In contrast to Squire Cass, Mr Lammeter is also a widower who brought up his daughters without a wife “in that way, that they never suffered a pinch of salt to be wasted, and yet everybody in their household had of the best” (P33). Elliot shows the difference in the two households and influences the reader to approve of the Lammeter household. They are not wasteful unlike the Squire, but have the best that they need. Elliot points out the difference in the households, she refers to “the neatness, purity and liberal orderliness of the Lammeter household” (P41). Although like Squire Cass, Mr Lammeter is a single parent, he has female involvement in the upbringing of the Lammeter girls in Mrs Osgood, Mr Lammeter’s sister-in-law. Elliot shows that this has had some bearing on the upbringing of the Lammeter girls as “there was a devoted attachment and mutual admiration between aunt and niece” (P112), in contrast to the Cass sons who do not have any emotional attachments. Mr Lammeter is rewarded for his good parenting and is cared for in his old age. Nancy regards her father as “the soberest and best man in that countryside” (P110). He also has Priscilla, who considers herself fortunate to “have a good father and a good home” (P115), who wants to stay at home with Mr Lammeter and run the family business. The concern that “the business needn’t be broke up” (P115) is important to Priscilla and contrasts with the Cass family who lose the title Squire when their father dies and “his inheritance was divided” (P166). I think Elliot is showing the closer ties in the Lammeter family created by good parenting, which keep the family and the family business together.
Elliot gives another example of a single male parent in the minor character of Mr Cliff. He is also another example of a bad parent as he forces his sixteen year old son to ride even though the boy is frightened. Cliff wants his son to ride to “make a gentleman on him” (P66) but like Squire Cass who loses Dunstan, Cliff loses his son as he becomes ill and dies. He is unrewarded for his parenting efforts.
Elliot presents a female role model of a good parent in her character Dolly Winthrop who is “a woman of scrupulous conscience”(P98) and one of “the notable mothers” (P147). Elliot describes “notable mothers, who knew what it was to keep children whole and sweet” in contrast to “lazy mothers, who knew what it was to be interrupted” (P147). Dolly is a devoted mother to her son Aaron and is proud of her son. She admits to Silas that “he’s my youngest, and we spoil him sadly, for either me or the father must allays hev him in our sight” (P103). Ironically, Squire Cass indulges his sons out of neglect; the Winthrops indulge Aaron out of love. Again Elliot rewards the good parents, Aaron grows up to provide the happy ending to the story in marrying Eppie and creating a beautiful garden at Silas and Eppie’s cottage. I feel that it is through Dolly that Elliot illustrates her view of the importance of female influence in the rearing of a child. She becomes a major source of practical advice for Silas and helps him to become a parent “with a woman’s tender tact” (P149). I think that Elliot uses Dolly to reinforce the significance of good parenting resulting in reward when Dolly tells Silas “you’ll have a right to [Eppie] if you’re a father to her and bring her up accordingly” (P151). Dolly is also Eppie’s role model of a mother; it is “knowledge of Mrs Winthrop, who…made her feel that a mother must be very precious.
Silas is used by Elliot I believe, to prove the nature versus nurture debate falling on the side of nurture. Both of Eppie’s natural parents let her down and have characteristics that are dishonourable. Molly Farren, Eppie’s mother neglects Eppie due to her opium addiction, which finally orphans Eppie and is another example by Elliot of a bad single parent. Godfrey does not acknowledge Eppie when Silas brings her to the Red House even though “his instantaneous impression, unaccompanied by doubt” was that “it was his own child” (P139). This contrasts strongly with the reaction of Silas to the proposition of giving up Eppie. Silas “under a strong sudden impulse” (P140) claims his right to keep Eppie. Neither of these parents has any impact on the outcome of Eppie’s personality. It is the nurturing of Silas and influence of her godmother, Dolly that make her a generous and sensitive person. Elliot presents Silas as the good single parent in the novel. He indulges Eppie out of love and gives everything to her. “Eppie was reared without punishment” and “the stone hut was made a soft nest for her, lined with downy patience” (P158). Elliot uses imagery related to nature again and creates the image of a sensitive, warm cosy childhood for Eppie. Silas’ love and unfailing efforts in rearing Eppie are rewarded; he does not loose Eppie to Godfrey Cass or in marriage. Eppie is devoted to him and on marrying Aaron reassures Silas by telling him “You won’t be giving me away, father…you’ll only be taking Aaron to be a son to you.” I think Elliot is rewarding Silas for his good parenting by giving him a son in addition to his daughter.
Godfrey Cass does not acknowledge Eppie as his daughter. He relieves any prick of conscience by giving small presents to Silas and Eppie and is happy to know that “the child is being taken care of, and would very likely be happy” (P161). Godfrey feels that his duty as a father ends in providing financially for Eppie and does not consider that “Silas would rather part with his life than with Eppie” (P189) when he thinks about adopting her. Godfrey is punished for failing to be a father to Eppie as he tells Nancy “it’s part of my punishment…for my daughter to dislike me” (P210). He is deeply unhappy in the end, as ironically when he wants to “take Eppie ” (P197), she does not acknowledge him as her father. Elliot demonstrates the mistake Godfrey made in thinking “that the father would be much happier without owning the child” (P146).
I think in her presentation of parenthood, Elliot is reinforcing her moral message that good actions result in good consequences, and bad actions result in bad consequences. The good parents in the novel are rewarded with loyal devoted children who turn out well. The bad parents are punished, they lose their children. She also shows the positive influence a child has on a person’s life, through Silas and the forward-looking effect of a child. She describes this effect with the powerful imagery of a child guiding a person to a happier life. “ Men are lead away from threatening destruction; a hand is put into theirs, which leads them forth gently towards a calm and bright land, so they look no more backward; and the hand may be a little child’s” (P160).