Introductory
The Mill on the Floss is the tragic blockbuster of George, first hit on the paperish box office in 1860. For starters, this is a tragic story of a family named Tulliver(s), trying their luck through the Dorlcote Mill on the Floss (which is, of course, the name of a river). The story is composed of many tragic characters including Mr. Tulliver, Maggie Tulliver and Tom Tulliver, each bearing his own version of plight which ends in the total extermination (ending) of the Tulliver family.
What is a Tragedy and how it Relates with The Mill on the Floss?
To define tragedy, Aristotle gives his perfect definition, "Tragedy, then, is a representation of an action that is worth serious attention, complete in itself, and of some amplitude; in language enriched by a variety of artistic devices appropriate to the several parts of the play; presented in the form of action, not narration; by means of pity and fear bringing about the purgation [catharsis] of such emotions. " To simply put, a tragedy is a story of a series of adventures and sufferings which ends on a hero's death. [Sure his definition went straight for Oedipus Rex and other Greek tragedies but this the novel is a different case]. A tragedy is formed through the tragic flaw of the hero or by the fate or super-natural powers, haunting him or it can take place through a 'certain' deed of the protagonist or some social beliefs. Almost all the traits denoted in the previous line can be traced in this novel.
Fate in The Mill on the Floss
"There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn." says Albert Camus. Fate plays a double role in this novel. Drive your imagination bubbles and eye the flood, gashing forth and, Tom and Maggie meet for their last time. The flood signifies the scornful side of fate and the final reconciliation of the two brother and sister, somehow, shadows the positive side of fate. Another incident, which can be blamed to the tyranny of fate is Mr. Tulliver's getting defeated from winning the lawsuit to reclaim his ownership to the Dorlcote Mill.
Maggie's Tragic Flaw
The most obvious tragic flaw in Maggie is her self-sacrificing attitude which develops after reading a book, authored by Thomas a Kempis. [Quite similar to the female protagonists in typical HUM TV or A+ dramas of the 2016s]. Which also involves her sympathetic attitude towards Philip, Stephen Guest and Tom Tulliver which ultimately results in dismaying everyone. Maggie strives hard to restore her social status at St. Ogg's after her elopement with Stephen which ends practically with her own death. If she had been cautious enough of her doings, she would have secured the lives of herself and her brother.
But it will be sheer injustice to say Maggie is the sole responsible for hers and her brother's tragedy. Clock back to the childhood chapters and you will notice that Maggie is treated with a typical treatment which is commonly observed in our rural community that girls are inferior to the boys. Maggie was also considered inferior to her brother Tom and her family remained greatly anxious of her hair, her clothes and her behaviour in general. Her family, including her brother used to taunt her excessively which filled her with the burning flames of rage and jealousy. All she craved was being loved and cared which she found in Stephen and later in Philip. Which gradually lead her to a minor-grand tragedy.
Conclusion
The Mill on the Floss is characterized by its tragic environment which forces the Tulliver to slowly move towards their tragic destination through the unjust sovereign of fate and the outcome of their own actions as well.
References and Citation
- https://www.eng-literature.com/2020/04/how-eliot-mill-on-the-floss-modern-tragedy-conflict-love-duty.html
- https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/mill-on-the-floss/analysis
- https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/fate-quotes
nicely written.
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