The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

CHAPTER LXIII
CHAPTER LXIV
CHAPTER LXV
CHAPTER LXVI
CHAPTER LXVII
CHAPTER LXVIII
CHAPTER LXIX
CHAPTER LXX
CHAPTER LXXI

I'm a bit behind. I finally started this section today.

I've been away and seem to forgotten much that I read only 2 weeks ago...

But it's interesting that the "Two Temptations" of the title concern characters who have been peripheral until now. (Spoiler here, Renee, if you haven't finished this section yet!)

Mr Farebrother resists his temptation to let Fred go to the dogs; but Bulstrode succumbs to his temptation to hasten Raffles's death by allowing him alcohol. I think it's extraordinary how we are led to identify even with the unpleasant and self-deceiving Bulstrode: Geroge Eliot is so clever at showing the inner workings of his mind, and how he adjusts his morals to fit his needs.

Both temptations have an effect on the main characters; but while Farebrother's action benefits Fred, Bulstrode's ends up having a devastating effect on Lydgate's career. I'm still undecided how far Lydgate implicates himself by taking Bulstrode's money - again, George Eliot is so good at depicting the subtle hold of temptation that she makes me feel that this is something anybody could have done.

I agree. The scenes of Bulstrode negotiating with his conscience/moral code were brilliant. And poor Lydgate can't seem to get a break!