THE STRUGGLE OF THE OTHER: MAGGIE TULLIVER IN GEORGE ELIOT’S THE MILL ON THE FLOSS

Abstract

Patriarchal society believes in binary opposition of men as “subject” and women as “other” whose existance is determined by men. Gender or the differentiation of roles between men and women is a social contruct taht both men and women must conform to in order to be socially accepted. Maggie Tulliver in George Elliot’s novel Mill on the Floss is positioned as “the other” especially in her relation with her brother Tom. All through her life, Maggie struggles against social rules that regard her as “the other” because she is a woman and even “doubly other” for she is different from other female characters in general. Maggie’s struggle in a male dominated world ands when she finally dies at young age.