Book details
The Mill on the Floss
Description
Maggie Tulliver, impulsive and imaginative, lives in a small English village with her family. She loves her brother deeply, but he does not understand her, so she befriends a boy who her brother disapproves of, leading to tragic consequences.;"Penguin Readers" is a series of simplified novels, film novelizations and original titles that introduce students at all levels to the pleasures of reading in English. Originally designed for teaching English as a foreign language, the series' combination of high interest level and low reading age makes it suitable for both English-speaking teenagers with limited reading skills and students of English as a second language. Many titles in the series also provide access to the pre-20th century literature strands of the National Curriculum English Orders.;"Penguin Readers" are graded at seven levels of difficulty, from "Easystarts" with a 200-word vocabulary, to Level 6 (Advanced) with a 3000-word vocabulary. In addition, titles fall into one of three sub-categories: "Contemporary", "Classics" or "Originals". At the end of each book there is a section of enjoyable exercises focusing on vocabulary building, comprehension, discussion and writing.;Some titles in the series are available with an accompanying audio cassette, or in a book and cassette pack. Additionally, selected titles have free accompanying "Penguin Readers Factsheets" which provide stimulating exercise material for students, as well as suggestions for teachers on how to exploit the Readers in class.
Age
12-15
Text complexity
proficient
Length
672 pages
Why to read
- Insight into Victorian England: 'The Mill on the Floss' offers a vivid portrayal of rural life in Victorian England, providing readers with historical insights into the social and economic pressures of the time.
- Complex Characters: George Eliot is known for her deep and nuanced character development. The novel's protagonist, Maggie Tulliver, is a complex character whose struggles with societal norms and personal desires are compelling and relatable.
- Themes of Conflict: The book explores various forms of conflict, including the clash between individual desires and societal expectations, the struggles between reason and emotion, and the tensions within family dynamics.
- Literary Significance: As a classic of English literature, 'The Mill on the Floss' is celebrated for its narrative style, moral depth, and psychological insight. Reading it can enrich one's understanding of literary history and the development of the novel as a form.