Evaluating Marriage in 'Middlemarch'. An Analysis of Perspective, Contrast and Correspondence Relations

Seminar paper from the year 2021 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,7, University of Wuppertal, language: English, abstract: Aiming to explore the evaluation of marriages in George Eliot's 'Middlemarch', this paper delves into how perspective, contrast and correspondence relations, and authorial narration shape our understanding of matrimonial relationships. Love and marriage, cornerstones of human interaction and social bonding, are frequently reflected in literature. This reflection often presents marriage as the blissful conclusion of a love story, marking a joyous milestone for the characters involved. This portrayal, however, is not a universal literary standard. For instance, in novels like 'Middlemarch', characters marry early, fostering an exploration of marriage's dynamics, successes, and failures. In addressing these complexities, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of Eliot's depiction of marriage and its function as a narrative tool.