# Tom Tulliver — The Mill on the Floss character guide > Tom Tulliver in The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Tom, Master Tom, Tom Tulliver, cousin Tom **First appearance:** 0000-book-i-boy-and-girl ## Snapshot Maggie's blunt, dutiful brother, who measures the world in debts paid and honors kept, and loves her best when she obeys. ## Who they are Sent to King's Lorton to be made a gentleman, Tom finds Latin, elocution, and bashfulness a misery after the easy triumphs of Mr. Jacobs's academy. He clings to a boy's dream of becoming a substantial man like his father, riding, hunting, and commanding respect. His rigid sense of fairness and family name will make him both Maggie's protector and her harshest judge. ## Relationships ### [Maggie Tulliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/maggie_tulliver) _family_ Siblings with a deep but often strained bond, marked by Tom's rigid judgment and Maggie's passionate defiance. ### [Philip Wakem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/philip_wakem) _rivalry_ Antagonistic relationship fueled by family enmity and Tom's resentment of Philip's connection to Maggie. ### [Bob Jakin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/bob_jakin) _friendship_ Loyal childhood friend and later business ally, with Bob's rough honesty and devotion to Tom. ### [Mr. Tulliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/mr_tulliver) _family_ Father and son, with Mr. Tulliver's pride and expectations weighing heavily on Tom. ### [Mrs. Tulliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/mrs_tulliver) _family_ Mother and son, with Mrs. Tulliver doting on Tom and relying on his practical judgment. ### [Mr. Deane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/mr_deane) _professional_ Uncle and employer, with Mr. Deane providing Tom a business opportunity and expecting hard work. ### [Lucy Deane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/lucy_deane) _family_ Cousins, with Lucy's gentle kindness contrasting Tom's sternness, but maintaining family affection. ### [Mr. Stelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/mr_stelling) _professional_ Tutor and student, with Mr. Stelling's classical education frustrating Tom's practical mind. ### [Mr. Glegg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/mr_glegg) _family_ Uncle and nephew, with Mr. Glegg's stern, money-minded advice influencing Tom's decisions. ### [Maggie Tulliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/maggie_tulliver) _family_ Siblings with a deep but often strained bond, marked by Tom's rigid judgment and Maggie's passionate defiance. ### [Maggie Tulliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/maggie_tulliver) _family_ Siblings with a deep but often strained bond, marked by Tom's rigid judgment and Maggie's passionate defiance. ### [Philip Wakem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/philip_wakem) _rivalry_ Antagonistic relationship fueled by family enmity and Tom's resentment of Philip's connection to Maggie. ## In the story ### [Book I: Boy and Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/book-i-boy-and-girl) Presented as the favored son, practical and dutiful, but less intellectually inclined than Maggie; his education is a central concern for Mr. Tulliver. ### [Mr. Tulliver, of Dorlcote Mill, Declares His Resolution About Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/ii-mr-tulliver-of-dorlcote-mill-declares-his-resolution-about-tom) Subject of his father's educational plans; described as slowish and taking after his mother's family. ### [Mr. Riley Gives His Advice Concerning a School for Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iii-mr-riley-gives-his-advice-concerning-a-school-for-tom) The subject of the discussion about his future education. ### [Tom Is Expected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iv-tom-is-expected) Expected home from school; Maggie eagerly anticipates his return and worries about his anger over the dead rabbits. ### [Tom Comes Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/v-tom-comes-home) Tom returns from school, brings Maggie a fishing line, and asserts his authority while showing affection for his sister. ### [VI: The Aunts and Uncles Are Coming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/vi-the-aunts-and-uncles-are-coming) Demonstrates a rigid sense of fairness and justice, feeling aggrieved when Maggie does not reciprocate his generosity. ### [Enter the Aunts and Uncles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/vii-enter-the-aunts-and-uncles) Shows hardness toward Maggie's grief; subject of his father's schooling announcement. ### [Mr. Tulliver Shows His Weaker Side](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/viii-mr-tulliver-shows-his-weaker-side) Mentioned in Mr. Tulliver's thoughts about his duty to Maggie. ### [To Garum Firs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/ix-to-garum-firs) Proud of his best blue suit and card-house building; tells Maggie he wishes Lucy were his sister instead. ### [Maggie Behaves Worse Than She Expected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/x-maggie-behaves-worse-than-she-expected) Prefers Lucy's company, slaps Maggie after she pushes Lucy, and threatens to tell their mother. ### [XI: Maggie Tries to Run Away from Her Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/xi-maggie-tries-to-run-away-from-her-shadow) Angry