Tom is struggling at his new school under Mr. Stelling's rigid teaching methods. He misses home and finds the schoolwork boring. Maggie visits and tries to help Tom study, embarrassing him with her intelligence. At Christmas, tensions are high at home as Mr. Tulliver plans to sue his rival over water rights, despite warnings this could backfire. Tom returns to school to find Philip Wakem, the deformed son of Mr. Tulliver's enemy, will be his new classmate. The boys have an awkward introduction but bond over drawing, with Philip impressing Tom with his artistic skills.
Alexander Pope was an 18th century English poet best known for his satirical verse and translation of Homer's works. He was born into a Catholic family at a time when Catholics faced significant legal restrictions. His education ended early due to Pott's disease, but he was a prolific self-educated reader of classical texts. His most famous works included Essay on Criticism, The Rape of the Lock, and translations of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Though his religious background and poor health isolated him, Pope was a highly influential poet and considered a master of Neoclassical style during his lifetime.
Pope's poem "Rape of the Lock" is a social satire that ridicules the follies and vices of 18th century aristocratic society through humor and wit. It satirizes young aristocratic men and women, portraying their trivial pursuits of fashion, beauty, and romance. Through the character of Belinda, it represents women as being confined to superficial acts like sleeping, makeup, and attracting men. It also pokes fun at men's weakness for beauty, as well as husbands' distrust of wives and judges' hasty rulings. The poem uses delicate satire to reflect on and aim to reform the artificial lives of 18th century high society.
Dramas staged between 1660 and 1700 are called ‘Restoration Dramas’. The dramatic literature of the period was dominated by comedies called ‘Comedy of manners’. Actually ‘Restoration Comedy’ is used as a synonym for “Comedy of Manners”. The plot of the comedy, often concerned with scandal, was traditionally less important than its witty dialogues.
The comedy of manners was first developed in the new comedy of the Ancient Greek Playwright Menander. His style, elaborate plots, and stock characters were imitated by the Roman playwrights Plautus and Terence, whose comedies were widely known and copied during the Renaissance. The best-known comedies of manners, however, may well be those of the French playwright Moliere.
Oscar Wilde and William Congreve are the most celebrated authors of ‘Comedy of Manners’.
This document summarizes a student paper about the themes in Henry Fielding's novel "Tom Jones". It provides background on Fielding as an English novelist and dramatist. It then gives a brief introduction to "Tom Jones", describing the main character Tom as good-natured but not always careful in his actions. The story follows Tom's adventures around England and the comic scenes and happy ending. Finally, it discusses some of the themes in the novel, including social realism, politics, females, and style.
Character analysis in the novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen by Husai...Husain Necklace
The document provides a detailed analysis of the main characters in Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. It examines each character's personality traits, relationships, and how they relate to themes of marriage, class, and gender norms in 18th-19th century English society. The analysis finds that Austen crafted complex, evolving characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy to challenge social conventions, while ones like Mr. Collins reinforced stereotypes she sought to critique. Through her characters, Austen expressed opinions about what makes a successful marriage versus those driven by financial or social motivations alone.
This document discusses themes from Thomas Hardy's novel "Tess of the D'Urbervilles". It outlines several key themes: 1) fate versus free will and how Tess is subjected to forces beyond her control, 2) male predominance and sexual harassment exemplified through Alec's harassment of Tess, and 3) the conflict between tradition and modernism seen through changes in farming techniques. Additional themes covered include prejudice, the lure of money, and a struggle between knowledge and ignorance. The document provides details on these themes through examples and passages from the novel.
Pride and Prejudice: Character introductionsEmma Sinclair
This document provides background information on the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It discusses Austen's life and background, an overview of the plot and characters in the novel, including Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Charlotte Lucas and others. Key quotes from characters are also included to aid in analyzing their roles and development over the course of the story.
The characters and themes of a passage to indianoraahmed141419
This document provides an introduction and summary of the novel "A Passage to India" by E.M. Forster. It discusses the plot, which centers around Dr. Aziz, a young Indian physician who is falsely accused of assaulting a British woman. The introduction notes that the novel examines the difficulty of establishing friendship across cultural boundaries in colonial India. It then summarizes the main characters and themes of the novel, including the central theme of the clash between British and Indian cultures in colonial India and the difficulties of forming friendships across these divides.
Alexander Pope was an 18th century English poet best known for his satirical verse and translation of Homer's works. He was born into a Catholic family at a time when Catholics faced significant legal restrictions. His education ended early due to Pott's disease, but he was a prolific self-educated reader of classical texts. His most famous works included Essay on Criticism, The Rape of the Lock, and translations of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Though his religious background and poor health isolated him, Pope was a highly influential poet and considered a master of Neoclassical style during his lifetime.
Pope's poem "Rape of the Lock" is a social satire that ridicules the follies and vices of 18th century aristocratic society through humor and wit. It satirizes young aristocratic men and women, portraying their trivial pursuits of fashion, beauty, and romance. Through the character of Belinda, it represents women as being confined to superficial acts like sleeping, makeup, and attracting men. It also pokes fun at men's weakness for beauty, as well as husbands' distrust of wives and judges' hasty rulings. The poem uses delicate satire to reflect on and aim to reform the artificial lives of 18th century high society.
Dramas staged between 1660 and 1700 are called ‘Restoration Dramas’. The dramatic literature of the period was dominated by comedies called ‘Comedy of manners’. Actually ‘Restoration Comedy’ is used as a synonym for “Comedy of Manners”. The plot of the comedy, often concerned with scandal, was traditionally less important than its witty dialogues.
The comedy of manners was first developed in the new comedy of the Ancient Greek Playwright Menander. His style, elaborate plots, and stock characters were imitated by the Roman playwrights Plautus and Terence, whose comedies were widely known and copied during the Renaissance. The best-known comedies of manners, however, may well be those of the French playwright Moliere.
Oscar Wilde and William Congreve are the most celebrated authors of ‘Comedy of Manners’.
This document summarizes a student paper about the themes in Henry Fielding's novel "Tom Jones". It provides background on Fielding as an English novelist and dramatist. It then gives a brief introduction to "Tom Jones", describing the main character Tom as good-natured but not always careful in his actions. The story follows Tom's adventures around England and the comic scenes and happy ending. Finally, it discusses some of the themes in the novel, including social realism, politics, females, and style.
