuessuchasgenderrelationsandreligionwhilequestingforherdreamsconcerningknowledge，self-identification,aswellasthemeaningoflife．Themulti-facetedquestliesinDorothea’Sexperiencefromcallownesstohermaturitythroughoutherlifetime．Mentorsaleessentialelementsintheprotagonist’Sdevelopment．Sociologically,everyone’SgrowthmaybeinfluencedbyotherswhowilluplifthisorherexperiencesandenrichhisorherknowledgeofsocietyineitherpositiveornegativeaspOCtS．Duringthecourseofcomplyingwimthesocialrolesofthosepeople，theyoungestablishtheirownrolesandbecomeconsciousofthedirectionoflifeinagrad砌way．AeeordingtoRuiYuping,therealethreegroupsofmentors：positivementors，negativememorsandnatureorthedivinebeingsasmentors．CeliaisDorothea’SspecialmentorbecausesheismuchyoungerandissupposedtogetguidancefromDorothea．However,shehelpsDorotheabecomematureincharacter．CeliaofferswiseinstructionsandindispensablesupporttoDorotheaandfunctionsasthelighthouseduringDorothea’Svoyagetowardmaturity．MrBrookplaysasignificantroleinDorothea’Sdevelopment．Throughheruncle,Dorotheaenjoysfatherlyloveandaffection．MrBrookbehavesjustlikeaguardian，protectingherasagentle，loving“father'’withkindnessandwillingness．HenotonlyattemptstoletDorotheaaccepttraditionalvalues，butalsopointsoutthemeaningofmarriage．Inaddition，herespects53 ConclusionDorothea’Sdecision，givinghereverychancetotastetheflavoroflife．CasaubonplaysmultiplerolesinDorothea’Sgrowingroadandhasinfluencedherinseveralways．ItishewholetsDorotheaenduretheunhappymarriagebasedonhastinessandlackofthemutualunderstanding,andmakesherperformtheroleofwifehood．HeisalsoalivingexamplewhomakesDorothearealizethatbeingabookwormisuselessandknowledgewouldbecomeusefulonlywhenitservespeopleandthepublic．WillLadislawisanindispensiblementorinDorothea’Sgrowth．Firstofall，heprovidesDorotheaacompletelydifferentlifestyle，whichenlightensDorotheatoliveforfreedomandliberation．Andthen,heinspiresDorotheatogiveupunrealisticnoblecausesandlivethesecularlire．Atlast,beawakensDorothea’Ssenseofbeautyandloveforlife．Goingthroughmultifoldquestsandunderthefourmentors’guidance,Dorotheabecomesmaturefromcallowness．Hergrowthismainlyreflectedinthreeaspects：Dorothea’Sspiritualgrowth,emotionalgrowth．andhergrowthinsocialaspects．Dorothea’Sspiritualgrowth．isrepresentedinhermarriagewithCasaubon,duringwhichshecontinuallyrevoltsagainsttheoppressionfrommalo-dominatedsociety．Atthesametime，Dorotheadarestovoiceandstruggleforherownindependenceduringhergrowingprocess．Dorothea’Semotionalgrowthisdisplayedinhermatureattitudetowardmarriage：pursuingloveandmarriageatthecostofstatusandfortuneandtryingtoachieveequalityinthefamily．Dorothea’Ssocialgrowthisdemonstratedinherchangefromegoismtoaltruismandherfulfillmentinself-valuebyshoulderingthesocialresponsibility．Withtheanalysisanddiscussionofthequestmotifs，mentorsandtheprotagonist’Sspiritualgrowth,emotionalgrowthandthegrowthinsocialaspectsinGeorgeEliot’SMiddlemarchfromtheperspectiveofBildungsmman,thethesisshowsdearlythatwomenareactuallytrappedinthepatriarchalsocietyinthenineteenthcentury．WomencontinuallyquestinthepatriarchySOastofindthemeaningofhumanexistenceandregaintheirdignity．ItisreasonabletoconcludethatGeorgeEliotisagreatwriterwhoexpressesherdeepconcernsonthemeaningofwomen’Sexistenceinthepatriarchalsociety．WhatshehasrevealedprofoundlyinMiddlemarchtothemodernpeopleistheimportanceofpursuitandgrowth,inwhichtheprotagonistisinconstantquestofknowledge，self-identificationandthemeaningoflife．Whenwomenaretrappedinthepatriarchalsociety,theyshouldnotescapeorSUlTendertoitpassivelyandcowardly,butquestandrevoltagainstitactivelyand54 Conclusioncourageously．Eliot’sreflectionupontheproblemsofwonlengrowthinthenovelshedslightonthemodemmenwhatattitudetheyshouldadopttowardslife．55 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Acknowledgements1wouldliketotakethisopportunitytoexpressmydeepgratitudetothosewhohavehelpedandencouragedmeduringthewholeprocessofwritingthisthesis．SpecialacknowledgementisgratefullymadeformysupervisorProfessorSuXiaoyu,whohasgivenmevaluableandstrictguidance，constructiveadvice,andconstantencouragementduringmythreeyears’studyinZhengzhouUniversity,whichisindispensibletothefulfillmentofthethesis．Myheart-feltgratitudegoestootherteachersintheForeignLanguagesSchoolofZhengzhouUniversity,fromwhosethought-stimulatinglessonsandlecturesIhavebenefitedalotinmystudy．Thisthesisissimultaneouslydedicatedtomyparentswhoseunselfishlovegivesmeemotionalsupport．Lastbutnotleast，Iexpressmygratitudetomyclassmatesfortheirsinceresupportandencouragementintheprocessofmywritingthethesis．
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