When I married Humphrey I made up my mind to like sermons, and I set out by liking the end very much. That soon spread to the middle and the beginning, because I couldn't have the end without them.
In George Eliot's "Middlemarch," the protagonist reflects on her marriage to Humphrey and her conscious decision to appreciate sermons. Initially, she focuses on the conclusion of the sermons, finding enjoyment in that part. However, over time, her appreciation expands to include the beginning and middle sections as well, realizing that the end cannot be fully appreciated without a connection to the preceding parts.
This quote encapsulates the theme of personal growth and the importance of a holistic view in understanding experiences. The character's journey from selective enjoyment to a fuller understanding highlights how commitment can lead to broader appreciation in life, symbolized here through the metaphor of sermons.
