# To Garum Firs explained — The Mill on the Floss

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

## What happens

Maggie's day begins poorly with a humiliating visit from the hairdresser and the discomfort of her best clothes. She and Tom quarrel over card houses, and Tom declares he wishes Lucy were his sister instead. Meanwhile, Mrs. Tulliver visits Mrs. Pullet to seek help in mending the family quarrel with Mrs. Glegg, but Mrs. Pullet is reluctant to intervene directly.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Obligation and Conflict

Mrs. Tulliver seeks Mrs. Pullet's help to resolve the quarrel with Mrs. Glegg, illustrating the tensions and obligations among the Dodson sisters.

### Gender Roles and Limitations

Tom's dismissal of Maggie's abilities ('no girls could ever make anything') and the emphasis on Maggie's appearance and behavior reflect restrictive gender expectations.

### Pride and Fall

Tom's pride in his card house is shattered when Maggie accidentally knocks it down, leading to anger and a rift between the siblings.

## Character check-ins

### Maggie Tulliver

Suffers humiliation from the hairdresser and discomfort from her tucker; quarrels with Tom and accidentally knocks down his card house.

### Tom Tulliver

Proud of his best blue suit and card-house building; tells Maggie he wishes Lucy were his sister instead.

### Mrs. Tulliver

Visits Mrs. Pullet to ask her to persuade Mrs. Glegg to make up the quarrel; worries about her husband's financial decisions.

### Mrs. Pullet

Receives Mrs. Tulliver's visit; expresses sympathy but insists Mr. Tulliver should apologize to Mrs. Glegg.

### Lucy Deane

Visiting with Maggie; neat and pretty, she builds card houses skillfully and is admired by Tom.

### Mr. Pullet

Content with any outcome of the quarrel as long as Mr. Tulliver does not ask him for money; accidentally swallows a lozenge.

## Key lines

> Childhood has no forebodings; but then, it is soothed by no memories of outlived sorrow.

Children do not anticipate future troubles, but they also lack the comfort of remembering past hardships overcome.

_Narrator's reflection on Maggie's immediate distress._

> I like Lucy better than you; I wish Lucy was my sister.

Tom tells Maggie he prefers Lucy and wishes she were his sibling instead.

_Tom's hurtful words during the quarrel over card houses._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/ix-to-garum-firs
- 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