Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Maggie is very emotional and impulsive..I like her but I also think she is very selfish...she says she loves someone and goes the deep end but she does not act it..as Tom says..she does not show her love by actions..she may be colorful and dramatic but she is not steady mature or responsible..not even selfless..her love for others is a rather selfish love..its all about her wants,her need for love,love as she defines it..not love as Toms looking after her...or caring for her..or Lucys love for her..or philips.but I like her too..not too much.she annoys me with her melodrama but she is a very sympathetic character....her need to expand her knowledge,her thirst for more of the world is very much understandable..esp when the people surrounding her are so closed off..nothing beyong appearance for them..only Mr.Tulliver has genuine love for his sister..Tom could have been a good inlfluence on her,a check on her tendency to go the deep ends,I think ,if only he were understanding of her need for acceptance,of her need for demonstrative affection,of a forgiving nature of her many faults..she would have blossomed into a better person I think....Toms so unbending and yeah cruel..but GE uses him to deliver some actual truths and facts to Maggie I think.

Maggie is indeed self-centred and needy. I think she is different, feels that no one loves her because she is different and ugly, and consequently acts out. It's kind of a vicious cycle.

Love your thoughts, Elena and Elizabeth. Maggie is sort of sympathetic and infuriating both! I remember actually liking Tom more in a way.

Kathleen wrote: "Love your thoughts, Elena and Elizabeth. Maggie is sort of sympathetic and infuriating both! I remember actually liking Tom more in a way."

I know what what you mean Kathleen..I too like Tom for doing his duty without complaint..only he needs compassion..

I can't help loving Maggie because I know she's supposed to represent Marian Evans. (I kind of developed this suspicion she was, then looked it up.)

We now have a group read for The Mill on the Floss, please continue all discussions using the links below.

The Mill on the Floss - NO spoilers
The Mill on the Floss - SPOILERS