Sir James Chettam Character Analysis in Middlemarch

Sir James Chettam is a wealthy and charming young man whose land borders Mr. Brooke’s. He initially pursues Dorothea and seems to be deeply in love with her; however, after she rejects him he recovers quickly and marries Celia instead. Sir James and Dorothea remain close friends even though Dorothea’s life choices exasperate him—particularly her decisions to marry Casaubon and later Ladislaw.

Sir James Chettam Quotes in Middlemarch

The Middlemarch quotes below are all either spoken by Sir James Chettam or refer to Sir James Chettam. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the HarperCollins edition of Middlemarch published in 2015.

“And, of course men know best about everything, except what women know better.”

Dorothea laughed and forgot her tears.

“Well, I mean about babies and those things,” explained Celia. “I should not give up to James when I knew he was wrong, as you used to do to Mr Casaubon.”

Related Characters: (speaker), (speaker), ,

Page Number and Citation: 736

Explanation and Analysis:

Many who knew her, thought it a pity that so substantive and rare a creature should have been absorbed into the life of another, and be only known in a certain circle as a wife and mother. But no one stated exactly what else that was in her power she ought rather to have done - not even Sir James Chettam, who went no further than the negative prescription that she ought not to have married Will Ladislaw.

Related Characters: , ,

Page Number and Citation: 836

Explanation and Analysis:

Sir James Chettam Character Timeline in Middlemarch

The timeline below shows where the character Sir James Chettam appears in Middlemarch. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...her ideal husband would be like a father who could teach her things. Today Sir James Chettam is coming to dinner at Tipton along with Rev. Edward Casaubon, whom Dorothea and... (full context)

At dinner, Mr. Brooke recalls meeting the poet William Wordsworth. Dorothea feels awkward. Sir James explains that he is planning to experiment with technological innovations on his farm, but Mr.... (full context)

Sir James says he knows Dorothea likes horse-riding and that he would love to lend her an... (full context)

Celia thinks it’s a shame that Dorothea doesn’t like Sir James, and fears that her sister won’t marry any man unless he shares her own ardent... (full context)

...she is getting ahead of herself. In the middle of her daydream, she sees Sir James riding toward her. He greets her, and Dorothea feels annoyed at how friendly he is... (full context)

Dorothea adds that she thinks Celia would like the puppy, but Sir James only responds by admiring Dorothea’s strong opinions. He goes on to say that he has... (full context)

...own feelings of disappointment. Mr. Brooke then goes to visit Casaubon at Lowick, while Sir James visits Tipton with greater and greater frequency. Dorothea feels irritated with him but nonetheless joins... (full context)

Celia comments that Sir James is eager to do everything Dorothea wants, and Dorothea replies: “He thinks of me as... (full context)

Dorothea insists that she must abandon the cottages and be rude to Sir James from now on. She begins to cry; Celia tries to comfort her but ends up... (full context)

...Casaubon is “a good match in some respects,” but that she should also consider Sir James, whose land borders Brooke’s own. Dorothea says she will never marry him. (full context)

Mr. Brooke checks that Dorothea is certain she doesn’t want to marry Sir James instead. He tells her that he wants her to make her own decision, even though... (full context)

...politics with women, because “your sex are not thinkers.” Mrs. Cadwallader mentions Dorothea and Sir James; Mr. Brooke regretfully replies that the marriage will never take place. Just as Mrs. Cadwallader... (full context)

Mrs. Cadwallader announces that she must immediately tell Sir James the sad news. She says that she set a bad example by marrying a poor... (full context)

Horrified, Sir James exclaims: “He is no better than a mummy!” adding that Casaubon “has one foot in... (full context)

...Celia and chastising Mr. Brooke when necessary. She had been planning Dorothea’s engagement to Sir James ever since the sisters arrived at Tipton. However, she is now happy to switch the... (full context)

Sir James himself does not dwell on his sadness about losing Dorothea for long, and in fact... (full context)

Sir James still enjoys coming to Tipton; he does not feel resentful of Casaubon, but rather worries... (full context)

Sir James stresses that Casaubon is awful. Mr. Cadwallader protests that Sir James, who is handsome, is... (full context)

Sir James and Mrs. Cadwallader discuss how years of isolated study have spoiled Casaubon’s personality. Mr. Cadwallader... (full context)

...dreary. Horrified, Celia thinks about how much nicer it would be to live in Sir James’s home, Freshitt Hall. (full context)

