The essay investigates the construction and reconstruction of feminine beauty in Eliot’s The Mill on the Floss where the heroine Maggie functions as a way of illustrating both beauty and ugliness. Maggie’s “unrefined” appearance as well as her beauty is furthermore highlighted through a strong comparison with other characters, which also is a significant aspect in the essay. The analysis is based on a critical approach informed by previous studies regarding the various aspects of female beauty.