'A man in threadbare clothing was seated on a stool against some bookshelves'

Grayscale illustration of a man in a threadbare suit sitting on a stool in front of bookshelves holding a newspaper and staring at the audience.

Mordecai in a threadbare suit sits on a stool in front of the bookshelves at the bookshop. He looks at Deronda, who is not pictured, as Deronda asks him about how much a book on Jewish history would cost. Mordecai assumes that Deronda is Jewish but Deronda corrects him. Mordecai’s humble depiction contrasts with his spiritual wisdom and his role as Deronda’s mentor (Book 4, Chapter 33).

Unknown

George Eliot Archive , edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org

1910

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Unknown, 'A man in threadbare clothing was seated on a stool against some bookshelves', George Eliot Illustrations Gallery, George Eliot Archive , edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/83433