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How does Edward Casaubon try to control Dorothea Brooke in Middlemarch?
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George Eliot
George Eliot, engraving derived from a chalk drawing (1865) by Sir Frederic William Burton.
In George Eliot’s Middlemarch, Edward Casaubon attempts to exert control over his wife, Dorothea Brooke, primarily by limiting her role and restricting her personal associations.12
- Subordination in Work: Although Dorothea hopes to be an active partner in his intellectual pursuits, Casaubon relegates her to the position of a secretary, viewing her as a tool for his own stalled research rather than an intellectual equal.12
- Jealousy and Isolation: Driven by jealousy, Casaubon attempts to isolate Dorothea from his cousin, Will Ladislaw. Following a heart attack, he explicitly bars Ladislaw from visiting their home, fearing that his cousin will pursue Dorothea after his death.2
- Posthumous Control: Casaubon seeks to extend his influence beyond the grave by demanding that Dorothea promise to follow his wishes even after he dies. Furthermore, he includes a punitive provision in his will designed to disinherit her should she ever marry Ladislaw, a clear attempt to dictate her future autonomy through financial coercion.2