What is the main conflict in George Eliot's "Middlemarch"?

In George Eliot's "Middlemarch," the main conflict revolves around the struggles of individuals against societal expectations. The characters in the novel are frequently faced with the pressures and norms dictated by their society, which often restrict their personal aspirations and desires. This is evident in the lives of various characters, such as Dorothea Brooke, who desires to pursue meaningful engagement with the world but finds herself limited by social conventions regarding gender and class.

The novel showcases how the characters navigate their ambitions while confronting societal constraints, thus highlighting the tension between personal agency and societal mores. Eliot deeply explores these dynamics, demonstrating how the environment shapes individual choices and experiences. While other options touch upon themes present in the work, the pervasive struggle against societal expectations is central to the narrative and its character development. Through the lens of this conflict, Eliot critiques the limitations placed on individuals within the Victorian social framework, making it a critical aspect of the novel's exploration.