August 18, 2008


The Mill on the Floss: George Eliot

“Not that Tom was in awe of his uncle’s mental superiority: indeed, he had made up his mind that he didn’t want to be a gentleman farmer, because he shouldn’t like to be such a thin-legged silly fellow as his uncle Pullet — a molly-coddle, in fact. A boy’s sheepishness is by no means a sign of overmastering reverence: and while you are making encouraging advances to him under the idea that he is overwhelmed by a sense of your age and wisdom, ten to one he is thinking you extremely queer. The only consolation I can suggest to you is, that the Greek boys probably thought the same of Aristotle. It is only when you have mastered a restive horse, or thrashed a drayman, or have got a gun in your hand, that these shy juniors feel you to be a truly admirable and enviable character.”

p. 98 (Penguin, 2003)

posted by Cooper Renner in books, culture, family, fiction, literature 

comments

5 Responses to “The Mill on the Floss: George Eliot”

  1. Sheila Ryan on August 18th, 2008 at 9:53 am

    Uncle Pullet. That makes me smile.

  2. Cindy Scroggins on August 18th, 2008 at 10:00 am

    The Mill on the Fucking Floss, Cooper?? Sometimes I think you’re trying to hurt me.

  3. Cooper Renner on August 18th, 2008 at 10:15 am

    Actually, it’s gotten fairly interesting, after starting off pretty slowly. It’s no Barchester Towers to be sure, but it’s not bad.

  4. Cindy Scroggins on August 18th, 2008 at 10:22 am

    Oh, no, it wouldn’t be up to the standard of Barchester Towers, would it?

    You’re killing me.

    Stupid 19th century.

  5. Cooper Renner on August 18th, 2008 at 10:37 am

    But remember I’m a weirdo who likes the 19th century. Don Juan, “Christabel” (technically late 18th, but not published till the 19th), Lyell, Darwin, Moby Dick, Emily Dickinson, Walden, “Carrion Comfort,” the early Sherlock Holmes. . .

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