Discuss the importance of the theme of "duty" in George Elliot's novel Silas Marner?
Discuss the importance of the theme of "DUTY" in George Elliot's novel Silas Marner? After vigilant investigation I have accomplished an understanding that the theme "duty" in the novel Silas Marner has a big impact and means very much. Duty is the moral obligation, which is due. In the novel there are various links to do with duty and the main characters all had a duty to fulfill. Silas Marner had a great duty to care and bring up Eppie. Eppie also had a duty towards Silas when she was older and mature during Silas Marner's old age. Dolly Winthrop did not have a duty but as a close friend she made it a duty for helping Silas bring up Eppie. Godfrey the wealthiest man in Raveloe had many obligations. He had to care for Eppie's mother Molly. He took great care of his wife Nancy. He totally discarded his younger brother Dunstan. Aaron at the end of the novel had a duty towards Eppie, as she was his wife. Godfrey neglected his duties and the others completed their duties. Silas Marner honoured his obligation and he was a real accountable gentleman. He took in Eppie and guarded her with his own life. He would put her first and never neglected her he only wanted the best for her. There is an example of this in the novel, when Godfrey and Nancy came to adopt Eppie. Silas gave Eppie the opportunity to give her own opinions. He wanted her to be were ever she felt
Mary Anne Evans, better known as "George Eliot," was born on November 22nd, 1819, at South Farm, a mile from Griff, in the parish of Colton, in Warwickshire.
MARY ANNE EVANS, better known as "George Eliot," was born on November 22nd, 1819, at South Farm, a mile from Griff, in the parish of Colton, in Warwickshire. The family moved to Griff House in March of the following year, when she was only six months old. Her father, Robert Evans, of Welsh origin, was a Staffordshire man from Ellaston, near Ashbourne, and began life as a carpenter. Like Adam Bede, Mr. Evans from carpenter rose to be forester, and from forester to be land-agent. It was in the latter capacity alone that he was ever known in Warwickshire. At one time he was surveyor to five estates in the midland counties--those of Lord Aylesford, Lord Lifford, Mr. Bromley Davenport, Mrs. Gregory, and Sir Roger Newdigate. The last was his principal employer. Having early discerned the exceptional capacity of the man, Sir Roger induced him to settle in Warwickshire, and take charge of his estates. Sir Roger's seat, Arbury Hall, is the original of the charming description of Cheverel Manor in 'Mr. Gilfil's Love Story.' It is said that Mr. Evans's trustworthiness had become proverbial in the county. But while faithfully serving his employers he also enjoyed great popularity among their tenants. He was gentle, but of indomitable firmness; and while stern to the idle and unthrifty, he did not press heavily on those who might be behindhand with their rent, owing to ill-luck or
Novelists in the nineteenth century believed not only in entertaining their readers, but also in educating them and shaping their moral judgements. This was George Eliot's aim when she wrote Silas Marner.
