Contrast And Compare The Three Fathers In Silas Marner. What Does This Examination Of Their Roles Reveal To Us About 19th Century, And Has it Any Relevance To Us Today?
Contrast And Compare The Three Fathers In Silas Marner. What Does This Examination Of Their Roles Reveal To Us About 19th Century, And Has it Any Relevance To Us Today?
Silas Marner, is a book of great depth, considering many types of situations that people still find themselves in today. It gives us an inner view on how people used cope with their troubles during the period of the industrial revolution, be they minor or major ones. George Eliot reveals human nature perceptively, humourously, and extremely intelligently. She is a brilliant writer, who is able to capture our hearts throughout the book. She makes us laugh, smile and even cry, and her ability to do this makes the book a great success. This book makes us aware that throughout the course of time, people have not really changed their habits, and today, we see people stuck in same problems that they were in back then. From what might seem to some people a boring and pointless book, because of George Eliot's style of writing, and the use of language, which at the time that the book was written would have been quite normal. May to others like myself, be seen as a book with great meaning, perceiving different things to different people. To me it explores the growth of human life, through stages of betrayal and loss to pure happiness. George Eliot, a woman whom herself had a troublesome life, is able to see difficult issues from many sides, and inevitably raises questions about fatherhood. This to the readers can be seen as an interesting topic to look closely at, as the characters that fulfill these roles in the book are very different from each other, due to the way that their problems are revealed to us. In fact, George Eliot says, that the book 'is intended to set in a strong light the remedial influences of pure, natural, human relations'. From the book, we see that this is exactly what she does, by exploring the relationships between the characters and their child or children.
Throughout the course of the book, we meet three fathers, two of whom are linked in a way that is very important in the point of the story. One of these two fathers is Godfrey Cass, the son of one of the richest men in Raveloe. On the way to take on his father's position, Godfrey was described as 'a fine, open faced, good natured young man'but if he was not careful, was on the way to losing the love of his life and his sanity. Throughout the book, we see this perfect of him destroyed, and another side to him is revealed to the readers. Godfrey does not really have the chance to show us how he would care for his child. Being married to Molly Farren, and being the father of her child, puts him in an awkward position, as he does not really want the responsibility of a child, and believed that by handing over a sums of money to Silas, [the present guardian of his secret daughter Eppie] every so often, would solve all of his problems. Some would say that even this small sign of care for the girl meant that he was not such a bad father, although I would disagree. In this way, he is very much like his father. A man with a big wallet but few morals. He took for granted what he had, and was prepared to stand back and watch another man look after his child. It wasn't really until he found out that his new wife, Nancy Lammeter, was unable to have children that he thought that it would be a good opportunity to introduce himself to Eppie, as her father. His ignorance and vague understanding of fatherhood made him believe that Eppie would actually leave her loving father Silas and her humble home, for a big house and wealth, as well as for a man that she scarcely knew had existed throughout the sixteen years of her life. Godfrey, is probably the most difficult character to judge, due to the fact that although he has made his mistakes, he did not really intend for them to happen. Despite this, I think it is fair to say that the punishments that he got were ones that he deserved, especially being rejected by Eppie.
At the beginning of chapter fifteen, Eliot brings up a point which is very important in the task of comparing the fathers. It says " He dared not do anything that would imply a stronger interest in a poor man's adopted child than could be expected from the kindliness of the young squire," This definitely defends the suggestion that Godfrey was, like his father, very aware of his status, and of the damage that could be done to this status if anyone suspected any other relationship between himself and Eppie, other than him being a young man, concerned about the welfare of a young child. The public, noticing this interest, had a higher opinion of the young man, thinking that he genuinely cared for the child, although not in a way that made people suspicious of his interest. By the end of chapter fifteen, Eliot comes to the conclusion that although Godfrey cared for his daughter, he was infact quite pleased inside that things had worked out for his betterment. For she says 'Godfrey Cass's cheek an eye were brighter than ever now. He was so undivided in his aims, that he seemed like a man of firmness. No Dunsey had come back.' Now implying that there was no reason not to go forth in his relationship with Nancy, with there being any reason for it to be in jeopardy.
