Silas Marner: Moralistic Work
In Silas Marner by George Eliot the moral themes are relative of the current social issues of the Victorian Era and play a crucial formitive role in the development of individual characters. Eliot's introduction of realism in literature, "an approach that attempts to describe life without idealization or romantic subjectivity" creates the natural appeal of the characters in the novel. "Realism has been chiefly concerned with the commonplace of everyday life among the middle and lower classes where character is a product of social factors" (Realism). Published in 1861 during a time when social, political, and religious movements flourished, Silas Marner focuses on the issues of social class separation, working class conditions, respectable marriages, morals of gentlemen, sexual repression, industrialization, and the loss of faith. These social factors are the basis for each characters personal obtainment or awareness of knowledge which in turn creates a moralistic lesson for each individual. The characters of Dunstan and Godfrey Cass serve as a significant representation of the idea of the gentlemen in the Victorian Age. With the social classes of England newly reforming and redistributing, the h
Knowledge.com/KnowledgeNotes/Silas Marner faith through the gold coins he hoards. "He handled them, he counted them, till their form and colour were like the satisfaction of a thirst to him.." (Eliot, 22). It was this new found infatuation that also drew Silas Marner further away from religion. "Now for the first time in his life, he had five bright guineas put into his hand; no man expected a share of them, and he loved no man that he should offer him a share" (Eliot,19) Silas is released from the strict religious duties forced upon him and feels a sense of freedom from his new adoration. This new love is quickly lost when his stash of money is stolen again causing him to doubt his trust in God. In the rainy night there are no footprints to follow and Silas wondered if it "was a cruel power that no hands could reach, which had delighted in making him a second time desolate?" (Eliot, 52). With the loss of his money, again Silas is without the cherished coins that symbolized and served as religious mementos. His new found love for Eppie and dedication to his adopted daughter replaces his past faith in money. Silas learns that he can find happiness without the total concentration of religion. Eppie bring Silas closer to the community and allows him to realize the importance of becoming a part of Raveloe. "The established church in the village is the "glue" that holds the community together. Silas's christening, his symbolic acceptance by the church, formalizes his inclusion into the village life" (Silas). Through Marner's character Eliot creates the theme that the most devoted and outspoken Christian may not be the most holy, an issue that many Victorians were pondering themselves. Cody, David. "Social Class." Oct. 2000: n.pag. On-line. Internet. 7 Jan. 2001. Available WWW: http://landow.stg.brown.edu/victorian/history/ Class.html the community. Eliot forcefully establishes the subject of monotony among the lives of the working class through the devotion and motivation of Silas Marner's persona. Internet. 11 Dec. 2000. Available WWW: http://landow.stg.brown.victorian/religion/ Another theme and social issue the Cass brothers along with Silas Marner introduce during the novel is that of social class separation. "Different social classes can be distinguished by inequalities in such areas as power, authority, wealth, working and living conditions, lifestyles, life-span, education, religion, and culture" (Cody). Silas is a depiction of almost all these inadequacies together, while Dunstan and Godrey represent the typical "upper class". "It came to pass that those scattered linen-weavers (Silas Marner)-emigrants from the town into the country-were to the last regarded as aliens" (Eliot, 4). Marner's lifestyle and poverty have caused his isolation from the community of Raveloe. Along with his unusual living conditions Marner is scrutinized through his religious persecutions. His excommunication with the church creates a greater separation for himself from the rest of society. Marner's lack of power and authority makes him a prime target for ridicule, loneliness, and a means of profit. Dunstan sees Silas as a quick and easy solution to his problems and unjustly seizes his small fortune only thinking of himself and not the effect his actions will have on Marner. After the thievery Silas Marner draws further away from the community believing he can trust no one. Similarly Godfrey concentrates on his personal interests and well-being over Marner's. Feeling envious of Silas Marner's parenthood, Godfrey and his new wife want the opportunity to satisfy their desire as parents. They have no disregard for Marner's love for Eppie nor do they consider the best interests of the child simply because they are of the uppe
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2525
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)
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