Middlemarch: Book 1, Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

As Casaubon’s carriage leaves Middlemarch, another carriage enters, containing a woman who is obviously important in some way. The woman happily chats to the Tipton lodge-keeper about her chickens. The woman, Mrs. Cadwallader, is of “immeasurably high birth” yet claims to be poor and always gossips with servants. When she greets Mr. Brooke, she says she saw Casaubon leaving and accuses the two of them of plotting to get Brooke elected as a Whig representing Middlemarch. Mr. Brooke replies that he and Casaubon have barely discussed politics, as Casaubon is only interested in religion.

Mrs. Cadwallader teases Mr. Brooke and warns him not to get involved with politics. Brooke replies that he doesn’t debate politics with women, because “your sex are not thinkers.” Mrs. Cadwallader mentions Dorothea and Sir James; Mr. Brooke regretfully replies that the marriage will never take place. Just as Mrs. Cadwallader asks whom Dorothea could possibly marry instead, Celia enters the room and, when prompted, tells Mrs. Cadwallader that Dorothea is engaged to Casaubon. Mrs. Cadwallader deems this “frightful,” and she and Celia discuss their dislike of Casaubon and appreciation of Sir James.

Mrs. Cadwallader announces that she must immediately tell Sir James the sad news. She says that she set a bad example by marrying a poor member of the clergy and that other women should “think of their families in marrying.” She adds that at least Casaubon has money. Later, Mrs. Cadwallader intercepts Sir James on his way to Tipton. First, she tells him that she accused Mr. Brooke of planning to run as a Whig and that she was unconvinced by his denial. She then warns him to brace himself for bad news, before telling him Dorothea is engaged to Casaubon.

Horrified, Sir James exclaims: “He is no better than a mummy!” adding that Casaubon “has one foot in the grave.” Mrs. Cadwallader attempts to cheer him up and suggests that Celia might have been the better match all along. She notes that Celia clearly likes him, and then she leaves.

Mrs. Cadwallader lives a simple life but is fascinated by all the details of “the great world,” which she learns about from letters sent to her by her noble relatives. She has no prejudice toward poor people but despises “the vulgar rich.” For years, Mrs. Cadwallader has been keeping an eye on Dorothea and Celia and chastising Mr. Brooke when necessary. She had been planning Dorothea’s engagement to Sir James ever since the sisters arrived at Tipton. However, she is now happy to switch the plan to Celia.

Sir James himself does not dwell on his sadness about losing Dorothea for long, and in fact actually feels grateful that he didn’t propose because this way he avoided rejection. He heads to Tipton in order to discuss the cottages with Dorothea out of “friendly politeness,” although subconsciously he is also hoping to see Celia.