The next father that we meet, is Silas Marner. Being the main character and protagonist of the story, Silas is a man who we are able to study in depth. Throughout the book we see his personality shine in two different lights. When he is shunned from his town and church, after being falsely accused of robbery, he is forced to migrate to another town. We then see him enter the lives of the Raveloe people. Quite different from his previous way of life, we watch Marner block out the rest of the community, to build his own ...
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The next father that we meet, is Silas Marner. Being the main character and protagonist of the story, Silas is a man who we are able to study in depth. Throughout the book we see his personality shine in two different lights. When he is shunned from his town and church, after being falsely accused of robbery, he is forced to migrate to another town. We then see him enter the lives of the Raveloe people. Quite different from his previous way of life, we watch Marner block out the rest of the community, to build his own life around the pleasure of his money. The monotony and repetition of weaving, becomes an unforgettable routine to the old man, and helps him forget about his past life in which he was betrayed by the people he loved the most. Eliot describes Marner's withdrawal from society by saying 'the past becomes dreamy because its symbols have all vanished, and the present is too dreamy because it is linked with no memories.' This perfectly describes the way in which Silas's life had become, and draws light on the fact that the situation that he was in was a very sad one indeed. During this time of loneliness, Silas is robbed of what some might call his life, when in reality was only his money. Eliot describes Silas's obsession with his gold by saying "Like the weaving and satisfaction of hunger, subsisting quite aloof from the life of belief and love from which he had been cut off". To marner, the presence of gold had now replaced the feeling love for others. Followed by this loss, the money was replaced by the best thing that could ever have happened to him. A blonde haired girl, who managed to find her way into his heart. This was something that had been found impossible to do for a long time. Then following the period of the later named Eppie's arrival, we see Silas turn from a man without a motive to live, into a man with plenty of love to give out. The fact that Silas was a single parent, not to mention that he was aging, meant that he was bound to have some problems for his raising of Eppie. One of these problems occuring sixteen years after Eppie was brought into Silas's life, is when Eppie tells Silas that she would love to have a garden, after exploring the countryside of Raveloe. Obviously, Silas would have been unable to give her this due to his age and health. Although, this did not create a barrier between himself and Eppie. He devotes his life to make sure that she grows up properly. His unselfish love for her is proven when in chapter nineteen, after telling his new wife the truth about his secret past. Godfrey, without any consideration of Silas's or in fact Eppie's feelings, suggests that Eppie should come and live with the couple in the Red House, which he had inherited after the death of his father. Here we see how much Silas cares for Eppie. Throughout the book, Silas is portrayed as a very unselfish man, and the fact that Silas gave Eppie the choice of who to live with proves this. He mad it clear to her that he would not love her any less if she chose to live with Godfrey, as he only wanted what was best for the girl. This is shown to us when Silas says "Eppie, my child, speak. I won't stand in your way. Thank Mr and Mrs Cass." He even wants Eppie to thank the couple, showing them her gratitude. This point in the book, is a great help during the task to compare the characters of Godfrey and Silas. We see the calm manner in which Silas replies to Godrey's bombshell, followed by Godfrey's reply when Eppie refuses the proposal. He says "But I've a claim on you, Eppie - the strongest of all claims." It would be expected in any other case, for a man in Silas's position to be hurling abuse at Godfrey, although instead he replies to Godfrey by putting his honest feelings across. After all, why after all these years should a man present himself as the father of a child, who has been raised by an old man since the first two years of her life? He talks about Eppie as if she is just an item, as he has 'claim' on her. At this point we see that Silas really does love Eppie with all his heart, and Godfrey on the other hand, only wants Eppie to give his wife a child, when in reality, at the age of eighteen Eppie is not really a child. He then tells Godfrey how he feels about Eppie, and puts him straight. He says "then, sir, why didn't you say so sixteen years ago, and claim her before I'd come to love her, I'stead o'coming to take her from me now, when you might as well had taken the heart out o' my body? God gave her to me because you turned your back upon her, and He looks upon her as mine; you've no right to her!"
