What was George Eliot's purpose in writing Silas Marner?

What was George Eliot's purpose in writing Silas Marner? The basis of Silas Marner is that true happiness is achieved only through reciprocated love and respect for another and not through amassing wealth. This is illustrated when Silas' relatively rich, but lonely and monotonous lifestyle is positively transformed by the loss of his money and the gain of the love of Eppie. Some say that the novel is a fable because of its simple, and sometimes contrived, plot. However, Eliot probably recognised that this idea was a little unoriginal and perhaps clichéd, so her purpose, therefore, was - using an extreme, but realistic and contemporary, example - to create an original interpretation of a moral that, in the newly industrialising England in which she lived, was likely to be forgotten. In order to remove the complications of this industrialisation, the novel is set in a rural area of England where village community is central to the novel. Instead of the "great manufacturing town" of Lantern Yard from which Silas comes, the agricultural people of Raveloe are in touch with the community and nature around them. When Silas first enters the Rainbow Inn after the robbery, the first dialogue heard by the reader is that of an argument between the villagers on the very subject of "who it is has got the red Durhams o' this country-side". While it is difficult to respect one's

  • Word count: 1037
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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What is A Room With A View about, in your opinion? What methods does E.M. Forster use to convey this message to the reader?

What is A Room With A View about, in your opinion? What methods does E.M. Forster use to convey this message to the reader? A Room With A View is about the social change occurring in England in the early 20th century, post Queen Victoria's death. Darwin had just published his book on the theory of evolution which was the catalyst for the introduction of more liberal and secular ideas into a conservative and religious England. In order to explain this process of change, Forster likens it to the Renaissance, which is why it is significant that A Room With A View begins in Italy. The problem with a rapidly changing society is that members of that society do not necessarily know how to behave because the boundaries are changing and this is what Forster is trying to portray in A Room With A View. Every character in the novel can be categorised into one of two groups, the Victorian/Medieval characters and the 20th Century/Renaissance characters. Certain characters symbolise different periods. However, Forster is skilful enough to make these characters realistic which is why they are capable of contradiction; for quite a few characters, the reader believes that they belong to one of these groups but then their behaviour is suddenly contrary to that group thus confusing the reader as to what period they symbolise. For example Miss Bartlett is immediately perceived by the reader as

  • Word count: 1540
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Silas Marner, written by George Eliot in 1861, attempts to prove that love of others is ultimately more fulfilling than love of money.

English Coursework ~ Silas Marner Silas Marner, written by George Eliot in 1861, attempts to prove that love of others is ultimately more fulfilling than love of money. Eliot begins chapter 1 with an overview of the society in which her story takes place. Furthermore she describes those people alienated from society after a traumatic event, like Silas Marner, the character to whom the novel is based upon. Silas Marner is the main character and protagonist of the story. Ever since his youth days he has grown up to love the town he has lived in. Silas has strong religious beliefs and in addition he has devoted himself to the Lantern Yard Church. Marner is a well-respected man who is looked upon. He is an affiliate of the local village church. His very dear and best friend, William Dane, is also a member of the same church. Silas is engaged to Sarah & they are soon to be married. Silas is accused of killing a town deacon whilst being in a state of unconsciousness at his deathbed and as a result of this he is accused of robbing the deacon's money. When his knife, which he later remembers lending to his most trusted friend, William Dane, is purposely found in the bureau where the money has been, the Minister wrongly accuses Silas of stealing the money and killing the deacon judging on the evidence that point towards Silas himself. Having been hurt & betrayed by his

  • Word count: 1587
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Discuss how the communities of Lantern Yard and Raveloe influence the development of Marners character

