Summary
Tom returns to school dreading his new roommate—Philip Wakem, son of his father's enemy and a boy with a physical deformity. Tom arrives armed with all his father's prejudices, expecting Philip to be spiteful and untrustworthy simply because of his family name and appearance. The initial meeting is awkward, with both boys too proud and nervous to make the first move. But when Tom discovers Philip's remarkable artistic talent, his curiosity overrides his prejudice. Philip draws effortlessly—dogs, donkeys, landscapes—while Tom can barely manage a crooked house. This leads to a tentative conversation where Tom learns Philip is brilliant at Latin and Greek, subjects Tom dreads. More surprisingly, Philip offers to help Tom with his studies and promises to tell him exciting stories from Greek mythology and history. The chapter captures that delicate moment when two very different boys begin to see past their assumptions. Tom starts to realize that Philip isn't the vindictive schemer he expected, while Philip recognizes Tom's genuine, if simple, nature. Their conversation reveals their contrasting strengths—Tom's physical prowess versus Philip's intellectual gifts—and hints at a friendship that could develop despite family feuds and social expectations. Eliot shows how prejudice crumbles when we actually engage with people as individuals rather than representatives of what we fear or dislike.
Coming Up in Chapter 17
As Tom and Philip's unlikely friendship begins to take shape, their different worlds and values will create both connection and conflict. The next chapter explores how these two boys navigate their growing bond while carrying the weight of their families' expectations.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The New Schoolfellow It was a cold, wet January day on which Tom went back to school; a day quite in keeping with this severe phase of his destiny. If he had not carried in his pocket a parcel of sugar-candy and a small Dutch doll for little Laura, there would have been no ray of expected pleasure to enliven the general gloom. But he liked to think how Laura would put out her lips and her tiny hands for the bits of sugarcandy; and to give the greater keenness to these pleasures of imagination, he took out the parcel, made a small hole in the paper, and bit off a crystal or two, which had so solacing an effect under the confined prospect and damp odors of the gig-umbrella, that he repeated the process more than once on his way. “Well, Tulliver, we’re glad to see you again,” said Mr Stelling, heartily. “Take off your wrappings and come into the study till dinner. You’ll find a bright fire there, and a new companion.” Tom felt in an uncomfortable flutter as he took off his woollen comforter and other wrappings. He had seen Philip Wakem at St Ogg’s, but had always turned his eyes away from him as quickly as possible. He would have disliked having a deformed boy for his companion, even if Philip had not been the son of a bad man. And Tom did not see how a bad man’s son could be very good. His own father was a good man, and he would readily have fought any one who said the contrary. He was in a state of mingled embarrassment and defiance as he followed Mr Stelling to the study. “Here is a new companion for you to shake hands with, Tulliver,” said that gentleman on entering the study,—“Master Philip Wakem. I shall leave you to make acquaintance by yourselves. You already know something of each other, I imagine; for you are neighbours at home.” Tom looked confused and awkward, while Philip rose and glanced at him timidly. Tom did not like to go up and put out his hand, and he was not prepared to say, “How do you do?” on so short a notice. Mr Stelling wisely turned away, and closed the door behind him; boys’ shyness only wears off in the absence of their elders. Philip was at once too proud and too timid to walk toward Tom. He thought, or rather felt, that Tom had an aversion to looking at him; every one, almost, disliked looking at him; and his deformity was more conspicuous when he walked. So they remained without shaking hands or even speaking, while Tom went to the fire and warmed himself, every now and then casting furtive glances at Philip, who seemed to be drawing absently first one object and then another on a piece of paper he had before him. He had seated himself again, and as he drew, was thinking what he could say to...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of First Contact - How Initial Prejudices Crumble
Prejudice dissolves when we engage with individuals rather than the categories we've been taught to fear.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to separate individuals from family reputations and inherited conflicts that may no longer serve anyone.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you avoid someone based on stories you've heard—then create one genuine interaction to test your assumptions against reality.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Gig-umbrella
A large umbrella attached to a horse-drawn carriage to protect passengers from rain. In Tom's case, it creates a confined, gloomy space that mirrors his emotional state about returning to school.
Modern Usage:
Like being stuck in traffic during a storm - that claustrophobic feeling when you're trapped somewhere uncomfortable with your worries.
Deformed
In Eliot's time, this referred to any physical disability or difference, often viewed with suspicion or pity. Philip has a spinal condition that affects his appearance, making him a target for prejudice.
Modern Usage:
We still see how people make snap judgments about others based on physical differences or disabilities, though we're more aware it's wrong.
Bad man's son
The Victorian belief that moral character was inherited - if your father was dishonest or cruel, you must be too. Tom assumes Philip will be vindictive because his father is the family's enemy.
Modern Usage:
Like assuming someone will be trouble because of their family reputation or where they're from - guilt by association.
Classical education
Upper-class boys learned Latin and Greek as markers of education and social status. Tom struggles with these subjects while Philip excels, showing their different intellectual strengths.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how certain subjects or skills are seen as prestigious today - like coding, advanced math, or getting into elite colleges.
Family feud
Long-standing conflicts between families that get passed down to children who inherit the hatred without understanding the original cause. The Tullivers and Wakems are enemies over business disputes.
Modern Usage:
Like neighborhood feuds, workplace rivalries, or even political divisions where kids grow up hating people they've never really met.
