In George Eliot's "Middlemarch," Miss Brooke's strong religious conviction significantly influences her perspective on life. She sees her commitment to spiritual matters as paramount, dismissing the trivial concerns of fashion as insignificant. Celia, her sister, shares her sentiments but approaches them with a practicality that tempers Miss Brooke’s fervor with reason. This balance between serious beliefs and everyday realities highlights the difference in their characters.

Dorothea Brooke's deep understanding of philosophical and religious texts, such as those by Pascal and Jeremy Taylor, shapes her worldview. She perceives the spiritual struggles and moral implications of life as far more pressing than the superficial worries of outward appearance, emphasizing her desire for a meaningful existence. This contrast starkly illustrates how she prioritizes eternal matters over societal expectations regarding fashion, showcasing the depth of her character in a world preoccupied with appearance.