Another major change that occurs throughout the book is the change in Godfrey Cass; this change is slightly different to the rest, for two reasons; firstly, whereas most other changes happen gradually, Godfrey’s change happens spontaneously when he tells Nancy of his secret affair. Secondly, whilst the other changes seem to be improvements (such as the change in Silas), Godfrey’s change does not quite seem to make him that much of a better person; he still had an affair and he is still grateful that Mollie died.
Generally though, the changes in the novel are positive, for by the end of the book Silas is happy and has Eppie, Godfrey has Nancy, the Raveloe people are satisfied and Dunstan is found dead and therefore Silas gets his money back.
The main change though, is the change that happens to Silas Marner. This change can be split up into four basic parts; before he was excommunicated, after he was excommunicated and moves to Raveloe, after he loses his money and finally, after he finds Eppie. Therefore there are three main changes in Silas’ character, which occur in between each stage. These changes are taken into account generally by Elliot in the way she contrasts them and thereby changes the tension and suspense felt by the reader; for firstly the reader feels sorry for Silas when he is excommunicated but this feeling of sorrow is soon forgotten because although he lost something he has also gained something in the form of gold. But then, just when we think he is happy once more, his gold is stolen from him and we are sad for him once more, This feeling is heightened by the desperation we feel because the people of Raveloe are quite negative towards him and are not very helpful in trying to find his gold due to the fact they think he is some kind of demon, having seen his fit.
But then he finds Eppie, just at the point where we think he has become a recluse, and this is where Elliot ties Eppie and the money together, by making Eppie’s hair seem as if it were made of gold and for Silas to think that her hair is actually his gold returned to him. Thus he is overjoyed even though it is not his gold.
This money and hair comparison also helps tie in the last change because although we can see plainly that Silas is very happy now he has Eppie we know that he still would love to have his gold back, and therefore we are overjoyed for him when he finds it.
But then, as if this drama were not enough there is the final twist laid down by Godfrey after he tells his secret to Nancy and they come to Silas to claim Eppie. This really helps add suspense and tension as we know that rightfully the child is Godfrey Cass’ but on the other hand, Silas has looked after Eppie since she was just a baby and, as he says, ‘should I not be thought upon as the father, seeing as I am the one she has called so since she could say the word?’
But then, finally it all ends in happiness for our main character, for Eppie gets married but they live with Silas, the gold is returned and everyone is happy…except the Casses; but while we feel slightly sorry for Godfrey and Nancy, Elliot’s writing helps us to feel that he did somewhat deserve what he got and furthermore, at the end of the book her writing helps draw our attention away from Godfrey and towards Silas and therefore happiness.
The final way in which Elliot accounts for the changes that occur in the novel, is the way in which she ties all the endings together in the final part of the book; for throughout the novel there are so many separate dramas and stories between characters that the novel is much like a soap or a drama. But where it differs from a drama is in the ending, because she manages to get all these interlocking dramas and tie them all together to give an ending which we all are pleased with and are therefore satisfied with the novel in general.
Therefore, to conclude, I would say that the ways in which George Elliot accounts for the changes throughout the novel are effective in creating a story which is interesting and above all satisfying to the reader.
