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Chapter 69
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
Daniel and Mirah’s wedding marks a culmination of joy and hope. Daniel takes delight in shielding Mirah from the hardships that once defined her life. Mirah embraces her new life with purpose and gratitude. The wedding ceremony, performed according to Jewish rites, reflects their shared faith and values. Guests from diverse backgrounds, including the entire Cohen family and the Meyricks, come together to celebrate the union. Mordecai, though frail, observes the occasion with deep affection and hope for Daniel and Mirah’s future. Among the heartfelt wedding gifts is a letter from Gwendolen, expressing gratitude for Daniel’s influence in her life and her determination to grow and find purpose. Her words, filled with humility and hope, bring a bittersweet blessing to the couple on their special day.
Daniel and Mirah’s wedding represents the fulfillment of both personal love and cultural identity. Unlike Gwendolen’s marriage, which was built on insecurity and power imbalance, their union is rooted in shared purpose and mutual respect. The ceremony, performed according to Jewish rites, confirms Daniel’s commitment to the life he has chosen. The presence of the Cohens and the Meyricks highlights the blending of different communities, reinforcing the novel’s belief that true belonging is created through meaningful relationships rather than birthright alone. Gwendolen’s letter serves as a final acknowledgment of Daniel’s influence on her life. Though she once depended on him for moral guidance, her gratitude signals a shift; she is no longer asking for direction but expressing a willingness to move forward on her own.
Themes
Preparations begin immediately for Daniel, Mirah, and Mordecai to journey to the East. It is the final thing Mordecai wishes to do before he succumbs to his illness. However, ultimately, Mordecai’s failing health prevents him from embarking on the voyage. One morning, sensing his impending death, he asks Daniel and Mirah to stay by his side. With serene acceptance, Mordecai speaks his final words, expressing a spiritual bond with Daniel and reciting the Hebrew confession of divine unity. He passes peacefully, surrounded by their love. Mordecai’s death is met not with sorrow but with reverence, as his life and passing embody a profound sense of purpose and dignity. Strengthened by his memory, Daniel and Mirah prepare to carry forward his vision as they embark on their future together.
Mordecai’s death transforms his personal vision into a legacy for Daniel and Mirah to carry forward. His belief in spiritual and cultural continuity is affirmed in his final moments, where he sees his ideals living on through Daniel. His peaceful acceptance of death contrasts with the suffering of other characters, showing that he has achieved a sense of fulfillment. Daniel and Mirah’s decision to continue his work ensures that his influence does not end with his life but becomes part of a larger future. The novel closes not with an ending but with a continuation, as Daniel steps fully into the role that has been waiting for him all along.
Themes