Novelists in the nineteenth century believed not only in entertaining their readers, but also in educating them and shaping their moral judgements. This was George Eliot's aim when she wrote Silas Marner. Silas Marner is a fable; a story with a moral message, and the novels' main theme, of loss and redemption through love is embodied in the experiences of its central character - Silas Marner. Silas Marner began his life in a 'little hidden world known to itself as the church assembly in Lantern Yard.' Silas was a valuable member of this 'narrow religious sect', who showed great devotion to God and compassion towards his neighbours. However, due to unfair accusations and the betrayal he felt from both God and humanity, the 'light of his faith' was put out, and his trust in mankind was cruelly bruised, thus putting a halt to the philanthropy which he had previously practised. Silas moved to a far off, 'snug', countryside town named Raveloe. Here, Silas isolated himself from community, and lived a spider like existence; weaving in his loom and only conversing with people when it was necessary for the daily transaction of his business. The devotion Silas had felt towards men and God was replaced with a devotion to an inanimate object - his gold, which Silas would draw up each night to bathe in it's 'companionship' and run his fingers thorough what he described as his 'unborn
T. S. Eliot – Imagery of Preludes
T. S. Eliot - Imagery of Preludes In T. S. Eliot's poem Preludes he portrays the alienation of the individual from society. His imagery is sharp and clear and he uses many techniques to achieve this. A clear description of what something is, can be pictured in the mind by his precise use of imagery. For example, the words, "...withered leaves"(7) gives a clear image, as does, "...dingy shades"(22). The effect is achieved through descriptions of the human influence, word choice, syntax, and rhythm. Eliot uses descriptions like, "the faint smell of beer"(15). This definitely brings a smell to your mind. The first stanza begins with a familiar setting, a "... winter evening"(1). This is associated with a lack of growth and a loss of vitality. It also describes death and desolation. This does not last long when we are confronted," with smells of steaks in passageways"(2) paints a picture of a polluted and mundane environment. The precise use of descriptive words composes this mood of decline and despair. As seen when you read " ...the burnt-out ends of smoky days"(4). The mood is vital to understanding Eliot's vision of anguish and despair of the individual that is alienated from society. These moods are expressed throughout with the careful use of imagery, diction and repetition. His distinctive syntax and use of rhythm also enhance the effects of his poetry. Only
EAST IS EAST Explore how the conflicts and tension in the play are dramatically revealed through the use of humour
Explore how the conflicts and tension in the play are dramatically revealed through the use of humour 'East is East' is a play about family life set in Salford at the start of the 1970's. It focuses on the Khan family, specifically the children, who are coming to terms with their identity in a mixed race household dominated by an abusive father. In this assignment, I will explore how the conflicts and tension in the play are dramatically revealed through the use of humour. I will explore Act 1, Scene 1, and Act 2 Scenes 2, 4, and 5. Throughout these scenes I will look at the separate conflicts and tension concerning Abdul, George and Sajit. It is necessary to observe George's behaviour closely as his actions directly impact upon his family, especially his children. His character shows the crossing over of the two cultures. Abdul's character shows the clash of the two cultures and how they both try to overcome the other. He is the voice which speaks for the views of the children. Of all the children, Sajit's character most strongly embodies the conflicts and struggles of being trapped between two extremely different cultures. His trademark parka appears to symbolise his hidden inner feelings, since it is worn all throughout the play until his emotional breakthrough in Act 2, Scene 5 (further discussed later in this essay). The children of the family are aged between 12 - 23.
In a moral fable, the good are always rewarded and the wicked always punished. To what extent can Silas Marner be considered a moral fable?
Sophie Rellis Silas Marner 1st March 2003 In a moral fable, the good are always rewarded and the wicked always punished. To what extent can Silas Marner be considered a moral fable? I do think Silas Marner is a moral fable, but it is more. George Eliot uses two parallel plots in Silas Marner. One is focusing on the life of Silas, and the other plot is focusing on the life of Godfrey and Dunstan. Silas Marner was a linen weaver, who lived in a small cottage in Raveloe. Although he had lived there for fifteen years, he was still an outsider to the local people in Raveloe. Silas was quite a small man, with a bent posture, from bending whilst weaving at his loom, all day and night. Silas was an outsider, and he enjoyed his own company. He did not mix with the other villagers. The people of Raveloe thought Silas was a very strange character. He didn't go to the pub, he didn't gossip like the other men, and many people did not accept him because of this. Most of the time, Silas was a good, strong character. He took in an orphan child; Eppie, and loved her like his own daughter. Silas was rewarded for this, Eppie loved him back, and he was very happy with himself. Silas did not go to church anymore, like he used to back in Lantern Yard. Silas used to live in a small, religious village, called 'Lantern Yard'. He moved from there, fifteen years ago. Silas used to
Which character do you believe has changed the most, in 'Silas Marner', giving reasons why?
