Discuss the importance of the theme of duty in George Eliot's

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Silas Marner

Discuss the importance of the theme of duty in George Eliot’s “Silas Marner”

After careful analysis and examination of the novel Silas Marner, it has come to my awareness that the theme of duty is very prominent throughout the novel. The definition of duty is the obligation made to others. There has to be duties between relationships not only in the novel but also in realty to keep them alive. If duties were non existent in relationships, they would not last and eventually would fade away. There are various different types of duties that have to be taken forward in the novel.

For instance, Silas has a duty towards Eppie as Eppie has a duty to Silas. Their duty is to love one and other and to be grateful for what they have got. Godfrey who is the oldest son of Squire Cass has to pay his duties to many people in the book. He has to fulfil a duty to Molly, Nancy, Squire Cass and Dunstan. He has to look after all of these people and has to show them love. He has to support them through all the bad times that they go through. Just because you should do your duties in life, does not mean that the characters are all honourable to their duties. Some characters honour their duties with sincerity and some characters neglect their duties and wash them away. There are different reasons for why the characters are honourable and dishonourable to their duties. The people that do not want to perform their duties try to make themselves believe that their priorities are set backwards. By this, I mean that the characters seem to over power their minds with less important duties in life and forget to do the main duties.

As you will read on to see that the characters that honour their duties are rewarded in some way or another the characters that honour their duties are rewarded in some way or another. The characters that are not faithful to their duties are some how punished. They may be punished a long time after but in the end, you will see that they are always punished.

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        An example of a character that dishonoured his duty is Godfrey. Godfrey’s first wife was addicted to alcohol as well as drugs. This addiction causes her to have many emotional problems and worries. She needs comfort towards her depressed state of mind. However Godfrey does not fulfil the duty that he has to his wife, to be a good husband and to support her. However Godfrey does support her financial needs but that’s all the support that he gives her. He does not show any love or devotion to her, and this made her feel even more isolated and lonely. ...

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