But stranded by rising flood-waters, a hitherto recalcitrant Tom has a convenient change of heart and welcomes his rescuer in the row-boat.
From a young girl, Maggie has been motivated by a love that withstands repeated cold-shoulders from her intolerant brother. In the flood she thinks only of Tom, trapped in the low-lying mill. Borne with brother Tom on the raging torrent of flood-waters, death provides her a convenient release? Surely the reader expects Maggie to endure heroically to a sad end decades in the future. Maggie is locked in a seemingly insoluble ethical dilemma throughout the second half of the novel, a dilemma which, if anything, worsens with time. On reflecting - and I find reflection is always prudent on finishing literature - I feel that this interpretation of the ending is superficial. Nevertheless, death coming to Maggie's rescue in situation impossible seemed decidedly too glib. Although a few pages earlier, I was blown away with the astonishing acceptance of Maggie by austere Aunt Glegg.
On finishing The Mill on the Floss, I thought Maggie and Tom entwined in death a romantic but feeble ending to an otherwise great novel. Tom and Maggie embrace in death - a happy ending?
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