The Mill on the Floss · Chapter
Wakem in a New Light explained
Philip Wakem, after a private interview with Lucy Deane, resolves to confront his father about his love for Maggie Tulliver.
What happens
Philip Wakem, after a private interview with Lucy Deane, resolves to confront his father about his love for Maggie Tulliver. He shows Wakem portraits of Maggie at different ages and declares his intention to marry her despite family enmity. A tense argument ensues, with Wakem expressing bitter resentment toward the Tullivers, but Philip calmly defends Maggie's worth and his own feelings, ultimately appealing to his father's affection and the futility of revenge.
Themes in this chapter
Passion vs. Duty
Philip struggles between his love for Maggie and his duty to his father, while Wakem demands filial obedience over personal happiness.
Family Obligation and Conflict
The chapter centers on a father-son confrontation over family feuds and the son's romantic choices, highlighting the tension between loyalty and independence.
Pride and Fall
Wakem's pride in his social standing and his resentment toward the Tullivers clash with Philip's calm defiance, leading to a potential fall from paternal authority.
Characters to notice
- Philip Wakem
Confronts his father about his love for Maggie, showing him her portraits and defending her character.
- Lawyer Wakem
Angrily resists Philip's plan to marry Maggie, citing old grievances with the Tullivers, but is ultimately moved by Philip's arguments.
- Maggie Tulliver
The subject of Philip's love and the central figure in the conflict; her portraits are shown to Wakem.
- Lucy Deane
Arranges a private interview with Philip that sets his plan in motion.
- Tom Tulliver
Mentioned as having forbidden Maggie from seeing Philip and as a source of resentment for Wakem.
Key passages
“Miss Tulliver has the only grounds of rank that anything but vulgar folly can suppose to belong to the middle class; she is thoroughly refined, and her friends, whatever else they may be, are respected for irreproachable honour and integrity.”
Philip defends Maggie's social standing, arguing that her refinement and her family's honor make her superior to him in every meaningful way.
Philip counters his father's class-based objections by asserting Maggie's true worth.
“You know best what satisfaction you would have, beyond that of gratifying a ridiculous rancor worthy only of wandering savages.”
Philip accuses his father of clinging to a petty grudge that is beneath a civilized person.
Philip appeals to his father's reason, dismissing the feud as savage and pointless.