# IV: Another Love-Scene explained — The Mill on the Floss

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

## What happens

Nearly a year after their previous meeting, Maggie and Philip meet again in the Red Deeps. They discuss a book, Corinne, and Maggie expresses her sympathy for dark-haired heroines. Philip confesses his love and asks for reassurance; Maggie admits she loves him but refuses to do anything that would wound her father. They kiss and part, with Maggie feeling a bittersweet happiness tempered by the knowledge of sacrifice.

## Themes in this chapter

### Passion vs. Duty

Maggie struggles between her love for Philip and her duty to her father, ultimately vowing not to wound him.

### Gender Roles and Limitations

Maggie's identification with dark, unhappy heroines and her sense of being overshadowed by Lucy reflect the limited roles available to women.

### Family Obligation and Conflict

Maggie's promise to never hurt her father highlights the tension between personal desire and familial loyalty.

## Character check-ins

### Maggie Tulliver

Maggie meets Philip in the Red Deeps, discusses literature, and confesses her love for him while vowing not to wound her father.

### Philip Wakem

Philip expresses his love for Maggie, asks for her commitment, and is reassured by her affection, though he senses her hesitation.

### Lucy Deane

Maggie mentions Lucy as her dear cousin, contrasting her own dark looks with Lucy's fair beauty and accomplishments.

### Tom Tulliver

Maggie recalls the days when Tom was good to her, linking her happiness with Philip to those childhood memories.

### Mr. Tulliver

Maggie declares she will never do anything to wound her father, setting a boundary on her relationship with Philip.

## Key lines

> I want to avenge Rebecca and Flora MacIvor and Minna, and all the rest of the dark unhappy ones.

Maggie wishes to see dark-haired heroines triumph in stories, as she feels they are often wronged.

_Maggie expresses her sympathy for marginalized characters, reflecting her own sense of otherness._

> I will never do anything to wound my father. You must never ask that from me.

Maggie sets a firm boundary, saying her love for Philip cannot come at the cost of hurting her father.

_This vow underscores the central conflict between passion and duty in the chapter._

> She had a moment of real happiness then—a moment of belief that, if there were sacrifice in this love, it was all the richer and more satisfying.

Maggie briefly feels that the sacrifice inherent in her love for Philip makes it more meaningful.

_The narrator highlights Maggie's complex emotional state, blending joy with resignation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iv-another-love-scene
- 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