In part two of Silas Marner, Eppie has the opportunity to be adopted by Godfrey Cass. She declines his offer. Discuss why she responds this way, with reference to both Silas Marner and Godfrey.

Kate Martyn English Coursework!

Silas Marner!

Essay Question –

In my essay, with reference to Godfrey and Silas, I will discuss why Eppie declines Godfrey's offer to become adopted by him.

George Eliot was born Mary Ann Evans on November 22, 1819, in Warwickshire near Nuneaton. She was the daughter of Robert Evans and Christina Pearson, and was the youngest of their five children. Her father was a manager of an estate while her mother died when she was just sixteen. Mary was a well educated and religious child.

In 1849, after the death of her father, Evans moved to London where she met George Henry Lewes, a writer, critic, philosopher, and actor. The two intellectuals went from colleagues to friends to live-in lovers. Though Lewes was married with children when he began his relationship with Evans, his wife had been living with another man for several years. Because of legal and financial restrictions Lewes was unable to obtain a divorce, and he and Eliot were much criticized for living together.

At the suggestion of Lewes, Evans began writing fiction in September 1867, beginning what she called a new era in her life. At this time she took the pen name George Eliot -- George after her lover and Eliot because she said it was "a good mouth-filling word."

Her first work was a collection of stories and sketches about the people of Warwickshire, the town of her youth. Evans continued writing at a prodigious pace. A year after Adam Bede, she wrote The Mill on the Floss and Silas Marner. She became a success, and was no longer scorned for her relationship with Lewes. She went on to write her most acclaimed novel, Middlemarch, between 1871 and 1872.

Lewes died in his sleep in 1878, and in 1880 Evans married John Cross. On the other hand they were only married 8 months as she died in that same year. In addition because she had not lived by the rules of the church, her body was forbidden burial in Westminster Abbey's Poet's Corner. Instead, her husband chose a plot near where George Lewes lay in Highgate Cemetery.

Silas Marner is a weaver, and first lived in Lantern Yard, but after 15 years he moved to Raveloe after being accused of the theft of the church’s money. When Silas arrived in Raveloe, he was quiet and isolated himself from other human beings. From the beginning of the novel, we see themes relating to faith, relationships, choice and wealth.

Besides spending all his time weaving, Silas Marner also began hoarding his money, until Dunstan Cass stole it from his cottage. When Silas realizes the money has gone his actions are very significant because he rushes to the local pub to inform the villagers of the robbery. Usually, Silas would not socialize with the villagers, however in this situation he asks for help; breaking out of his comfort zone. One New Years Eve while Silas is out Eppie appears by his fire, and Silas believes she is ‘a gift from god,’ after her real father, Godfrey Cass fails to claim her as his own.

Sixteen years pass, and Silas is now very content living at home with Eppie. He rediscovered his religion, and Eppie has given him a relationship – not just with her, but with the rest of the villagers. Godfrey is miserable as well as irritated as he has no heir, so eventually he speaks the truth and announces that Eppie is actually his child. To Godfrey’s disappointment, she rejects his offer to become a lady, and wants to stay with Silas. ‘I can’t feel as I’ve got any father but one…I’ve always thought of a little home where I’d sit in the corner, and I should fend and do everything for him: I can’t of no other home.’

This is a preview of the whole essay

In part two of the text, Eppie's relationship with Silas was put under pressure when the offer was made by Godfrey. They have a symbiotic relationship; they need each other and together are similar to one unit. She sees him as her father, as for the last 16 years he was the one who provided for her - giving her not only material items, but a home and family. On the other hand, Eppie has also provided Silas with a family and social life, ‘by seeking what was needful for Eppie…he had himself come to appropriate the…mould of Raveloe life.’ (Chapter 16, page 124) Silas was also a very shallow person until Eppie arrived, and was only interested in money. Eppie changed his view on life, and the only way he would be attracted back to money was if he lost Eppie. ‘It takes no hold of me now…It might, if I lost Eppie.’ In addition, because of Eppie, Silas has restored his faith, resumed going to church, and ‘had begun to ponder over the elements of his old faith, and bend them with his new impressions.’