with Maggie, prompting her decision to run away; later refrains from taunting her after their father's intervention. ### [Mr. Tulliver Further Entangles the Skein of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/xiii-mr-tulliver-further-entangles-the-skein-of-life) Teases Maggie about aunt Glegg's visit; prepares to go to school. ### [Book II: School-Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/book-ii-school-time) Begins his formal education at King's Lorton under Mr. Stelling, struggling with Latin and classical subjects. ### [Tom's "First Half"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/i-tom-s-first-half) Struggles with his new school at King's Lorton, feeling isolated and overwhelmed by Latin and Euclid; dismisses Maggie's intellectual abilities. ### [II: The Christmas Holidays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/ii-the-christmas-holidays) Uncomfortable with his father's irritable talk about quarreling, he learns that Philip Wakem will be at Mr. Stelling's school and worries about attending with the son of his father's enemy. ### [The New Schoolfellow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iii-the-new-schoolfellow) Returns to school and meets Philip Wakem; initially prejudiced but gradually impressed by Philip's drawing and stories. ### [IV: “The Young Idea”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iv-the-young-idea) Struggles with abstract learning but improves under Mr. Stelling's relaxed regimen; enjoys drilling with Mr. Poulter and Philip's stories. ### [Maggie's Second Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/v-maggie-s-second-visit) Still resentful toward Philip, shows off a sword to Maggie, and accidentally injures himself. ### [A Love-Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/vi-a-love-scene) Injured his foot and fears lameness; shows bravery and later gratitude toward Philip. ### [The Golden Gates Are Passed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/vii-the-golden-gates-are-passed) Receives the news of his father's downfall with a rigid, tearless shock; his proud sense of family respectability is shattered. ### [Book III: The Downfall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/book-iii-the-downfall) Returns from school and is forced to take on adult responsibilities in the wake of his father's ruin. ### [What Had Happened at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/i-what-had-happened-at-home) Returns home from school; vows revenge on Wakem and forbids Maggie from speaking to Philip. ### [Mrs. Tulliver's Teraphim, or Household Gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/ii-mrs-tulliver-s-teraphim-or-household-gods) Shocked by the bailiff's presence, he resolves to take responsibility for his mother and seeks a situation to earn money. ### [The Family Council](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iii-the-family-council) Shows remarkable self-command and practical judgment for a fifteen-year-old, proposing to his aunts that they advance their inheritance to save his mother's furniture. He also recalls his father's words about not distressing the Mosses, demonstrating loyalty and a sense of duty. ### [A Vanishing Gleam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iv-a-vanishing-gleam) Helps search the chest, receives instructions about paying Luke and forgiving the Moss debt. ### [Tom Applies His Knife to the Oyster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/v-tom-applies-his-knife-to-the-oyster) Tom is determined to find work and restore his family's fortunes, showing a proud and self-reliant nature. He feels indignation toward his father's imprudence but resolves to ask no one for help beyond fair pay for work. ### [VI: Tending to Refute the Popular Prejudice Against the Present of a Pocketknife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/vi-tending-to-refute-the-popular-prejudice-against-the-present-of-a-pocketknife) Tom is present in the parlour after the sale, feeling the bareness of the room and receiving Bob Jakin's visit. ### [VII: How a Hen Takes to Stratagem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/vii-how-a-hen-takes-to-stratagem) Begins working in a warehouse and taking evening lessons in bookkeeping; struggles with the shame of his father's bankruptcy and the harshness of his new life. ### [Daylight on the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/viii-daylight-on-the-wreck) Supports his father, carries the leg-rest, and firmly opposes his mother's suggestion to accept Wakem's offer. ### [IX: An Item Added to the Family Register](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/ix-an-item-added-to-the-family-register) Gloomily writes his father's dictated words in the Bible, despite Maggie's objections. ### [Book IV: The Valley of Humiliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/book-iv-the-valley-of-humiliation) Tom returns from school to face the family's ruin, taking on a stern and practical role as he tries to salvage what remains of their honor and livelihood. ### [I: A Variation of Protestantism Unknown to Bossuet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/i-a-variation-of-protestantism-unknown-to-bossuet) Mentioned alongside Maggie as a young person shaped by the family's restrictive environment. ### [II: The Torn Nest Is Pierced by the Thorns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/ii-the-torn-nest-is-pierced-by-the-thorns) Becomes