They developed a strong bond and when it was Eppie’s turn to care for Silas she accepted it because Silas had fulfilled his duty to her. In the novel Eppie says that “Father I will stay with you until the end of your time”.
Both Silas and Eppie were rewarded because they did not neglect their duties. Eppie was rewarded with a loving father and Silas had many rewards. When he found Eppie he interacted more with the village people he became well known in the town and everybody thought he was a normal person. He was also rewarded with a beautiful young lady.
Dolly Winthrop was a very religious person and with her own will she developed a duty by her self to look out for Silas and Eppie. She also had three young sons to care for. She was a dedicated person and pestered Silas to go to Church and to get Eppie christened. She donated clothes to Silas for Eppie. Silas was not able to look after Eppie properly so Dolly taught him the basic techniques, as he had never brought up a child before. She was dedicated in all ways, she was real mother loving and caring for all three children. She was a loyal wife and she was a true friend to Silas and like a mother to Eppie. The way she looked after and helped Silas and Eppie rewarded her. Silas had developed an understanding with her and they developed trust amongst each other. Silas accepted Aaron as his own son and gave Eppie away to be married to Aaron. Dolly wanted this as Eppie was a splendid lady and Dolly thought Aaron will have a loving life from there on.
Godfrey was the wealthiest man in Raveloe and he was well known. He had many obligations and he mostly neglected them. As he was the richest man in Raveloe it wouldn’t matter to him because he had a lot of money. He thought he could buy things into his life.
He had a large duty towards Eppie his daughter. He neglected her and instead Silas a more reliable and loving person adopted her. Godfrey did not have the right attitude that a father should have towards his daughter he was just self-centred, he just cares about himself. He loved Nancy but she didn’t know that Godfrey had an affair with Molly a low class women and Eppie was their daughter. He was extremely frightened to lose Nancy so he let Eppie pass by and he married Nancy instead. Godfrey was selfish and un-thoughtful and I don’t know why he wanted his own daughter to go to a low class person like Silas who the villagers thought very low of.
Godfrey had a compulsion towards Molly the mother of Eppie. Godfrey choose to ignore her altogether. Godfrey did not even visit her or give her financial benefits. She was very poor and had a child to support. He didn’t have a heart towards children. Godfrey not carrying out this duty made him suffer morally as in his life he could not have a child as Nancy’s first child died in a miscarriage.
Godfrey had an obligation towards Dunstan his younger brother and he really did not get along with Dunstan. Dunstan introduced Godfrey to Molly and ever since they got married he blackmailed Godfrey because he was the only one that knew about their marriage. The two brothers were both spoilt that’s why did not get along with each other because mainly the disputes were over money. When Dunstan died inside Godfrey was pleased but when he expressed it to Nancy he was gloomy and this built up the atmosphere for the next scene when Godfrey tells Nancy about Eppie.
Godfrey had a responsibility towards Nancy, which he fulfilled. Nancy was his loved one and they both got on very well even though they did not have a child.
Godfrey had an obligation towards Silas. Silas did not know that Godfrey was Eppie’s father. In one way Godfrey did fulfil a duty towards Eppie but it wasn’t the greatest one. He provided Silas with money when he had Eppie to clothe her feed her and to ensure that she is happy and loved. He extends Silas Marner’s home with two extra bedrooms besides it so it is more homely. It all came out of Godfrey’s pocket and Silas still paid the same amount of rent. Godfrey also helps Silas construct a mini garden for Eppie. As the house was being extended he told Eppie to personally come and choose the furniture of her choice from the Red House.
Aaron had a duty towards Eppie later on in the novel. After they got married he would have to care and love her. He would also have to provide a living and he should not be like Godfrey and neglect his duty in the future. Eppie should also have a responsibility to also care for Aaron and love him. Eppie is not the type of person who will neglect her duty, as she has learnt from her stepfather Silas not her real father.
In the end I have acknowledged that the people that have completed their duty and have done it well are all rewarded and the people who have neglected their duties like Godfrey have come to suffer as I have mentioned in my essay. Godfrey was very selfish and he had to pay for it because in the end he could not have what he wanted a child. Silas had every thing in the end. He had a child who made him open his eyes and after the child had entered his life, Silas opened his eyes and interacted with the villagers. I could not believe that a child like Eppie could have that much impact on a human being.
Jiten Harsiani S4B
