Character Analysis ( Mill on the Floss)

Direct Characterization
This is the most common method of characterization employed in this novel. Eliot is
very fond of giving us rather lengthy run-downs of characters after we meet them, or
after they do something notable. As a result, we get extremely detailed portraits of every
character in the book sketched out for us. Eliot also uses a lot of carefully chosen
adjectives (Mrs. Glegg often speaks "peremptorily" or abruptly, for example) and quick,
descriptive sentences scattered throughout the book to keep her characterization
evolving. We don’t just get a handy paragraph spiel on each character. Rather, we get a
whole series of descriptive and explanatory paragraphs as well as almost constant
narrative commentary on each character. Characterization is one of the narrator’s main
jobs, and the narrator pretty much does it non-stop.

Speech and Dialogue

Aside from our helpfully detail-oriented narrator, we get a lot of valuable characterization
through speech and dialogue. Eliot is notable for writing in dialects and, as a result, the
speech of characters like Mr. Tulliver and Mrs. Glegg is written with lots of apostrophes
in order to give the reader a sense of what these characters’ accents really sounded
like. A lot of characters also have very unique ways of speaking that help to give us
insight into their characters. The always rambling Bob Jakin is a good example of this,
as well as of Eliot’s use of dialects in her writing.

Thoughts and Opinions

This method of characterization often goes hand in hand with narrative commentary and
direct characterization. Often, when a character makes a statement or a claim the
narrator will jump in to elaborate on what they actually mean and why they are actually
saying it. But characters are also allowed to carry on a conversation without interruption
too. The hugely substantial conversations between Philip and Maggie regarding
individual desires, and between Stephen and Maggie just prior to their break-up, are
good examples of places where Eliot gives her characters free reign to express their
opinions. The characters in this book are also very helpfully outspoken; between them
and the commenting narrator, we rarely have to guess at what a character’s actual
thought or opinion is.

Social Status
This method of characterization is not the most consistent in this book. Social status,
particularly in terms of how much money a person has, is a major part of St. Ogg’s
society and gives us a good sense of our characters. The contrast between the wealthy
Deanes and the bankrupt Tullivers is significant, for instance. But social status concerns
often fall by the wayside, giving way to factors like family relations, emotional
attachments, etc. For instance, while we know that there is a huge monetary gap
between Stephen Guest and Maggie, the two of them never discuss their relationship
problems in terms of money. Rather, their issues revolve around family, Lucy, Philip,
and morality for the most part.

However, a lot of characters are characterized largely by their social status. Mr. Deane
is characterized almost exclusively by his job, and Tom’s desire to make money and
pay his family debts is a huge part of his character. Social status is an important tool of
characterization, but it does not apply equally to every character in the book, which is
interesting in and of itself.