# Mirah Lapidoth — Daniel Deronda character guide > Mirah Lapidoth in Daniel Deronda by George Eliot. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mirah, Lapidoth, Wesley Mirah **First appearance:** 0017-xii ## Snapshot A young Jewish singer who fled a cruel father and a stage career she loathed, seeking only to live honestly and be worthy of the brother she lost. ## Who they are Mirah arrives in London destitute and nearly drowned, rescued by Deronda before she can finish the act she had resolved upon. She supports herself with her voice and her needle, guarding a fierce loyalty to the memory of her mother and the brother she believes dead. Her quiet dignity and refusal to be bought or pitied make her the emotional counterweight to Gwendolen, and her reunion with Mordecai becomes one of the novel's tenderest reckonings. ## Relationships ### [Daniel Deronda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/daniel_deronda) _romantic_ Daniel rescues Mirah and eventually marries her, their bond deepening through mutual admiration and shared Jewish heritage. ### [Mordecai Cohen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mordecai_cohen) _family_ Mirah is Mordecai's long-lost sister, and their reunion is a deeply emotional and spiritual bond. ### [Gwendolen Harleth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/gwendolen_harleth) _social_ Gwendolen meets Mirah through Daniel and feels a mix of jealousy and admiration for her serene goodness. ### [Hans Meyrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/hans_meyrick) _romantic_ Hans is hopelessly in love with Mirah, but she does not return his feelings, leading to unrequited affection. ### [Daniel Deronda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/daniel_deronda) _romantic_ Daniel rescues Mirah and eventually marries her, their bond deepening through mutual admiration and shared Jewish heritage. ### [Daniel Deronda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/daniel_deronda) _romantic_ Daniel rescues Mirah and eventually marries her, their bond deepening through mutual admiration and shared Jewish heritage. ### [Mordecai Cohen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mordecai_cohen) _family_ Mirah is Mordecai's long-lost sister, and their reunion is a deeply emotional and spiritual bond. ### [Hans Meyrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/hans_meyrick) _romantic_ Hans is hopelessly in love with Mirah, but she does not return his feelings, leading to unrequited affection. ### [Hans Meyrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/hans_meyrick) _romantic_ Hans is hopelessly in love with Mirah, but she does not return his feelings, leading to unrequited affection. ### [Gwendolen Harleth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/gwendolen_harleth) _social_ Gwendolen meets Mirah through Daniel and feels a mix of jealousy and admiration for her serene goodness. ### [Mordecai Cohen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mordecai_cohen) _family_ Mirah is Mordecai's long-lost sister, and their reunion is a deeply emotional and spiritual bond. ### [Gwendolen Harleth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/gwendolen_harleth) _social_ Gwendolen meets Mirah through Daniel and feels a mix of jealousy and admiration for her serene goodness. ## In the story ### [Book II: Meeting Streams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/book-ii-meeting-streams) A young Jewish woman rescued by Deronda; her past and heritage become central. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xvii) Attempts suicide by drowning; rescued by Deronda; reveals she has nowhere to go and no family in England. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xviii) A Jewish woman rescued by Deronda; she is weary, grateful, and reveals she escaped from Prague to find her mother and brother in London. ### [Book III: Maidens Choosing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/book-iii-maidens-choosing) Mirah's presence continues to influence Deronda, and her story of rescue and family ties is further developed. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xix) Mirah is the object of Deronda's concern; her search for her mother and brother stirs his sympathy and dread. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xx) Mirah shares her childhood story, her father's theatrical life, and her longing for her mother. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxii) Living with the Meyricks, content and grateful; her singing voice is praised; she is anxious to work. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxiii) Mirah is the object of Deronda's search; he compares every Jew he sees to her and worries about the collision between her ideal of her family and the reality. ### [Book V: Mordecai](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/book-v-mordecai) Deronda's connection to Mirah deepens as he learns of her brother Mordecai and her Jewish heritage. ### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxvi) Discussed by Deronda as a paragon of grace and refinement who was saved from drowning by a sense of duty. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxvii) Shows new liveliness and laughter, discusses Hans's performances, and unknowingly serves as model for Hans's Berenice series. ### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxix) Sings for Klesmer, demonstrating her talent; discusses her Jewish identity and the dress for her public performance. ### [Book VI: Revelations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/book-vi-revelations) Reunited with her brother Mordecai; her relationship with Deronda deepens. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xliii) Referred to as Mordecai's lost sister, the object of his and his mother's prayers. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlv) Mirah sings 'O patria mia' and is praised by Klesmer; her performance deepens Deronda's connection to Mordecai. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlvi) Referenced as the sister to be reunited with Mordecai. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlvii) Meets her brother Mordecai for the first time since childhood; wears her old cloak to appear poor like him. ### [Book VII: The Mother and the Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/book-vii-the-mother-and-the-son) Mirah is mentioned as Mordecai's sister and a figure connected to Deronda's future. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/l) Mirah is central to Deronda's thoughts, along with Mordecai; his feelings for her are part of the 'permanent chosen treasure of the heart' that he guards against impulsive emotions. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lii) Mirah experiences jealousy and unease regarding Deronda's connection to Gwendolen, comparing her to the Princess of Eboli and feeling a painful sense of unfitness. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/liii) Deronda mentions Mirah as the woman he loves, describing her as a singer with a deep attachment to her Jewish heritage. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lv) Present in Deronda's thoughts as a being who clasps hands with him in sympathetic silence. ### [Book VIII: Fruit and Seed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/book-viii-fruit-and-seed) Marries Deronda, finding happiness and a sense of belonging. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxi) Mirah experiences intense jealousy and self-reproach upon realizing her love for Deronda, feeling her pure gratitude has degraded into selfish pain. ### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxii) Mirah is distressed after being followed by her father, Lapidoth. She gives him her purse and later resists his manipulation, though she struggles with guilt and the pain of the encounter. ### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxii) Lapidoth, the father of Mirah and Mordecai, follows Mirah and begs for money. He attempts to manipulate her with guilt and false claims, but ultimately takes her purse and later a small sum for cigars. ### [LXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxiii) Kneels in solemn joy at the revelation, but feels personal embarrassment and uncertainty about Deronda's feelings toward her. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxvi) Mirah is torn between filial duty and anguish as she welcomes her father, Lapidoth, despite his betrayal. She sings 'Herz, mein Herz' and pleads with Ezra to show mercy. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxvi) Lapidoth returns after gambling away Mirah's money, feigning remorse while inwardly fixated on gambling. He manipulates his children with emotional appeals and is callous to Ezra's reproach. ### [LXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxvii) Struggles with her father's presence; tries to shield Ezra from him; feels constrained and reserved around Deronda due to her father's influence. ### [LXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxvii) The undesirable father who has moved in with his children; tries to make a favorable impression on Deronda; offers to transcribe manuscripts but shows restlessness. ### [LXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxviii) Returns home to find Deronda's ring missing; realizes her father may have taken it; accepts Deronda's proposal. ### [LXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxviii) Steals Deronda's ring driven by gambling desire; leaves the house to sell it. ### [Chapter LXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxix) Referenced indirectly through Deronda's love and Hans's confidences; Deronda's joy in her coexists with his care for Gwendolen. ### [LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxx) Glows with content as the bride, feeling no doubt or tremor under the bridal veil. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mirah_lapidoth - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters