In George Eliot's "Middlemarch," there is a profound observation about the nature of admiration and the dynamics of marriage. The text reflects on the uncomfortable reality that a woman like Dorothea, who idolizes her husband, evokes a sense of discomfort. This admiration, while seemingly endearing, reveals a vulnerability that not all men appreciate, pointing to a deeper social commentary on romantic relationships.

The passage also highlights the tendency of people to undermine others' successes out of jealousy or insecurity. It suggests that instead of celebrating the achievements of others, some individuals may feel inclined to diminish them, believing that doing so harms no one. This mindset serves as a critique of societal behaviors that can suffocate individual aspirations and distort genuine relationships.