The George Eliot Library

In which the proud and obstinate Mr Tulliver confronts the crushing blow of a lost lawsuit and the heavy burdens it brings upon his family, yet clings to schemes born of hope and defiance. Amidst these trials, a sudden illness calls for the return of his daughter Maggie, whose devoted presence becomes a tender light in the shadowed household.

In which the Tulliver children return home to the disquieting reality of their family’s ruin, marked by the presence of a bailiff and the sorrowful dispersal of household treasures that once symbolised comfort and pride. Amidst these tangible losses, young Tom and Maggie grapple with conflicting loyalties and a burgeoning resolve to protect the honour of their father, whose silent suffering binds...

In which the tender anxieties and budding sympathies of childhood unfold around Tom’s painful injury, drawing unexpected companionship and a fragile understanding between once estranged youths. Maggie’s gentle affection and honest speech reveal the delicate interplay of love, pity, and pride that colours their early friendships and family ties.

In which Tom and Maggie, now grown and marked by the changes wrought by time and school, receive tidings of their family’s grievous misfortune that shatters their youthful hopes and illusions. They depart together from the sheltered haven of childhood into a world overshadowed by loss and sorrow, where the once unclouded sunshine of their days is forever obscured.

In which the contrasting dispositions and moods of two schoolboys shape their uneasy friendship amid the constraints of a rigid and often uninspired education. Their youthful imaginings of heroism and the charms of martial discipline enliven their daily lives, even as misunderstandings and raw feelings simmer beneath the surface.

In which the uneasy relations between two boys, marked by a harsh quarrel and cautious civility, are observed with a child's tender curiosity and growing sympathy. Amidst lessons and a playful disguise as a famous warrior, this episode gently unfolds the tender bonds of affection and the innocent fears of youth.

In which the wintry charm of Christmas blankets the familiar countryside with snow, colouring the celebrations at Dorlcote Mill with a mixture of warmth, festivity, and an undercurrent of familial tension. Amidst the cheer, Mr Tulliver’s restless mind turns to the vexing disputes over water rights and the encroaching influence of rival landowners and lawyers, casting a shadow of conflict over the...

In which Tom Tulliver returns to school on a bleak January day to find himself assigned a new companion, Philip Wakem, whose deformity and family associations provoke Tom’s uneasy curiosity and guarded imagination. Through their tentative conversation by the fireside, the boys begin to bridge the gap between prejudice and camaraderie by sharing their interests in drawing, history, and sport, revea...

In which the young Tom, burdened with school lessons and the odd responsibility of tending a tiny charge, finds solace and lively distraction in the unexpected company of his sister Maggie, whose quickness and inquisitiveness both charm and perplex those around her. Their ensuing acquaintance in the snug study and garden offers a modest but precious reprieve from the dull, orderly world of Latin a...

In which a young boy, Tom Tulliver, is sent to a new school under the austere care of the ambitious and confident Reverend Stelling, who applies a strict and unwavering educational method that confounds Tom’s previous simple notions of learning. This narrative softly unveils Tom’s struggle to adapt to the rigorous demands of Latin and mathematics, revealing the tender vulnerabilities beneath his p...

In which the ancient town of St Ogg’s is lovingly depicted with its venerable history and timeless customs, setting the stage for an intimate portrait of Mr and Mrs Glegg’s household, wherein the couple’s habitual domestic squabbles and contrasting temperaments unfold with gentle humour and affectionate scrutiny. Their lives, marked by the old-fashioned values of thrift and decorum, reveal the qui...

In which the intricacies of family pride and principle unfold through the uneasy reconciliation attempts between the Tullivers and the Dodsons, revealing the weight with which honour and blood ties are held in this provincial society. The resolute exchange of letters and the careful management of financial obligations deepen the rift, casting a shadow over the household as one child faces the immi...

In which Maggie, overwhelmed by the sting of family disapproval, impulsively runs away in search of the gypsies whom she imagines will welcome her as a bright and charming companion. Her fanciful hopes soon encounter the harsh realities of her adventure, culminating in a humble and tearful return home under the care of a kindly stranger.

In which a simple afternoon’s play among cousins takes a turn as jealous feelings and childish mischief lead to a little girl finding herself in muddy distress, much to the consternation of her family. The uneasy quiet of the garden is broken by a troublesome incident near the pond, sparking anxiety and a poignant search that reveals the tender vulnerabilities beneath youthful tempers.

In which a family’s preparations for a social visit unfold with characteristic fuss and constraint, revealing the tender complexities of childhood and the fraught relations among kin. The arrival at Garum Firs brings scenes of rustic charm and domestic solemnity, while an air of unease lingers over family disputes and quiet apprehensions about the future.

In which Mr Tulliver, confronted with financial strains and a looming repayment, exhibits both stern resolve and occasional tenderness during a tense visit to his sister’s struggling farm. Amidst reflections on family bonds and the burdens of obligation, his affection for his children and kin subtly tempers his rigid businesslike demeanor.

In which a spirited little girl’s impulsive act of cutting her hair brings both sharp rebuke from her family and tender consolation from her father, revealing the tender complexities of childhood and family dynamics. Meanwhile, amidst the dinner-room’s gentle quarrels and lively political discourse, plans for the boy’s education are boldly declared, setting the household abuzz with opinion and exp...

In which the Dodson sisters assemble for a family visit, bringing with them a mixture of familial criticisms and affectionate concerns wrapped in the genteel decorum of their time. Amidst the subtle tensions and contrasts of character, young Maggie makes a bold and impulsive decision that quietly hints at her spirited nature.

In which the Tulliver family prepares for an anticipated Easter gathering, laden with the traditions and subtle rivalries that mark their kinship, while the children find their own diversions among cakes and countryside exploits. Tom’s friendship with Bob Jakin introduces spirited adventures and small conflicts, reflecting the complex interplay of childhood justice and the persistent longing for a...

In which Tom returns home, bringing with him the lively spirit and boyish pride of youth, and a thoughtful gift for Maggie that, despite his stern rebukes, reveals the tender bond between brother and sister. Their shared adventures beside the Round Pool and the familiar haunts of their childhood evoke the enduring charms and gentle sorrows of those early years, where love and the longing for belon...

In which a young girl’s rebellious spirit and tender affection intertwine as she eagerly awaits her brother’s return, while finding solace in the venerable mill and kind neighbours amidst domestic trials. The simple truths and small sorrows of rural life unfold gently through her innocent observations and earnest conversations.

In which Mr Tulliver, with the resolute air of a man determined to secure his son’s future beyond the mill and fields, confides in the affable Mr Riley about his intention to place Tom at a proper school, stirring a tender and protective response in young Maggie. Mr Riley, blending good-natured officiousness with a dash of local knowledge, recommends the Reverend Stelling—an Oxford-educated clergy...

In which the broad and bustling Floss winds through a vivid landscape rich with the signs of rural industry and natural beauty, its waters mingling with the tides near the old town of St Ogg’s, while the sturdy presence of Dorlcote Mill stands peaceful and enduring by its lively stream. Here, the quiet charm of everyday country life unfolds—wagoners tending their horses, a little girl captivated b...

In which Mr Tulliver resolutely determines to secure a practical and respectable education for his son Tom, mindful of the advantages such learning might bring in the vicissitudes of business and law, whilst Mrs Tulliver tends to domestic concerns and the care of their children. Meanwhile, their lively daughter Maggie displays a spirited defiance and free-spirited nature that challenges her mother...

In which the quiet June evening awaits Adam’s return from a meeting long shadowed by illness, memory, and the unhealed grief of years gone by.