Middlemarch: Book 5, Chapter 52 Summary & Analysis

In June, Farebrother and his relatives celebrate the news that he will be taking over Casaubon’s post. Miss Winifred tells him through happy tears that he should finally get married; he agrees but laments that he is “a seedy old fellow” and no one could love him. Farebrother intends to keep his old parish as well, even though this will be a lot of work. However, at just that point Fred Vincy returns from college having finally gained his degree. He tells Farebrother that though he doesn’t want to, he might go into the church so the money spent on his education doesn’t go to waste.

Fred thinks that life as a clergyman will be too “serious” for him, but he feels that there is nothing else he can do. He also confesses that he has been in love with Mary Garth since childhood, who in the past has been opposed to his entering the church. He feels that he will only know what to do once he knows Mary’s current opinion. The next day Farebrother goes to see Mary and asks her what she thinks Fred should do. However, before she can answer he adds that Mr. Garth told him about her refusal to burn Featherstone’s will and her guilt over it. 

Farebrother says he thinks he will be able to relieve Mary’s guilt, and then explains to her that burning one will would have made the other one legally void. Her actions therefore did not ruin Fred’s future in the way she feared. Mary is happy to hear this. Farebrother then mentions Fred’s dilemma about the church again, saying that he personally feels Fred would do well as a clergyman and could work for him as his curate. However, Fred’s decision is completely dependent on Mary’s opinion.

Mary confesses that she isn’t sure if she will marry Fred at all, but that she certainly couldn’t marry him if he entered the church. She explains that people like Fred do not have the right “to represent Christianity,” as their hearts are not really in it. Finally, Mary repeats that until Fred has done something “serious,” she will not consider him as a suitor. However, after Farebrother asks about Mary considering someone else (with the possible implication that he means himself), Mary clarifies that she is very attached to Fred. She just wants him to prove himself.