| Summary: | 碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 英國語文學系 === 91 === (Abstract)
In this thesis, I examine the characters’ attitudes toward money and their responses under the power of money in terms of different generations. Throughout these chapters I focus on how the power of money dominates these characters, how they use the power of money to dominate others or how they reject the power of money.
In Chapter One, I discuss three types of the old generation characters in Middlemarch. One type uses his wealth to dominate others and even force others to follow his wishes, and another takes money as a means to upward social mobility. The third type is the exception in the old generation. He does not believe money is everything and is unwilling to be dominated by its power. He works not for money but for enjoyment.
Chapter Two deals with the attitudes of the young generation toward money. In the young generation in Middlemarch, Rosamond and Lydgate are in contrast to Mary and Fred. After marriage, Rosamond and Lydgate both yield to the power of money. Fred is the exception of his family who suffers much from his debts but later learns how to be a successful estate-manger. Mary is the one who resists the power of money. In the young generation, the issue of gambling reveals the characters’ attitudes toward money. The result of their gambling differs with their different motivation.
In Chapter Three I examine Dorothea’s attitudes toward money before and after marrying Casaubon, and her responses to Casaubon’s domination after Casaubon uses his wealth to prevent her from remarrying Will. Casaubon’s way of forcing Dorothea to follow his wishes is the same as the old generation’s. Dorothea’s way of resisting the domination of money presents the viewpoint of the young generation in Middlemarch. Besides, Dorothea always holds the idea that money should be used to help people in need and she puts it into practice very well. In conclusion, in Middlemarch, different generations hold different attitudes towards money. Most of the characters are influenced by money but at the end, money cannot dominate all of them. Some, however, get rid of its influence but others yield to its power.
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