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The Mill on the Floss · Character

Mr. Riley

Auctioneer and advisor who recommends a school for Tom.

minor

Also known as Riley, Mr. Riley

First appearance: Mr. Riley Gives His Advice Concerning a School for Tom

Mr. Riley shows up with force in Book I: Boy and Girl. The page is where that presence becomes real.

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In Book I: Boy and Girl: A friend of Mr. Tulliver who advises on Tom's education and recommends Mr. Stelling as a tutor. Later, in Mr. Riley Gives His Advice Concerning a School for Tom: An auctioneer and appraiser who…

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The fuller portrait of Mr. Riley sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. Riley in Mr. Riley Gives His Advice Concerning a School for Tom

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Mr. Riley sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

MFMiss FirnissDIDixLULukeKEKeziaMJMr. JacobsMRMr. Riley

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Major characters and family
  • Minor characters and background

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • 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.

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In the story

Mr. Riley appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Riley unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Riley in Mr. Riley Gives His Advice Concerning a School for Tom