Summary
Tom's injury becomes a turning point that temporarily transforms his relationship with Philip Wakem. When Tom lies in bed, terrified he might be permanently lame, Philip steps up with unexpected kindness—finding out from the adults what Tom was too afraid to ask and bringing him the reassuring news that he'll heal completely. This act of compassion melts away their previous antagonism, and Philip spends his free time keeping Tom company, telling him stories and playing games. Maggie, drawn into this new friendship, forms a particularly sweet bond with Philip, asking if he wishes she were his sister and even kissing him goodbye—a gesture that moves Philip deeply since no one ever shows him such affection. She sees past his physical deformity to his intelligence and kindness, treating him with the acceptance he craves. However, when Mr. Tulliver visits, he offers grudging approval of the friendship while warning Tom not to get 'too thick' with Philip, reminding him that Philip carries 'his father's blood.' This foreshadows the relationship's limits. Indeed, as Tom recovers and normal school life resumes, the temporary warmth fades. The boys' fundamental differences in temperament and background reassert themselves—Philip becomes peevish, Tom grows suspicious again, and they drift back to their old dynamic of mutual dislike. Eliot shows us how crisis can reveal people's better natures and create unexpected bonds, but also how these connections often can't survive when the emergency passes and old prejudices resurface.
Coming Up in Chapter 20
As the school chapter of their lives draws to a close, major changes await the Tulliver children. The golden gates of childhood are about to swing shut, ushering in new challenges that will test everything they've learned about themselves and each other.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
A Love-Scene Poor Tom bore his severe pain heroically, and was resolute in not “telling” of Mr Poulter more than was unavoidable; the five-shilling piece remained a secret even to Maggie. But there was a terrible dread weighing on his mind, so terrible that he dared not even ask the question which might bring the fatal “yes”; he dared not ask the surgeon or Mr Stelling, “Shall I be lame, Sir?” He mastered himself so as not to cry out at the pain; but when his foot had been dressed, and he was left alone with Maggie seated by his bedside, the children sobbed together, with their heads laid on the same pillow. Tom was thinking of himself walking about on crutches, like the wheelwright’s son; and Maggie, who did not guess what was in his mind, sobbed for company. It had not occurred to the surgeon or to Mr Stelling to anticipate this dread in Tom’s mind, and to reassure him by hopeful words. But Philip watched the surgeon out of the house, and waylaid Mr Stelling to ask the very question that Tom had not dared to ask for himself. “I beg your pardon, sir,—but does Mr Askern say Tulliver will be lame?” “Oh, no; oh, no,” said Mr Stelling, “not permanently; only for a little while.” “Did he tell Tulliver so, sir, do you think?” “No; nothing was said to him on the subject.” “Then may I go and tell him, sir?” “Yes, to be sure; now you mention it, I dare say he may be troubling about that. Go to his bedroom, but be very quiet at present.” It had been Philip’s first thought when he heard of the accident,—“Will Tulliver be lame? It will be very hard for him if he is”; and Tom’s hitherto unforgiven offences were washed out by that pity. Philip felt that they were no longer in a state of repulsion, but were being drawn into a common current of suffering and sad privation. His imagination did not dwell on the outward calamity and its future effect on Tom’s life, but it made vividly present to him the probable state of Tom’s feeling. Philip had only lived fourteen years, but those years had, most of them, been steeped in the sense of a lot irremediably hard. “Mr Askern says you’ll soon be all right again, Tulliver, did you know?” he said rather timidly, as he stepped gently up to Tom’s bed. “I’ve just been to ask Mr Stelling, and he says you’ll walk as well as ever again by-and-day.” Tom looked up with that momentary stopping of the breath which comes with a sudden joy; then he gave a long sigh, and turned his blue-gray eyes straight on Philip’s face, as he had not done for a fortnight or more. As for Maggie, this intimation of a possibility she had not thought of before affected her as a new trouble; the bare idea of Tom’s being always lame overpowered the assurance...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Crisis Bonds
Shared vulnerability during emergencies creates temporary intimacy that often dissolves when normal conditions return.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when emergency situations create temporary but powerful connections that may not survive normal circumstances.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when shared difficulties bring you closer to someone—then observe whether that closeness continues once the crisis passes.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Heroically bearing pain
The Victorian ideal that people, especially boys, should endure physical and emotional suffering without complaint or showing weakness. This was seen as building character and proving moral strength.
Modern Usage:
We still see this in 'tough it out' culture, toxic masculinity expectations, and the way people are praised for working through illness or injury.
Class prejudice
The automatic distrust or dislike of people based on their family's social position or wealth. Mr. Tulliver warns against getting 'too thick' with Philip because of 'his father's blood' - meaning the Wakems are from a different, potentially hostile class.
Modern Usage:
Today this shows up as assumptions about people based on their neighborhood, job, education level, or family background.
Crisis bonding
When shared hardship or emergency creates temporary closeness between people who normally don't get along. Tom and Philip become friends while Tom is injured and vulnerable.
Modern Usage:
We see this during natural disasters, workplace crises, or family emergencies when people put aside differences to help each other.
Physical deformity stigma
In Victorian times, people with physical disabilities were often seen as cursed, pitiable, or morally flawed. Philip's hunchback makes him an outsider who rarely receives kindness or acceptance.
Modern Usage:
Though we've made progress, people with visible disabilities still face stares, assumptions, and social barriers that make simple acceptance feel precious.
Childhood innocence
The idea that children naturally see past surface differences and prejudices that adults have learned. Maggie treats Philip with pure kindness, not seeing his deformity as a barrier to friendship.
Modern Usage:
We still notice how kids often don't see race, disability, or class differences until adults teach them to.
Fair-weather friendship
Relationships that only work during good times or special circumstances but fall apart when normal life resumes. Tom and Philip's bond doesn't survive once the crisis passes.
Modern Usage:
Common in workplace friendships that fade after job changes, or relationships that only work during shared activities but not in real life.
Characters in This Chapter
Tom Tulliver
Injured protagonist
Tom's injury makes him vulnerable and afraid, temporarily softening his usual hardness. His terror about being permanently lame shows his deep need for physical capability and independence, while his acceptance of Philip's kindness reveals his capacity for gratitude when his defenses are down.
Modern Equivalent:
The tough kid who only shows emotion when they're really scared
Philip Wakem
Compassionate outsider
Philip steps up during Tom's crisis, showing maturity and kindness by getting the medical information Tom was too afraid to ask for. His emotional response to Maggie's simple affection reveals how starved he is for acceptance and normal human connection.
Modern Equivalent:
The kid who gets bullied but still helps others when they're in trouble
Maggie Tulliver
Innocent bridge-builder
Maggie naturally extends friendship to Philip without seeing his physical differences as barriers. Her kiss and wish to be his sister represent pure childhood acceptance that deeply moves Philip, showing her instinctive kindness.
Modern Equivalent:
The little kid who befriends the lonely classmate everyone else avoids
Mr. Tulliver
Prejudiced father figure
Even while approving the boys' friendship, he plants seeds of distrust by warning Tom about Philip's 'father's blood.' His grudging acceptance shows how adult prejudices limit children's natural connections.
Modern Equivalent:
The parent who says 'be nice to everyone' but warns their kid about certain families
Mr. Stelling
Oblivious authority figure
He fails to anticipate Tom's fears about being lame, showing how adults often miss children's deepest worries. His casual reassurance to Philip demonstrates the emotional distance typical of Victorian educators.
Modern Equivalent:
The teacher or coach who handles the practical stuff but misses the emotional impact
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I beg your pardon, sir,—but does Mr Askern say Tulliver will be lame?"
