Introduction

Maggie’s childhood

The naughty girl

Maggie’s appearance

The obstinate child

Relationship with Tom

Further developments

Relationship with Stephen

Maggie’s social fall

The tragic ending

Feminist perspective

Conclusion

George Eliot is the author of great fictions, including Adam Bede (1859), The Mill on the Floss
(1860) and Middlemarch (1872). In the novel, she illustrates the noticeable relationship between
Maggie Tulliver and her brother Tom, because she had the same relationship with her strict
brother, Isaac. Maggie has biographical resemblance with George Eliot. Maggie has same
encounters and sufferings. The novel follows Maggie when she grows up from a hotheaded and
smart child into an outstanding and unconventional lady. She grows up under strict social
customs and yields them. Furthermore, lucid utterances as a child are obviously meant to confirm
Maggie’s outstanding cleverness as well as her dissimilarity from her family. “I share with you
this sense of oppressive narrowness; but it is necessary that we should feel it, if we care to
understand how it acted on the lives of Tom and Maggie – how it has acted on young
natures in many generations, that in the onward tendency of human beings have risen
above the mental level of generation before them, to which they have been nevertheless tied
by the strongest fibers of their hearts’’. (216)

Illustrating the conflicts, struggles and problems Maggie had in childhood will be crucial for
understanding her actions and choices in later life. Likewise, it will be essential to point it
Maggie’s main character traits as well as central relationships, which maintains a great impact on
her choices. This will not only help to show Maggie tullivers development but also to analyse her
fate. In brief, Maggie is a clever and impetuous girl, very imaginative and passionate.
Furthermore, she is in a dire need of love and affection which is a primary motive. Maggie
spends a lot of time in trying to earn the esteem and high concern of her brother. As a child
Maggie is intelligent, but likely a forgetful person. She acts rashly without considering the
consequences. This is one of her results of her sensitivity, for she cannot abide criticism and
harsh judgments on her. By the same token, she does not judge others in a harsh manner.

Maggie Tulliver is thought of as an extremely naughty child as she does not behave as
commonly expected. Her mothers and aunts disapprove of her rash, impetuous and wild
behavior. Mrs. Tulliver is very discontented with her daughter and calls her a “wild thing’’. She
is unhappy that her daughter does not fulfill the role of a nice little girl. Maggie’s mother has
certain expectations regarding her daughter’s behavior. Mrs. Tulliver discontent becomes
obvious when she says, “Maggie, Maggie […] what is to become of you, if you’re so
naughty? […] O dear, o dear, look at your clean pinafore, wet from top to bottom…” In
addition, Maggie refuses to act on common conducts: “I don’t want to do my patchwork. […]
Its foolish work”. This shows that Maggie would do everything according to her own will. “…
think it’s a judgment on me as I’ve got such a child—they’ll think I’ve done summat
wicked”. As the above mentioned quotation shows that Mrs. Tulliver is very anxious about what
others might think and that she is who will be blamed for having a child as unusual as Maggie.
Thus, she rather wishes for a daughter like Lucy, Maggie’s cousin, who meets all expectations—
she is said to be nice, little and neat: “It seems hard as my sister Deane should have that
pretty child”. Mrs. Tulliver, like Mrs. Benet, does not approve of her witty daughter.

In addition to her unconventional behaviour, Maggie’s second burden is her appearance. Maggie
takes more after the Tullivers, her father’s family, than the Dodson’s, the family on her mother’s
side, who differ greatly in their looks. The Dodson’s have a fair look; fair skin, fair hair and light
eyes. Maggie, on the other hand, has unnaturally dark skin, hair and eyes. Maggie has a gypsy-
like look. In a nutshell, she does not fit into the society according to Dodson’s opinion. Mrs.
Tulliver appears to be upset with her appearance. She says “brown skin as makes her look like
a mullater”. She further says that she “[desires] her daughter to have a curled crop, like
other folks children”. This would even compel Mr. Tulliver to suggest cutting it off.

