Tom and Maggie Tulliver
Tom and Maggie Tulliver are the main characters of George Eliot's novel The Mill on the Floss. Tom is a headstrong young man who struggles to reconcile his love for his sister with his desire to succeed in life, while Maggie is an intelligent and passionate girl who longs for freedom and independence. Their relationship is at the heart of the story as they navigate the complexities of family, society, and their own desires.
By George Eliot · First published 1860 · Genre: Realism, Bildungsroman, Family Saga · 13 chapters · 24,159 words
First lines
"What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver of Dorlcote Mill -- "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication. That was what I was thinking of when I gave notice for him to leave th' academy at Lady Day. I meant to put him to a downright good school at Midsummer.
"The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough," the miller went on, "if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him like myself. But I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard, so as he might be up to the tricks o' these fellows as talk fine and write with a flourish. It 'ud be a help to me wi' these lawsuits and things."
What this Textopian page supports
Tom and Maggie Tulliver is listed on Textopian as a novel by George Eliot, dated 1860 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: George Eliot
- Date: 1860 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Bildungsroman, Family Saga, Tragedy, Social Commentary
- Length: 24,159 words
- Structure: 13 chapters, 561 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Tom and Maggie Tulliver by George Eliot
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Tom and Maggie Tulliver?
- How does this novel by George Eliot fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The House By The Medlar Tree by Giovanni Verga
- His Fortunate Grace by Gertrude Atherton
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- Talbot Of Ursula by Gertrude Atherton
- Tom Grogan by Francis Hopkinson Smith
Genres
- Realism — The book is characterized by its detailed depiction of everyday life and its focus on the social and economic issues of the time.
- Bildungsroman — The narrative follows the development and maturation of the main characters, Tom and Maggie, from childhood to adulthood.
- Family Saga — The story revolves around the Tulliver family, exploring their relationships, struggles, and dynamics over time.
- Tragedy — The book contains elements of tragedy, particularly in the personal and familial conflicts that lead to dramatic and sorrowful outcomes.
Tags
brother-sister relationship · family dynamics · social class · love · betrayal · moral conflict · rural life · Victorian society · personal growth · education · gender roles · friendship
Contents
- Tom Must Go to School
- The Choice of a School
- Tom Comes Home
- All about a Jam Puff
- The Family Party
- The Magic Music
- Maggie is very Naughty
- Maggie and the Gipsies
- The Gipsy Queen Abdicates
- Tom at School
- The New Schoolfellow
- The Duke of Wellington
- Philip and Maggie