Silas really opens his heart during this chapter, and it is here that we really see the change in his personality. He has become a human being who has real feelings towards people. In chapter fourteen, we see Eliot explain the change that is seen in Silas, since the arrival of Eppie. She says, "as the child's memory was growing into knowledge, his mind was growing into memory: as her life unfolded, his soul, long stupified in a cold narrow prison, was unfolding too, and trembling gradually into full consciousness" In this chapter, Silas's character really touches my heart, when he says "How'll she feel just the same for me as she does now, when we eat o'the same bit, and drink o'the same cup, and think o'the same thinks from one day's end to the other? Just the same ? That's idle talk. You'd cut us I'two." This short but effective line is so precious. To me, Silas is saying, that even though it is only the two of them, they are together as one, and nothing would be able to make them part! At the end of the book, we see that Silas restores his faith in god, and that what ever would happen, his faith would always be the pillar of strength.
Throughout the book, we learn that the roles of parents are very important. A child brought up by surrounded by love ends up being able to give out love easily. Each of the fathers within the book give us a lot of information about the way things worked during this period of time. We learn that people would have been very judgemental of you, if you ever gave them a reason to be. For example, at the beginning of the book, we see that the people of Raveloe were unwilling to include Marner into their lives, because he didn't attend church, or because he didn't socialise much by going to the Rainbow every evening. But when Eppie comes into Silas's life, the people feel as if they have something in common with him, and therefore are able to become friends. At the very beginning of the book, we are told that "to the peasants of old times, the world outside their own direct experience was a region of vagueness and mystery" indicating a society of ignorance and "untravelled thought". For each of the fathers in the book, we see how having a child immensely changes them, whether these changes are good or bad.
Squire Cass, known as "the greatest man in Raveloe" and an honourable member of society, was a man with great sense of his own importance. He threw unforgettable parties and was famous for his flambouyant nature and despite all of this, he never forgot his pride and responsibility. Although, this perfect image is only what has been seen by the people of Raveloe, who knew nothing of what went on behind the closed doors of the Red House. Squire Cass, the father of four, two of whom are the main characters in the book, had brought up each of his children since the day of their birth. As a single parent since the death of his wife, is something that must be taken into account during this evaluation of his personality. The book gives us the impression that as for any man in the Squire's position, bringing up four children, was bound to be difficult. It says "The Red House was without that presence of the wife and mother which is the fountain of wholesome love and fear." This is very important as it indicates to us that during this specific time, women did in fact have a stronger bond with their children than men. This being quite similar to the way that things are now. This also gives us the idea that this may be part of the reason why Godfrey and Dunstan turn out the way that they do. Within this pre-twentieth century society, we learn that people do in fact have "great expectations" of The Squire. To be a role model to his children and to guide them through life, is what people have believed the Squire to have succeeded in doing. But behind the closed doors of the Red house, is a whole different world of the Cass family.
It is a fact that the Squire is a man with quick temper and lack of understanding. We learn this from a quote at the end of Chapter eight. It states that "The old Squire was an implacable man: he made resolutions in violent anger, but he was not to be moved from them after his anger subsided-as fiery volcanic matter cools and hardens into rock." We can believe that this comment is correct, as in times of anger, se wee the Squire in a dislikeable temper. There is one point at which this becomes extremely clear to us. This is when Godfrey was about to confront his father with truth about his brother Dunstan. The Squire says during this argument "I've been too good a father to you all - that's what it is, but I shall pull up." This shows that Squire was ignorant of his son's needs and honestly believed that he was and had been too good a father. Intend on keeping his family legacy intact. Mr. Cass is therefore very demanding of his own sons, who never seem to live up to his expectations.
Although, irrispective of whether or not the Squire did or did not have a good relationship with his sons, it is a fact that the family in general did not have time for eachother, and even between the four sons, no consideration was shown. This is shown in chapter nine, when whilst waiting for his father at breakfast time, Godfrey is approached by his father, who says to him 'What, sir! Haven't you had your breakfast yet? Although, this was said without the any 'pleasant morning greeting', for as the writer goes on to say 'the sweet flower of courtesy is not a growth of such homes as the Red House.' This shows that there was no love between the family members, and this being a reason for why Squire Cass had a bad relationship between his sons.
