Middlemarch

CHAPTER L.

Chapter L opens with an epigraph from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in which the Shipman rejects the Pardoner’s preaching, and proceeds to chronicle Dorothea’s first week as a widow at Freshitt Hall with Celia, Sir James, and Celia’s baby. Despite being advised to rest, Dorothea is determined to manage the Lowick estate, especially the appointment of a new rector. After Celia reveals the existence of a punishing codicil to Casaubon’s will that disinherits Dorothea if she marries Will Ladislaw, Dorothea suffers a violent emotional shock that reframes her whole understanding of her marriage. Lydgate counsels her to seek repose of mind by acting freely rather than being forbidden to act; she accordingly visits Lowick, searches Casaubon’s papers, and finds nothing personal addressed to her. Haunted by questions about the property, her duty to Will Ladislaw, and her husband’s hidden motives, Dorothea resolves to attend to immediate obligations, and Lydgate recommends Mr. Farebrother as the worthiest candidate for the Lowick living.

Canterbury Tales Epigraph

The chapter is prefaced with five lines of Middle English verse from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, in which the Shipman refuses to allow the Pardoner to preach or gloss the gospel on board, declaring that they all believe in the great God and that the Parson would only “sow difficulty.” The epigraph functions as a thematic signal, casting a skeptical light on doctrinal authority and connecting Casaubon’s narrow, controlling religiosity to a broader literary tradition of clerical presumption.

Dorothea’s Life at Freshitt Hall

After nearly a week of safe convalescence at Freshitt Hall, Dorothea passes her mornings in an upstairs sitting-room opening into a small conservatory, seated in widow’s dress beside Celia, who watches the baby in white and lavender like a bunch of violets. Each of the infant’s dubious gestures interrupts conversation as Celia appeals to the oracular nurse for interpretation. Celia’s cheerfulness is mildly provoked by Dorothea’s persistently sad expression, for she reasons that the baby is thriving and that her late husband had been dull and troublesome. Sir James has confided the damaging contents of Casaubon’s will to Celia, urging that Dorothea must not learn of them sooner than necessary.

Dorothea’s Resolve to Manage Lowick Affairs

Brooke’s prediction proves correct that Dorothea will not long remain passive once action has been assigned to her. Knowing the purport of her husband’s marriage-settlement will, she is silently occupied with what she ought to do as owner of Lowick Manor and patron of its living. One morning, with quiet firmness, she tells her uncle that it is time she considered the question of the rectorship, observes that Casaubon had never named a successor after Mr. Tucker’s provision, and announces that she wishes to take possession of the keys at Lowick and examine all her husband’s papers in case they contain instructions or wishes relevant to the living.

Uncle Brooke Discusses the Lowick Living

Mr. Brooke, hastening off with the news that Parliament will shortly be dissolved, gently counsels delay. He has already cast his eyes over the desks and drawers at Lowick and found nothing beyond deep subjects and the will; everything can be done by-and-by. As for the living, he mentions with satisfaction that he has already received an application—Mr. Tyke, an apostolic man whom Brooke helped to an earlier appointment and whom he believes would suit Dorothea well. He would have her gather fuller knowledge and judge for herself only if Casaubon has left no expression of wishes; the will, he assures her, contains nothing about the rectory or about the researches. Dorothea’s lip quivers at the rebuff, but she insists she is quite well and wishes to exert herself. Brooke, eager to be gone and to report to Chettam, retreats with placid hurry, congratulating himself on being a sort of grandfather.

Celia Reveals Casaubon’s Disinheriting Codicil

When Brooke has left, Dorothea sinks back into her chair in meditation. Celia’s cheerful prattle about the baby’s remarkable upper lip eventually draws a large gathering tear and a forced smile. When Celia presses her about what she is brooding over and entreats her to kiss the baby, Dorothea wonders aloud whether Sir James would drive her to Lowick. Celia counters with Lydgate’s orders, then asserts, with the calm authority of new motherhood, that Dodo has got a wrong notion in her head and must be told the truth. After announcing that Casaubon has behaved abominably and that James is as angry as can be, Celia reveals the codicil to the will: the property is to go away from Dorothea entirely if she marries Will Ladislaw.