The Mill on the Floss · Chapter
II: St. Ogg’s Passes Judgment explained
Maggie returns to St.
What happens
Maggie returns to St. Ogg's without marrying Stephen Guest, and the town's judgmental public opinion condemns her as a bold, designing girl. She seeks counsel from Dr. Kenn, confessing her inner conflict and desire to stay with her family. Meanwhile, her mother visits relatives to learn news, and Maggie resolves to support herself through sewing.
Themes in this chapter
Gender Roles and Limitations
Maggie is judged harshly by the 'world's wife' for her perceived boldness and passion, while Stephen Guest is pitied as a victim of her design, illustrating the double standard for men and women.
Forgiveness and Redemption
Dr. Kenn offers Maggie a chance for confession and spiritual refuge, contrasting with the town's unforgiving judgment and Tom's rejection.
Pride and Fall
Maggie's fall from grace is complete in the eyes of society; her pride is stung by public stares and slights, yet she clings to the hope of moral recovery.
Characters to notice
- Maggie Tulliver
Returns to St. Ogg's in disgrace, seeks Dr. Kenn's advice, and resolves to live a life of penitence and self-support.
- Dr. Kenn
Receives Maggie's confession, offers counsel, and represents the Church's role in offering refuge to the penitent.
- Mrs. Tulliver
Visits sister Glegg to learn about Tom and the family's reaction to Maggie's return.
- Tom Tulliver
Rejects Maggie, turning her from his door; is seen as a respectable young man by society.
- Stephen Guest
Has fled to Holland; his letter blaming himself is dismissed by public opinion as a romantic attempt to shield Maggie.
- Lucy Deane
Lies in a feeble, passive state after the shock of the elopement; her recovery is uncertain.
Key passages
“We judge others according to results; how else?—not knowing the process by which results are arrived at.”
People judge based on outcomes, not understanding the complex journey that led there.
Narrator's commentary on the superficiality of public opinion.
“Retribution may come from any voice; the hardest, cruelest, most imbruted urchin at the street-corner can inflict it; surely help and pity are rarer things, more needful for the righteous to bestow.”
Anyone can deliver punishment, but compassion and aid are far more precious and should be given by the virtuous.
Maggie's reflection on the ease of condemnation versus the difficulty of finding kindness.
“Life stretched before her as one act of penitence; and all she craved, as she dwelt on her future lot, was something to guarantee her from more falling; her own weakness haunted her like a vision of hideous possibilities.”
Maggie saw her future as a single, continuous act of repentance, desperately seeking security against her own perceived weakness.
Maggie's internal state after the elopement and rejection.