One characteristic aspect of the Bidungsroman story is an account of mistakes the characters
make on the way to adulthood. The Mill on the Floss certainly fits into the category of
bildungsroman novel because the story catalogues Maggie’s mistakes and subsequent growth on
her way to adulthood. Initially, Maggie is seen as an obstinate child due to certain mistakes she
make. For instance, the cutting of her hair is deemed as a sign of rebellion. The narrator tells us
that, “Maggie thought chiefly of her own deliverance from her teasing hair and teasing
remarks about it, and something also of the triumph she should have over her mother and
her aunts by this very decided course of action”. The readers get to know that she cuts off her
hair out of spite for the rules that her family had created. The above mention quote shows the
child-like obstinacy of Maggie.

The relationship between Maggie and Tom, arguably the most vital characters, provides an
insight of Eliot’s relationship with Isaac. They are siblings and often act as such, but the novel
seems ultimately centered on the proximity of their relationship. This usually depends upon
Tom’s ever-changing view of his sister, as Maggie appears to always hold an extreme love for
him. Maggie begs for his love, crying and declaring “I …lo-lo-love you so, Tom”. He is often
manipulative with power, declares, “I don’t love you”. This upsets Maggie and she keeps on
yearning for his love. The author’s intention is to create feelings of sympathy among the readers.
Therefore, strong feelings of sympathy are aroused towards the protagonist of the novel. It is
observed that Tom, unlike Maggie, focuses more on himself.

Maggie does not always face rejection, however, her heavy inclusion into the narrative of the
novel provides detailed description of her other relationships with other young men. She has two
suitors, Philip Wakem and Stephen Guest. Despite her other relationships, however,
continuously demonstrates how deeply she cares for Tom above all others. Initially she falls for
Philip and proves to be an honest and a devoted lover. As mentioned above, Tom remains her
priority. Maggie statement justifies it when she says, “I love Tom so dearly…better than
anybody else in the world. When he grows up, I shall keep his house, and we shall always
live together”. Thus, it is observed that Maggie remains loyal to every commitment she makes
and leaves no stone unturned to save her relationship.

Maggie is featured as a grown and newly sensuous lady. Her avoidance of materialism and lack
of affectation makes her more appealing. When she meets Stephen Guest, the suitor of Lucy,
feelings of sensuousness sweep past her. Stephen increases Maggie’s romantic expectations and
gratifies her pride. Maggie and Stephens attraction seems to exist more in physical gestures than
in witty discussions. However, Maggies chooses her “duty” to her family. Stephen and Maggie
are always aware of one another physically. Eliot writes that “Each was oppressively conscious
of the others presence, even to the finger-ends”. However, Maggie remained concerned about
Philip and Lucy throughout.
The boat trip could be declared as one of the most unfortunate events in Maggie’s life. Maggie
agrees to accompany Stephen on the boat because she simply gives in. Throughout, Maggie is
described as drifting in a dreamlike state. The narrator tells us that, “All yielding is attended
with a less vivid consciousness than resistance; it is the partial sleep of thought”. Instead of
lashing out passionately and willfully against oppressive social forces, Maggie makes her last
mistake because she submits. The motivations behind her actions show the audience that how
Maggie grows up and relinquish her childhood. This event marks her social downfall and she
was thought of as having almost eloped.

The ending of the novel reinforces the idea that Maggie and Tom have a towering relationship.
Eliot solidifies the bond between the two through their intimate sharing of death. She describes
that, “brother and sister had gone down in an embrace never to be parted—living through
again in one supreme moment, the days when they had clasped their little hands in love,
and roamed the daisied fields together”. It shows that Tom and Maggie we meant to stay
together forever and Nature too did not part them.

Maggie made painstaking efforts to obtain her rights in the aspect and her failure resulted in
profound meanings in her times. Maggie supported feminist reforms in marriage, endorsed
women’s social emancipation and recommended better education for women. Maggie is deemed
as an unconventional character due to her bold attitude. Eliot has represented the strengths and
weaknesses of women through the protagonist of the novel. Eliot was a great author full of
feminist thoughts which are prevalent in the novel.