When Silas lived in Lantern Yard, he was a very popular member of the church, who got on with everyone. People saw him as special, since he had cataleptic fits which were seen as a gift from god, ‘…part…of any vision…yet it was believed by himself and others, that’s it effect was seen in an accession of light and fevour.’ (Chapter 1 pg 7) He had all he ever wanted, a best friend, William Dane, a fiancée, Sarah, a religion etc. Until, he was framed for stealing the church’s funds by the one who was secretly most jealous of him - William Dane. Silas states that, ‘god will clear me’, but is blackballed, and asked to leave the church, ‘He was solemnly suspended from the church-membership, and called upon to render up the stolen money....’

Within a month not only had he lost his faith, but Sarah had called off the engagement and went on to marry William Dane. Betrayed by his best friend, the church, and his fiancée, Silas leaves Lantern Yard. ‘…it was known to the brethren in Lantern Yard that Silas Marner has departed the town.’ (Chapter 1 pg 12)

When Silas arrives in Raveloe to make a fresh start, the villagers are wary of him as he as seen as an outsider, ‘emigrants arrive form the town to country…regarded as aliens by their rustic neighbors’ Whereas in Lantern Yard the villagers saw his cataleptic fits as ‘a gift from god’, villagers in Raveloe see them as a work from thee devil and liken him to a ‘dead man come to life again.’ (Chapter 1 pg 6) In a sense Silas helps to raise suspicion even more as he isolates himself, and does not communicate with any one else. Even though he had cured Sally Oates, he chooses not to give out herbal remedies ‘ he drove one or another away from growing irritation’ (Chapter 2, pg 16) In the beginning in Raveloe, Silas life consists of eating, sleeping and hoarding his well loved gold.

After 15 years, Silas only really has a relationship with his gold; due to separating himself, as it is the only one that he can trust. It has become his life. ‘…He loved his guineas best…begotten by his labour; he loved them all.’ (Chapter 2 pg 18) Not only is it representing everything he has wanted for, but also is a replacement for the things that he has lost. Money cannot betray him like the people in the past have, so it becomes his new best friend; he loves it; he worships it.

When his gold is stolen Silas is heart broken and seeks help from the villagers in the Rainbow pub, where he accuses the poacher, Jem Rodney. This incident reflects Silas own treatment in Lantern Yard, and when it becomes clear Jem Rodney is innocent, Silas apologies, ‘I was wrong,’ he said.’ (Chapter 7 pg 49). Silas’ actions are very significant as for the first time since he came to Raveloe, Silas actually communicated with the villagers and asks for their help. Therefore the villagers are aware of what Silas Marner is about. In contrast, he is reduced to having no monetary wealth again.

Until Eppie arrived Silas was miserable, and his gold hid this fact. On New Years Eve, just after his money was stolen he is still alone, has no money, but has broken the ice with the villagers. While Silas is having a cataleptic fit, Eppie has the opportunity to wander into his home unnoticed. When Silas returns he sees what he believes to be his gold, which ‘seemed to glow and get larger beneath his agitated gaze.’ (Chapter 12 pg 96) Surprisingly, ‘instead of hard coin, his fingers encountered soft curls.’ This turned out to be Eppie, lying by the fire. Immediately Silas takes Eppie to the Red House, searching for a doctor to help her mother, who is lying in the snow outside his house. When Godfrey Cass hears about the disturbance he tells Silas to take Eppie to the parish in the morning. Silas responds saying, ‘No-No can’t part with it, I can’t let it go…Its come to me – I’ve right too keep it.’ (Chapter 13 pg 99) This is the point where Silas believes she is a ‘gift from god’, to replace his gold which has been stolen- and chooses to look after her.

