Chapter 02
Father's Ambitions for His Son
Mr Tulliver, of Dorlcote Mill, Declares His Resolution about Tom “What I want, you know,” said Mr Tulliver,—“what I want is to give Tom a good eddication; an eddication as’ll be a bread to him. That was what I was thinking of when I gave notice for him to leave the academy at Lady-day. I mean to put him to a downright good school at Midsummer. The two years at th’ academy ’ud ha’ done well enough, if I’d meant to make a miller and farmer of him, for he’s had a fine sight more schoolin’ nor I ever got.…
Public-domain chapter text, formatted for reading.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Protective Parent Pattern
Think of someone who has pushed you toward their vision of success, or someone you've tried to protect this way. Draw two columns: what they feared would happen if you didn't follow their path, and what they hoped would happen if you did. Then add a third column: what you actually needed or wanted.
Consider:
- •Notice whether their fears were based on their own experiences or actual current risks
- •Look for gaps between their understanding of the path and what it actually requires
- •Consider whether their protection addressed the real problem or just the symptoms
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's attempt to protect or guide you created unexpected challenges. What would have been more helpful?
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
You Might Also Like
Lessons from The Mill on the Floss
Theme-by-theme analyses that connect this book to modern life skills.
Reading Public Judgment
Hear the world's wife after the boat: married would be romance, returned alone is ruin.
6 chapters·Explore AnalysisSeeing How Childhood Still Governs You
Return to the rabbits, the mud, and the gypsy road: the adult novel is still that childhood argument.
6 chapters·Explore AnalysisRecognizing Systemic Constraint
Watch the mill, the aunts, and St. Ogg's eyes limit Maggie before she ever chooses wrong.
6 chapters·Explore AnalysisChoosing Desire Against Duty
Sit with the Red Deeps promise, the lane, and the morning she refuses Stephen because Lucy still exists.
6 chapters·Explore AnalysisReading Emotional Intelligence
Stay inside Maggie's war: Philip sees her, Stephen inflames her, and the town never looks.
6 chapters·Explore AnalysisUnderstanding Loyalty's Cost
Follow Tom from the dead rabbits to the shut door: family honor can become a lock.
6 chapters·Explore Analysis
Deep diving the literary elements.