In George Eliot's "Middlemarch: A Study of Provincial Life," the narrator expresses a deep dissatisfaction with the artwork displayed in the drawing-room. The pictures, which are perceived as attractive and pleasant by others, strike the narrator as deceptive and superficial. This sentiment reflects a struggle between the harsh realities of life, such as the dirt and ugliness experienced in the village, and the idealized beauty represented by the artwork.

The narrator feels that these paintings represent a misguided effort to derive joy from something that lacks authenticity. Instead of offering comfort, the art magnifies the contrast between the true, often painful experiences of life and the false allure of pleasing images. This conflict highlights the themes of realism versus romanticism in the novel and underscores the protagonist's desire for genuine experiences over artificial representations.