The Mill on the Floss · Chapter
Maggie's Second Visit explained
Maggie visits Tom at school and meets Philip Wakem, the son of her father's enemy.
What happens
Maggie visits Tom at school and meets Philip Wakem, the son of her father's enemy. She feels sympathy for Philip's deformity and cleverness, but Tom remains hostile toward him. Tom shows Maggie a sword he has hidden, pretending to be the Duke of Wellington, but accidentally cuts his own foot, causing a fright.
Themes in this chapter
Family Obligation and Conflict
Maggie's loyalty to Tom is tested by her sympathy for Philip, the son of her father's enemy.
Passion vs. Duty
Maggie's emotional response to Tom's accident overrides her earlier fear, showing the pull between impulse and care.
Education and Self-Improvement
Philip's diligent study contrasts with Tom's struggle with Latin, highlighting different approaches to learning.
Characters to notice
- Maggie Tulliver
Visits Tom at school, shows sympathy for Philip Wakem, and is frightened by Tom's sword play.
- Tom Tulliver
Still resentful toward Philip, shows off a sword to Maggie, and accidentally injures himself.
- Philip Wakem
Clever and sensitive, feels repulsed by Tom's insult about his father, but is curious about Maggie.
- Mr. Stelling
Teaches the boys; enters the room after Tom's accident.
Key passages
“Their natural antipathy of temperament made resentment an easy passage to hatred, and in Philip the transition seemed to have begun; there was no malignity in his disposition, but there was a susceptibility that made him peculiarly liable to a strong sense of repulsion.”
Because they were naturally opposite in temperament, their resentment quickly turned into hatred, especially for Philip, who was not malicious but very sensitive and easily repulsed.
Describes the deepening rift between Tom and Philip.
“Maggie, moreover, had rather a tenderness for deformed things; she preferred the wry-necked lambs, because it seemed to her that the lambs which were quite strong and well made wouldn’t mind so much about being petted; and she was especially fond of petting objects that would think it very delightful to be petted by her.”
Maggie felt a special affection for imperfect or deformed creatures, believing they appreciated her attention more than healthy ones.
Explains Maggie's sympathy for Philip's deformity.
“I think it was that her eyes were full of unsatisfied intelligence, and unsatisfied beseeching affection.”
Her dark eyes seemed to express a longing for knowledge and love that was not yet fulfilled.
Philip's observation of Maggie's expressive eyes.