Character analysis in the novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen by Husai...Husain Necklace
The document provides a detailed analysis of the main characters in Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. It examines each character's personality traits, relationships, and how they relate to themes of marriage, class, and gender norms in 18th-19th century English society. The analysis finds that Austen crafted complex, evolving characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy to challenge social conventions, while ones like Mr. Collins reinforced stereotypes she sought to critique. Through her characters, Austen expressed opinions about what makes a successful marriage versus those driven by financial or social motivations alone.
This document discusses themes from Thomas Hardy's novel "Tess of the D'Urbervilles". It outlines several key themes: 1) fate versus free will and how Tess is subjected to forces beyond her control, 2) male predominance and sexual harassment exemplified through Alec's harassment of Tess, and 3) the conflict between tradition and modernism seen through changes in farming techniques. Additional themes covered include prejudice, the lure of money, and a struggle between knowledge and ignorance. The document provides details on these themes through examples and passages from the novel.
Pride and Prejudice: Character introductionsEmma Sinclair
This document provides background information on the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It discusses Austen's life and background, an overview of the plot and characters in the novel, including Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Charlotte Lucas and others. Key quotes from characters are also included to aid in analyzing their roles and development over the course of the story.
The characters and themes of a passage to indianoraahmed141419
This document provides an introduction and summary of the novel "A Passage to India" by E.M. Forster. It discusses the plot, which centers around Dr. Aziz, a young Indian physician who is falsely accused of assaulting a British woman. The introduction notes that the novel examines the difficulty of establishing friendship across cultural boundaries in colonial India. It then summarizes the main characters and themes of the novel, including the central theme of the clash between British and Indian cultures in colonial India and the difficulties of forming friendships across these divides.
The Return of the Native by Thomas HardyMonir Hossen
Thomas Hardy's sixth novel, The Return of the Native, follows a tangled web of lovers on Egdon Heath. Damon Wildeve orchestrates a marriage delay to pursue Eustacia Vye, but she becomes interested in Clym Yeobright upon his return. They marry despite his mother's objections. Their marriage sours as Eustacia renews her affair with Wildeve. A series of tragic events, including Mrs. Yeobright's death and Eustacia and Wildeve's drowning, leaves Clym broken and Thomasin married to Diggory Venn.
The document provides an overview of the Theatre of the Absurd and Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot. It explains that Theatre of the Absurd explores the absurdity of existence in a godless universe where life has no purpose or meaning. Waiting for Godot follows two homeless men, Vladimir and Estragon, who pass the time waiting endlessly and in vain for someone named Godot to arrive. Their dialogue shows how they try to maintain their friendship and identity through memory and conversation to avoid confronting the meaninglessness of their existence.
This document provides background information on Alexander Pope and analyzes his famous work "The Rape of Lock" as a social satire. It discusses how Pope satirizes aspects of 18th century society such as young aristocrats, gender roles, justice systems, fashion, and the concept of friendship. The document concludes that "The Rape of Lock" is a work of social satire that effectively portrayed and ridiculed the follies and vices of Pope's contemporary society.
Charles Lamb was an English essayist, poet, and critic from the Romantic period. He worked as a clerk at the East India Company for over 30 years. Lamb is best known for his collection of essays titled Essays of Elia, which featured autobiographical sketches and reflections in a unique and humorous style. The essays explore themes of memory, family, and the passing of time. Lamb also wrote literary criticism and worked with his sister Mary to adapt Shakespeare's plays for children in their popular book Tales from Shakespeare. Lamb's personal essays are renowned for their delicate wit and ability to find profound meaning in ordinary things.
Thomas Hardy is recognized as a great poet; a great novelist; a story-teller of super excellence. Like Dickens he was a social chronicler of his times.
He studied architecture in King’s College, Cambridge and became the Topper in M.Tech.
Hardy wrote poems all through his life but got recognition as a poet only in the fag end of his life because the themes of most of his poems were far ahead of his time. He wrote more than one thousand poems. More than 1000 poems in eight volumes were published during his life time while many more got published posthumously.
Egdon Heath plays a central role in Thomas Hardy's novel The Return of the Native. The heath influences the characters and their actions. It helps some characters like Venn while frustrating the plans of others, like Eustacia who sees it as her prison. The heath is also symbolic, representing the indifferent forces of nature. Events unfold on the heath, and it even contributes directly to deaths. Overall, Egdon Heath is presented as a living, influential character that helps determine the destiny and tragedy in the novel.
W.B. Yeats was an Irish poet who was considered both a traditional and modern poet. He was influenced by Irish folklore and mythology. Some key characteristics of Yeats' poetry included obscurity, occultism, mysticism, and use of symbols. Common symbols in his poetry included the rose, swan, and Helen of Troy, which had both traditional and personal meanings. Overall, Yeats' poetry is characterized by its complex use of symbols to represent different concepts.
An Apology for Poetry was written by the Elizabethan writer Philip Sidney in his defence of poetry from the accusation that was made by Stephen Gosson in his work "School of Abuse".
Virginia Woolf was born in 1882 in London and did not receive a formal education. Her mother died when she was 13, which caused Virginia's first mental breakdown. She began writing reviews and tutoring. In 1912, she married writer Leonard Woolf. Together they founded the Hogarth Press in 1917. Virginia Woolf battled depression throughout her life and took her own life in 1941. She was a pioneer of modernist literature through her experimental styles and use of stream of consciousness in works like Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse.
This document provides a summary of E.M. Forster's life and career as well as an in-depth summary of his novel "A Passage to India". It outlines the key events in Forster's life from his birth in 1879 to his death in 1970. It then analyzes the novel's setting, major characters, themes of imperialism, racism and the difficulty of intercultural friendship under British rule in India. The document is divided into sections on cultural background, historical background and detailed summaries of each part of the novel.
George Eliot's 1860 novel The Mill on the Floss follows siblings Tom and Maggie Tulliver and their family. Mr. Tulliver owns the Dorlcote Mill but loses it after a lawsuit brought by Mr. Wakem. This causes financial and emotional strain on the family. Maggie and Tom grow apart as Tom resents Maggie's intellectual curiosity. Maggie falls for both Philip Wakem and Stephen Guest, but her love for them is rejected by society and contributes to her tragic fate when she and Tom die together in a flood while trying to save each other. The novel examines themes of love, sympathy, and the influence of society on individuals.