more silent and abstracted at home, focusing his energy on ambitious resistance to misfortune and helping his father save money. ### [A Voice from the Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iii-a-voice-from-the-past) Reproves Maggie for lowering herself by seeking sewing work; shows practical concern but lacks emotional understanding. ### [Book V: Wheat and Tares](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/book-v-wheat-and-tares) Remains rigid in his hatred for the Wakems, disapproving of Maggie's association with Philip and reinforcing family loyalty. ### [Aunt Glegg Learns the Breadth of Bob's Thumb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/ii-aunt-glegg-learns-the-breadth-of-bob-s-thumb) Tom is industrious and self-denying, working to pay off his father's debts and engaging in a trading venture with Bob Jakin. ### [III: The Wavering Balance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iii-the-wavering-balance) Referenced as the brother whose forgiveness Maggie always longed for, contrasting with her current conflict. ### [IV: Another Love-Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iv-another-love-scene) Maggie recalls the days when Tom was good to her, linking her happiness with Philip to those childhood memories. ### [The Cloven Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/v-the-cloven-tree) Confronts Philip and Maggie, forbids their relationship, and harshly criticizes Maggie's conduct. ### [VI: The Hard-Won Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/vi-the-hard-won-triumph) Returns home with news of his financial success, pays off his father's debts, and earns his father's pride. ### [A Day of Reckoning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/vii-a-day-of-reckoning) Returns home after the creditors' dinner, dejected by his father's outburst; present at his father's death and reconciles with Maggie. ### [A Duet in Paradise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/i-a-duet-in-paradise) Maggie's brother, who refuses to be in the same room as Philip Wakem and is praised by Lucy for his principles. ### [First Impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/ii-first-impressions) Maggie mentions that Tom will not see Philip Wakem if he can avoid it. ### [Confidential Moments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iii-confidential-moments) Referenced as the one who imposed a promise on Maggie not to speak to Philip without his knowledge and consent. ### [IV: Brother and Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iv-brother-and-sister) Living at Bob Jakin's house; expresses distrust of Maggie's judgment; reluctantly allows her to see Philip Wakem occasionally. ### [Showing That Tom Had Opened the Oyster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/v-showing-that-tom-had-opened-the-oyster) Tom is offered a partnership in the firm, reflecting his growth and success in business. He reveals his deep attachment to the family mill and his promise to his father. ### [Philip Re-Enters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/vii-philip-re-enters) Mentioned as having released Maggie from her promise regarding Philip, and as someone Maggie cannot live with. ### [Wakem in a New Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/viii-wakem-in-a-new-light) Mentioned as having forbidden Maggie from seeing Philip and as a source of resentment for Wakem. ### [IX: Charity in Full-Dress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/ix-charity-in-full-dress) Referenced as opposing Maggie's marriage to Philip; Lucy hopes the good news about the Mill will soften him. ### [X: The Spell Seems Broken](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/x-the-spell-seems-broken) Referenced as the brother whose tie is strongest for Maggie; not present in the chapter. ### [A Family Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/xii-a-family-party) Returns from Newcastle; his improved fortunes are celebrated; he refuses to sanction Maggie's marriage with Philip Wakem due to prejudice. ### [Waking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/xiv-waking) Maggie thinks of her brother as part of the home she seeks. ### [Book VII: The Final Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/book-vii-the-final-rescue) Rejects Maggie for her actions, but reconciles with her during the flood before both drown. ### [The Return to the Mill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/i-the-return-to-the-mill) Now master of the mill, he confronts Maggie with cold inflexibility and harsh judgment, refusing her a home. ### [II: St. Ogg’s Passes Judgment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/ii-st-ogg-s-passes-judgment) Rejects Maggie, turning her from his door; is seen as a respectable young man by society. ### [III: Showing That Old Acquaintances Are Capable of Surprising Us](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/iii-showing-that-old-acquaintances-are-capable-of-surprising-us) Remains rigidly unforgiving of Maggie, driven by personal pride and a sense of demonstrated facts. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/chapters/vi-conclusion) Buried in the tomb with Maggie after the flood. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters/tom_tulliver - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mill_on_the_floss_se/characters