The Mill on the Floss

It can be seen as a coming-of-age novel, in which our two protagonists Maggie and Tom gradually grow up in different directions. They enjoyed a well-provided and carefree childhood. Then their father lost the lawsuit against Pivart and Wakem, which is a turning point for them and for the family. The father subsequently fell ill and the family went broken. The heavy burden of being the breadwinner fell on the seemingly immature Tom's shoulders, which sped up Tom's maturity. Meanwhile, Tom grew more and more silent and gradually drifted apart from Maggie.

It gives the impression that Eliot's depiction of Maggie is not without partialty. perhaps it's because it is an autobiographical novel and Maggie resembles Eliot herself to a great extent. In this aspect, it can be said that no one is able to completely overcome his or her own fantasy and see one's true self.

continued from above

I am not quite convinced by the arrangement of the ending that Tom and Maggie die together in the great flood. it seems too abrupt and lack of foreshadowing.