George Bernard Shaw was one of Britain's most famous and controversial playwrights. Born in Dublin in 1856, his most famous play was Pygmalion, about a cockney girl who learns to pass as a lady, which was later adapted into the musical My Fair Lady. Shaw helped found the Fabian Society and supported causes like socialism and spelling reform. He wrote many plays that critiqued contemporary social issues using satire and became renowned as an innovative dramatist who revolutionized English theater.
Dr. Faustus embodies elements of the Renaissance such as a yearning for knowledge, intellectual curiosity, love of beauty, and wealth and exploration. The play depicts Faustus' insatiable thirst for knowledge in various subjects at the beginning. His intellectual curiosity and desire for power and omnipotence over nature represent the spirit of discovery during the Renaissance. Faustus also desires wealth, pleasures, and beauty, which were valued during this period. He disregards the authority of the Pope and church, showing the questioning of religious institutions that occurred in the Renaissance.
This document summarizes the major themes in Juno and the Paycock by Sean O'Casey, including poverty, fighting for ideals, the debilitating effects of poverty, escapism, religion, reality and fantasy, tragedy and comedy, and feminism. It notes that the play depicts the poverty of its characters and conflicts between dreams and reality. It also analyzes O'Casey's portrayal of women as more realistic and responsible than the men. The document concludes by arguing the play stresses women's instinctive good sense and role in modern life.
Robert Browning was an English poet who lived during the Victorian era. He was educated at home by his father's large library and was fluent in multiple languages by age 14. Browning never had a formal career and was financially dependent on his family until age 34 when he married Elizabeth Barrett. Their marriage faced disapproval from her father. Browning published his first work anonymously in 1833 and gained recognition in the 1850s after his wife encouraged him to publish collections of his works. He had a significant influence on styles of poetry, particularly dramatic monologues, and was one of the most important Victorian poets.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, his life and works
Prepared by Ahmad Hussain, Department of English,
Abdul Wali khan University Mardan.
Email: mr.literature123@gmail.com
Facebook page link for Literary students: www.facebook.com/englitpearls
George Eliot included many autobiographical elements in her novel Mill on the Floss. Several characters and events parallel aspects of Eliot's own life. Tom and Maggie drowning at the end mirrors Eliot's grandfather drowning. Maggie's love affair with the committed Stephen Guest reflects Eliot's own relationship with the married George Lewes. Tom represents Eliot's brother Isaac, while Maggie's character incorporates many details from Eliot's own childhood that portray her as a somewhat unruly and unconventional child, similar to how others saw Eliot. Overall, the novel closely mirrors Eliot's life and experiences in its portrayal of the Tulliver family and characters.
Importance of being earnst as a comedy of manner Iqramushtaq1142
The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedy of manners that satirizes the manners and pretensions of upper-class Victorian society. It focuses on flaws and hypocrisy through elements like irony, witty dialogue, and plots that ridicule the trivial priorities and lack of emotion among aristocratic characters. The play exposes the artificial values of the Victorian aristocracy through devices like the dual identities of Jack and Algernon, the women's obsession with the name "Earnest", and Lady Bracknell's judgmental nature.
George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright born in 1856 who became a prominent socialist figure. After being exposed to irregular schooling and poverty in his youth, he moved to London in 1876 and joined the Fabian Society, a socialist organization. He wrote over 60 plays that addressed political and social issues through witty dialogue. His most famous play, Pygmalion (1912), tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who is taught to speak like an upper-class woman in a bet between Professor Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering. The play examines the rigid class divisions in Victorian society and whether a person's identity can truly be changed by their speech and manners.
The document provides a detailed summary of the plot and characters of George Eliot's novel "The Mill on the Floss". The story follows siblings Tom and Maggie Tulliver and Maggie's struggles between her desires and duty to her family. Maggie falls for two unsuitable men - Philip Wakem, the son of the family's enemy, and Stephen Guest, who is engaged to her cousin. This causes scandal in their small town. The novel culminates in a tragic accident where Maggie and Tom drown together in a flood while trying to save each other.
Setting and theme-critical analysis- mill on the flossLaiba Farooq
The document summarizes key themes and settings of the novel "The Mill on the Floss" by George Eliot. It is set in early 19th century England during the Victorian era in the fictional town of St. Ogg's. Major themes explored include the role of knowledge versus ignorance in society, the power of childhood memories, constraints faced by women due to social expectations, and the influence of society on individuals. Maggie Tulliver struggles against the limited roles and education permitted to women, while her cousin Lucy represents traditional Victorian femininity.
The Return of the Native by Thomas HardyMonir Hossen
Thomas Hardy's sixth novel, The Return of the Native, follows a tangled web of lovers on Egdon Heath. Damon Wildeve orchestrates a marriage delay to pursue Eustacia Vye, but she becomes interested in Clym Yeobright upon his return. They marry despite his mother's objections. Their marriage sours as Eustacia renews her affair with Wildeve. A series of tragic events, including Mrs. Yeobright's death and Eustacia and Wildeve's drowning, leaves Clym broken and Thomasin married to Diggory Venn.
The document provides an overview of the Theatre of the Absurd and Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot. It explains that Theatre of the Absurd explores the absurdity of existence in a godless universe where life has no purpose or meaning. Waiting for Godot follows two homeless men, Vladimir and Estragon, who pass the time waiting endlessly and in vain for someone named Godot to arrive. Their dialogue shows how they try to maintain their friendship and identity through memory and conversation to avoid confronting the meaninglessness of their existence.
This document provides background information on Alexander Pope and analyzes his famous work "The Rape of Lock" as a social satire. It discusses how Pope satirizes aspects of 18th century society such as young aristocrats, gender roles, justice systems, fashion, and the concept of friendship. The document concludes that "The Rape of Lock" is a work of social satire that effectively portrayed and ridiculed the follies and vices of Pope's contemporary society.
Charles Lamb was an English essayist, poet, and critic from the Romantic period. He worked as a clerk at the East India Company for over 30 years. Lamb is best known for his collection of essays titled Essays of Elia, which featured autobiographical sketches and reflections in a unique and humorous style. The essays explore themes of memory, family, and the passing of time. Lamb also wrote literary criticism and worked with his sister Mary to adapt Shakespeare's plays for children in their popular book Tales from Shakespeare. Lamb's personal essays are renowned for their delicate wit and ability to find profound meaning in ordinary things.
