Summary It is three weeks later when Tom comes home early, in a good humor, and asks his father to count their money. Mr. Tulliver is sure of the amount, but he does as his son wishes. The amount comes out as he expected, with three hundred pounds still needed […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 5: Wheat and Tares: Chapter 6 – The Hard-Won Triumph

Summary Maggie has always feared meeting Tom or her father while walking with Philip, but it has never occurred to her to worry about aunt Pullet. Nevertheless, it is aunt Pullet who gives her away by remarking one day that she frequently sees Philip Wakem at the Red Deeps. She […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 5: Wheat and Tares: Chapter 5 – The Cloven Tree

Summary It is April nearly a year later. Maggie is returning a book to Philip in the Red Deeps. She tells him she disliked the book because the fair-haired heroine once again won away all the love from the dark woman. She says she wants to avenge all the “dark […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 5: Wheat and Tares: Chapter 4 – Another Love-Scene

Summary Maggie goes home from the meeting with Philip thinking that further meetings would be a kindness to him and at the same time would make “her mind more worthy of its highest service . . . .” Nevertheless, she feels a warning that she is throwing herself under the […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 5: Wheat and Tares: Chapter 3 – The Wavering Balance

Summary While Maggie has struggled “within her own soul,” Tom has been “gaining more definite conquests.” His salary has been raised, and it is hinted that he might be trusted to travel for the firm. All of Tom’s money goes into his father’s tin box; for despite his “very strong […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 5: Wheat and Tares: Chapter 2 – Aunt Glegg Learns the Breadth of Bob’s Thumb

Summary One day Philip comes to the mill with his father. Maggie hurries upstairs, for she does not want to meet Philip in the presence of their fathers, where it would be impossible for them to be friendly. Maggie would like to “say a few kind words to him,” for […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 5: Wheat and Tares: Chapter 1 – In the Red Deeps

Summary One afternoon in the spring Bob Jakin, carrying a pack and followed by a bull terrier, comes to the house. He has brought Maggie a gift of books, chosen mainly for their pictures, but with others comprised of print. Maggie thanks him, saying she hasn’t many friends. Bob advises […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 4: The Valley of Humiliation: Chapter 3 – A Voice from the Past

Summary Maggie, at thirteen, is old for her years but lacks Tom’s self-command. Tom throws himself into his work, but Maggie has nothing to do. Mrs. Tulliver remains “Bewildered in this empty life,” but this is less painful to Maggie than her father’s sullenness. She finds it incomprehensible that they […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 4: The Valley of Humiliation: Chapter 2 – The Torn Nest Is Pierced by the Thorns

Summary The great ruined castles to be seen on a Rhine journey are contrasted by the author to the “angular skeletons of villages” on the Rhone, villages which lend a feeling that “human life . . . is a narrow, ugly, grovelling existence . . . .” Family life on […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 4: The Valley of Humiliation: Chapter 1 – A Variation of Protestantism Unknown to Bossuet

Summary As Mr. Tulliver grows stronger, he must struggle with himself to keep his promise to work for Wakem. His wife’s sisters remind him “what he was bound to do for poor Bessy’s sake,” and only “dread of needing their help” keeps him from disregarding their advice. His inability to […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 3: The Downfall: Chapter 9 – An Item Added to the Family Register