The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

CHAPTER LXXII
CHAPTER LXXIII
CHAPTER LXXIV
CHAPTER LXXV
CHAPTER LXXVI
CHAPTER LXXVII
CHAPTER LXXVIII
CHAPTER LXXIX
CHAPTER LXXX
CHAPTER LXXXI
CHAPTER LXXXII
CHAPTER LXXXIII
CHAPTER LXXXIV
CHAPTER LXXXV
CHAPTER LXXXVI

Dorothea marrying Ladislaw? I think her love for him is convincing, but is he good enough? Ever since the book first came out, readers have apparently expressed the wish that she could have ended up with Lydgate, where she could have done more good in the world. But Dorothea doesn't love Lydgate; and his rather narrow view of a woman's place is what landed him in his dreadful marriage with Rosamund, who loves nobody.

So although I don't find the ending entirely satisfactory, it is realistic in that Dorothea's choice is the best available to her in her constricted life. As the author says, "no one stated exactly what else that was in her power she ought rather to have done."

Hmm -- see this discussion from Trollope for what strikes me as possibly a parallel Victorian attitude:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Msg 25

Lily wrote: "Hmm -- see this discussion from Trollope for what strikes me as possibly a parallel Victorian attitude:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Msg 25"

Thanks for the link, Lily. Yes, it seems that Victorian marriage was certainly a matter of commodity rather than love, so I suppose in determining to marry for love despite the views of all around her, Dorothea did prove herself exceptional.

I haven't read Phineas Finn, I'm ashamed to say. I think I should; it looks interesting.

Emma wrote: "...I haven't read Phineas Finn, I'm ashamed to say. I think I should; it looks interesting. ..."

Most welcome, Emma. I've reached an age and done enough reading to say: too many good books out there to be ashamed about what one has not read! Trollope can be very enjoyable, generally easy and fast to read, but wordy.