Mill on the Floss, Books 2 and 3

School Time

What is wrong, in the narrator’s view, with the education provided for Tom? What principles of education do you think she espoused?

Even had Tom been more academically gifted, would the education provided have had its limitations? How does Eliot think the classics should be taught?

What are some features of Maggie’s visit to the Stellings? What frustrations does she suffer?

How do she and Tom differ in their view of Philip Wakem? How is Philip’s character presented? What causes the tensions between Tom and Philip?

What event abruptly ends the book?

Downfall

How do the several characters--Maggie, Tom, Mrs. Tulliver, the aunts and uncles, Bob Jakin-- respond to the Tulliver’s financial loss, and what does this reveal about their respective personal traits?

What do Tulliver’s actions before and after his collapse reveal about his character? What consequences do you predict they may have?

How does Tom behave toward his aunts and uncles? His mother? His sister? Do you think his character is consistently presented?

What traits are revealed in Tom’s interview with his uncle Deane? In his treatment of his sister?

What seems added to the plot by the reappearance of Bob Jakin? What light does it cast backward on the boys’ earlier fight?

On what grounds does Mrs. Tulliver appeal for mercy to Mr. Wakem? Why does her plan backfire? What would seem to be the narrator’s interpretation of this twist of events?

What is the narrator’s view of Wakem’s motives in buying the mill and employing Tulliver? What kind of person does she believe him to be?

What separate roles are ascribed to men and women by the narrator? Do you think the narrator accepts this division, or may she be ironic? (chapter 8)

What are Tulliver’s final thoughts before his death? What is the thematic significance of Tulliver’s demand that Tom inscribe in the family bible a promise to revenge his loss? How would Eliot have critiqued this action?

t this point in the plot, what problems have arisen? What outcome do you predict for them?