The arrival of Eppie, has re-awakened some of Silas's faith, and he is open to the return of religion into his life. Silas has to change his lifestyle now Eppie has arrived, because he now has the responsibility of looking after and caring for a child. Also he is back in contact with the villagers as he starts to take Eppie to church. The villagers are now, ‘softening’ away from ‘dislike in a rather contemptuous’, way towards ‘a more active sympathy for him.’ (Chapter 14 pg 104)

Godfrey Cass is the son of Squire Cass and the older brother of Dunstan Cass. From the perspective of the villagers we are introduced to Godfrey as a ‘fine open faced, good natured young man.’ (Chapter 3 pg 20) We also learn how he is starting to act more and more like his younger brother, Dunstan's, ‘a spiteful, jeering fellow, who seemed to enjoy his drink.’ (Pg 20) It was clear he had a few problems.

The readers are also told that that Godfrey is in fact, secretly married to Molly Farren, with whom he was a child. Dunstan is the only other person who is aware of this situation and blackmails Godfrey, threatening to inform the Squire, ‘how his handsome son is married to that nice, young women, Molly Farren, and was very unhappy that he couldn’t live with his drunken wife.’ (Chapter 3 pg 22) Godfrey fears the Squire finding out because he worries about losing his position of the upcoming squire, and also Nancy Lammeter, since he ‘must irrevocably lose her as well as his inheritance.’ (Chapter 3 pg 24)

So although we are told that Godfrey is, ‘open-faced’ and ‘good natured’, he also could be considered as a very self – centered and self – serving character. He doesn’t face up to the consequences of his actions, and has secrets which he is not prepared to reveal incase they affect his current life style. Inside, he is very conniving and two faced.

When Silas turns up at the Red House on New Years Eve, seeking a doctor, holding a little girl and revealing how a woman is injured in the snow outside, Godfrey knows straight away who it is and is shocked and afraid. He is worried that Molly will reveal his secret to the villagers. ‘There was a terror in his mind at that moment…the women might not be dead.’ (Chapter 13 pg 99) He is more concerned with finding her dead than the possibility of saving her, because it will leave him free to marry Nancy, and his inheritance will be safe. Yet again to the villagers, Godfrey appears to have the best interest of the women in mind, by making sure she is not injured and to be assistance. However his inner thoughts betray his shallowness and his ultimate self – interest. ‘Deeper down…there was a sense that he ought to except the miserable wife and fulfill the claims of the helpless child. But he had no moral courage enough to contemplate the active renunciation of Nancy as possible as him…’ (Chapter 13 pg 101)

Equally, his treatment of Eppie is also self – serving. Godfrey has the opportunity to claim her, but chooses not to. Silas says, ‘fill anybody shoes, they've got a right to take her from me,’ (Chapter 13 pg 102). His other opportunities include: Marrying Nancy (which he does); Starting a fresh, (which he does); having Eppie in the open, but still wedding Nancy, (Which he does not do) Godfrey is anxious but ultimately his attitude is that his life will be better in the future with Nancy if he leaves his secret behind, ‘if she is [dead]…I shall be a good fellow in the future.’ (pg 101) Whereas Silas embraces Eppie, ‘It’s a lone thing…and I’m a lone thing.’ (pg 102) This turns out to be a fundamental change in the lives of the two men.

After 16 years, Silas' life has changed enormously since taking on Eppie. He isn’t as shallow, and always worrying about money because he has a loving daughter who loves him. His work has slowed down, and he now socializes with the villagers, and has fashionably taken up smoking a pipe! More importantly, his faith has been restored, and is very content because he believes he has everything. Silas did not highly enjoy smoking…but a humble sort of acquaintance in what was held to be good had become a strong habit of that new self which has been developed in him since he had found Eppie.’ (Chapter 16, pg 124)

In comparison to Silas, Godfrey's life hasn’t turned out so positively. He feels discontent that he hasn’t achieved anything in his life, because the use of ‘squire’ has stopped and he feels that he is less than his father. Unfortunately Nancy and he remain childless, and he has no heir. ‘I wanted to pass for childless once, Nancy – I shall pass for childless now against my wish’ (Chapter 20 pg 151)

Godfrey finally admits to parentage because he wants to adopt Eppie, to be able to make her an heir, and continue the family name within the Red House. He wants his child to become a ‘lady’ and have a better life. Once more, even though this change may benefit Eppie, ultimately Godfrey's reasons are self serving.

