

Maggie reads to her father, but her new-found faith is of no comfort to him. She takes up sewing in order to contribute to the family's fund Tom disapproves. She believes that a renunciation of her personal desires is the answer to finding the peace and happiness that has eluded her. One of these books is Thomas a Kempis: Imitation of Christ, which causes her to have a spiritual awakening. Maggie, who has been very unhappy, is grateful. Chapter III - A Voice from the Pastīob Jakin comes to give Maggie some books he bought for her because he remembered how upset she was when her family’s books were sold. The aunts and uncles visit only rarely, as their social ties are becoming strained in misfortune. Her mother tries to spare her hard work, though she is becoming more frail each day.

She seeks an understanding of her suffering. Maggie's internal struggle continues as her passions and sense of self contrast greatly with the facts of her situation. Tom continues at his job and training in bookkeeping, saying very little in the short periods he is at home. Tulliver both agree this is the honorable thing to do, so everyone does their best to help economize. Wakem’s manager, but is constantly depressed and focused only on saving enough of his wages to pay back the creditors that he still owes. Tulliver is recovered enough to attend to business, so he acts as Mr. Chapter II - The Torn Nest Is Pierced by the Thorns


Tom Tulliver's spirituality was adrift, lost in the pursuit of common sense. Their kin were not to be left out of wills, but reproached severely if they were not a credit to the family. The Dodsons were religious out of habit and tradition only and they strove to be honest and rich. The narrator takes a break from the story’s action to present an interlude describing the contrast between the ruins of villages on the Rhone and of castles on the Rhine, and how the former feels small and oppressive in the way that the traditions of the older generation of Dodsons and Tullivers were oppressive to Maggie and Tom. Buy Study Guide Chapter I - A Variation of Protestantism Unknown to Bossuet
