The+Mill+on+the+Floss

Elliot's The Mill on the Floss.

George Elliot, Mary Ann Evans, criticizes depicts a sexist society through what it seems to be a simple tale which deals about discipline. Her narrative deals with topics like: oversimplifying issues in order to do not feel dumb or out of place; females' responsibility to obey males' commands; the feelings of guilty females are supposed to develop, so they would keep male empowerment; and the misconception that females were not totally aware of life's changes and they are determined to be dependant to others (particularly males).

The author states that occassionally men might be afraid of being inferior to of females' intelligence and knowledge; therefore, they attempt to get rid of difficult situations by making feel women dumb and out of place; for instace, " But the lion isn't coming. What's the use of talking...O don't bother Maggie! You're such a silly-"Unfortunately, society has not changed much because some men use to shut women up whenever they give a strong argument for which they do not have a rebuttal. They use physical and psychological aggressiveness to control over women when they feel threatened by females' intellect.

Moreover, the author states the obligation females had (and in some cases they still have to obey the male figure due to the fact that patriarchy dominates society; consequently, women who stand such situation cannot help do males' will and commands. For instance, Tom gets angry with Maggie not only because of the rabbits, he knew he could buy some new, but he chides her mainly because she did not follow his orders: "I told you go and see the rabbits every day." As result of her disobedience, she does not deserve to be loved by him anymore. He makes her feel guilty and manipulates her until she punishes herself by getting ostracized. In addition, males are aware of females' sensibility and sense of responsibility on terms of men's stability and humor; so by making Maggie feel guilty of Tom's misfortune, he could keep male empowerment.

Elliot also deals with the misconception that females may not be not totally aware of life's changes,that they may be afraid to change, and that they may be determined to be dependant to others (particularly to males); for example, Maggie sticks to the idea that "life would ever change much for them; they would only get bigger and not go to school, and it would always be like holidays; they would always be together and be fond of each other." This statement may seem confusing and the reader might say that she thinks this way because she is just a child. However, human beings are commonly afraid to change, and males and females like stability; therefore, as grown ups they may keep their fantasies that life as they know it may not change much.