Prejudice
Pre-judging someone based on assumptions rather than actual experience. Tom expects Philip to be mean and untrustworthy before actually getting to know him.
Modern Usage:
We still do this constantly - making assumptions about people based on their appearance, background, or what we've heard about them.
Characters in This Chapter
Tom Tulliver
Protagonist
Returns to school carrying his father's prejudices against the Wakem family. Initially uncomfortable around Philip due to his physical disability and family name, but begins to soften when he sees Philip's artistic talent and kind nature.
Modern Equivalent:
The kid who's been told certain people are 'bad' but starts questioning it when he actually meets them
Philip Wakem
New companion/potential friend
The physically disabled son of the Tulliver family's enemy. Despite Tom's prejudices, Philip shows remarkable artistic skill and offers to help Tom with his studies, revealing his generous and intelligent nature.
Modern Equivalent:
The smart kid everyone avoids because of family drama or physical differences
Mr. Stelling
Schoolmaster/authority figure
Welcomes Tom back warmly and introduces him to Philip. Represents the adult world that expects boys to get along regardless of family conflicts.
Modern Equivalent:
The teacher or supervisor who expects you to work with someone you've been told to dislike
Laura
Absent loved one
Tom's little sister who he brings candy for. Her memory provides comfort during his dreary journey back to school and shows Tom's capacity for tenderness.
Modern Equivalent:
The family member whose memory keeps you going during tough times
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He would have disliked having a deformed boy for his companion, even if Philip had not been the son of a bad man."
Context: Describing Tom's prejudiced thoughts before meeting Philip
This reveals Tom's double prejudice - against Philip's physical disability and his family name. Eliot shows how children absorb society's biases about both physical differences and family reputations.
In Today's Words:
He already didn't want to room with a disabled kid, and the family drama made it even worse.
"And Tom did not see how a bad man's son could be very good."
Context: Explaining Tom's inherited prejudice against Philip
Shows how children inherit their parents' feuds and prejudices without question. Tom assumes moral character is genetic, a common Victorian belief that Eliot challenges.
In Today's Words:
If your dad's a jerk, you must be a jerk too - that's what Tom figured.
"Well, Tulliver, we're glad to see you again."
Context: Greeting Tom warmly upon his return to school
The headmaster's cheerful welcome contrasts with Tom's inner dread, showing how adults often miss children's emotional struggles. His casual introduction of a 'new companion' doesn't acknowledge the complexity of the situation.
In Today's Words:
Hey Tom, good to have you back! You've got a new roommate, no big deal.
Thematic Threads
Inherited Prejudice
In This Chapter
Tom arrives carrying his father's hatred of the Wakem family, expecting Philip to embody all the negative traits he's been told about
Development
Introduced here - shows how family conflicts pass to the next generation
In Your Life:
You might find yourself disliking coworkers or neighbors based on stories you've heard rather than your own experience.
Talent Recognition
In This Chapter
Tom's amazement at Philip's artistic ability breaks through his prejudice and creates genuine curiosity
Development
Introduced here - establishes how skill and talent can bridge social divides
In Your Life:
You might discover that someone you dismissed actually has abilities that could help you or earn your respect.
Social Barriers
In This Chapter
The boys' initial awkwardness stems from class differences and family feuds, not personal dislike
Development
Continues from earlier chapters showing how social expectations shape relationships
In Your Life:
You might avoid connecting with people because of perceived social differences rather than actual incompatibility.
Mutual Benefit
In This Chapter
Philip offers to help Tom with studies while Tom could offer physical protection - their weaknesses complement each other's strengths
Development
Introduced here - shows how unlikely partnerships can be mutually beneficial
In Your Life:
You might find that people you initially avoided could actually help you with your own challenges.
Individual vs. Category
In This Chapter
Tom begins to see Philip as a person rather than just 'a Wakem' or 'the deformed boy'
Development
Introduced here - establishes the theme of seeing people as individuals
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself judging people by their group membership rather than their individual character and actions.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What changed Tom's mind about Philip - was it seeing him draw, learning about his academic skills, or Philip's offer to help with studies?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think Tom was so ready to hate Philip before they even met? What role did his father's opinions play in shaping Tom's expectations?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this 'inherited enemy' pattern in modern workplaces, neighborhoods, or families - people disliking others based on stories they've heard rather than personal experience?
application • medium - 4
If you were Tom, how would you handle the conflict between your father's hatred of the Wakem family and your growing respect for Philip as an individual?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how prejudice actually works - and why direct human contact is so powerful at breaking it down?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Test Your Inherited Opinions
Think of someone you've been taught to dislike or distrust - maybe through family stories, workplace gossip, or community reputation. Write down what you've heard about them versus what you've actually experienced. Then imagine meeting them for the first time with no background information. What would you notice about their actual behavior, skills, or character?
Consider:
- •Separate secondhand stories from firsthand experience
- •Consider what interests or talents they might have that you've never heard about
- •Think about whether your current opinion serves you or limits your opportunities
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you discovered someone was completely different from their reputation. What changed your mind, and how did it affect your approach to judging others?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 17: The Complicated Dance of Friendship
The coming pages reveal childhood prejudices can persist even when we enjoy someone's company, and teach us people with insecurities often lash out at those trying to help them. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.