All 38 Uses of

contrary

in

Middlemarch

On the contrary, I am often unable to decide.†
Chpt 1 (definition 1) *

On the contrary, having the amiable vanity which knits us to those who are fond of us, and disinclines us to those who are indifferent, and also a good grateful nature, the mere idea that a woman had a kindness towards him spun little threads of tenderness from out his heart towards hers.†
Chpt 1 (definition 1)

Dorothea, on the contrary, found the house and grounds all that she could wish: the dark book-shelves in the long library, the carpets and curtains with colors subdued by time, the curious old maps and bird's-eye views on the walls of the corridor, with here and there an old vase below, had no oppression for her, and seemed more cheerful than the easts and pictures at the Grange, which her uncle had long ago brought home from his travels—they being probably among the ideas he had taken…†
Chpt 1 (definition 1)

He held that reliance to be a mark of genius; and certainly it is no mark to the contrary; genius consisting neither in self-conceit nor in humility, but in a power to make or do, not anything in general, but something in particular.†
Chpt 1 (definition 2)

It is true that he knew all the classical passages implying the contrary; but knowing classical passages, we find, is a mode of motion, which explains why they leave so little extra force for their personal application.†
Chpt 1

On the contrary.†
Chpt 1 (definition 1)

Mary Garth, on the contrary, had the aspect of an ordinary sinner: she was brown; her curly dark hair was rough and stubborn; her stature was low; and it would not be true to declare, in satisfactory antithesis, that she had all the virtues.†
Chpt 1 (definition 1)

On the contrary, I think it would be wicked in me to marry you even if I did love you.†
Chpt 2 (definition 1)

But Lydgate meant to innovate in his treatment also, and he was wise enough to see that the best security for his practising honestly according to his belief was to get rid of systematic temptations to the contrary.†
Chpt 2 (definition 2) *

Mr. Casaubon, on the contrary, stood rayless.†
Chpt 2 (definition 1)

On the contrary it seemed to Dorothea that Will had a happier way of drawing her husband into conversation and of deferentially listening to him than she had ever observed in any one before.†
Chpt 2 (definition 1)

On the contrary, she would have expressed the prettiest surprise and disapprobation if she had heard that another young lady had been detected in that immodest prematureness—indeed, would probably have disbelieved in its possibility.†
Chpt 3 (definition 1)

"On the contrary," said Lydgate, showing no smart; but smiling with exasperating confidence at Rosamond.†
Chpt 3 (definition 1)

She began to work at once, and her hand did not tremble; on the contrary, in writing out the quotations which had been given to her the day before, she felt that she was forming her letters beautifully, and it seemed to her that she saw the construction of the Latin she was copying, and which she was beginning to understand, more clearly than usual.†
Chpt 3 (definition 1)

And certainly Mr. Standish was surprised, but not at all sorry; on the contrary, he rather enjoyed the zest of a little curiosity in his own mind, which the discovery of a second will added to the prospective amazement on the part of the Featherstone family.†
Chpt 4 (definition 1)

On the contrary, he would have despised any ostentation of expense; his profession had familiarized him with all grades of poverty, and he cared much for those who suffered hardships.†
Chpt 4 (definition 1)

On the contrary, papa, he will increase the practice.†
Chpt 4 (definition 1)

At any rate, the contrary issue must exclude you from further reception at my house.†
Chpt 4

I don't urge him to enter the Church—on the contrary.†
Chpt 4 (definition 1)

—the one she was most inclined to be severe on, or the contrary?†
Chpt 4 *

I think that the rare Englishmen who have this gesture are never of the heavy type—for fear of any lumbering instance to the contrary, I will say, hardly ever; they have usually a fine temperament and much tolerance towards the smaller errors of men (themselves inclusive).†
Chpt 4 (definition 2)

On the contrary, there was a strong reason to be added, which he had not himself taken explicitly into account—namely, that he was not unmixedly adorable.†
Chpt 4 (definition 1)

But well-being is not to be secured by ample, independent possession of property; on the contrary, occasions might arise in which such possession might expose her to the more danger.†
Chpt 4 (definition 1)

This proposal was only one more sign added to many since his memorable interview with Lydgate, that Mr. Casaubon's original reluctance to let Dorothea work with him had given place to the contrary disposition, namely, to demand much interest and labor from her.†
Chpt 5 (definition 2)

