The Mill on the Floss

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1860

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Before You Read

Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-13

Part 2, Chapters 1-7

Part 3, Chapter 1-Part 4, Chapter 3

Part 5, Chapter 1-Part 6, Chapter 14

Part 7, Chapters 1-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Why does Eliot title the novel The Mill on the Floss? Explore the importance of the mill in terms of setting, plot, and symbolism.

How does Eliot foreshadow the adult conflicts between Maggie and Tom through the depiction of their relationship as children in Part 1?

Why do adults criticize Maggie’s appearance as a child? How does her physicality develop into adulthood? Analyze the development of society’s perceptions of Maggie’s appearance. How do these perceptions relate to femininity and social norms?