Novelists in the nineteenth century believed not only in entertaining their readers, but also in educating them and shaping their moral judgements. This was George Eliot's aim when she wrote Silas Marner.

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        Novelists in the nineteenth century believed not only in entertaining their readers, but also in educating them and shaping their moral judgements.  This was George Eliot’s aim when she wrote Silas Marner. Silas Marner is a fable; a story with a moral message, and the novels’ main theme, of loss and redemption through love is embodied in the experiences of its central character – Silas Marner.

Silas Marner began his life in a ‘little hidden world known to itself as the church assembly in Lantern Yard.’ Silas was a valuable member of this ‘narrow religious sect’, who showed great devotion to God and compassion towards his neighbours. However, due to unfair accusations and the betrayal he felt from both God and humanity, the ‘light of his faith’ was put out, and his trust in mankind was cruelly bruised, thus putting a halt to the philanthropy which he had previously practised. Silas moved to a far off, ‘snug’, countryside town named Raveloe. Here, Silas isolated himself from community, and lived a spider like existence; weaving in his loom and only conversing with people when it was necessary for the daily transaction of his business. The devotion Silas had felt towards men and God was replaced with a devotion to an inanimate object – his gold, which Silas would draw up each night to bathe in it’s ‘companionship’ and run his fingers thorough what he described as his ‘unborn children.’ When Silas’ only love in Raveloe (his gold) was stolen, he experienced a great shock and was utterly distraught. This event however, was linked to the arrival of Eppie, a young girl. Eppie was the reason for Silas’ redemption and his chance to be reintegrated with society. Silas selfishness was replaced by selflessness and Silas channelled his dedication, which he had once felt towards his gold, into caring for and bringing up Eppie. This discovery of love and journey to redemption was the ultimate development and growth within him.  

A “highly thought of’ and credulous man, Silas Marner lived an altruistic life of ‘belief and love’ in Lantern Yard. Lantern Yard was a tightly knit ‘narrow religious sect,’ set within sight of the widespread hills. Religion and church was the backbone of their society, and a pious and judgemental view was cast upon those who did not follow the strict Methodist teachings. Within this ‘narrow community’ Silas Marner was known to be a man of ‘exemplary life and ardent faith.’ Silas was an integral and important member of the community and possessed an unshakable faith in both God and mankind.

The teachings in Lantern Yard were equally ‘obscure’ and absolute. The minister would ‘deliver unquestioned doctrine’ to the church members, who would be expected to live a life of ‘perfect love’ and to conform to all the previous traditions as common with Methodism. Just as ‘the little child knows nothing of parental love, but only knows one face and one lap, towards which it stretches its arms for refuge and nurture,’ Silas’ life in Lantern Yard was very sheltered and secluded, and as he had had no experience of life elsewhere, never questioned what he was told.

        Due to Silas’ occupation as a weaver, he did not earn immense sums of money, but we are told that what he did earn, he donated to objects of charity or piety, showing both Silas’ benevolence towards humanity, but also his naivety and ‘impressible’ nature, as he had been told that money was the sign of ‘earthly good and an immediate object of toil.’ This was the down side to Silas’ good-willed and trusting nature. He was inexperienced and possessed a ‘defenceless self-doubting nature,’ which made him reliant and dependent on others. He found independent thought challenging, and preferred it when he was with his best friend and closest companion William Dane, who he could listen to for hours in ‘longing wonder.’ Silas’ defenceless deer like gaze’ is contrasted to Dane’s look of ‘self complacent suppression of inner triumph,’ which foreshadows events that may be the result of this friendship.

        Silas regarded William Dane with utmost respect, and was proud of his friend, however William became jealous of Silas because he was engaged to Sarah (a servant whom William had feelings for) and also as Silas was highly respected by other members of their religious ‘sect’ because of his altruistic life and his fits, which to the simple minds of the community members was seen as a sign of ‘divine intervention.’ There are many hints throughout this chapter which foreshadow what William will eventually do to Silas for example when Dane indicated that the cataleptic fits that Silas experiences seem more like a ‘visitation of Satan than a proof of divine favour.’ Silas ‘felt no resentment only pain’ at what his closest companion thought of him, but little did he know that this was the jealousy within William speaking and attempting to blacken the name of Silas Marner.

        The betrayal which was to be a turning point in Silas’ life occurred during one of his trances, whilst Silas was taking care of the dying deacon. Silas was watching over the deacon when he slipped into one of his trances, during which Dane stole the church money from the deacon’s bedside and framed Silas for doing so by placing Silas’ knife in the bureau from where he had removed the money. This was a time where Silas’ absolute faith in God is revealed. Instead of pleading for his innocence, Silas simply states ‘God will clear me,’ placing his fate completely in the hands of God, with complete assurance that God will deliver him. In Lantern Yard it was common practice to draw lots to determine the fate of the accused. Suddenly it was irrelevant to the villagers in Lantern Yard that Silas was a pure and holy man who they have ‘never known to tell a lie.’

        The lots were drawn in the church where Silas ‘knelt with his brethren relying on his own innocence being certified by immediate divine intervention.’ However, when the lots were drawn they declared that Silas Marner was guilty. Silas was shocked and grief stricken – his god whom he had devotedly trusted in had forsaken him and the people he had grown up with had betrayed him. ’ The reader would think that Silas would question the validity of the accusation however this was an ‘effort of independent thought such as he had never known’ which shows that Silas was utterly dependant on this community and being cut off from them was devastating for him Amidst his despair, Silas realised that it was William who had framed him and this destroyed any remaining faith he held and he announced to the congregation, telling them that he believed there was ‘no just God that governs the earth righteously, but a God of lies that bears witness against the innocent.. Ultimately William had succeeded in blackening the name of Silas Marner, as a result of which Silas’ fiancée broke off their engagement and later married Dane.

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        Many of Silas’ early experiences in Lantern Yard could be linked to events in George Eliot’s life. Eliot left church when she was a young women because she believed that the church was ‘intolerant and unforgiving.’ The church was very unforgiving towards Silas, and so like Eliot, he too left church.  Eliot family did not agree with her decision to leave the church and were hostile towards her because of that. Eliot had always got on well with her father, but he too disapproved that she had left the church. As Eliot fought for his affections, just like Silas did ...

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