George Eliot portrays Maggie as a little girl who practices her modesty with self-esteem and
unconventional morality. Although, Maggie’s family labels her as unnatural and evil girl, she
justifies her worth to the readers. She always blames herself for alienation and lack of affinity
with Tom. She proves to be a worthy woman of her time; thus; proving wrong the perception of
her family members. Maggie Tulliver, apart from Elizabeth Bennet, is one of the strongest
female characters in the world of literature.

Tom Tulliver

Introduction
Childhood

Skills

Adulthood

Gender Discrimination

Reconciliation with Maggie

Conclusion

In Eliot’s novel, The Mill on the Floss, there are two major characters around whom the story
revolves. Maggie is the protagonist of this novel and she keeps on longing for the affection of her
brother. Tom is the Mr. and Mrs. Tullivers son and an older brother to Maggie. The character of
Tom closely resembles the real brother of the writer. Issac, the older brother of Eliot, was known
to have personality traits of that of Tom.

Tom does not share her intellectual abilities and bookish qualities. However, Tom has expertise
in certain skills including: building, fishing, and working on the Tulliver family property,
Dorlcote Mill. Mr. Tulliver sends him to study with Mr. Sterling, with the aim of giving him a
chance of succeeding in business. However, Tom is ill-suited for studies in Latin and geometry.
“I want him to know figures, and write like print, and see into things quick, and know what
folks mean, and how to wrap things up in words as aren’t actionable. It’s an uncommon
fine thing […] when you can let a man know what you think of him without paying for it”.
Tom could not comprehend to Mr. Sterling’s jokes: for instance, a pun on the Latin word for
“roast beef” which makes him feel” Silly”.

Despite the differences in personality and the deep-seated hatred between their families, Philip
and Tom manage to become friends. Tom is able to appreciate Philips talents and skills that he
does not share. These include the facility of storytelling and his knowledge of books. Tom’s
ability to feel compassion and tolerance for someone different from him suggests that the
Wakems and Tullivers might be able to find common grounds.

The Tulliver family’s bankruptcy marks the end of Tom and Maggie’s childhood in several
ways. It puts an end to their schooling as they cannot afford it. In a broader sense, it also
represents an end to the innocence and comfort of childhood. Prior to this, Tom and Maggie had
complete confidence in their father. Their transition into adulthood thus involves painful
disillusionment as they realise the extent of their father’s flaws and mistakes. The narrator
observes that they are going into “a thorny wilderness, “golden gates’’ of their childhood
having closed behind them. He has a difficult and traumatic iniation into adulthood after
Tullivers death, leaving Tom responsible for the family’s financial stability. He swears on the
family Bible that he will take revenge against Mr. Wakem, the lawyer who spitefully ruined
them. Tom has a sheer determinination of making his fortune, paying the family debts, and
buying back Dorlcote Mill, which he eventually does.

Tom is highly moralistic and has a well-developed sense of right and wrong. However, he treats
Maggie in a harsh manner. It is observed at various points in the novel that Tom, apart from the
other male members, has a low opinion of girls. “I don’t want your money, you silly thing.
I’ve got a great deal more money than you, because I’m a boy. I always have half-
sovereigns and sovereigns for my Christmas boxes, because I shall be a man, and you only
have five-shilling pieces, because you’re only a girl”. This quote is an evident manifestation of
Tom’s attitude toward women in general. At another place, he says” No, you couldn’t”. “Girls
can’t do Euclid: can they, sir?” to which Mr. Sterling answered “They can pick up a little of
everything, I daresay, said Mr. Sterling. “They’ve a great deal of superficial cleverness; but
they couldn’t go far into anything. Thayer quick and shallow”. Tom attempts to dominate
Maggie’s decision and independence.

At the end of the novel, Tom’s harshness comes to an end. Maggie’s life-long desire gets
fulfilled. Maggie achieves the love of her life. God made their souls depart from this world
together. It is noted that Maggie and Tom really came together in death. In the end, one really
can maintain that, the novel is really “their” story and the other characters are not that important.