SILAS MARNER ESSAY Fiona Kelly A we journey through this study of human life, we witness the progression of Silas Marners character and explore how one can adapt to new surroundings but as a completely different person. We discover how his original home, the restrictive community of Lantern Yard changed the man he once was and watch how he remained this recluse even when he moved to the friendly village of Raveloe. At the beginning of he novel, we explore Marners original home, the village of Lantern Yard. This 'narrow religious sect' thought very highly of Marners 'exemplary life' and his commitment to the Methodist faith. As the chapel took pride of place as the centere of the community, respect and admiration from the congregation should have ensured his life would lie well however after falling at a prayer meeting and entering a what appeared to be a 'mysterious fidgety and suspension of consciousness' he provoked a 'peculiar interest' in himself and many started wondering the reasons behind it. Although Marner was admired by many he was also feared a little as he'd 'inherited from his mother some acquaintance with medicinal herbs,' however his Methodist upbringing eventually tempted him into 'believing that herbs could have no efficacy without prayer'. During this time in Lantern Yard, he had struck 'such a close friendship' with man named William Dane, the were

  • Word count: 1133
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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In 'Silas Marner' good triumphs over evil and leaves each character as he or she deserves. Do you agree?

Coursework Pre-20th Century Text In 'Silas Marner' good triumphs over evil and leaves each character as he or she deserves. Do you agree? In 'Silas Marner' several key events happen. These events shape the lives of the main characters. Some characters in the novel are good, kind and thoughtful. However, other characters are just the opposite. At the end of the novel these characters generally got what they deserved and good triumphed over evil.??? The main character in the novel was Silas Marner. He suffers many 'wrong doings'. The villagers in Raveloe did not really understand what kind of man Silas really was. They thought he was different Quote Quote Quote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It may have been the fact that he did not socialise with the other villagers. He started to work more and more. Weaving away in his loom quote!!!! He became a 'miser' and was very 'lone'. 'Poor Silas' was not a bad, selfish man, but because of incidents in the past, he began to 'worship the guineas'. He felt as if the guineas would not let him down unlike other people had done in the past. The guineas were like 'unborn children'. Day after day he would just 'weave away'. His life had become 'monotonous'. He was just slowly dying, but the thought that kept him lively and 'excited' was the thought of his 'treasured' guineas. However, Silas' 'monotonous' life was suddenly shattered into pieces.

  • Word count: 1230
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Silas Marner - George Eliot wrote that her story of Silas Marner "sets in a strong light the remedial influences of pure, natural human relations". Show how Silas' character changes and develops in the course of the book.

Silas Marner - George Eliot George Eliot wrote that her story of Silas Marner "sets in a strong light the remedial influences of pure, natural human relations". Show how Silas' character changes and develops in the course of the book. Silas Marner was a weaver who through certain events during his life, became alienated and dehumanised from the rest of the world, turning him into an antisocial miser. This essay will show how Silas' character develops and changes through the course of the book. In Lantern Yard, where Silas grew up he was part of a strong, religious, evangelical sect to which he devoted most of his life and money. Silas lost his faith in the church, God and man for three reasons. His cataleptic fits, which the parish saw as a gift, gave him a high amount of respect amongst the parish, but Silas' state was taken advantage of when one night, while he was watching over one of the dying leaders of his church, Silas went into one of these fits, and was framed for stealing the leaders money by William Dane, who was thought to be Silas' best friend. Silas knew that he wasn't guilty, but when the stolen money, was found in his cottage, he realised what William Dane had done and he thought that God would clear him in the drawing of lots. "But God will clear me" The lots declared that Silas was guilty. This is when Silas lost his faith in God and people. His faith

  • Word count: 1879
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Does Eliot wish us to pity or despise Prufrock?

Does Eliot wish us to pity or despise Prufrock? The poem 'The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock' by Eliot uses Dante's Inferno XXVII 61-6 as an introduction. The excerpt from Dante's Inferno XXVII 61-6 is translated as "If I thought that my reply would be to someone who would ever return to Earth, this flame would remain without further movement, but as no-one has ever returned from this gulf I can answer with no fear of infamy." This quote shows us that Eliot is revealing what he believes are Prufrock's true feelings in the poem , without the fear of being judged or corrected. This excerpt also explains that he cannot be wrong where Prufrock's feelings are concerned as no-one knows what they are meant to be because "no-one has ever returned from this gulf." This statement can be applied in regard to what the reader takes from the poem and the reader's view of Prufrock. One can take the poem to mean whatever one wants, and similarly one can hold whatever feelings of Prufrock that one wishes to. Eliot often talked about what many modernists were trying to achieve at the time, circa 1910, which was to "make it new" - this can be true for the poem and the character of Prufrock where we can form our own, new opinions of the subject. Eliot's writing can be appreciated on many different levels. It is not essential to have studied the poem in depth in order to appreciate the

  • Word count: 1428
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How does the character of Silas Marner change and develop throughout the course of the novel?

