The Mill on the Floss · Character
Philip Wakem
Lawyer Wakem's sensitive, hunchbacked son, whose intelligence and secret devotion to Maggie cut across the feud between their fathers.
supporting
Also known as Philip, Wakem, dear Philip, Phil
First appearance: The New Schoolfellow
As a supporting figure in The Mill on the Floss, Philip Wakem is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Mentioned as the son of Lawyer Wakem, who is to be sent to Mr.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Philip Wakem is the lawyer's son, physically deformed and inwardly refined, drawn to Maggie's mind and warmth from childhood. He moves quietly through St. Ogg's, avoiding crowds, buying up what others reject, and…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Philip Wakem sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Philip Wakem in The New SchoolfellowCharacter Web
32 connectionsA slice of how Philip Wakem 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
+27 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
romantic · positive
Intellectual and emotional connection complicated by family feud and social constraints,… How this plays out →
- Tom Tulliver
rivalry · negative
- Lucy Deane
friendship · positive
- Stephen Guest
rivalry · negative
- Maggie Tulliver
romantic · positive
Intellectual and emotional connection complicated by family feud and social constraints,… How this plays out →
- Maggie Tulliver
romantic · positive
Intellectual and emotional connection complicated by family feud and social constraints,… How this plays out →
- Tom Tulliver
rivalry · negative
- Lucy Deane
friendship · positive
- Stephen Guest
rivalry · negative
- Tom Tulliver
rivalry · negative
- Lucy Deane
friendship · positive
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Philip Wakem in The New SchoolfellowIn the story
Philip Wakem appears across 24 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- II: The Christmas Holidays
- The New Schoolfellow
- IV: “The Young Idea”
- Maggie's Second Visit
- A Love-Scene
- Book V: Wheat and Tares
- In the Red Deeps
- III: The Wavering Balance
- +16 more
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Philip Wakem unlock in the free preview.
See Philip Wakem in The New Schoolfellow