Thomas Hardy is recognized as a great poet; a great novelist; a story-teller of super excellence. Like Dickens he was a social chronicler of his times.
He studied architecture in King’s College, Cambridge and became the Topper in M.Tech.
Hardy wrote poems all through his life but got recognition as a poet only in the fag end of his life because the themes of most of his poems were far ahead of his time. He wrote more than one thousand poems. More than 1000 poems in eight volumes were published during his life time while many more got published posthumously.
Egdon Heath plays a central role in Thomas Hardy's novel The Return of the Native. The heath influences the characters and their actions. It helps some characters like Venn while frustrating the plans of others, like Eustacia who sees it as her prison. The heath is also symbolic, representing the indifferent forces of nature. Events unfold on the heath, and it even contributes directly to deaths. Overall, Egdon Heath is presented as a living, influential character that helps determine the destiny and tragedy in the novel.
W.B. Yeats was an Irish poet who was considered both a traditional and modern poet. He was influenced by Irish folklore and mythology. Some key characteristics of Yeats' poetry included obscurity, occultism, mysticism, and use of symbols. Common symbols in his poetry included the rose, swan, and Helen of Troy, which had both traditional and personal meanings. Overall, Yeats' poetry is characterized by its complex use of symbols to represent different concepts.
An Apology for Poetry was written by the Elizabethan writer Philip Sidney in his defence of poetry from the accusation that was made by Stephen Gosson in his work "School of Abuse".
Virginia Woolf was born in 1882 in London and did not receive a formal education. Her mother died when she was 13, which caused Virginia's first mental breakdown. She began writing reviews and tutoring. In 1912, she married writer Leonard Woolf. Together they founded the Hogarth Press in 1917. Virginia Woolf battled depression throughout her life and took her own life in 1941. She was a pioneer of modernist literature through her experimental styles and use of stream of consciousness in works like Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse.
This document provides a summary of E.M. Forster's life and career as well as an in-depth summary of his novel "A Passage to India". It outlines the key events in Forster's life from his birth in 1879 to his death in 1970. It then analyzes the novel's setting, major characters, themes of imperialism, racism and the difficulty of intercultural friendship under British rule in India. The document is divided into sections on cultural background, historical background and detailed summaries of each part of the novel.
George Eliot's 1860 novel The Mill on the Floss follows siblings Tom and Maggie Tulliver and their family. Mr. Tulliver owns the Dorlcote Mill but loses it after a lawsuit brought by Mr. Wakem. This causes financial and emotional strain on the family. Maggie and Tom grow apart as Tom resents Maggie's intellectual curiosity. Maggie falls for both Philip Wakem and Stephen Guest, but her love for them is rejected by society and contributes to her tragic fate when she and Tom die together in a flood while trying to save each other. The novel examines themes of love, sympathy, and the influence of society on individuals.
George Bernard Shaw was one of Britain's most famous and controversial playwrights. Born in Dublin in 1856, his most famous play was Pygmalion, about a cockney girl who learns to pass as a lady, which was later adapted into the musical My Fair Lady. Shaw helped found the Fabian Society and supported causes like socialism and spelling reform. He wrote many plays that critiqued contemporary social issues using satire and became renowned as an innovative dramatist who revolutionized English theater.
Dr. Faustus embodies elements of the Renaissance such as a yearning for knowledge, intellectual curiosity, love of beauty, and wealth and exploration. The play depicts Faustus' insatiable thirst for knowledge in various subjects at the beginning. His intellectual curiosity and desire for power and omnipotence over nature represent the spirit of discovery during the Renaissance. Faustus also desires wealth, pleasures, and beauty, which were valued during this period. He disregards the authority of the Pope and church, showing the questioning of religious institutions that occurred in the Renaissance.
This document summarizes the major themes in Juno and the Paycock by Sean O'Casey, including poverty, fighting for ideals, the debilitating effects of poverty, escapism, religion, reality and fantasy, tragedy and comedy, and feminism. It notes that the play depicts the poverty of its characters and conflicts between dreams and reality. It also analyzes O'Casey's portrayal of women as more realistic and responsible than the men. The document concludes by arguing the play stresses women's instinctive good sense and role in modern life.
Robert Browning was an English poet who lived during the Victorian era. He was educated at home by his father's large library and was fluent in multiple languages by age 14. Browning never had a formal career and was financially dependent on his family until age 34 when he married Elizabeth Barrett. Their marriage faced disapproval from her father. Browning published his first work anonymously in 1833 and gained recognition in the 1850s after his wife encouraged him to publish collections of his works. He had a significant influence on styles of poetry, particularly dramatic monologues, and was one of the most important Victorian poets.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, his life and works
Prepared by Ahmad Hussain, Department of English,
Abdul Wali khan University Mardan.
Email: mr.literature123@gmail.com
Facebook page link for Literary students: www.facebook.com/englitpearls
George Eliot included many autobiographical elements in her novel Mill on the Floss. Several characters and events parallel aspects of Eliot's own life. Tom and Maggie drowning at the end mirrors Eliot's grandfather drowning. Maggie's love affair with the committed Stephen Guest reflects Eliot's own relationship with the married George Lewes. Tom represents Eliot's brother Isaac, while Maggie's character incorporates many details from Eliot's own childhood that portray her as a somewhat unruly and unconventional child, similar to how others saw Eliot. Overall, the novel closely mirrors Eliot's life and experiences in its portrayal of the Tulliver family and characters.
Importance of being earnst as a comedy of manner Iqramushtaq1142
The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedy of manners that satirizes the manners and pretensions of upper-class Victorian society. It focuses on flaws and hypocrisy through elements like irony, witty dialogue, and plots that ridicule the trivial priorities and lack of emotion among aristocratic characters. The play exposes the artificial values of the Victorian aristocracy through devices like the dual identities of Jack and Algernon, the women's obsession with the name "Earnest", and Lady Bracknell's judgmental nature.
George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright born in 1856 who became a prominent socialist figure. After being exposed to irregular schooling and poverty in his youth, he moved to London in 1876 and joined the Fabian Society, a socialist organization. He wrote over 60 plays that addressed political and social issues through witty dialogue. His most famous play, Pygmalion (1912), tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who is taught to speak like an upper-class woman in a bet between Professor Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering. The play examines the rigid class divisions in Victorian society and whether a person's identity can truly be changed by their speech and manners.
