The Mill on the Floss Criticism
The Mill on the Floss, George Eliot's second novel, is deeply autobiographical, reflecting her own experiences through the character of Maggie Tulliver. The narrative explores Maggie's tumultuous relationship with her brother Tom and her struggles against the restrictive norms of 19th-century society. As depicted in the novel, Maggie's intellectual vigor and emotional depth are constantly at odds with the expectations of her family and community, which often results in her rejection and alienation. This tension is brilliantly captured as she grapples with her desires for love and acceptance, themes central to the novel as observed by Alan Bellringer.
The plot, divided into seven books, follows Maggie and Tom from childhood to young adulthood, highlighting Maggie's impulsive nature and her dependency on her brother. This dynamic is poignantly illustrated, as noted by John Hagan, through episodes that reveal Maggie's continuous quest for Tom's approval. Her life becomes further complicated by familial poverty and romantic entanglements, leading to her eventual ostracism by Tom. Despite these struggles, Maggie's character embodies a moral resilience, striving for "higher responsibility," as George Levine puts it, culminating in the tragic yet symbolically significant conclusion where she perishes with Tom during a flood, uniting them in death.
Critics have examined the novel's conclusion with varied perspectives. Some, like U. C. Knoepflmacher, find it unconvincing, while others like Alan Bellringer, view it as fitting within the novel's thematic framework. The novel's autobiographical elements have been critiqued for skewing its focus, yet Bernard J. Paris argues that this personal connection enriches the character portrayal. Notably, Henry James praised the authenticity of its depiction of childhood.
The Mill on the Floss remains a significant work for its intricate exploration of gender, society, and familial ties, offering insights into the human condition through the lens of Eliot's profound personal and social observations.
Contents
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Essays
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George Eliot (letter date 1860)
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In the following letter, Eliot acknowledges Edward Bulwer-Lytton's critiques of The Mill on the Floss, agreeing with his points on the passivity of Maggie and the lack of preparation for the tragedy, while defending her portrayal of Maggie's relationship with Stephen as essential to her artistic conception.
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John Blackwood (letter date 1860)
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In the following letter, John Blackwood praises George Eliot's The Mill on the Floss for its combination of pathos and humor, particularly highlighting the characters of Bob Jakin, Dr. Kenn, and Lucy, and expressing his belief in the novel's enduring impact and the emotional power of its final chapters.
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The Novels of George Eliot
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In this article, first published in the Atlantic Monthly in 1866, James offers an early and largely favorable review of The Mill on the Floss.
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The Social View: The Mill on the Floss
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In the following excerpt, Thale analyzes The Mill on the Floss as a sociological study.
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Intelligence as Deception: The Mill on the Floss
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In the essay below, Levine explores unity of intellect and emotion as the theme of The Mill on the Floss.
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The Inner Conflicts of Maggie Tulliver: A Horneyan Analysis
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In the following essay, Paris examines the psychology of the character of Maggie Tulliver using Karen Horney's theories of neurosis.
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The Mill on the Floss
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In the following essay, first published in 1970 in her Critical Essays on George Eliot, Hardy explores the conclusion of The Mill on the Floss as an example of authorial fantasy.
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The Intrusion of Tragedy: The Ordeal of Richard Feverel and The Mill on the Floss
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In this excerpt, Knoepflmacher compares Eliot's The Mill on the Floss to George Meredith's The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, noting that these novels do not effectively negotiate the split between romance and realism.
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A Reinterpretation of The Mill on the Floss
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In the following essay, Hagan challenges the conclusions drawn by several earlier critics, maintaining that the relationship between Maggie Tulliver, her brother Tom, and by extension their father, is the main concern of The Mill on the Floss.
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Maggie Tulliver's Long Suicide
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Here, Ermarth explores the influence of restrictive societal norms on the character of Maggie Tulliver, emphasizing how the sexist norms of St. Oggs lead to her repression and ultimately contribute to her tragic fate, which Philip describes as a 'long suicide.'
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The Power of Hunger: Demonism and Maggie Tulliver
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In the following essay, Auerbach analyzes The Mill on the Floss as a Gothic romance, noting that it is a novel of sensation rather than naturalism.
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Authority in The Mill on the Floss
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In this essay, Freeman contends that the omniscient narration of The Mill on the Floss renders the novel's ending appropriate.
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Men of Maxims and The Mill on the Floss
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In the following excerpt, first published in Critical Inquiry in 1981, Jacobus applies a critical feminist perspective to the language of The Mill on the Floss.
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The Mill on the Floss: Growing Up in St. Ogg's
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In this essay, Carroll examines the world-views of the Dodsons and Tullivers and their effect on Tom and Maggie's 'search for an interpretative key to life.'
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A Story of Nature: The Mill on the Floss
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Below, Bellringer contends that the conclusion of The Mill on the Floss is suitable to the story.
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George Eliot (letter date 1860)
(summary)
- Further Reading