Author Description
'Was her life to be always like this? - always bringing some new source of inward strife?' When the miller Mr Tulliver becomes entangled in lawsuits, he sets off a chain of events that will profoundly affect the lives of his family and bring into conflict his passionate daughter Maggie with her inflexible but adored brother Tom. As she grows older, Maggie's discovery of romantic love draws her once more into a struggle to reconcile familial and moral claims with her own desires. Strong-willed, compassionate, and intensely loyal, Maggie seeks personal happiness and inner peace but risks rejection and ostracism in her close-knit community. Opening with one of the most powerful fictional evocations of childhood, The Mill on the Floss (1860) vividly portrays both the 'oppressive narrowness' and the appeal of provincial England, the comedy as well as the tragedy of obscure lives. George Eliot's most autobiographical novel was also her most controversial, and has been the subject of animated debate ever since. This edition combines the definitive Clarendon text with a lively new introduction and notes. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
The financial ruin of the Tulliver family forces Maggie Tulliver into a lifelong struggle between her personal desires and the rigid expectations of her provincial community. Maggie seeks intellectual and emotional fulfillment while navigating the constraints of her gender and the intense, often volatile relationship with her brother, Tom. The narrative follows her development from a spirited child into a woman caught between familial duty and the pursuit of individual happiness. The story is presented through a third-person omniscient perspective that provides deep insight into the internal lives of the characters and the social pressures of 19th-century England.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Detailed exploration of sibling dynamics and childhood development
- Critical examination of provincial social norms and moral rigidity
- Use of the mill as a central symbol of family heritage and entrapment
- Focus on the tension between individual passion and societal duty
- Rich, descriptive prose capturing the atmosphere of the English countryside
- Complex characterization of a female protagonist seeking autonomy
- Themes of education, social class, and personal integrity
- Realistic portrayal of the consequences of financial and legal conflict
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers frequently highlight the emotional depth of Maggie Tulliver as one of the most compelling figures in Victorian literature. Discussion often centers on the psychological realism Eliot employs to depict the conflict between personal ambition and the stifling nature of small-town life. Critics often point to the autobiographical elements of the text, noting how the author infuses the narrative with a sense of intellectual longing and social critique. The pacing is often described as deliberate, allowing for a thorough examination of the characters' moral dilemmas and the inevitable tragedy that arises from their choices. Many readers appreciate the balance between the nostalgic depiction of childhood and the harsh realities of adult life.
Page Count:
560
Publication Date:
2015-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191017159
ISBN-13:
9780191017155
English
Realism
classic
Historical
Fiction psychological
English & College Success
England
Young women
Coming of Age
Victorian
Siblings fiction
Family Saga
Community Tags
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