Middlemarch: Book 1, Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

The next morning Dorothea and Casaubon have a long conversation, during which she gets to know his “labyrinthine” mind and similarly complex scholarly project. Casaubon explains that he has an enormous number of notes, and that he must now fashion these into a more concise series of volumes. Dorothea is fascinated by this endeavor and thrilled by the way Casaubon speaks to her, as if she is his intellectual equal. She happily concludes that “he thinks with me,” although then adds that his mind vastly outmatches hers. She finds herself trusting him quickly.

Afterward, Casaubon looks at Mr. Brooke’s documents in his office. Before going, he tells Dorothea he has been feeling lonely. He then leaves for his home, Lowick Manor, which is only five miles away. Nobody would be able to understand Dorothea’s unique, strange fantasies about marriage. She begins to dream that Casaubon will propose to her. For so long she has been confused about the direction her life should take and worried that she wouldn’t find a husband who was pious enough to suit her. Moreover, her intense religiosity is only one aspect of her personality. She is also passionate, obsessed with knowledge, and desperate to follow the “grandest path” in life.

Dorothea imagines that if she marries Casaubon she will “learn everything.” She dreams about helping him with his research and designing cottages for the tenants in Lowick, before feeling ashamed that she is getting ahead of herself. In the middle of her daydream, she sees Sir James riding toward her. He greets her, and Dorothea feels annoyed at how friendly he is to her, considering he would be a much better suitor for Celia. Sir James tells Dorothea he has brought her something and hands over a little Maltese puppy. Dorothea coldly replies that she doesn’t think animals should be bred only to be pets, because she believes animals have souls of their own.

Dorothea adds that she thinks Celia would like the puppy, but Sir James only responds by admiring Dorothea’s strong opinions. He goes on to say that he has heard about her designs for tenants’ cottages and thinks they are “wonderful.” He offers to pay for the cottages to be built on his own estate. Dorothea briefly forgets her irritation with him and enthusiastically replies that she would be happy to show him her plans. Sir James never ends up offering the puppy to Celia, which makes Dorothea feel guilty. Meanwhile, Celia is horrified to see Sir James being led on by Dorothea.

Shortly after, Casaubon comes to Tipton again. It is increasingly clear that he is deliberately coming to see Dorothea, who is thrilled to spend time with him. During their conversations, the only thing that disappoints her is his lack of interest in the cottages. Dorothea feels ashamed at her own feelings of disappointment. Mr. Brooke then goes to visit Casaubon at Lowick, while Sir James visits Tipton with greater and greater frequency. Dorothea feels irritated with him but nonetheless joins him in planning the cottages. Meanwhile, she spends her time in the library, hoping to become more knowledgeable for her conversations with Casaubon.