Eppie's response to Godfrey’s offer isn’t as he expected. She declines his offer, as she wants to remain with her ‘father’ that brought her up from a small child. She ‘doesn’t want to be a lady.’ Eppie wants to live in a way she is accustomed to, with different friends on the same social group as her own. Marrying Aaron would be forbidden if she was a lady, as he isn’t upper class.

On the other hand, Eppie isn’t familiar with Godfrey, and doesn’t see him as a ‘father’. Eppie would be lost without Silas, as they do everything together they ‘drink from the same cup.’ Eppie fears of Silas going back to his old ways if she leaves him and wants to stay loyal to him, as he was the one who took her in as his own. ‘I cant feel as I’ve got any father but one…I’ve always thought of a little home where he’d sit in the corner, and should fend and do everything for him: I cant think of no other home.’ (Chapter 19, pg 150)

With the arrival of Eppie, both men’s lives have been changed in very different ways. Silas is content with his life, his faith has been restored and his social life is better than ever. Whereas, Godfrey is disappointed with the arrival of Eppie, as he had all he ever wanted until she arrived, and his secret had been kept safe until then.

Silas' life in Lantern Yard consisted of faith, love, trust and relationships. After being framed and removed from the church, he decides to move to Raveloe, where he isolated himself from the community. Then his gold was stolen from his home, by Godfrey's younger brother Dunstan. While Silas is out, Eppie then appears on his doorstep on New Years Eve, after her mother left her while she was injured. Silas takes her in and cares for her as if she’s his own blood, believing she is a ‘gift from god’ to replace his gold. From the up bringing of Eppie, he manages to bring himself out of isolation and regain his faith, relationships, respect and love. Eppie was beneficial to Silas in more ways than one.

In Godfrey’s life, though, his secrets are hidden from the beginning until Eppie arrives. When he realized it was Molly outside Silas' house, he was more concerned with finding her dead than alive, to prevent his secrets from being published. The main opportunity was to claim Eppie, but at first, he thought that his life in the future would be better with Nancy if Eppie was remained unclaimed. Unfortunately Nancy is unable to have children and produce an heir for him. This is when Godfrey realizes, as her biological father, that she could be that upcoming heir he desperately needs, to prevent his name leaving the Red House as a ‘Squire’.

Godfrey puts forward an opportunity to Eppie, for her to move in with himself and Nancy, as, ‘he would provide her with a better future.’ Eppie’s response isn’t as he expected – she says no! The reason is that Eppie doesn’t want to lead the life of a lady, and have to change the social group of which she is part. Eppie wants to remain with Silas and look after him until the end, just like he has cared for her. This choice of Eppie’s, has rewarded those who nurtured her – in this case, Silas.

Overall, George Eliot wrote this book as a very moralistic novel. Silas deserved to be loved by Eppie as he provided her with a loving home, family and religion; all out of the goodness of his heart. So when Eppie decides she wants to stay with him, it rewards him and returns his gratitude. On the other hand, all of Godfrey's choices were self – serving. In the beginning he had an opportunity to claim Eppie from Silas, but failed to, supposing that his life will be improved with Nancy, without the difficulties of Eppie.

Later on in the novel, he recognizes he made the wrong decision, as Nancy is unable to produce any heirs to take his place. Once more his actions are convenient for him because, he now realizes that Eppie could take that that position. In spite of this when Eppie declines his offer, he deserves it, as in the past he has been a selfish coward.

Therefore it proves that life can change, because of the path you choose to lead!!