The Mill on the Floss · Chapter
What Had Happened at Home explained
Maggie returns home to find her father stricken after learning that Lawyer Wakem has acquired a mortgage on their property.
What happens
Maggie returns home to find her father stricken after learning that Lawyer Wakem has acquired a mortgage on their property. She tends to him devotedly while the family discusses the ruin. Tom is sent for, and on the journey home, Tom vows revenge against Wakem and forbids Maggie from speaking to Philip.
Themes in this chapter
Pride and Fall
Mr. Tulliver's pride and obstinacy are central to his tragedy; he cannot face defeat and suffers a physical collapse.
Family Obligation and Conflict
Maggie's devotion to her father contrasts with Tom's vengeful stance; the aunts and uncles debate the family's fate.
Characters to notice
- Maggie Tulliver
Devotedly nurses her father after his collapse; fetches Tom from school.
- Tom Tulliver
Returns home from school; vows revenge on Wakem and forbids Maggie from speaking to Philip.
- Mr. Tulliver
Suffers a stroke after learning of Wakem's mortgage; lies insensible but calls for Maggie.
- Mrs. Tulliver
Distraught and helpless; wants Tom fetched home; defers to her sisters.
- Lawyer Wakem
Revealed to have acquired the mortgage on Tulliver's property, causing Mr. Tulliver's collapse.
Key passages
“that simple, primitive love which knits us to the beings who have been nearest to us, in their times of helplessness or of anguish.”
A pure, instinctive love binds us to those closest to us when they are vulnerable or suffering.
Describes Maggie's overwhelming love for her father in his illness.
“It is precisely the proudest and most obstinate men who are the most liable to shift their position and contradict themselves in this sudden manner; everything is easier to them than to face the simple fact that they have been thoroughly defeated, and must begin life anew.”
Very proud and stubborn people often change their stance abruptly because they cannot admit total defeat and start over.
Narrator's commentary on Mr. Tulliver's character and behavior.
“The pride and obstinacy of millers and other insignificant people, whom you pass unnoticingly on the road every day, have their tragedy too; but it is of that unwept, hidden sort that goes on from generation to generation, and leaves no record.”
Even humble people like millers experience tragic pride and stubbornness, though their suffering is unnoticed and unrecorded.
Reflects the novel's theme of hidden, everyday tragedy.