...that Casaubon has been looking very “dry” since the proposal, and that compared to Sir James he resembles “death’s head skinned over for the occasion.” Lady Chettam notes that James still... (full context)

Dorothea helps Casaubon to the couch. Sir James arrives and Dorothea explains that her husband has “had a fit.” Sir James is unsurprised... (full context)

...and power. At Featherstone’s request, Mr. Cadwallader performs the service. Mrs. Cadwallader has persuaded Sir James and Celia to drive her to Lowick. Against Lydgate’s advice, Casaubon has returned to working... (full context)

...of a plan to turn Dorothea against him. He considers contacting Mr. Brooke or Sir James for help. However, he doesn’t feel he can rely on anyone to take his side.... (full context)

Sir James comes to lunch at the Cadwalladers’, and the group discuss their disapproval of Mr. Brooke’s... (full context)

Sir James criticizes the way Mr. Brooke runs his estate, saying that he doesn’t take good enough... (full context)

Sir James mentions Garth’s farming innovations and Brooke says he doesn’t have the money for that; Mrs.... (full context)

...However, she more or less ignores him, and he feels despondent. Dorothea says that Sir James has told her that Mr. Brooke plans to improve the farm and cottages, which thrills... (full context)

The day after Casaubon’s funeral, Dorothea remains shut up in her room. Sir James tells Mr. Brooke that until Dorothea is feeling better, she is not to know about... (full context)

...prevent malicious rumors and gossip. He also can’t force him to leave the country. Sir James begins desperately scheming ways to get Ladislaw a colonial post. He is filled with hate... (full context)

...him would be taken away if she were to marry Ladislaw. Both Celia and Sir James are convinced there is no chance of Dorothea marrying Will. Dorothea is shocked and feels... (full context)

...wants to, and after Celia confesses that she told her sister about Casaubon’s stipulation, Sir James finally agrees to drive her to Lowick. Dorothea says she would like to continue staying... (full context)

...Arthur. She doesn’t want Dorothea to go back to Lowick, and others such as Sir James’s mother and Mrs. Cadwallader disapprove of Dorothea living alone there. (full context)

Sir James enters; Will says goodbye to Dorothea and leaves. Dorothea acts casual, while Sir James remains... (full context)

...her widow’s cap, which Dorothea does reluctantly. Mrs. Cadwallader starts talking about Dorothea remarrying, and James is once again horrified. (full context)

...years to come with his own fortune so they can finally be together. Meanwhile, Sir James feels that he must talk to Dorothea about Will, even though he usually avoids bringing... (full context)

...Bulstrode agrees, although he adds that at the moment she is in Yorkshire with Sir James and Celia. Lydgate says that his association with the New Hospital has made him unpopular... (full context)

...will insult his pride. Dorothea remains desperate to find proof of Lydgate’s innocence, while Sir James—who is these days her “best friend”—advises her strongly against intervening. Dorothea remains so passionate about... (full context)

...that she has too much money and wants to give it away, especially after Sir James and Mr. Brooke persuaded heƒr that her idea of building a colony was “too risky.”... (full context)

...straight to Freshitt Hall. Gripped by a kind of mania, she intends to tell Sir James and Mr. Brooke all about Lydgate’s marriage difficulties. (full context)

Dorothea tells Rosamond that Mr. Farebrother, Mr. Brooke, and Sir James all know and believe the truth about Lydgate’s involvement in the Bulstrode scandal. She then... (full context)

...after the House of Lords defeats the Reform Bill, Mr. Cadwallader and Mrs. Cadwallader, Sir James, Celia, and Lady Chettam are all sitting outside together discussing politics. Mr. Brooke approaches and... (full context)

...with Dorothea, but there was no use as she doesn’t want her fortune anyway. Sir James insists that Dorothea is committing a wrong, while Mr. Cadwallader says she is just doing... (full context)

...should leave. Mr. Brooke invites everyone to dinner the next day, and Celia asks Sir James if they can go to Lowick. James replies that he cannot bear to see Dorothea. (full context)

...Dorothea alone in her boudoir. She tells Dorothea that she has deeply disappointed everyone, especially James. She laments that Dorothea will be poor and surrounded by “queer people,” and that she... (full context)

...a dangerous pregnancy, Dorothea has given birth to a son. She is upset that Sir James won’t let her see her sister, but James immediately says he will take her the... (full context)