Which character do you believe has changed the most, in 'Silas Marner', giving reasons why? Change can be natural or provoked manually, it is unavoidable, it is inevitable, it is imperative and it can be both welcome and greeted with apprehension. The Concise Oxford Dictionary says change is to, 'Make or become different', and the Oxford Thesaurus offers these alternatives, 'adapt, adjust, alter, amend, convert, modify and transform'. Change and its effects is the underlying theme of Silas Marner. The novel is a fable because it has a strong moral message, which is change, and based on one fictitious individual and how they should and should not cope with both positive and negative change. It is a story ultimately about redemption within oneself due to catastrophic changes to a lifestyle. In this particular case, the life in question is that of Silas Marner's. As the title suggests, the main character is Marner and it was customary of 19th century writers to name their novel on the main character and from there after, follow the change and development of that character within their environment. This would infer that Marner is the main character, and that he is to undertake the most change throughout the course of the story. A wise assumption perhaps, but under closer observation there may be more to consider than first anticipated. Other characters from whom we can
Journalism- A series of book reports/reviews.
Nathan Derry Coursework-Journalism- A series of book reports/reviews, By Nathan Derry This article will comprise of a series of book reviews, with books from several different genres. I intend to give you an insight into what the books are about, what type of people would be interested, along with my recommendations. Firstly, 'A snowflake fell', compiled by Laura Whipple. Winter is all about the juxtaposition of cold and warmth, and Laura Whipple's poetry anthology, A Snowflake Fell: Poems About Winter, is sure to warm hearts of all ages. This collection is one of those rare volumes that I can share with both my four-year-old twins and my 10-year-old son. So, as Whipple advises in her introduction, "pop some corn; put your fuzzy slippers on, and use your imagination to experience the sharp smell of winter air, the sound of ice skates on a frozen pond, the touch of snow on your face and even the taste of the first snowflake as it falls from the sky." Whipple's book features a wonderful selection of poems about animals and the natural world, including Jane Yolen's "Winter Song of the Weasel," Douglas Florian's "The Winter Tree" and Ted Hughes' "Goose." Marilyn Singer's delightful "Deer Mouse" replicates the rhythms of a deer mouse scampering over the snow to gather food: "get get get get get/get/out of the nest/get/into the cold." The poems are brought to life by the
Discuss how George Eliot portrays the characters of Godfrey and Dunstan Cass in chapter three of the novel.
Discuss how George Eliot portrays the characters of Godfrey and Dunstan Cass in chapter three of the novel. Chapter three tells the tale of the attitudes and habits of Dunstan, and also the control he has over his brother Godfrey. The two brothers, sons to Squire Cass, both hate one another, this is shown all through the first half of the novel, but is emphasised mostly in chapter three. The Cass family has a long preserved respect from the Raveloe community, but this is in a steady decline because of the behaviour of Squire Cass's son Dunstan. The third chapter is opened with an authorial comment from George Eliot; the comment highlights her own views towards the upper class, "extravagant habits" and "bad husbandry". The idea of the class system is also mentioned and a subject all the way through the chapter. The "Casses" are on the top of the scale with the "Osgoods", and the remainder of the Raveloe community at the bottom. In between these two classes are the Lammeters, a well-respected family - one who has not inherited their status but have earned it. Unlike the Casses they have been brought up to "never suffered a pinch of salt to be wasted". Although the Cass family has a respected family history, and are wealthy too, the name of the family is declining in status along with their wealth. This is due to Dunstan's behaviour and squandering, "there were more
Show how Silas Marner is drawn back into society with the coming of Eppie.
Show how Silas Marner is drawn back into society with the coming of Eppie. Silas Marner had protuberant and myopic eyes and he used to live in Lanten yard and was a member of the church and he believed in god but one day an terrible incident happened that he stopped believing in god and started trusting no one so he decided to move to a different place where he was a pariah and that places name was Raveloe. Silas Marner lived a hermit like life in Raveloe, he didn't talk to any one and didn't go to the rainbow and the only times he did talk to anyone was for business, and he worked the whole day without doing anything else and his work was his sewing loom. His daily theme was that the whole day he worked and at night the money he earned he would count it but the money didn't mean anything to him because he had no place to spend it because he stopped believing in god or any person. Silas Marner continued his daily theme for fifteen years in Raveloe without any problems and he had lots of money because of his work and that he never spent it because he had no value for it. One day after fifteen years something happened to him and that was that someone robbed him and took all his money. When Silas Marner found out that he had been robbed he than had no purpose for life and to work. On new years eve when there is a party in the red house, which is the old squires Cass's house