Explain how the character of Silas Marner is portrayed at the start of the novel
At first, Eliot Introduces Silas Marner as an inexplicably isolated and disconnected character to the reader, very early on into the novel. Eliot narrates his home in the first sentence directly making a clear reference to Silas Marner as a "steep cottage that stands amongst the nutty haunts near the village of Raveloe." The adverb 'near' instantly indicates that Silas is not inside the village but on the brink of it, implying that he does not want to socialise with others from the village and in doing so separating himself from all. This could also indicate that he has not completely cast aside others although he has moved himself apart from society, and hopefully could finally rekindle belief in humanity. Furthermore, his house is described as 'stone' with a sense of dullness, lack of existence, and lack of emotion - which could depict Silas's own condition. This is enhanced by Eliot "his house is close to the edge of a deserted stone pit." The repeat of 'stone' strengthens our sense of Silas as synonymous with the empty, and the adjective 'deserted' continues to add only to our feeling of isolation derived from Silas and perhaps a signal of betrayal. The first introduction of Silas at the beginning of the narrative allows him to become a unique character, provoking the reader to be intrigued at the history and the potential destiny of him.
