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Middlemarch · Character

Ned Plymdale

A young man who briefly courts Rosamond Vincy.

minor

Also known as Mr. Plymdale, young Plymdale, Mr. Ned Plymdale, Ned

First appearance: viii

Ned Plymdale shows up with force in Chapter XXVII. The page is where that presence becomes real.

A rival suitor who brings the Keepsake to impress Rosamond, but is humiliated by Lydgate's scorn.
In the storyChapter XXVIIOpen this moment free

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In Chapter XXVII: A rival suitor who brings the Keepsake to impress Rosamond, but is humiliated by Lydgate's scorn. Later, in Chapter LXIV: His upcoming marriage to Sophy Toller is discussed as a potential opportunity…

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The fuller portrait of Ned Plymdale sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Ned Plymdale in viii

Character Web

32 connections

A slice of how Ned Plymdale sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

MTMr. TollerECEdward CasaubonCHChristianSGSir Godwin Lyd…MDMrs. DagleyNPNed Plymdale

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Middlemarch social and professional network
  • Local gossips and matrons
  • Artistic and scholarly outsiders
  • Minor townspeople, relatives, and servants
  • Legal and familial authority figures

+27 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Dorothea, having just endured the humiliation…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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In the story

Ned Plymdale appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Ned Plymdale unlock in the free preview.

See Ned Plymdale in viii