The Mill on the Floss · Chapter
X: The Spell Seems Broken explained
After a moment of happiness that felt like treachery to Lucy and Philip, Maggie experiences a bitter rage and resolves to cast aside her temptations.
What happens
After a moment of happiness that felt like treachery to Lucy and Philip, Maggie experiences a bitter rage and resolves to cast aside her temptations. She reenters the dance with proud self-command, refusing to dance again but talking calmly. The next morning, Philip visits her in the garden, and they reaffirm their past bond, though Maggie insists that her tie to her brother is paramount. At the evening party, Maggie dances a country-dance with young Torry, while Stephen struggles with jealousy and attraction, ultimately seeking her out.
Themes in this chapter
Passion vs. Duty
Maggie's internal conflict between her feelings for Stephen and her duty to Lucy, Philip, and her own moral code.
Forgiveness and Redemption
Stephen seeks forgiveness from Maggie; Maggie seeks to redeem herself by rejecting temptation.
Family Obligation and Conflict
Maggie's tie to her brother Tom is cited as the strongest reason for not pursuing a future with Philip.
Characters to notice
- Maggie Tulliver
Struggles with guilt and resolves to reject temptation; reaffirms her bond with Philip but prioritizes her brother; experiences joy in dancing despite inner turmoil.
- Stephen Guest
Torn between love and honor, jealous of Philip, and drawn irresistibly to Maggie; tries to keep aloof but fails.
- Philip Wakem
Visits Maggie in the garden, seeking reassurance; clings to the past and feels jealousy despite Maggie's open answer.
- Lucy Deane
Hosts the party, dressed in white crape; unsuspecting of the tensions between Maggie and Stephen.
- Tom Tulliver
Referenced as the brother whose tie is strongest for Maggie; not present in the chapter.
Key passages
“for the sin of allowing a moment’s happiness that was treachery to Lucy, to Philip, to her own better soul.”
Maggie feels guilty for experiencing a brief happiness that betrays Lucy, Philip, and her own conscience.
Highlights Maggie's moral anguish and sense of sin.
“That book never will be closed, Philip,” she said, with grave sadness; “I desire no future that will break the ties of the past. But the tie to my brother is one of the strongest.”
Maggie tells Philip that she will always cherish their past, but her bond with her brother prevents her from choosing a future with him.
Shows Maggie's prioritization of family duty over romantic love.
“the first scenes of love and parting were more present than the actual moment, and she was looking at Philip in the Red Deeps.”
Maggie is lost in memories of their earlier meetings in the Red Deeps, more than in the present conversation.
Illustrates Maggie's nostalgia and emotional distance.
“Stephen hardly knew what happened, or in what automatic way he got through the duties of politeness in the interval, until he was free and saw Maggie seated alone again, at the farther end of the room.”
Stephen mechanically performs social niceties, his mind entirely focused on reaching Maggie.
Demonstrates Stephen's obsessive attraction and loss of self-control.