In George Eliot's "Middlemarch," the characters experience deep emotional turmoil regarding their confessions and perceived shortcomings. Their acceptance of these confessions feels like a source of humiliation, intensifying their anger. This internal conflict is compounded when they hear a close observer articulate their struggles, highlighting the tension between self-perception and external judgment.

The frustration stems from the vulnerability of exposing their innermost feelings and the fear of being labeled as morbid. They grapple with the weight of their emotions, striving to maintain control and avoid the numbing sensation that accompanies self-doubt. This struggle reflects a universal human experience of confronting and articulating one's vulnerabilities in a world that often lacks empathy.