"Marriage must be a relation either of sympathy or of conquest"

George Eliot's quote recommends that marriage is a relationship in between two individuals that is either based on good understanding and support, or among dominance and control. The idea of marriage as a "conquest" implies that one partner is trying to subdue the other, while the idea of marital relationship as a "sympathy" suggests that the 2 partners are interacting in consistency. This quote suggests that a successful marriage is one in which both partners are on equal footing and are working together to construct a strong and enduring relationship. It likewise suggests that a marital relationship based upon domination and control is destined stop working, as it is not built on a structure of mutual regard and understanding. Ultimately, George Eliot's quote suggests that an effective marital relationship is one in which both partners are collaborating in consistency and understanding.