The document provides a detailed summary of the plot and characters of George Eliot's novel "The Mill on the Floss". The story follows siblings Tom and Maggie Tulliver and Maggie's struggles between her desires and duty to her family. Maggie falls for two unsuitable men - Philip Wakem, the son of the family's enemy, and Stephen Guest, who is engaged to her cousin. This causes scandal in their small town. The novel culminates in a tragic accident where Maggie and Tom drown together in a flood while trying to save each other.
Setting and theme-critical analysis- mill on the flossLaiba Farooq
The document summarizes key themes and settings of the novel "The Mill on the Floss" by George Eliot. It is set in early 19th century England during the Victorian era in the fictional town of St. Ogg's. Major themes explored include the role of knowledge versus ignorance in society, the power of childhood memories, constraints faced by women due to social expectations, and the influence of society on individuals. Maggie Tulliver struggles against the limited roles and education permitted to women, while her cousin Lucy represents traditional Victorian femininity.
Plot summary, characterization, theme, major conflict- mill on the flossLaiba Farooq
The document provides a summary of the novel "The Mill on the Floss" by George Eliot. It describes the major conflict as Maggie struggling between her desires for passion and her family's expectations. It outlines the plot, which follows siblings Tom and Maggie Tulliver and their relationship as they face their father's bankruptcy and Maggie's romantic relationships that lead to scandal. The summary concludes with Maggie and Tom reconciling and then tragically drowning together when trying to save each other during a flood.
The document provides character summaries for the major characters in George Eliot's novel The Mill on the Floss. It describes Maggie Tulliver as the intelligent but conflicted protagonist, torn between her desires and societal expectations. It also summarizes her brother Tom, their father Mr. Tulliver, mother Mrs. Tulliver, and Philip Wakem, who is drawn to and loves Maggie. The document outlines their personalities and roles in the story.
The document provides character summaries for the major characters in George Eliot's novel The Mill on the Floss. It describes Maggie Tulliver as the intelligent and emotionally sensitive daughter of a mill owner whose life is the central story of the novel. It also describes her brother Tom Tulliver and their father Mr. Tulliver, who owns Dorlcote Mill. Additionally, it summarizes the Dodson family including Maggie and Tom's aunts Mrs. Glegg, Mrs. Pullet, and Mrs. Deane, as well as other characters important to the plot such as lawyer Wakem, Philip Wakem, and Stephen Guest.
This document provides character summaries and plot summaries of chapters from George Eliot's novel The Mill on the Floss. It introduces the main characters of Maggie and Tom Tulliver and establishes the themes of loss of innocence and the divide between childhood and adulthood. Key events summarized include Mr. Tulliver's financial losses and downfall, Maggie's unsuccessful attempt to run away with gypsies, and Mr. Tulliver further complicating his life through borrowing.
1) The document provides context about the Victorian-era novel "The Mill on the Floss" by Mary Ann Evans, who wrote under the pen name George Eliot. It is set in early 19th century England in the Midlands region.
2) The novel explores the themes of the individual versus society and the pressure to conform. The main character, Maggie Tulliver, struggles against the limited roles and expectations for women at that time.
3) Renunciation and sacrifice are major themes as Maggie and other characters feel compelled to give up their personal desires and ambitions in order to adhere to their duties to family and community. The conflict between individual interests and communal expectations drives the plot.
Little Women is about the four March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - who live in New England during the 1860s with their mother while their father serves as an army chaplain in the Civil War. Each of the sisters faces challenges as they grow up and find love - Meg marries John Brooke, Beth sadly passes away from illness, Amy and their neighbor Theodore "Laurie" Laurence fall in love and marry, and Jo eventually marries Professor Bhaer. The novel follows the sisters over the years and their personal growth as they overcome obstacles with the support of their family and faith.
The document provides a summary of the novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It includes a biography of the author, lists of major characters, historical context, and summaries of the plot. The story follows the four March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - as they grow up in New England during and after the Civil War. Each sister faces personal challenges and learns life lessons about love, independence, and family under the guidance of their mother Marmee.
D. H. Lawrence has displayed a bold originality of his genius and his consummate artistic finesse in Sons and Lovers. With his pioneering artistry, he deviated from the traditional patter of fiction and tried to break fresh grounds.
This document provides a summary of the life and works of the English author George Eliot. It discusses that her real name was Mary Ann Evans and she grew up in Warwickshire. She became acquainted with revolutionary Mazzini and philosopher George Henry Lewes, with whom she had a long-term relationship. Her major works included Adam Bede, The Mill on the Floss, and Middlemarch. The summary highlights that George Eliot was a pioneer in psychological realism and determinism in the novel form through her in-depth exploration of characters' inner thoughts, motives, and how they are shaped by environment and heredity.
The document provides a book review and project details for the novel "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. It includes sections on general information about the book, an introduction, the author, themes, a summary, characters, setting, conflicts and resolutions, the group's views, and a rating. The summary recaps that the story follows the four March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - and their experiences growing up in New England during the Civil War period, dealing with their father being away, and each sister's personal journey.
Sons and Lovers: A introduction to the life of David Herbert Lawrence, Vocabu...Britnie Ten
This is for students studying Sons and Lovers by David Herbert Lawrence and may want a pre- introduction to the book before they actually begin studying the novel for analysis. It contains vocabulary used in the book you may need to know, his biography and a brief synopsis of the book. It is tailored for students writing CAPE literature exams. a thorough analysis of the book will be coming in the future.
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The Mill on the Floss Summary Book II Chapter I to VII
1. The Mill on the Floss
Book II Chapter I to VII
MANSUR SALEEM
MA ENGLISH
1
2. About the Author
Mary Anne Evans, English novelist and leading writers of the Victorian age. She used a male pen
name George Eliot, to ensure her works to be taken seriously. Born in 1819 on a farm in Warwick-
shire a beautiful countryside that she later described in her novels.
In 1840 she moved to cooventry and met with intellectuals end free-thinkers. These contacts, her
own studies in religion and philosophy, caused her to abandon her evangelical beliefs in 1841 she
read rationalist works, which influenced her to rebel against dogmatic religion, and she remained
a rationalist throughout her life.
