I’m having a difficult time figuring out my feelings about Rosamond. From the beginning she seemed unkind and it’s clear now just how self-centered she is, but at the same time she has always done what is expected of her (excelling in finishing school, prettily made up, practicing her music or other acceptable pastime, marriage). Although, her choice in marriage obviously wasn’t to everyone’s liking (but we must remember Mr. Vincy gave his permission). I think Lydgate is disappointing me more than she is because I didn’t expect it from him. I really liked him initially. Rosamond had anticipated her marriage to be one of comfortable means and I think Lydgate’s confidence(/arrogance) in his practice gave her the impression that they would be well off. She strikes me as someone who, if allowed to earn her own income, wouldn’t hesitate to “sell the medicines” if that’s what earned her the most income and a respectable place in their small society. Lydgate has daydreamed briefly about Dorothea and her devotion to Casaubon (little does he know) and according to the narrator is suffering the disappointment of renouncing “the ideal wife”, comparing it to losing an actual limb. Unfortunately for Lydgate, Rosamond’s rose-colored glasses faded quickly and entirely. (Her moment of vulnerability before he proposed was real.. wasn’t it? Maybe?)
Kassie, thank you so much for this. I’ve needed some positive framework to keep pulling me over the ledge of disgust for Rosamond. She is purely a product of her environment and raising, and so there is good reason for compassion. Whereas, I do see your point about Lydgate, though he doesn’t annoy me as much as Rosy does. What I do notice Eliot doing with Rosy is continually adding ‘poor’ to her name: a lot of ‘Poor Rosy’ on the page, which produces in me a posture of pity toward her. Not necessarily a positive posture either, but maybe better than disgust…? 😆
I’m having a difficult time figuring out my feelings about Rosamond. From the beginning she seemed unkind and it’s clear now just how self-centered she is, but at the same time she has always done what is expected of her (excelling in finishing school, prettily made up, practicing her music or other acceptable pastime, marriage). Although, her choice in marriage obviously wasn’t to everyone’s liking (but we must remember Mr. Vincy gave his permission). I think Lydgate is disappointing me more than she is because I didn’t expect it from him. I really liked him initially. Rosamond had anticipated her marriage to be one of comfortable means and I think Lydgate’s confidence(/arrogance) in his practice gave her the impression that they would be well off. She strikes me as someone who, if allowed to earn her own income, wouldn’t hesitate to “sell the medicines” if that’s what earned her the most income and a respectable place in their small society. Lydgate has daydreamed briefly about Dorothea and her devotion to Casaubon (little does he know) and according to the narrator is suffering the disappointment of renouncing “the ideal wife”, comparing it to losing an actual limb. Unfortunately for Lydgate, Rosamond’s rose-colored glasses faded quickly and entirely. (Her moment of vulnerability before he proposed was real.. wasn’t it? Maybe?)
Kassie, thank you so much for this. I’ve needed some positive framework to keep pulling me over the ledge of disgust for Rosamond. She is purely a product of her environment and raising, and so there is good reason for compassion. Whereas, I do see your point about Lydgate, though he doesn’t annoy me as much as Rosy does. What I do notice Eliot doing with Rosy is continually adding ‘poor’ to her name: a lot of ‘Poor Rosy’ on the page, which produces in me a posture of pity toward her. Not necessarily a positive posture either, but maybe better than disgust…? 😆