In the few chapters we have read, Dorothea is described as a non-conventional woman who has a great pursuit of knowledge and religion. Both Mr Brooke and Celia see her uniqueness as a woman and it is brought up repeatedly in the story. It is hinted that Dorothea knows the unconventionality of her and is somehow proud of seeing things others are not aware of (i.e. the soul of others.) What is the significance of bringing out the notion of someone's soul (e.g. Casaubon's soul) help develop and shape Dorothea's personality and the readers' impressions of her?

In the few chapters we have read, Dorothea is described as a non-conventional woman who has a great pursuit of knowledge and religion. Both Mr Brooke and Celia see her uniqueness as a woman and it is brought up repeatedly in the story. It is hinted that Dorothea knows the unconventionality of her and is somehow proud of seeing things others are not aware of (i.e. the soul of others.) What is the significance of bringing out the notion of someone's soul (e.g. Casaubon's soul) help develop and shape Dorothea's personality and the readers' impressions of her?

What role does the narrative voice play in the tension between Dorothea's pusuit of intelligence and knowledge, and her position as a woman who is bound by her sex and dependence on the men in her life? 

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?

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?

In the first ten chapters of Middlemarch, the narrator frequently intervenes and comments on Dorothea's romantic interests. What is the significance of narrator intervention in the first ten chapters?

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?