Mary Ann Evans' Conservative and Religious Upbringing

Mary Ann Evans' early life was shaped by a conservative and religious upbringing

Move to Coventry and Encounter with Progressive Ideas

After her mother's death, Mary Ann Evans moved to Coventry with her father, where she encountered progressive ideas that would later influence her writing

Relocation to London and Work as an Editor

Following her father's death, Mary Ann Evans relocated to London and became an editor for The Westminster Review

Controversial Relationship with George Henry Lewes

Mary Ann Evans' personal life was marked by a controversial yet intellectually fruitful relationship with George Henry Lewes

Estrangement from Family and Living with Lewes

Despite societal disapproval and resulting estrangement from her brother, Mary Ann Evans lived with George Henry Lewes until his death in 1878

Marriage to John Cross

After George Henry Lewes' death, Mary Ann Evans married John Cross and became one of the most prominent and affluent writers in England

Writing under the Pen Name George Eliot

Mary Ann Evans wrote her major novels, including "Middlemarch" and "The Mill on the Floss," under the male pseudonym George Eliot

Setting and Themes in "The Mill on the Floss"

"The Mill on the Floss," published in 1860, is a seminal work by George Eliot set in the fictional town of St. Oggs, exploring themes of social class, gender roles, and individual autonomy

Character Dynamics and Social Tensions

The character dynamics in "The Mill on the Floss" reflect the social and familial tensions of Victorian England, particularly through the protagonist Maggie Tulliver's relationship with her brother and mother

Influence on Victorian Literature and Modernist Movement

George Eliot's novel "The Mill on the Floss" stands as a cornerstone of Victorian literature and has influenced subsequent literary figures such as Virginia Woolf and James Joyce

Mastery of Psychological Storytelling

Eliot's adept handling of the complex relationship between Maggie and Tom Tulliver in "The Mill on the Floss" exemplifies her mastery of psychological storytelling and her challenge to the prevailing norms of her day

Advocacy for Moral Empathy and Understanding

Through her writing, George Eliot champions the importance of knowledge and empathy over strict moral dogma, reflecting her forward-thinking stance and continuing to engage contemporary readers