In 1851 she moved to London and fell in love with George Henry Lewes, a philosopher, scientist,
and critic. Lewes, though, was married with three children and couldn’t get a divorce. Openly
defying convention and public opinion the two went to live together and they always regarded
themselves as married. When George Lewes died, she married a man some twenty years younger
that she was. These two events were the great scandals for the society where she lived in. She
died eighth months after her marriage, in December 1880.
In terms of general popularity George Eliot was regarded by her contemporaries as inferior to
dickens, she was also considered something more then a “mere novelist”. she was considered as a
great teacher of moral law similar only Wordsworth. she now occupies a central position with
dickens and she was compared to her great European contemporaries Gustave Flaubert and Lev
Tolstoj.
2
3. Key Facts about the Novel – 1/2
Genre · Victorian Novel, Tragedy
Time And Place Written · England, 1859–1860
Narrator · Unnamed, alive for Maggie Tulliver's Life and narrating The Events many years
later.
Setting: Time 1829–1839 Place St. Ogg's In English midlands
Major Conflict · Maggie must choose between her inner desire toward passion and sensuous
life and her impulse towards moral responsibility and the need for her brother's approval and
love.
Rising action Incurious Tom is sent to school, while Maggie is held "uncanny" for her
intelligence. Mr. Tulliver's pride and inability to adapt to the changing economic world causes
him to lose his property in a lawsuit against Lawyer Wakem and eventually die as the result
of his fury toward Wakem. To Tom's dismay, Maggie becomes secretly close to Wakem's
sensitive crippled son, Philip.
3
4. Key Facts about the Novel – 2/2
Climax At the age of nineteen, Maggie visits her cousin Lucy and becomes hopelessly
attracted to Lucy's wealthy and polished suitor, Stephen Guest, and he to her. Stephen
and Maggie are inadvertently left to themselves for a boatride. Stephen rows them
further down river than planned and tries to convince Maggie to elope with him.
Falling action Maggie parts with Stephen, arguing that they each cannot ignore the
claims that Lucy and Philip have on them. Maggie returns to St. Ogg's several days later
and is met with repudiation from the entire town and from Tom. Philip and Lucy
contact Maggie and forgive her. The Floss floods, and Maggie seizes a boat and rows to
the Mill to save Tom. Their boat is capsized by floating machinery, Tom and Maggie
drown in each other's arms.
Themes The claim of the past upon present identity; The effect of society upon the
individual; The importance of sympathy; Practical knowledge versus bookish knowledge
Motifs The disparity between the Dodsons and the Tullivers; Music; Animal
Imagery; Dark and light women
Symbols · The Floss; St. Ogg; Maggie's eyes
4
5. Main Characters – 1/3
Maggie Tulliver - The protagonist of The Mill on the Floss. The novel tracks Maggie as she grows
from an impetuous, clever child into a striking, unconventional young woman. Maggie's closest
tie is to her brother Tom, and she seeks—and constantly feels denied—his approval and
acceptance. Maggie is clever and enjoys books, the richness of intelligent conversation, and
music, but her family's downfall lends her a quieter, troubled side that tends toward self-
abnegation. With her dark skin, dark hair, and dark eyes, Maggie is often associated with the
Tulliver side of the family, and, specifically her father's sister, Mrs. Moss.
Tom Tulliver - The Tullivers' older son. Tom has his own clear sense of duty, justice, and fairness,
and these standards affect his action more so than emotion. Tom has affection for Maggie, but he
dislikes her impetuous way of doing what she wants, assuming that she knows better than Tom.
When Mr. Tulliver goes bankrupt, Tom must go to work at a young age and with little experience
other than the Latin and Euclid he has learned in school. Tom brings the family out of debt and
becomes a promising young worker at his uncle Deane's company, Guest & Co. Tom may be in
love with Lucy Deane, but he focuses only on his work.
5
6. Main Characters – 2/3
Jeremy Tulliver - Maggie’s and Tom’s father, works the mill on the Floss river. He is fond of
Maggie, especially her cleverness, and often takes her side in family quarrels. Tulliver is an
affectionate man, who is soft with his daughter, wife, and sister, yet his bitterness toward Mr.
Wakem consumes and changes.
Elizabeth Tulliver - Maggie's mother. She is a dull-witted, stout, blond woman. Her husband's
bankruptcy makes her confused and all she can do is wonder what she has done to receive such
bad luck. She likes Tom more than Maggie as children, but she grows prouder of Maggie as
Maggie grows tall, striking, and more demure.
Phillip Wakem - The sensitive and intelligent son of Lawyer Wakem, hunchbacked classmate of
Tom, and friend to Maggie. Of small stature and with a pale face, Philip is often described as
"womanly." Philip's love of art, music, and knowledge go some way toward counteracting the
severe sadness he feels about his deformity. He falls in love with Maggie the year they meet in
secret during Maggie's father's bankruptcy.
6
7. Main Characters – 3/3
Stephen Guest - Stephen Guest is courting Lucy Deane but has not yet proposed
marriage. He is the son of the senior partner of Guest & Co., where both Tom and Mr.
Deane work. Stephen is handsome and self-assured. Though he cares for Lucy, and for
the life they would have together, he falls unexpectedly in love with Maggie, drawn to
her strikingly different qualities.
Lawyer Wakem - Lawyer Wakem is a powerful, and increasingly wealthy member of St.
Ogg's society. He remembers his late wife lovingly and is very indulgent but close to his
deformed son, Philip. Wakem holds strict ideas about class and money. He is scornful of
the vindictive Mr. Tulliver.
7
8. Historical Context – 1/2
Education
Schools run by the state did not exist in England until 1870. Before that time, parents could send
their children to any of four different types of school: private, endowed, church, and ragged.
Anyone could open a private school, and no particular qualifications were required, so these
schools varied greatly depending on the skill of the teachers. In The Mill on the Floss, the
Reverend Stelling's school is a private arrangement, and as Eliot shows, Stelling is obviously not a
very gifted teacher.. The Church of England, as well as other religious groups, also ran schools.
Ragged schools were established by the Ragged School Union, founded in 1844, to educate the
poor.
Women often did not attend school, but those in the wealthier classes had private governesses
who schooled them in ladylike "accomplishments" such as painting, drawing, and music.
