Ready Reference Treatise: The Mill on the Floss

By Raja Sharma

The author started writing “The Mill on the Floss” in 1869. There were some later revised editions of the novel. Since the novel “Adam Bede” had been very successful, the fans and readers were waiting for “The Mill on the Floss” with eager anticipation. It was generally very well received by the readers when it was published in 1860.

For all that, the book did not prove to be as successful as “Adam Bede.” was However, it was said to be a more ambitious work by the author. Several critics admired the first half of the novel. The first half of the novel mainly describes the childhoods of Maggie and Tom Tulliver. Most of the critics did not like the second half and the ending of The Mill on the Floss.

Ready Reference Treatise: The Mill on the Floss
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Major Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Book One
Book Two
Book Three
Book Four
Book Five
Book Six
Book Seven
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raja Sharma
• Release date: Jan 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311383174

Raja Sharma

Raja Sharma is a retired college lecturer.He has taught English Literature to University students for more than two decades.His students are scattered all over the world, and it is noticeable that he is in contact with more than ninety thousand of his students.

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Ready Reference Treatise: The Mill on the Floss

Copyright

Ready Reference Treatise: The Mill on the Floss

Raja Sharma

Copyright@2016 Raja Sharma

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Chapter One: Introduction

The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot was first published in 1860. The first edition of the novel was published in three volumes. The book was published in America in New York by Thomas Y. Crowell Co.

It was the third novel written by the author, after the success of her two other novels Scenes of Clerical Life and Adam Bede, which were published in 1858 and 1869 respectively.

The author started writing The Mill on the Floss in 1869. There were some later revised editions of the novel. Since the novel Adam Bede had been very successful, the fans and readers were waiting for The Mill on the Floss with eager anticipation. It was generally very well received by the readers when it was published in 1860.

For all that, the book did not prove to be as successful as Adam Bede. was However, it was said to be a more ambitious work by the author. Several critics admired the first half of the novel. The first half of the novel mainly describes the childhoods of Maggie and Tom Tulliver. Most of the critics did not like the second half and the ending of The Mill on the Floss.

It is generally considered the author’s most autobiographical novel. The events do not clearly resemble the real events from the author’s life, but the major character of Maggie Tulliver is said to be the closest approximation of the author. Maggie goes through the similar struggles that the author had faced in her real life.

The Tullivers do not necessarily represent the author’s parents, but Tom Tulliver can easily remind of the author’s brother Isaac Evans.

The Dodson aunts in the story are also almost similar to the author’s aunts, the Pearsons. In general, most of the reviews received by the author were mixed, more positive than negative.

Chapter Two: Plot Overview

The novel is divided into seven books and it covers the time period of about fifteen years. Tom and Maggie Tulliver are the central characters.

The novel details their upbringing and growth at Dorlcote Mill on the River Floss, near the village of St. Ogg’s in Lincolnshire, England. The setting of the novel is absolutely fictional and it does not resemble any real place in England.

Through the historical references and the events in the story, it can be deduced that the novel is most probably set in the 1820s. There are some apparent autobiographical elements in the story.

Maggie Tulliver happens to be the central character of the novel. At the beginning of the novel, she happens to be nine years old. Her parents have been married for thirteen years.

As the novel opens, the unnamed narrator happens to be dreaming of Doricote Mill as the narrator had known it years before.

Mr. Tulliver happens to be the owner of the Mill and its farm. Tom is his son. He has decided to send Tom to school to get educated because Mr. Tulliver does not want to make his son a miller and farmer.

During the summer, Tom comes home. Maggie is his younger sister. He comes to know that she has forgotten to feed his rabbits, and consequently they have all died. He is very angry with Maggie.

Maggie happens to be a very bright girl. She carries good intentions. She is constantly desirous to please her brother.

When he is angry with her, she is very much disappointed and sad. Throughout the novel, he keeps scolding her for her carelessness, but he eventually forgives her.

Tom begins his schooling at Mr. Stelling’s. Tome does not like the lessons because he is the only pupil there and he finds the learning very difficult.

When the Christmas holidays are over, Philip Wakem joins Tom at King’s Lorton to