Dorothea's intense religious devotion is prominent in her characterization. However, Eliot chose to introduce her by first describing her physical beauty. What is the intended effect of such an introduction?

To what extent is Dorothea's attraction towards Mr. Casaubon, and romantic disinterest in Sir James, a reaction to her uncle's continual frustrastions of her attempts to be taken seriously in her intellectual pursuits? Is Dorothea trying to acquire by marriage the intellectual gravitas, one she considers Mr. Casaubon to be in possession of, that a patriarchal society, one represented by Mr. Brooke and his belief that "Young ladies don't understand political economy", has denied her by dint of her gender?

What does Sir James’ patronizing manner in his intervention in Dorothea’s marriage suggest abou

How idealism is contributing to those single-sided affirmations seen among the characters? Can idealism explain these attachments or what else is the more important acting factor?

What does womanhood mean to Dorothea and Celia Brooke, and in what ways can Dorothea be seen as a parallel to Saint Theresa?