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Book 1, Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Lucy and Maggie:
As the only two young women in the novel—who are often compared to each other—Lucy and Maggie act as foils to each other. Lucy is sweet and pretty while Maggie—though also beautiful—is bookish and messy. Maggie’s mother Mrs. Tulliver often complains that Maggie is not more like Lucy, as seen in the following passage:
“She’s too big a gell, gone nine, and tall of her age, to have her hair cut short; an’ there’s her cousin Lucy’s got a row o’ curls round her head, an’ not a hair out o’ place. It seems hard as my sister Deane should have that pretty child; I’m sure Lucy takes more after me nor my own child does.”
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Explanation and Analysis—Maggie and Tom:
As the two siblings at the center of the novel, Maggie and Tom act as foils for each other, meaning their juxtaposition offers insights into each of their characters. While Maggie and Tom are similar—they both care deeply about acting morally—their characters diverge in key ways.
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Book 7, Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis—Philip and Stephen:
As Maggie’s two love interests in the novel, Philip and Stephen act as foils for each other, meaning their juxtaposition reveals aspects of each other’s character. While Philip and Stephen are similar in some respects—they are both intelligent, educated men who come from wealthy families—they are different in some key ways.
For example, Philip is humble and self-reflective, evidenced in his ability to apologize and take responsibility for his actions. This quality of his comes through in his final letter to Maggie after she runs away with Stephen, in which he apologizes to her:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Then — dear one — in spite of all, you have been the blessing of my life. Let no self-reproach weigh on you because of me. It is I who should rather reproach myself for having urged my feelings upon you, and hurried you into words that you have felt as fetters.”
Related Themes:
Book 7, Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis—Philip and Stephen:
As Maggie’s two love interests in the novel, Philip and Stephen act as foils for each other, meaning their juxtaposition reveals aspects of each other’s character. While Philip and Stephen are similar in some respects—they are both intelligent, educated men who come from wealthy families—they are different in some key ways.
For example, Philip is humble and self-reflective, evidenced in his ability to apologize and take responsibility for his actions. This quality of his comes through in his final letter to Maggie after she runs away with Stephen, in which he apologizes to her:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Then — dear one — in spite of all, you have been the blessing of my life. Let no self-reproach weigh on you because of me. It is I who should rather reproach myself for having urged my feelings upon you, and hurried you into words that you have felt as fetters.”
Related Themes:
