Allie, I agree with you. I feel like Mrs. Tulliver seems like the perfect Victorian wife. Maggie, on the other hand, is very different from her mother. I've also noticed how their relationship really isn't mentioned that much in the book. I think it is very likely that Maggie and her mother's relationship may relfect the author's relationship with her own mother. Throughout the book I've noticed a few similarities between Maggie and Mary Anne. They are both women who are educated. I assume that Mary Anne was educated because if she had not been then the book would not exist. Maybe Mary Anne attributed some of her characteristics to Maggie.

Now to try to answer Allie's questions...
I feel that if Maggie had continued her education she could have made a very good governess. Mothers and fathers would for sure have welcomed a girl, as smart as she is, to help with their childeren.
And I agree that I don't get the sense that her parents are trying to keep her from being educated. They arn't necessarily asking her to learn, though. I think that Maggie's mother just wants Maggie to grow up and be a good housewife like she is.

A couple of questions I have:
1. What will happen to Maggie and Phillip? Will they continue to crush on each other?
2. What will Maggie and Tom do now that they are broke and their father is injured?

Staten