Context: Philip asks Mr. Stelling the question Tom was too afraid to ask about his injury
This moment shows Philip's emotional intelligence and courage - he recognizes Tom's unspoken fear and acts to help him. It's the beginning of their temporary friendship and shows Philip's capacity for kindness despite how Tom has treated him.
In Today's Words:
Excuse me, but is Tom going to be okay? Because I can tell he's scared to ask.
"Then may I go and tell him, sir?"
Context: Philip asks permission to bring Tom the good news about his recovery
Philip wants to be the one to deliver the relief Tom desperately needs. This shows his generosity and desire to help, transforming him from Tom's victim into his comforter. It's a role reversal that temporarily changes their dynamic.
In Today's Words:
Can I be the one to tell him the good news?
"I wish you were my brother"
Context: Maggie expresses her affection for Philip during their newfound friendship
This innocent wish represents the pure acceptance Philip craves but rarely receives. Maggie sees past his physical differences to his kindness and intelligence, offering him the family connection he's always wanted.
In Today's Words:
I wish we were related so we could always be friends.
Thematic Threads
Compassion
In This Chapter
Philip shows genuine kindness to Tom during his injury, offering comfort and information when Tom is most vulnerable
Development
First major display of Philip's capacity for selfless care despite previous antagonism
In Your Life:
You might discover someone's hidden kindness when you're going through a difficult time at work or in your family
Class Prejudice
In This Chapter
Mr. Tulliver warns Tom not to get 'too thick' with Philip because of 'his father's blood,' showing how family loyalty conflicts with personal connection
Development
Builds on earlier class tensions, now showing how they infiltrate even childhood friendships
In Your Life:
You might feel torn between genuine friendship with someone and family or community expectations about who you should associate with
Recognition
In This Chapter
Maggie sees past Philip's physical deformity to his intelligence and kindness, treating him with acceptance he rarely receives
Development
Shows Maggie's developing ability to value people for their inner qualities rather than appearances
In Your Life:
You might be the person who recognizes worth in someone others overlook, or desperately need that recognition yourself
Temporary Transformation
In This Chapter
The crisis creates a brief period where natural antagonists become allies, but normal school life dissolves this connection
Development
Introduced here as a key pattern of how relationships can shift dramatically but temporarily
In Your Life:
You might experience intense closeness with someone during a shared challenge, only to drift apart when the situation normalizes
Vulnerability
In This Chapter
Tom's fear about permanent injury makes him receptive to Philip's kindness in ways he normally wouldn't be
Development
Shows how physical vulnerability can create emotional openness
In Your Life:
You might find that your own moments of fear or uncertainty make you more grateful for unexpected support from others
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What changed in Tom and Philip's relationship during Tom's injury, and what happened when Tom recovered?
analysis • surface - 2
Why did Philip's kindness during the crisis create such a strong temporary bond with both Tom and Maggie?
analysis • medium - 3
Think of a time when a crisis brought you closer to someone you normally didn't get along with. What happened when the crisis ended?
application • medium - 4
If you were Tom, how would you handle the friendship with Philip knowing your father's warnings about his family?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between temporary connection and lasting relationship change?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Crisis Connections
Think of three relationships in your life that changed during a difficult time—illness, job loss, family emergency, pandemic, etc. For each relationship, write down how it changed during the crisis and what happened afterward. Look for patterns in which connections lasted and which ones faded back to the old dynamic.
Consider:
- •Consider both relationships that improved during crisis and ones that got worse
- •Notice whether the underlying issues that originally divided you were actually addressed
- •Think about your own role in maintaining or losing these crisis connections
Journaling Prompt
Write about one crisis connection you wish you had maintained. What would you do differently now to preserve that bond beyond the emergency that created it?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 20: When Childhood's Golden Gates Close Forever
In the next chapter, you'll discover financial crisis can shatter a family's entire sense of identity, and learn being the messenger of bad news requires courage and compassion. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.