The Mill on the Floss: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Mill on the Floss" is a novel by George Eliot that explores the lives of the Tulliver siblings, particularly focusing on Maggie Tulliver, a passionate and imaginative young woman, and her brother, Tom. The narrative is set in the provincial town of St. Ogg's, where Maggie struggles against societal norms and expectations that label her as wild and unrefined. Her close relationship with Tom is complicated by his strict judgments and their father's financial ruin, leading to significant familial tension. Maggie’s love for Philip Wakem, the son of her father's adversary, adds further complexity, as societal pressures and family loyalty challenge her desires.
Tom, despite his priggish nature and harsh judgments of Maggie, exhibits a strong sense of responsibility, eventually reclaiming the family mill after their father's downfall. The relationships extend to other characters, including Lucy Deane, Maggie’s supportive cousin, and Stephen Guest, Lucy's fiancé, who becomes entangled in Maggie's life, leading to scandal and social ostracism. The narrative culminates in a tragic flood, symbolizing both the emotional turmoil and the deep bond between the siblings, as they seek reconciliation in their final moments. The novel intricately weaves themes of love, societal expectations, and familial loyalty, offering a poignant exploration of the characters’ struggles against their circumstances.
The Mill on the Floss: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: George Eliot
First published: 1860
Genre: Novel
Locale: England
Plot: Domestic realism
Time: Nineteenth century
Maggie Tulliver, the impetuous and generous young heroine. Regarded as wild and gypsy-like by most of her respectable relatives, the sensitive and imaginative Maggie does not fit into the provincial society in and near St. Ogg's on the River Floss. She worships her brother Tom, who judges her harshly and thinks her unreliable. She loves Philip Wakem, the crippled son of her father's worst enemy, but must promise never to see him. Despite her feeling for Philip and her love for her cousin, Lucy Deane, Maggie is strongly attracted to her cousin's fiancé, Stephen Guest. Stephen persuades her to go boating, but they neglect their destination and are forced to spend the night on a freighter that rescues them. Almost everyone in St. Ogg's, her brother included, thinks Maggie responsible and regards her as an evil and designing woman. In the final scene, during a flood, Maggie takes a boat to rescue Tom, who is at the family mill. The two are reconciled before the raging river drowns them.
Tom Tulliver, Maggie's brother. Although never quick at school, Tom assumes financial responsibility for the family when he is only sixteen, after the father has lost his mill and home through a series of lawsuits. Tom pledges to follow his father in having nothing to do with the Wakem family. He works hard and, through his industry and careful investments in partnership with Bob Jakin, pays off his father's debts and eventually gets the mill back. Somewhat priggish, Tom judges others severely, but he is also generous to his mother and sister.
Edward Tulliver, the father of Maggie and Tom and the owner of Dorlcote Mill, near St. Ogg's on the River Floss. An emotional and hot-tempered man, Tulliver engages in several lawsuits that, in combination with other financial reverses, cause him to lose his mill. Tulliver must swallow his pride and work in the mill as the hated Wakem's manager. When Tom finally earns the money to pay off his father's debts, Tulliver meets Wakem and thrashes him. The exertion produces Tulliver's second stroke, and he dies. He is always partial to his clever and imaginative daughter Maggie.
Mrs. Elizabeth Tulliver (Bessy), Edward's wife, proud of her birth as a Dodson and grieved that her husband's temper and improvidence cause her to lose her home and furnishings. She is dependent on the advice and opinions of her more prosperous sisters. Her pleading visit to Wakem inadvertently causes him to plan to buy the mill when Tulliver is bankrupt. Regarding Maggie as wild and unladylike, she is partialtohersonTom.
Philip Wakem, a lawyer's son, humpbacked as the result of a childhood accident. An excellent scholar and a talented artist, he loves Maggie from the time he first meets her, for she does not judge him by his infirmity. He hopes to marry Maggie despite family objections and her temporary attraction to Stephen Guest.
Lucy Deane, Maggie's blonde and pretty cousin. She and Maggie go to boarding school together and become great friends. Maggie confesses her feeling for Philip Wakem to Lucy. At the end, Lucy understands that Maggie was essentially blameless in the boating escapade with Stephen Guest, and she forgives Maggie. She marries Stephen after Maggie is dead.
Stephen Guest, the handsome son of the wealthiest and most socially prominent family in St. Ogg's. Although engaged to Lucy, he is so attracted to Maggie that he pleads with her to marry him. After the boating trip, when Maggie is in disgrace, he goes off to Holland.
Mrs. Jane Glegg, the sister of Mrs. Tulliver. She is wealthy, parsimonious, and the proudest of the Dodson sisters. Although she dislikes Maggie, she defends her after the episode with Stephen Guest.
Mrs. Sophy Pullet, another of the Dodson sisters. She is wealthy and sentimental, crying copiously at every misfortune.
Mrs. Susan Deane, another Dodson sister, the pale and ailing mother of Lucy. She and Tulliver die about the same time.
Mr. Deane, her husband, who has worked his way up in the prosperous firm of Guest and Co., bankers, ship owners, and tradesmen. Although rather pompous about his achievements, he helps Tom get established in his firm.
Mrs. Gritty Moss, Mr. Tulliver's sister, a kind, poor woman with eight children. She has Maggie's ardent nature, although she lacks her niece's intelligence.
Mr. Moss, her husband, an unsuccessful farmer.
Mr. Glegg, husband of Jane Glegg, a wealthy, retired, prudent gentleman who had made a fortune in the wool business.
Mr. Pullet, husband of Sophy Pullet, a tiny, wealthy gentleman farmer who sucks lozenges throughout all family discussions.
Bob Jakin, Tom Tulliver's boyhood friend. He becomes Tom's partner in numerous investments.
John Wakem, the father of Philip and a lawyer in St. Ogg's. Although he does not hate Mr. Tulliver initially, Tulliver's frequent insults cause him to enjoy the family's downfall. His love for his son, however, later leads him to approve of the possibility of Philip's marrying Maggie.
The Reverend Walter Stelling, the owner of King's Lorton, the school attended by Tom Tulliver and Philip Wakem. He regards Tom as hopelessly stupid.
Luke Moggs, the head miller at Dorlcote Mill, fond of Maggie and entirely loyal to the Tullivers.
Mr. Riley, a local auctioneer, surveyor, and engineer, who dies leaving Mr. Tulliver with his debts.
The Reverend Dr. Kenn, rector of St. Ogg's, a clergyman sympathetic toward Maggie.
Mrs. Kenn, his wife, who runs a charity bazaar in St. Ogg's.
Mr. Poulter, the village schoolmaster.
Mr. Pivart, the owner of land near Dorlcote Mill who wishes to irrigate his land and is sued unsuccessfully by Mr. Tulliver.
Mr. Dix, another gentleman unsuccessfully sued by Mr. Tulliver.
Mr. Furley, the gentleman who owns the mortgage on Mr. Tulliver's land and transfers it to lawyer Wakem.
Mr. Gore, a scheming lawyer.
Mr. Jetsome, the young manager of the mill under Wakem after Tulliver dies. While drunk, he is pitched off his horse and severely injured.
Prissy Jakin, Bob Jakin's tiny “Dutch doll” wife.
Mrs. Jakin, Bob's massive mother.