Throughout Adam Bede the characters of Dinah Morris and Hetty Sorrell are compared and contrasted, albeit sometimes indirectly, both can, at times, represent the Madonna and the harlot. It is not always clear which woman is the harlot and which is the Madonna. Many critics have commented on the exchange in roles and the position of such a woman in pre-Victorian society. Dinah is a pillar of the society, a good hardworking girl who is a credit to the Poyser family, pretty but not beautiful by Hetty's
relationship between Hetty Sorel and Captain Arthur Donnithorne in Adam Bede. Hetty Sorrel is a beautiful young woman that lives with her relatives. Being so beautiful, she captures the attention of Adam Bede, an honest well-respected man of her community. Adam is completely enamored by Hetty and believing that her beauty must be a reflection of her personality asks for her hand. As a person’s physical appearance is not an accurate measure of a person’s character, Adam’s perception of Hetty proves to be