A study of characterisation in the novels of George Eliot

221.
the rising wishes by forcing her memory to recall snatches of iwmns. 1t
26
Later we learn that she ''had long ago learned by heart" 27 the words of
the little book. In this way she has "filled her mind with a continual
stream of rhythmic memories t' 28 and inoidentally has satisfied some of
her aesthetic hunger. The "rhythmic memories" and her frequent recalling
of them show that she is utilising a learning method based on associationist
priciples. At moments of crisis she repeats "snatches" of l\'Ymna,
or of the Bible, or of ~ Imitation !!!.. Christ rather in the same way
as IIl\Ystics use a mantra for meditation. In this way she traina her mind
to a practised and habitual response. Ultimately, this differs little
from George Eliot's description of Tito J(elema.'s Itun~ng habit of
fear" 29 or Maggie's own comparison of herself with the unhappy white
bear pacing the boundary lines of an imaginary cage. 30 Haggie has acquired
a technique by constant repetition which helps her to persevere
in her conscious intention of "taking her stand outside her.self. t; 3L The
intention may well be admirable but the technique with its conatant reinforcement
means a lessening of Maggie's freedom to choose. The very
gbal of surrendering her will inevitably means that she is abdicating
from the responsibility of choice.
There is a strong contradiction implicit in the fact that as Maggie,
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with the aid and guidance of The Imitation of Christ, becomes moral~
more sensitive and aware she appears voluntarily to choose not to exert
her will, which means in effect that she does not choose. I quoted
earlier J. S. Kill t s affirmation that tlwe are exactly as capable of
making our own character, !!. ~ will, as others are of making it for
us." 32 When this principle is applied to characters like Arthur
Donnithorne or Tito }klema, it reads somewhat wryly. The whole point
about their moral decline is their ignorance of the modifications they
are making to their own personalities by their successive choices. They