Throughout the third chapter a narrative voice creeps in, these comments are the foundation for the introduction of the brothers. The two brothers we hear of are described and portrayed by the people of Ravelo in almost contrasting ways. Godfrey is described as being “a fine opened faced, good natured young man”; the Ravelo community also show their respect too Godfrey by addressing him as “Mr Godfrey”. Where as Dunstan is described physically in a contrasting way “Thick set heavy looking”, and has been given a nickname “Dunsey Cass” showing disrespect towards him. Dunstan has given himself a bad reputation, one of a “spiteful jeering fellow, who seemed to enjoy his drink the more others went dry” and a man with a “taste for swapping and betting”. George Eliot describes Dunstan through the eyes of the Raveloe community as a man who “has turned out rather ill”, this comment gives the reader the impression that his behaviour is due to his upbringing. But slowly Godfrey is being polluted into being like his brother as he is “fast becoming a bitter man”.
The squire is criticised slightly by the Raveloe community for the way he has brought up his three children after the loss of his wife. The lack of a woman in the house shows in the upbringing of the two sons that we hear of “ kept all his sons at home in idleness”. The sub plot involving the two brothers runs in parallel with the main story of Silas, his money and Eppie. This is done by the two separate story lines crossing in specific points - Godfrey and Molly are linked to Silas through Eppie, Silas is linked to Dunstan by his money.
Nancy Lammeter is a significant character in the portrayal of Dunstan and Godfrey’s personality. She is an important part of Godfrey’s and Squire Casses lives, because of the happiness that she could bring into Godfrey’s life, and the improvements she would make at the Red house with her feminine touch. Nancy is Godfrey’s true love and the perfect wife to him, she is an intelligent, beautiful young woman whose love for Godfrey is beginning to fade, due to the way her emotions are being treated by Godfrey. Godfrey is described as being “ the hesitating Godfrey” his ambiguity is described as being his “own folly”, this results in the mixed emotions he shows towards Miss Nancy Lammeter. This behaviour of his almost cost him the chance of Nancy’s hand in marriage.
The first appearance of the brothers comes near the start of the third chapter. George Elliot creates a negative atmosphere by describing the environment with words such as “fading grey light” and “dimly”. This is dark language, which echoes the following dark conversation. Elliot also uses savage descriptions of “guns, whips and foxes brushes” and emphasises these by contrasting them with “Godfrey’s blond face”. This imagery links back to the main plot of Eppie, adding prophetic irony, as Godfrey is Eppie’s father. The description of the “ half choked fire” symbolises the spaniel we hear of who is terrified by Dunstan but feels safe in the presence of Godfrey.
Throughout the quarrel scene, mannerisms and descriptions of body language are used to highlight the brother’s emotions and feelings towards the other. “Godfrey bit his lips and clenched his fist” in anger towards his brother, so much so he was “quivering” with temptation to “knock you down” this is directed to his brother. Dunstan is clearly the confident one “taking the whip…and beating the butt end of it on his palm.” He is in control and is enjoying the fact his brother is the one “hesitating” with fear, of his father finding out that he secretly married a lower class, alcoholic opium addict with whom he had a child, Eppie. Dunstan’s confidence is shown all the way through the quarrel scene, even though Godfrey is capable of knocking him down.
The themes of love are portrayed through the brothers by the wide verity of emotions that they both suffer. The novel could be descried as being a fable, and that the moral is that money dose not necessarily bring happiness.
