Discuss The Importance of Loneliness in the Novel Silas Marner by George Eliot

This essay hasn't yet been marked by one of our teachers

You can view all our essays on George Eliot that have been Marked by Teachers

The first 200 words of this essay...

Discuss The Importance of Loneliness in the Novel Silas Marner by George Eliot.

Loneliness is seen in different forms throughout the novel, mainly shown through Godfrey and Silas. George Eliot uses loneliness as a major theme throughout the novel to introduce other issues such as community, love, the church and friendship. She does this by using Eppie and the stolen money as key point regarding loneliness, with Godfrey and Silas. Eliot shows us the reason for Silas' isolation in Raveloe at the beginning of the novel, after he was exiled from Lantern Yard.

Eliot presents to us the reasons for Silas' seclusion in Raveloe, by showing him in Lantern Yard, a member of the church, betrayed by his best friend, accused of theft and then banished through the supposed 'will of god', accounting for his lack of trust in people and God. He feels betrayed by God and people. Silas has felt betrayed by everyone in the past. This part of the novel explains why Silas is not religious or churchgoing in Raveloe. Later we realise that churchgoing is a key part of socialising and community in Raveloe. When Raveloe is introduced into the novel Silas has been