8
9. Historical Context – 2/2
Role of Women
In the mid-nineteenth century, women were expected to marry and have children. Because they were not allowed
to enter any jobs. In addition, because money and property were inherited only through males, it was almost
impossible for a woman to be single and financially independent even if she had wealthy parents, because her
brothers or male cousins would inherit everything from them, leaving her without an income. Those who, like
Maggie, did not have wealthy parents and were not married had to find work, but their need to work was
regarded as somewhat shameful, both for them and for their families. Maggie planned to become a governess;
other work available to women included washing clothes, factory work, farm labor, domestic service, sewing and
prostitution.
Women were considered the property of men; a girl belonged to her father until she married, after which she
belonged to her husband. A woman had no legal rights; even if someone committed a crime against her, she could
not prosecute. If a woman entered the marriage with an inheritance, it became her husband's when they married,
and he could spend it on anything he pleased. Women could not obtain divorces, even if their husbands were
abusive or unfaithful, and if they ran away, they could be arrested, brought back to their husbands, or imprisoned.
All of these laws and customs made life very difficult for women who, like Maggie Tulliver, found it hard to fit the
mold of quiet and submissive womanhood.
Nevertheless, some women did rebel against these strictures; George Eliot, who lived with George Henry Lewes
without being married to him, was one of them.
9
10. Chapter I – Tom’s First Half – 1/3
Tom is having a terrible time at school with Mr. Stelling. Tom’s old school was not too bad overall. And Tom
finds school boring and useless.
Turns out that Tom is the only pupil at Mr. Stelling’s, which makes his situation really awkward. Mr. Stelling is
a nice guy but he doesn’t really understand how to interact with kids, and he has a very narrow view of
education. Tom has to learn lots of traditional stuff, like Latin, and do a lot of rote memorization.
Tom is confused by Mr. Stelling, who is very firm in the schoolroom, but is nice and jokes with Tom at dinner.
Tom has a life crisis and worries that he’s somehow wrong about everything. Mr. Tulliver is under the
impression that Tom is getting a very different sort of education. He wants Tom to learn things like math and
accounting. But he doesn’t express himself very well and Mr. Stelling is under the impression that Latin
grammar and Greek geometry is exactly what Mr. Tulliver had in mind for Tom.
10
11. Chapter I – Tom’s First Half – 2/3
Tom makes slow progress and Mr. Stelling is convinced that Tom is an idiot. Since he fails continually and
frustrates Mr. Stelling, Tom becomes depressed and embarrassed. Tom becomes so desperate that he even prays
for help with his Latin grammar.
Tom misses the mill and his dog and playing outside and being a boy. His only friend at the Stelling’s house is
their baby daughter, Laura. Mrs. Stelling makes Tom babysit her a lot and Tom actually enjoys playing with her.
Tom misses his own sister.
Finally, Maggie comes to visit Tom. Mr. Tulliver brings her and notes that Tom’s schooling is going well, even
though Tom complains about it. Maggie announces that she’ll help Tom with school and he’s annoyed. Mr.
Stelling is charmed by Maggie.
Tom and Maggie go to the study and discuss his school books. After talking about Latin, Maggie announces that
she’ll be a clever woman one day and won’t be in a perpetual bad mood like her aunts. Tom says she’ll be
conceited and he won’t like her at all. Maggie says that’s mean and he has to like her since they’re related.
11
12. Chapter I – Tom’s First Half – 3/3
Maggie then goes off to read Tom’s Latin grammar book and enjoys learning new words. Maggie then
helps Tom study and their study session is a bit of a train wreck, since Tom can’t remember anything
and Maggie keeps mispronouncing things. Tom keeps insulting Maggie since she’s showing off how
smart she is.
Maggie stays with the Stellings for a fortnight, or two weeks. Mrs. Stelling finds Maggie odd. Mr.
Stelling likes Maggie, but he points out that girls are shallow and can’t really learn anything in depth.
Maggie is upset by this and Tom laughs at her.
Finally, it’s Christmas and Tom gets to go home for a vacation. He’s thrilled to be back and the mill is
very pretty in the winter, so says the narrator.
12
13. Chapter II – The Christmas Holidays – 1/2
The narrator describes how the Tulliver house is very cheery at Christmastime. But Tom notices that
something seems a little off. Turns out that Mr. Tulliver is in a terrible mood. Some man in the neighborhood,
a Mr. Privart, is trying some new irrigation techniques and it’s interfering with Tulliver’s Mill, which runs on
water power. This new guy is also a client of Mr. Wakem, the evil lawyer.
Mr. Tulliver keeps ranting and Mr. and Mrs. Moss are confused by the whole thing. Mr. Tulliver announces
that he’ll make Tom an engineer so that he can figure out this irrigation business. Tom is rather alarmed by
that announcement. He thought he’d run a mill just like his dad. Mrs. Moss and Mrs. Tulliver agree that
getting involved in lawsuits is a bad idea and they hope Mr. Tulliver won’t do it.
(Historical Context Lesson! In the early and mid-nineteenth century, the legal system in England was going
through a lot of changes. It was becoming more like the modern legal system and lawsuits were becoming
much more common. Lawsuits were a bit of a free-for-all, though. Lots of people got involved with them and
lots of people lost all their money by the time the lawsuits were done. People often weren’t familiar with
legal procedures in this period and many were screwed over by lawyers and the often highly inefficient and
slow legal system. So Mr. Tulliver’s ill-advised involvement in lawsuits was actually fairly common.)
13
14. Chapter II – The Christmas Holidays – 2/2
We learn that Mr. Tulliver has a history of getting involved in lawsuits and legal disputes. Mr. Tulliver’s
own lawyer, Mr. Gore, isn’t really the best of lawyers. He actually sounds a bit like Barry, the world’s
worst lawyer, from Arrested Development. Mr. Wakem is unfortunately a superstar lawyer, albeit an
evil one.
At the end of his holidays Tom tells his dad that he heard a rumor: apparently Mr. Wakem is sending
his son to study with Mr. Stelling.
Mr. Tulliver says it’s true and tells Tom to be nice to the son since he’s deformed. He says that Mr.
Wakem obviously thinks Mr. Stelling is a good teacher, so it’s all cool really.
Tom is not looking forward to meeting a deformed Wakem.
14
15. Chapter III – The New Schoolfellow – 1/2
Tom goes back to school and meets Philip Wakem. Philip has a hunchback and Tom is
uncomfortable around him. Philip and Tom are both proud and shy so they don’t say much to
each other during their first meeting. It’s all very awkward.
