George Eliot's Slias Marner: a book review
Nyle Isaac Arcayan HS4-6
George Eliot’s Silas Marner
It is hard to imagine the kind of pain and betrayal felt by Silas Marner in George Eliot’s most memorable classic novel, Silas Marner. The story is set in the early 1900’s, during the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. It recounts the life of Silas Marner, a weaver by trade who was accused of theft by his closest friend, William Dane, and excommunicated by the Calvinist congregation he once joined. Betrayed and abandoned, the embittered Silas moves to Raveloe, a village on the verge of industrialization, and isolates himself, becomes a miser and recluse, his only source of security being in his hoard of money. However, even his prized gold is taken away from him by Dunstan Cass and replaced by a little girl named Eppie, the neglected child of Godfrey Cass. Without others to turn to, Silas and Eppie find solace in one another. And for sixteen years, despite grave revelations of Eppie’s origins and threats for their separation, they persist together as a family and Silas is reminded once again of the redemptive power of love. In Silas Marner, George Eliot is able to vividly portray the characters of Silas, Eppie, and Godfrey uniquely, and through their struggles and moments of sorrow, the themes of love, hope, and retribution are made evident.
The first half of the book reflects upon the themes of materialism and greed; this is often reflected in the lives and actions of Silas, Godfrey, and Dunstan. Ever since his arrival in Raveloe, Silas has been shutting people out of his life. Without any friends and confidants, Silas finds security in his hoard of gold. This carnal love for money becomes a detriment to Silas’s life and impairment to his well-being; the gold unfortunately becomes his primary source of depression and loneliness. In the situation of the Cass family, greed and pride reign over the family household. Dunstan, the brash abrasive brother, frequently chooses to do things his own way,
George Eliot’s Silas Marner
It is hard to imagine the kind of pain and betrayal felt by Silas Marner in George Eliot’s most memorable classic novel, Silas Marner. The story is set in the early 1900’s, during the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. It recounts the life of Silas Marner, a weaver by trade who was accused of theft by his closest friend, William Dane, and excommunicated by the Calvinist congregation he once joined. Betrayed and abandoned, the embittered Silas moves to Raveloe, a village on the verge of industrialization, and isolates himself, becomes a miser and recluse, his only source of security being in his hoard of money. However, even his prized gold is taken away from him by Dunstan Cass and replaced by a little girl named Eppie, the neglected child of Godfrey Cass. Without others to turn to, Silas and Eppie find solace in one another. And for sixteen years, despite grave revelations of Eppie’s origins and threats for their separation, they persist together as a family and Silas is reminded once again of the redemptive power of love. In Silas Marner, George Eliot is able to vividly portray the characters of Silas, Eppie, and Godfrey uniquely, and through their struggles and moments of sorrow, the themes of love, hope, and retribution are made evident.
The first half of the book reflects upon the themes of materialism and greed; this is often reflected in the lives and actions of Silas, Godfrey, and Dunstan. Ever since his arrival in Raveloe, Silas has been shutting people out of his life. Without any friends and confidants, Silas finds security in his hoard of gold. This carnal love for money becomes a detriment to Silas’s life and impairment to his well-being; the gold unfortunately becomes his primary source of depression and loneliness. In the situation of the Cass family, greed and pride reign over the family household. Dunstan, the brash abrasive brother, frequently chooses to do things his own way,