“Will not a tiny speck very close to our vision blot out the glory of the world, and leave only a margin by which we see the lot? I know no speck so troublesome as self.”
Ch. 42, Pg. 325
This quote was one of the most salient for me in the book. How true! How fitting! The elements of self-delusion and self-fulfilling prophecies are recurring. Casaubon wants to be able to love Dorothea, but scares himself when he realizes that it isn’t possible, and further torments himself over it. His methods of coping with the Ladislaw situation are equally troublesome – either his jealously will be discovered, or his coldness toward Dorothea will. When he dies, Celia attempts to “administer what she thought a sobering dose of fact” to Dodo, in a manner I feel is a ‘speck of self’ tormenting another self unconsciously. “…you never would marry Mr Ladislaw,” she says, “but that only makes it worse of Mr Casaubon.” Poor Dorothea for having to sit through Celia’s hurtful banter, and poor Celia for not knowing better!
I think Lydgate also deludes himself when it comes to Rosamond – who does not seem to respect his choice of profession. Lydgate can only acquiesce as he believes Rosamond to be pregnant – and does not want to trouble her.
And earlier in the novel, Fred is subject to this element when it came to his monetary problems. All too often people bet their money and lose it all.
I think Will doesn’t fall victim to this, though. Although midway through the novel he imagines it to be a good idea to visit Dorothea (and Casaubon) at Lowick church, he realizes the next day what a mistake it was.
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