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Chapter 44
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Daniel Deronda, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Identity and Self-Discovery
Judaism and Zionism
Marriage, Gender, and Control
Familial Duty
Wealth and Social Class
Summary
Analysis
Gwendolen arrives in Grosvenor Square knowing she will see Daniel at Lady Mallinger’s musical evening. She also expects to meet Mirah, whose ability to endure hardship unsettles her. Daniel once described Mirah’s submission as an act of duty, but Gwendolen sees her own submission as something shameful. She cannot frame her marriage as a noble sacrifice. At the party, she takes in the elegant surroundings but feels detached. Seeing Mirah preparing to sing reminds her of her own lost ambitions. She once imagined performing in front of an audience but now sits among the crowd, admired only for her wealth and beauty. As she glances around the room, she spots Mr. Lush near Grandcourt. His presence unsettles her. She suddenly realizes how much he knows about Grandcourt’s past and her own unhappy position.
Gwendolen’s discomfort in Grosvenor Square stems from her inability to justify her choices. Unlike Mirah, who frames her suffering as part of a larger purpose, Gwendolen sees her own submission as failure rather than duty. The presence of Mirah forces her to confront the stark contrast between them—one woman endures hardship with dignity, while the other clings to appearances to mask her misery. Lush’s presence compounds her unease, serving as a reminder of her entrapment. He represents Grandcourt’s knowledge of her past and his ability to manipulate her future.
Themes
Daniel stands at a distance, focused on Mirah. He feels anxious about how she will sing and about the moment when he will reveal Mordecai to her. When Gwendolen arrives, he experiences a brief return of his initial aversion to her. Her presence reminds him of the political and social forces that diminish Mirah’s worth. However, his irritation fades as he recalls Gwendolen’s past confessions. Her suffering is not like Mirah’s, but it is real.
Daniel’s frustration with Gwendolen reflects his deeper struggle with divided sympathies. He wants to see her as someone capable of change, but her presence constantly reminds him of the privileges and structures that have pushed people like Mirah to the margins. At the same time, he cannot ignore the fact that Gwendolen’s pain is genuine.
Themes
When Mirah begins singing, Daniel feels the weight of her emotions. The song reminds him of Mordecai’s fading strength and the duty he has taken on. Mirah’s performance is flawless, and the audience responds with admiration. She looks to Daniel for approval, eager to know if she has met his expectations. Gwendolen approaches Mirah and praises her. In doing so, she deliberately places herself where Daniel will have to acknowledge her. When Daniel does speak with Gwendolen, their conversation quickly because tense because Daniel does not like how Gwendolen speaks about Mirah. In response, Gwendolen accuses Daniel of looking down on her. Daniel rejects the accusation, but Gwendolen remains unconvinced. Before leaving, Gwendolen tells Daniel that his opinion of her is the only thing that keeps her steady in her otherwise turbulent relationship.
Mirah’s performance creates an unspoken contrast between endurance and desperation. Her ability to find purpose in hardship stands in opposition to Gwendolen’s inability to frame her suffering as anything but failure. Gwendolen’s attempt to insert herself into Daniel’s attention after Mirah sings is a moment of insecurity rather than strength. She seeks reassurance, but when Daniel does not offer it, she lashes out, trying to reassert some form of control over their dynamic. However, in reality, it is Daniel who has all of the control, even though he did not seek it out. Rather, he is so much the opposite of Grandcourt that Gwendolen finds herself desperate for his approval.
Themes
On the carriage ride home, Grandcourt informs Gwendolen that Lush will be dining with them. Gwendolen knows this is a test. Grandcourt once promised to keep Lush away, but now he is asserting control over her. She wants to object but cannot summon the courage. Fear holds her back, as it always does when she thinks of resisting him. Grandcourt dismisses her reaction and gives no room for discussion. In the aftermath of this interaction, Gwendolen feels powerless.
Grandcourt’s decision to bring Lush back into Gwendolen’s life is an assertion of dominance that does not require direct confrontation. His control operates through silent pressure rather than force, making resistance feel not just futile but impossible. Gwendolen’s inability to challenge him reveals how completely she has lost any sense of independence. Fear keeps her compliant, ensuring that even the thought of rebellion remains just that—a thought, never an action.
Themes
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