—on the contrary, he was a creature who entered into every one's feelings, and could take the pressure of their thought instead of urging his own with iron resistance.†
Chpt 5 (definition 1)

But it was not resolved unanimously that things would come right; on the contrary, the committee looked rather grim, and the political personage from Brassing was writing busily, as if he were brewing new devices.†
Chpt 5 (definition 1)

"On the contrary, Mr. Farebrother," said Mary, giving up the roses, and folding her arms, but unable to look up, "whenever you have anything to say to me I feel honored."†
Chpt 5 (definition 1)

On the contrary Lydgate was more than hurt—he was utterly confounded that she had risked herself on a strange horse without referring the matter to his wish.†
Chpt 6 (definition 1)

…auspices of Mr. Borthrop Trumbull, the furniture, books, and pictures which anybody might see by the handbills to be the best in every kind, belonging to Edwin Larcher, Esq. This was not one of the sales indicating the depression of trade; on the contrary, it was due to Mr. Larcher's great success in the carrying business, which warranted his purchase of a mansion near Riverston already furnished in high style by an illustrious Spa physician—furnished indeed with such large framefuls…†
Chpt 6 (definition 1)

On the contrary, he felt a cold certainty at his heart that Raffles—unless providence sent death to hinder him—would come back to Middlemarch before long.†
Chpt 6 (definition 1)

I want you to make the happiness of her life and your own, and if there is any chance that a word of warning from me may turn aside any risk to the contrary—well, I have uttered it.†
Chpt 7 (definition 2)

On the contrary, he felt unmixed disgust with himself the next day when he had to pay four or five pounds over and above his gains, and he carried about with him a most unpleasant vision of the figure he had made, not only rubbing elbows with the men at the Green Dragon but behaving just as they did.†
Chpt 7 (definition 1)

Under the circumstances I have indicated, of course I must cease to have any personal share in the management, and it is contrary to my views of responsibility to continue a large application of means to an institution which I cannot watch over and to some extent regulate.†
Chpt 7 (definition 3)

Contrary to Bulstrode's alarmed expectation, he took little notice of Lydgate's presence, and continued to talk or murmur incoherently.†
Chpt 7 (definition 3) *

In his last dealings with this man Bulstrode may have kept his hands pure, in spite of my suspicion to the contrary.†
Chpt 8 (definition 2)

It would have been safer for Will in the first instance to have taken up his hat and gone away; but he had felt no impulse to do this; on the contrary, he had a horrible inclination to stay and shatter Rosamond with his anger.†
Chpt 8 (definition 1)

She folded herself in the large chair, and leaned her head against it in fatigued quiescence, while Tantripp went away wondering at this strange contrariness in her young mistress—that just the morning when she had more of a widow's face than ever, she should have asked for her lighter mourning which she had waived before.†
Chpt 8 (definition 4) *

"On the contrary, dear," said Dorothea, "I never could do anything that I liked.†
Chpt 8 (definition 1)

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Grouped by 5 Meanings

Definitions:

(1) (on the contrary as in: on the contrary)
an expression used to intensify denial of an idea

editor's notes: More rarely, on the contrary is used to oppose an idea contained in what was just said rather than to oppose what was literally said. Here is an example: "I will not pay you for the work. On the contrary, I may sue you for damages." Suing for damages does not oppose not paying, but it does oppose the idea of paying.

(2) (to the contrary as in: to the contrary)
with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect

(3) (contrary to as in: contrary to)
in opposition to

editor's notes: You could also think of this as meaning, despite, or in spite of, or in conflict with; but since a common meaning of contrary is opposite, you many find it easiest to think of contrary to as in opposition to.

(4) (contrary as in: a contrary personality)
disagreeable -- typically in reference to someone's personality

(contrary as in: a contrary idea)
different (perhaps opposite or mutually exclusive)

editor's notes: In formal logic, contrary propositions or contrary arguments describe two things that cannot both be true. They might be described as mutually exclusive. For example, a pet cannot be both a cat and a dog. It doesn't need to be either, but if it is one, it cannot be the other. So the statement that a pet is a cat and the statement that the same pet is a dog, are contrary statements.

contrary in Middlemarch

contrary

in

Middlemarch