To conclude, it could safely be said that Tom is one of the major and strong characters of the
novel. Tom’s skills are praise-worthy and the fact that he had grown up to be a responsible
member of the family should be considered. However, we learn that we must show profound
affection to our families and avoid any harsh beahviour. All the members of family are always in
a dire need for being appreciated, respected and loved.

Philip Wakem
Introduction

Qualities

Relationship with Maggie

Conclusion

Apart from Maggie and Tom, there are other characters as well. One of them is Philip Wakem.
Philip Wakem is perhaps the most intelligent and perceptive character of the novel. Philip is the
son of a wealthy lawyer, Wakem, who becomes the enemy of Mr. Tulliver, and by extension,
Tom Tulliver. He is the only son of his wealthy father. However, he does not prove himself
wrong and certainly does not behave in the way spoilt brats do.

Philip has a physical” deformity” a hunchback, which makes him, feels depressed and insecure.
However, he is also very intelligent, sensitive and gifted. He maintains an uneasy friendship with
Tom who admires Philips intelligence but has contempt for his disability when they both study
with Mr. Sterling. Philip can be downright inspirational when he wants. He is dramatically
different from other boys. Philips comment that Latin is a part of “the education of a
gentleman” points to the way that certain forms of knowledge are valued and associated with
higher class standing. In order to be a “gentleman” is to lead a life that does not involve manual
labour. Philip loves his studies and enjoys the stories of Greek. This shows that Philip is a well
versed and a cultured person.

When Maggie comes to visit Tom, Philip feels an instant affiliation for they share many
intellectual and artistic interests. Philip falls in love with Maggie and begins meeting her secretly
in the woods around the Dorlcote Mill, where he gives her books and encourages her reading and
cultural interests. However, the hatred of the two families thwarts their romance. Philips love
further gets frustrated by Maggie’s attention to Stephen Guest. However, he ultimately forgives
her, apologizing for pressing his romantic feelings for her when she might not have felt the same.
Phillips compassion and sensitivity make him an important figure in Maggie’s life since he
knows her well and supports her throughout.
Maggie is considered as a lucky girl due to the partnership she has with Philip. Philip, apart
from. Maggie is also an unconventional character. He is different from other characters and holds
in himself a spirit full of compassion and empathy. He tries his level best to encourage and
support Maggie. His extra ordinary skills and kindness makes Maggie fall for him. Philip holds a
special place in Maggie’s heart.

Stephen Guest

Introduction

About Stephen

Conclusion

Stephen Guest is the only character being essentially described , rather than shown to be what the
author wishes him to be. By description, he is handsome, witty, and a powerful personality.
However, he appears as a bit of a fop, a fine young gentleman who will be of account through his
fathers fortune, if at all. Stephen suffers from having to be the chosen object of the novel. He can
not be developed at the expense of that character, and consequesntly he tends to be underdone.

Although Stephen guest is spoiled and somewhat cconceited, he chooses Lucy Deane as the
woman he intends to marry because he does have a streak of originality and can see how superior
she is to the upper-class women when he is expected to choose from. However, he becomes
infatuated with Maggie. However, Maggie chooses her family instead thus guarding her chastity.
Initialy, he tries to deny his love for Maggie but later begins to persuade her to marry him. He is
confident of success and gets astonished when Maggie refuses, shwongh that his arrogance was
misplaced in assuming that Maggie would marry him. He flees to Holland after the blotched
elopement but continues to write to Maggie. After Maggies death, he grieves and later on marries
Lucy.

Stephen appears to be a carefree character. He does not care about the conseqences. His bold and
powerful nature is revealed in the novel. Unlike Philip, Stephen seems to be under his emotions.
He is more of a self-centered person and spoiled due to his wealth. He makes his own decisions
and acts like a fearless young man. Therefore, Stephen is different from Tom and Phlip and that
makes his identity unique.