# The New Schoolfellow explained — The Mill on the Floss

> Chapter companion for The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot.

## What happens

Tom Tulliver returns to school on a cold, wet January day and meets his new companion, Philip Wakem, the son of Lawyer Wakem. Initially awkward and prejudiced against Philip due to his deformity and his father's reputation, Tom gradually becomes intrigued by Philip's artistic skill and knowledge of heroic stories. Their conversation reveals Tom's disdain for Latin and his admiration for physical prowess, while Philip displays intellectual curiosity and a desire to conciliate. The chapter explores their tentative, uneasy acquaintance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Education and Self-Improvement

Tom's resistance to Latin and his admiration for practical skills contrast with Philip's intellectual curiosity and appreciation for classical learning.

### Pride and Fall

Tom's pride in his physical prowess and his father's goodness leads him to look down on Philip, but he is gradually humbled by Philip's talents.

### Forgiveness and Redemption

The tentative friendship between Tom and Philip hints at the possibility of overcoming prejudice and family enmity.

## Character check-ins

### Tom Tulliver

Returns to school and meets Philip Wakem; initially prejudiced but gradually impressed by Philip's drawing and stories.

### Philip Wakem

The new schoolfellow; a deformed but intelligent boy who draws skillfully and shares heroic tales with Tom.

### Mr. Stelling

Welcomes Tom back to school and introduces him to Philip Wakem.

### Maggie Tulliver

Mentioned by Tom as someone who wants to tell him stories, which he dismisses as 'stupid things'.

## Key lines

> It was a cold, wet January day on which Tom went back to school; a day quite in keeping with this severe phase of his destiny.

Tom returned to school on a gloomy, rainy January day that matched the harsh turn his life had taken.

_Sets the somber tone for Tom's return to school and his encounter with Philip._

> Tom did not like to go up and put out his hand, and he was not prepared to say, 'How do you do?' on so short a notice.

Tom felt too awkward and shy to step forward and shake hands or greet Philip immediately.

_Illustrates Tom's initial discomfort and prejudice toward Philip._

> I can't think why anybody should learn Latin. It's no good.

Tom cannot understand the purpose of studying Latin, seeing it as useless.

_Highlights Tom's practical, anti-intellectual attitude toward education._

> I should like to have been a Greek and fought the Persians, and then have come home and have written tragedies, or else have been listened to by everybody for my wisdom, like Socrates, and have died a grand death.

Philip dreams of being an ancient Greek hero, warrior, and philosopher, admired for his wisdom and courage.

_Reveals Philip's romantic and intellectual aspirations, contrasting with Tom's simpler interests._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iii-the-new-schoolfellow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters