I'd have to say, I agree...

I was disappointed, but for somewhat different reasons.


I don't like Tom. I just don't like him!

I think he's controlling. He gets on my nerves.

If I were to drown in a tragic mill flood, I wouldn't want to be with TOM.



Here's how I think it should have happened:

Maggie and Phillip die together.

Why?

1. Phillip represents a love that Tom and Maggie will never have. It's unconditional, and I feel like they're both equal in each other's eyes.
   
2. It would have made more sense for them to be buried together. I mean, Tom and Maggie? Were they really THAT close?
3. The book would have ended a LOVE story, as opposed to just a DEPRESSING story. Maggie and Phillip seemed to be star-crossed lovers, Tom and Maggie could have gone on living the way they were.

If I am the reincarnation of Maggie Tulliver, I'm gonna find myself a little cripple boy and do it RIGHT this time. Gahh, stupid brunette stereotypes.


-Allie

Okay - My reaction to the ending.

Frankly, I was disappointed that things were left so unresolved. All these problems and oh my gosh the flood get into the boat, Tom! And they die. What.

The. End. Game over.

What happens to her love life? Does it matter? At least by the time she dies she has redeemed herself in the eyes of her brother - and thus sort of reaches salvation without ever really knowing love.

I think she was reincarnated in a time more suited to her...

WITH THE NAME OF ALEXANDRA WATKINS

I kid.

But really that was disappointing. I guess it was realistic in the sense that life is unpredictable.

Sigh.

Oh, unpredictable tragic life.

P.S.

Gina Wrote this, yeah.

Dear Diary,

I write to you today from the sanctuary of the Red Deeps. I am far from everything. I hear neither the rush of the water nor the clack-clack-clack of the mill's wheel. Nothing but gentle chirping of crickets and cheerful birdsong invade my perception, and I feel as though I am at peace. If only you had eyes, that you could see the glorious surroundings for yourself and if only you had understanding so as to absorb what I write in your pages and respond!

Alas, you are a book and you are just a reflection of myself. I am lonely.

It is not as though I have no companions. I have Philip, at the very least. We met once again by the rotted oak stump an hour ago, as usual, and conversed and sang but I feel as though I am obliged to come here. I feel strongly for Philip, like a mother does for a child. If he were hurt, I would blame myself and of course from the possibility my trouble is born. I love him.

I love him and would gladly sign up to be his protector. He shows me affection when I welcome him into my world. Poor outcast! I must be his shield and sword.

Part of me reasons that his interests are selfish. Am I not the only woman who overlooks his deformity? He may mean to ensnare me with his broken heart and pleading eyes, but then, if I am not the one for him, who is?

I know of no girl who would take him. Why have I been led into this unwanted duty? I am trapped, oh how I am trapped.


Gina

Dear Diary...

Dear Diary,

When I was first told, "Life isn't Fair," I never thought it would pertain to my life. Alas, things have not gone as planned lately. I'm torn between two young men, both of which I love for two different reasons. It's as if I've been torn between the material and the spiritual, having to choose only one. Phillip is such a sweatheart, always there for when I need him. For this, I feel almost indebted to him. Stephen, on the other hand, is the most handsome man I've ever seen. He's absolutely magestic, the way he walks and talks in such pride. I feel excited whenever he's around me.

On the other hand, I'm not the only one with such problems. Tom is head-over-heals about Lucy. He's become such a man, and yet he's a mere child when Lucy is around. Sometimes I feel sorry for him, but the way he's been treating me is really driving our relationship apart. Sometimes I feel it's just me, and my sudden changes in mood.

I'm experiencing an internal struggle, I feel. I've become rather introverted, and unwilling to meet anyone, most likely due to depression. Everything has fallen apart in front of me, and I feel I have no dirction, so I simply keep to myself. I know this hurts the people around me. I hope they can learn to forgive me, as I am trying to make ammends.

Until tomorrow,
Maggie



--Allie

Their love lasted as long as they went undetected. Thursday afternoons they would quietly meet in the back room, sipping their hot drinks and staring at each other. Conversation was sometimes awkward, but Maggie intrigued Stephen and Stephen, to a point, intrigued Maggie. However, Maggie often seemed... distracted. Not by Stephen's beauty or the harshness of her situation, but by the nagging image of Philip in the back of her mind. What of Philip? He loved her - doted on her -and she loved him, but her love was a dutiful one. She felt no passion for Philip. His touch didn't set her nerves alight, and his glance didn't make her turn away and blush. If Philip were to find out about Stephen, he would be crushed.

But he couldn't find out about Stephen, reasoned the voice in her head, as they hid in the back room with their tea. The confrontation was avoided for one week longer, when Philip came in to speak to Mary about exhibiting his work. Philip had become a serious artist, and his paintings and drawings would soon hang on the walls of Java. He shuffled to the back of the room to examine the wall space, when he recognized a voice.

Philip took a step into the back room, pleased at first to greet Maggie, when he noticed the hand on her shoulder. And the arm behind her and the shoulder and the body to which that arm was attached and the head belonging to that body. A crestfallen expression quickly replaced his smile. He turned his head and looked back with a nod and an obviously forced grin - more of a grimace.

He backed out of the room with a sheepish wave and briskly headed for the door. Maggie stood up and began to walk after him.

"Philip, hey!"

He paused and turned around. "Erm yeah hello I thought you were... uh. Busy. So I didn't want to interrupt..."

"No! No! There's no interruption at all. Come sit with me. We can play Jenga."

"I'm going to have a show here."

"Really?"

"Yeah, next week is the opening, actually... Will you be there?"

"I don't know if I can, but I'll check."

"Oh."

Philip shifted his weight and looked to the left.

"Yeah, just..."

"Yeeeahhh," he interrupted, "Check. Just check."

"I will. I'll send you a message, okay?"

"Okay." Philip gave a tight-lipped smile and walked out the door.

Stephen looked up from the magazine he had picked up and smiled at Maggie, who gave him a melancholy look. He shrugged and patted the seat next to him, and there Maggie sat in silence for the rest of the time.

It was too late for Maggie to run out, but she was parched and went to get a drink. As she began to drink her red beverage, she, Steven, and Lucy talked. During this time she was haunted by Steven's delicious face. While Lucy was in the restroom Steven and Maggie decided that they would start to meet in secret. They were so caught up in their discussion that they forgot about Lucy's existance. The next morning they met in an abandoned store. They talked for hours and instantly feel in love. These meetings repeated for a short time before they decided to talk about their future....

Your turn Gina!

-Staten

Beginning of creative-writing project

Okay, ladies. We can each write a paragraph. I'll start!

Maggie looked up from her coffee just in time to catch Lucy and Stephen coming in the door. A cigarette hung loosely from her lips. She looked down again, quickly, hoping Stephan didn't try to approach her. She just couldn't face... well... his lovely face. She had spent the last four days sitting around in Java Cabana, reading the poetry everyone left in the sketchbooks that were scattered around. She stayed until they closed every night, and then made the cold, slightly invigorating walk home. She didn't mind being alone. Well, at least she had gotten used to it.

Is that enough for you guys to work with?

--Allie