"How does the character of Silas Marner change and develop throughout the course of the novel?" In Lantern Yard Silas Marner was a valued man who showed a great devotion towards God and kindness towards his neighbours. Because of unfair accusations and betrayal by both God and man he lost all faith in God and in humanity, thus putting a halt to the philanthropy that he previously practised. Silas moved to a far off country named Raveloe where he lived a spider-like existence weaving in his loom, isolated from the community. It was in Raveloe that Silas first entered his selfish misanthropist way of life. Silas' devotion to God became replaced by devotion towards an inanimate object - his gold. Silas experienced a great shock when his dearest companion (his gold) was stolen. The feelings of devotion towards the hard objects disappeared when a young girl, Eppie entered his life. Eppie was the reason for Silas' redemption and his chance of becoming reintegrated into society. His selfishness turned into selflessness and he showed sociability rather than dedication to gold. This discovery of love and loves resurrection was the ultimate development and growth within him. A respected and credulous man, Silas Marner lived an altruistic lifestyle surrounded by the security of the "little hidden world" of Lantern Yard where he lived a purposeful existence. Within this narrow

  • Word count: 3187
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Middlemarch Essay

In the novel Middlemarch, what are the different sources of the dissatisfaction which Dorothea Brooke finds throughout the novel? Overall, is her dissatisfaction down to poor choices, or events beyond her control? The novel Middlemarch, was written by a famous English novelist, and released from 1870-71, and it was set about 40 years previously, in an England on the brink of political reform. It focuses on the town of Middlemarch and primarily on the character of Dorothea Brooke an intelligent, pretty and kind young woman, who is so laden with naivety it could be seen as funny. Dorothea meets and marries a certain Mr Casaubon, but the marriage is frowned upon by many residents of Middlemarch, and Dorothea finds it a great burden. However, Casaubon was getting on a bit, and leaves Dorothea widowed before too long, and she is left with a choice, marry his cousin, whom she truly loves, but become poor. Or, remain longing for Will, and retain her inheritance. In this essay I will discuss and compare the many different sources of dissatisfaction that Miss Dorothea Brooke finds throughout the novel. Ultimately deciding upon whether I think that her dissatisfaction is a result of poor choices or due to events beyond her control. From the very start of the novel, the theme of traditional feminine role plays a big part in the story. Dorothea finds it limiting, and this is one of

  • Word count: 1753
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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To what extent do you think that Silas Marner is a moral tale in which the good are rewarded and the bad punished.

To what extent do you think that Silas Marner is a moral tale in which the good are rewarded and the bad punished Silas Marner, the protagonist of the book, was once a member of a tight-knit community but after being betrayed by his best friend, William Dane, he was excommunicated from his religious sect in Lantern Yard, and arrives at a small village called Raveloe where he lived in utter loneliness for fifteen years. He maintains minimal contact with other humans, spending day and night working on his loom because it is the only thing that keeps him occupied. Despite his antisocial behaviour he still was a kind, honest and caring person, we see this when he breaks his brown pot," he had had a brown earthenware pot, which he held as his most precious utensil among the very few conveniences he had granted himself", he glues it together and puts it back in it old place for a memorial. He showed his affection and love for such a petty thing because he was completely alone and all he had were the items in his house. Every night Silas took out his gold from its hiding place to count, he thought of his coins as friends and wouldn't spend any of it. Even though he acts like a miser he wasn't selfish, his love for his money was the cause of spiritual desolation. The cataleptic fits Silas suffers from change his life twice in the book, firstly when he is kicked out of Lantern Yard,

  • Word count: 884
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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