The Mill on the Floss

Mrs. Tulliver prepares for a family gathering, anxious about impressing her well-to-do Dodson sisters while securing their favor for her children's future. The Dodsons represent old money respectability—they have particular ways of doing everything and judge others harshly for not following their traditions. Mrs. Tulliver feels caught between loyalty to her husband's side and the social advantages her sisters might provide. Meanwhile, Tom and Maggie share jam puffs in a scene that reveals their different natures. When Tom fairly divides the pastry but Maggie eats hers without saving him any, he calls her greedy. Though he acted honorably, he expected gratitude and feels hurt when she doesn't reciprocate his sacrifice. Maggie is devastated by his criticism, showing her deep need for his approval. Tom then goes off with Bob Jakin, a working-class boy who fascinates him with knowledge of birds, traps, and mischief. Their friendship ends in a fight over a gambling dispute, with Tom taking a rigid moral stance against cheating while Bob sees it as part of the game. The chapter explores how children navigate fairness, loyalty, and social boundaries. Tom's strict sense of justice makes him judgmental, while Maggie's emotional sensitivity makes her vulnerable to others' opinions. Both children are already shaped by the class tensions and family pressures surrounding them.