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Course work:Silas Marner

What does the novel Silas Marner have to say about the relationship between parents and their children?

        

        Throughout the story of Silas Marner, George Eliot explores the nature of the relationship between children and their parents through many of her main characters in the novel. The novel Silas Marner was written by George Eliot. George Eliot was born in 1819 in Warwickshire. The novel Silas Marner was written in 1861.

        George Eliot used quote written by William Wordsworth on the title page of her novel. It tells you about how children can completely change the lives of their parents e.g. since Silas found Eppie his whole life has changed completely, Eppie has had a great impact on Silas’ life. On the front cover of Silas Marner she writes:  

“A child more that all other gifts

That Earth can offer to a declining man

Brings hope with it, and forward looking thoughts”  

                                                                               William Wordsworth

        

        George Eliot had been influenced by the Victorian Values and has included them in her novel. The Victorians had many values and George Eliot had included some of them in her novel. Duty was very important to Victorian readers for whom George Eliot wrote. These characters in the book who failed in their duty as parents are punished and those who fulfil their duty as parents are rewarded. In Silas Marner duty is presented through the theme of parenting and community. It is closely connected to a sense of justice and moral awareness. The duty of parents in Silas Marner was to look after their parents. I the parents does the job properly then the will get their children turning out well. If they do not bring up their children properly and neglect them then their children will turn out badly.

        An example of a good parent is dolly Winthrop. She was a good mother to Aaron. She thought him good manner and had not neglected him. Later on in the novel Aaron had become a hardworking person. He had manners, he was helpful, kind, polite and courteous to other. So that means Dolly Winthrop was rewarded for fulfilling her duties. She had done her duties as a parent properly.

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        Another good example of a parent was Mr Lammeter. He was a good father to Nancy and Priscilla Lammeter. He looked after them properly an in reward he got Nancy and Priscilla turning out to be good daughters. Both these parents inculcated the right value in their children.

        An example of a bad parent was Squire Cass. He was a bad father to his sons. He left them on their own while he was out drinking alcohol or at a party. He neglected them and in return was punished by his children turning out bad. Godfrey turned out to be ...

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