Misunderstood Maggie Tulliver is torn. Her rebellious and passionate nature demands expression, and her provincial kin and community expedt self-denial. Maggie is story, some of whose incidents and main characters come directly from the author is own life, explores the conflicts of love and loyalty and the friction between desire and moral rsponsibility.

Written in 1860, The Mill on the Floss was instantly popular. The values of England is growing middle-class society are reflected by the townspeople of St. Ogg is, who dwell along the river Floss, where the Tullivers have worked in a family mill for generations. when her father is folly places their ancestral home in jeopardy, Maggie is forced to draw upon her intelligence and sensitivity—qualities unappreciated in a woman of her time and place. Her failure to uphold the family honor excies the self-righteous wrath of St. Ogg is, a scornful condemmaion shared even by Maggie is adored brother, Tom.