Life in Middlemarch is a study in provincial life, indeed. Young Dorothea Brooke has high hopes in life, but soon settles in marriage. As it turns out, her much older husband is not what she really needs to accomplish her noble deeds in life. Meanwhile, a young doctor moves to town but has a hard time fitting in. He finds himself settling in marriage, too. It begs the question, why marry at all, or why not wait for love? All is not lost; Dorothea finds friendship in her husband's cousin, but jealousy ensues. What will happen when her husband dies but leaves a provision in his will, causing Dorothea to lose her inheritance if she marries the cousin? Can she live happily ever after?
