Dorothea Brooke Casaubon Ladislaw

While George Eliot’s novel tells the story of several different characters, Dorothea is probably the character that best fits the bill as the main character for the novel. Dorothea is young, idealistic, and totally devoted to her beliefs. Yet, at the same time, she is still kind and empathetic. With her severe dress and dislike of fluff and decoration, she is a stark contrast from her more feminine younger sister. One of Dorothea’s most important goals for her life is to improve the world around her and make life better for others.

It is with this idea in mind that Dorothea agrees to marry the elderly Edward Casaubon. She believes the older man is a genius and that she can be of help to him in his research. She enters the marriage believing that he is doing some important work. Then, as time...