Review The Mill on The Floss by George Eliot

St. Ogg's is a small, old town in England by the River Floss. It has green fields, farms, and countryside all around it. The town has small streets, old buildings, and a close tie to the river, which is very important to the people who live there. Dorlcote Mill is just outside the town, close to the river, and the water powers the mill. The river is both pretty and risky, especially when it floods. The calm but changing scenery near St. Ogg's shows the lives and problems of the characters in The Mill on the Floss.

The Tullivers own Dorlcote Mill. The Tulliver family has owned the mill for many years. The mill is their home and how they make money. The Tullivers feel strongly about Dorlcote Mill, showing how important it is to their family and culture.

The main character is Maggie Tulliver, who had a childhood with strong emotions and big hopes. Many critics think she represents the author herself (George Eliot's real name was Mary Ann Evans). She was a smart and eager girl who loved to read and learn, and she often felt like she didn't fit in. Her brother, Tom Tulliver, was stubborn and didn't like new ideas, and he never understood Maggie. Maggie was very close to her brother Tom, and she was often compared to her cousin from her mother's side, Lucy Deane. Lucy's role in the story shows the contrast between people who easily fit into society, like her, and Maggie, who always struggled because she was different from what people expected of young women in the 19th century.

The story goes on from when they were kids to when they were adults. The Tulliver family's troubles begin when her father loses their mill, causing them shame and difficulty. Mr. Tulliver, Maggie’s father, gets into a fight with a man named Mr. Wakem. Mr. Tulliver borrows money to pay for a lawsuit against Wakem, but he loses the case. After that, he is unable to pay back the money he owes. Because of this, he has to sell the mill and everything he owns to pay his debts. This brings much sadness and trouble to the Tulliver family. This causes the Tulliver hated Wakem family, the hatred itself passed down to their next generations.

For the first time, Maggie meets a friend who can talk with her in depth about books, art, and greek mythology, and who truly understands Maggie. His name is Philip Wakem. Philip is the son of Mr. Wakem, who becomes an enemy of Maggie’s father. Even though this is the case, Maggie and Philip become friends when they meet at school while visiting Maggie’s brother, Tom.

Maggie is struggling with a difficult choice between her family and her love for Philip. Tom tells Maggie she has to pick between her family's loyalty and her friendship with Philip. Maggie is conflicted because she wants her brother to be happy, but she doesn't want to upset Philip. This makes her very sad and confused because whichever choice she makes, someone she cares about will get hurt. Also, Tom is trying to get their Mill back and pay off family debts, so Maggie feels bad that she can't do much to help because she is a woman. Sibling bonds are usually stronger than disagreements because they are based on shared experiences, understanding, and love that doesn't depend on conditions. Maggie and Tom are growing up together, which creates a special bond because of their childhood memories.

As she is dealing with this problem, Stephen Guest, who is engaged to her cousin, tempts Maggie. At first, she feels like she deserves to be loved, but will this ruin her relationship with Lucy?

"I would rather die than fall into that temptation."

I like Maggies's character who wants to do the right thing, even if it brings her pain. This quote shows how strong her sense of duty and morality is—she would rather suffer than act against her conscience. Reading this five hundred pages book makes me feel many things, including sadness, sympathy, and deep thought. Overall, it’s a thoughtful and emotional book that makes you consider choices, family, love, and the challenges of staying true to yourself in a world full of judgment. 

Ruang Buku Megga Rated : ✬✬✬✬(4/5)

Title : The Mill on The Floss

Author : George Eliot
Publisher : Alma Classics

Year : 2022 (First Published in 1860)
Format / Pages : Softcover /560 pages
ISBN :  9781847497420