Tom notices that Philip is not only deformed, but he also looks a bit like a girl. Philip is pale and
small and has curly brown hair.
(Quick Historical Context Lesson: Philip most likely suffered from a condition like scoliosis, or a
curving of the spine. Back in this period they weren’t able to medically correct it. A lot of people
in this period also disliked people with deformities and thought that they were somehow bad,
so Philip would have dealt with a lot of prejudice against him.)
But Philip is a good artist, and Tom is intrigued by his pictures. So the two finally strike up a
conversation over drawing. Philip says he taught himself to draw and Tom is impressed.
15
16. Chapter III – The New Schoolfellow – 2/2
It turns out that Philip already knows Latin and he’s at Mr. Stelling’s to learn some more advanced
subjects.
Tom then asks Philip about his dad, which makes Philip uncomfortable.
The boys discuss school: Philip says he can learn the things he wants to in the future and he’ll just
study Latin and stuff for now. Tom likes this plan.
Philip then impresses Tom with his knowledge of Greek and Roman history and all the cool battles.
We learn that Philip is fifteen and Tom is nearly fourteen.
Tom starts talking about fishing and Philip thinks fishing is dumb. The boys are called to dinner
before they can argue about it.
16
17. Chapter IV – The Young Idea – 1/2
Tom and Philip never really bond as the weeks go by, since they have very different personalities. Philip is
pretty moody and sensitive and Tom tends to bluster about and offend Philip without really meaning to do
so.
Tom starts taking drawing lessons and is bummed since he is only allowed to draw nature scenes and and
other stuff that he considers boring.
The narrator gives us a lengthy run down about the state of education in this period. Education was
basically a crapshoot and people were really lucky to get a decent or a useful one. Tom was clearly not so
lucky.
Mr. Stelling continues to think that Tom is a moron and sticks to his ineffectual method of teaching since
he doesn’t know any other way to do it.
But luckily Philip takes some of the pressure off of Tom and Mr. Stelling is distracted by his one smart
pupil. With Philip’s help, Tom does pick up some things and starts maturing too.
17
18. Chapter IV – The Young Idea – 2/2
Tom befriends a local named Mr. Poulter, who was a soldier back in the day. Mr. Poulter criticizes the whole of
military history and tells Tom stories about his own battle exploits. Mr. Poulter also shows Tom his sword and
Tom is duly impressed. Mr. Poulter agrees to show Tom some battle drills and Tom runs off to get Philip.
Tom bursts in and interrupts Philip while he’s playing the piano. Philip is annoyed and snaps at Tom. We learn
that Philip doesn’t like Mr. Poulter, who is often rude to him. Tom gets mad in return and yells at Philip and calls
him a girl and insults his father.
Tom storms back out and Mrs. Stelling comes in to check on Philip, who is crying. Philip lies and says that he has
a toothache and that’s why he is upset.
Tom meanwhile goes back out to watch Mr. Poulter. He begs Mr. Poulter to let him keep his sword for a few days
and, responsible adult that he is, Mr. Poulter agrees. Tom hides the sword in his room and is excited to show it
to Maggie, who is coming to visit again next week before going off to a boarding school with Lucy.
18
19. Chapter V – Maggie’s Second Visit
Tom and Philip are no longer speaking and only talk to one another when Mr. Stelling is around.
Maggie shows up and Tom is glad.
Maggie instantly likes Philip since she pities him.
Tom runs upstairs, telling Maggie that he has a surprise for her and that he’ll show it to her later that day.
The boys and Maggie gather in the school room to do homework. Philip is instantly charmed by Maggie
and wishes that he had a nice sister like her. Tom then drags Maggie upstairs for his big surprise.
He makes Maggie close her eyes and, when she opens them, she sees Tom, dressed up with a fake
mustache, holding a real sword. Tom starts swinging the sword around and Maggie freaks out and says
he’ll hurt himself.
Maggie was right, since Tom quickly drops the swords and stabs himself in the foot. Maggie starts
screaming and the whole household is in turmoil.
19
20. Chapter VI – A Love Scene
Tom is terribly worried that he will be lame, or have a limp, for the rest of his life. Mr. Stelling doesn’t think to
reassure Tom, but luckily Philip asks about it and goes to tell Tom the good news: he won’t have a permanent
injury. Tom and Philip reconcile and Philip hangs out with Tom and Maggie, telling them fun stories and Greek
myths.
A few days later Maggie and Philip are alone in the school room. Philip asks Maggie if she could love a brother
like him and Maggie says yes, but that she’d love Tom best still. But she’d feel sorry for a deformed brother.
This makes Philip uncomfortable and Maggie quickly assures Philip that she thinks he’s very smart and likes
him a lot. Maggie also assures Philip she won’t forget him when she goes away and Philip says he’ll always
remember her. He wishes he had a sister like her.
Philip tells Maggie that he likes her eyes and Maggie is surprised to note that Philip seems to like her better
than Tom. Maggie gives Philip a kiss on the cheek.
When Mr. Tulliver comes to fetch Maggie, she praises Philip to him. Mr. Tulliver tells Tom not to get overly
friendly with Philip, since he is a Wakem. Once Tom gets better, the two boys grow apart again due to their
differing personalities.
20
21. Chapter VII – The Golden Gates are Passed
We jump forward in time – Tom is now sixteen and has been studying all the while at Mr. Stelling’s. Tom and
Philip never recover their temporary friendship and Maggie rarely sees Philip anymore.
Mr. Tulliver is now engaged in his lawsuit with Mr. Privart and Mr. Wakem, and Maggie is sad that this probably
means the end of her relationship with Philip.
Despite his rather ineffectual education, Tom is now a self-confident young man who is looking forward to
finishing school. He is confident that his father’s lawsuit will be settled soon.
One day Maggie, now thirteen, shows up unexpectedly. Maggie has awful news: their father has lost his lawsuit
and the family is now financially ruined. Tom is horrified and is suddenly thrust into the adult world without
warning.
To make matters worse, their father is very ill and seems to have lost his mind – he doesn’t recognize anyone and
is really out of it. Tom quickly goes to tell Mr. Stelling the news and the two Tulliver siblings head back home.
The narrator closes the chapter by lamenting the loss of Tom and Maggie’s childhood innocence and hints that
their lives are going to get much worse in the future.
21