Throughout the book, we notice the huge difference between classes. With regards to the Cass family, they are seen as selfish scoundrels, who try to use people for their own personal benefit. This suggests to us that the upper class is a damaged society, who think that their wealth give them privilege and rights to things that the working class would have had to work hard for. Despite this, some people would disagree. They would say that although this is true of The Squire and Dunstan, Godfrey, although he has made mistakes, did not intend for them to turn as bad as they had done. From the previous two characters, Squire Cass and Godfrey, we are able to detect one main similarity between the father and son. These being, the ways in which they believe that their high status, and position within the society, can help them get what they want. One of the main parts at which this is made extremely clear to us is when Godfrey pays Dunstan not to say anything about his secret wife and child. This is the only thing that makes them very much alike. Despite this similarity, we see many differences between the father and his son. Throughout the book, we see that Godfrey, is in fact a very weak character. We watch him be blackmailed by his younger brother, and threatened by his first wife Molly. It just so happens that both of these people, who were of threat to Godfrey's life, end up dead! Here, the differences that lie between Godfrey and his father are seen. These are that the Squire would never be bullied into something that he did not want to do. Another difference that we detect, is that by being under Nancy's influence, we see Godfrey change into a "nice" person. It is surprising that in both cases, that of Silas and Godfrey, they both change with the help of the people that they love, indicating to us the reason why the Squire was in fact the worst parent out of the three men, due to the fact that he had no one to love, which is in fact untrue as he had four sons, or the more likely reason being the fact that he was unable to give out his love, which seems like a more appropriate answer.
George Eliot's book, Silas Marner, is still of great significance to the people of our time. We still find people with the same dilemmas that others were in back then. The role of parenting has a large part to play thoughout the book, and even though times have drastically changed, the problems that are attached to being a parent have not.
From these points, we gather that each man, responded differently to the needs of their child or children although this being for reasons deeper than those which lie only on the surface of the story. Throughout the course of the book, we learn what makes a good father by comparing each of the fathers in the book, but it is already obvious that neither of them is at all perfect. Whilst reading 'Silas Marner', I was struck by how much of the story relates to George Eliots life. The fact that she did not have any children herself gives us an indication of why this book concentrates largely on the role and responsibilities of parents, and how she would have filled this role. Maybe portraying Silas as herself, and the other two fathers as roles that to her, portray the way she would avoid bringing up her children. Throughout the book we see her own experiences reflected into the story. These include the fact that she herself lost a child that was very close to her. In fact the child was the son of her lover, who went by the name of Thorain. This fact gives us reason to believe that not only was 'Silas Marner' a book that came from Eliot's heart, but also that parenthood was a role that was important to her. Silas Marner is a truly gripping book, and anyone who reads it is bound to find themselves lost within the true emotion of the story. Whilst writing Silas Marner, Eliot had been influenced by a poem have been used as the epigraph for Silas Marner. They say,
"A child, more than all other gifts
That earth can offer to declining man
Brings hope with it, and forward looking thoughts."
These lines sum up the meaning of the whole book, and they are so true as anybody who reads the book can tell. Both Silas and Godfey come to realise this luckily before it was too late. The Squire on the other hand was completely blind to this. Maybe because his children were just there, and that he didn't have to struggle to get them, and was unable to appreciate their presence. This just proves that the harder you work for something, the more rewarding it is in the long run. From this book, we also learn that one of the greatest gifts in life is the presence of a child, and throughout the book, we see how children have changed everyones lives. At the end of chapter fourteen, Eliot writes, that in times of anger and unhappiness, being around a child can help you escape from the outside world. It says,
" In the old days when there were angels who came and took men by the hand and led the away from the city of destruction. We see no white-winged angels now. But yet men are led away from threatening destructions; a hand is put into theirs, which leads them forth gently towards a calm and bright land, so that they look no more backward; and the hand may be a little child's."
One of the main points that I think comes out of this book, is one person's ability to change another person's life. This is a fantastic thing to achieve and the way in which a small child like Eppie manages to make such a big difference to Silas is great. The story's end presents us with a moralistic conclusion. The bad die unhappily, and the good live happily. This relates very much to a "Fairy Tale" ending where everyone lives happily ever after, this is something that I never would have expected from this book, but it goes to show that"Fairy Tales" don't just happen in children's books!
Word Count : 3957
Ruchi Malhotra 10H
