Welcome to Middlemarch, Book Six. It’s hard to believe there’s only two books left! We’re definitely going to make the most of them. In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss all the unsaid saying that is happening throughout this section, and all the gossip, too. They talk about how Eliot uses these communication gaffs to her narrative power, to develop and reveal characters, and express themes she’s been developing through the story. They talk about the plight and power of women in Middlemarch—how the various characters wield or are wielded by both—and how thie plight and power leaves them feeling about the various male characters of the novel. They compare relationships, decide what they think of Dorthea’s passivity (is she being passive??) and Rosamond’s horribleness (oh how horrible she is!). They talk about Bulstrode’s dirty little secret and whether or not Will should have taken him up on his offer to “make amends”. They riff on themes and big ideas from Hannah Coulter and how they see these play out in Middlemarch in very different ways. They wonder if Rosamond’s redeemable (I bet you can’t guess what Rhea thinks—ha!). Oh, they even through in a little Flannery O’Connor comparison for fun.

We have two episodes of Middlemarch left. Expect these to release on the second Friday of each of the following months: August 14th; and September 11th.

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