The Mill on the Floss · Character
Lucy Deane
Tranquil-hearted and quietly observant, Lucy arranges happiness for others while her own engagement to Stephen Guest rests on assumptions she never thinks to test.
supporting
Also known as Lucy, Miss Lucy, Little Lucy, dear Lucy, Lucy Deane
First appearance: VI: The Aunts and Uncles Are Coming
As a supporting figure in The Mill on the Floss, Lucy Deane is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Mentioned as Maggie's cousin with perfect curls, contrasting with Maggie's appearance.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Lucy Deane is the small, gentle cousin everyone calls the bell of St. Ogg's, and she moves through the Tulliver circle with an unjealous generosity that makes her the natural center of its social hopes. She believes she…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Lucy Deane sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Lucy Deane in VI: The Aunts and Uncles Are ComingCharacter Web
25 connectionsA slice of how Lucy Deane sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Major characters and family
- Minor characters and background
+20 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this excerpt, the emotional/psychological peak occurs when Maggie, despite her "heavy heart" and initial re…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Maggie Tulliver
family · positive
Cousins and close friends, with Lucy's gentle loyalty contrasting Maggie's turmoil. How this plays out →
- Stephen Guest
romantic · negative
- Tom Tulliver
family · positive
- Philip Wakem
friendship · positive
- Maggie Tulliver
family · positive
Cousins and close friends, with Lucy's gentle loyalty contrasting Maggie's turmoil. How this plays out →
- Maggie Tulliver
family · positive
Cousins and close friends, with Lucy's gentle loyalty contrasting Maggie's turmoil. How this plays out →
- Stephen Guest
romantic · negative
- Philip Wakem
friendship · positive
- Stephen Guest
romantic · negative
- Tom Tulliver
family · positive
- Tom Tulliver
family · positive
- Philip Wakem
friendship · positive
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Lucy Deane in VI: The Aunts and Uncles Are ComingIn the story
Lucy Deane appears across 25 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- Mr. Tulliver, of Dorlcote Mill, Declares His Resolution About Tom
- VI: The Aunts and Uncles Are Coming
- Enter the Aunts and Uncles
- To Garum Firs
- Maggie Behaves Worse Than She Expected
- XI: Maggie Tries to Run Away from Her Shadow
- VII: How a Hen Takes to Stratagem
- IV: Another Love-Scene
- +17 more
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Lucy Deane unlock in the free preview.
See Lucy Deane in VI: The Aunts and Uncles Are Coming