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Maggie’s Moral Growth in the Mill on the Floss

Author: YangXiaoYe
Tutor: FanLingMei
School: Capital Normal University
Course: English Language and Literature
Keywords: The Mill on the Floss George Eliot moral growth egotism
CLC:
Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2009
Downloads: 388
Quote: 2
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Abstract


This thesis examines the process of Maggie’s moral growth in The Mill on the Floss andexplores the author George Eliot’s moral philosophy through this analysis.In the process of her moral development, Maggie undergoes a series of disenchantmentssubjugating her selfishness for self-recognition leading to final vision through gradual dissipationof moral blindness. This process can be divided into three stages.The first of the stages is her egotistic childhood. At the beginning, she is impulsive,excitable, rebellious and eager to be loved. Under the protection of her father’s affection and herbrother’s forgiveness, she is allowed to be herself and to disobey the rules of the adult world. Thesecond stage comes about in the event of the harrowing frustration following on her father’sbankruptcy and illness. After the family bankruptcy, Maggie begins to adapt to the environment.Inevitably, there arises a conflict between self-indulgence and self-renounciation. The firstconflict is her attachment with Philip, the son of her family’s enemy. This experience rouses inher a conflict between individual impulse and obligations and also stimulates her to movebeyond the egotism. Then, meeting with Stephen Guest to whom her cousin Lucy is engaged tomakes her complete her self-education. She falls in love with Stephen at first sight and later herunconscious elopement with him puts her to the most serious moral crisis. Finally, she refuses tostay with Stephen, which is a decisive step towards the sublimation of egotism. When the floodcomes, she braves flood to rescue her brother and is killed by the water. Her supreme sacrifice isthe last stage in the process of her moral growth.

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