He did not shrug his shoulders; and for want of that muscular outlet he thought the more irritably of beautiful lips kissing holy skulls and other emptinesses ecclesiastically enshrined.
In George Eliot's "Middlemarch," a character experiences a deep sense of frustration due to an inability to express his emotions physically. He feels constrained and finds solace in contemplating the beauty of kisses and sacred objects, suggesting a desire for connection and meaning in a world that appears hollow and spiritually empty. This struggle highlights the tension between physical expression and emotional turmoil. The imagery of "beautiful lips" kissing "holy skulls" points to a search for significance in moments that might seem futile, reflecting the character's internal conflict about faith and existence. Through this, Eliot delves into themes of desire and the quest for understanding in a complex world.
