So far the chapter has set an image of a blissfully happy and perfect domestic life that is threatened at this point by a knock on the door. The knocking of the door symbolises the change in tone of the chapter as the knocking could be interpreted as quite sinister. Conflict, at this point begins, between Eppie’s biological father and her ‘foster’ father. This contest raises questions as to who is the most justified parent. To question the legitimacy of patriarchy in this era was very controversial. By the end of this chapter the whole notion of being best father has been turned upside down, ultimately decision and moral power is given to Eppie. This theme continues through the remaining chapters with Eppie choosing love over money.
The portrayal of George Elliot’s portrayal of Godfrey Cass as a father figure shifts from ‘fine, open-faced, good natured’ (Chapter 3, p.24) to ‘tall, powerful, florid..’(Chapter 19, p. 165). This suggests that Godfrey is standing over Silas maybe in an intimidating and overpowering manner in the anticipation that Silas will allow Godfrey to simply take Eppie. Godfrey’s sense of fatherhood appears to be misplaced with his position seemingly based upon right ‘duty’ (Chapter 19, p.169) and his self conscious reality of the situation. Godfrey has been unable to say the very words which may have changed the script of this chapter – ‘I love you’, by doing this Godfrey is showing a very self centred declaration of fatherhood using manipulation of words in an attempt to establish a hold of Silas. Essentially Godfrey is a good man and does not want to hurt Silas to much therefore rather manipulatively he tries to dislodge Eppie away from Silas. Godfrey is skilful in his use of praise ‘ It’s time you laid by and had some rest. You look a good deal pulled down...’ (to Chapter 19, p.166). Godfrey insinuates that Silas is old now therefore he may die or be unable to work and realistically what more can Silas do at his age. Godfrey suggests that Silas shouldn’t be sharing a bedroom with a sixteen year old girl possibly insinuating the sexual impropriety that could come from this. Godfrey states ‘It ‘ud be a great comfort to you to see her well provided’ (Chapter 19, p.166) thereby appealing to Silas to allow Eppie this opportunity to develop her in to a lady. At this point the emphasis of Godfrey’s words change to those of honesty ‘Mrs Cass and I, you know, have no children...’ (Chapter 19, p.167) therefore would be able to offer Eppie the financial security and total support she requires to turn her in to the belle of the area. The fact that Godfrey and Nancy are unable to have children could be seen as a punishment from God for Godfrey’s abandonment of Eppie as a baby. Godfrey’s initial satisfaction of Nancy agreeing to adopt Eppie is short lived and turns to punishment when Eppie says ‘can’t feel as I’ve got any father but one’ (Chapter 19, p.172). This leaves Godfrey with a ‘flushed face and a smarting dilation of eyes’ (Chapter 19, p.172) suggesting that Godfrey has now been able to either feel love and know the hurt this can cause or that he has experienced humiliation and his reactions are that of anger. It is important to note that this chapter has emphasised the distinction between classes as Godfrey needs an heir to all his land and home suggesting this is a reason for desperately wanting Eppie. Godfrey talks down to Silas by calling him Marner, also indicating the social hierarchy. This appears to gain sympathy for Marner as does his selflessness. He assumes that Eppie would love to go and live with Godfrey and says ‘I won’t stand in your way ’(Chapter 19, p.167). This kindness makes the reader love Silas and also brings out Godfrey’s selfishness. Once Silas was a selfish, bitter man and Godfrey felt like he was the lucky one. Now the roles have been reversed.
George Elliot cleverly portrays Silas as a good father even though he is not Eppie’s birth father. It is apparent that Silas does not need to use clever words or put pressure on Eppie as they have a strong paternal/daughter bond where use of close physical gestures is evidence enough of their love ‘She retreated to her father’s chair...held him round the neck; while Silas, with a subdued sob, put up his hand to grasp hers’ (Chapter 19, p.168). From this moment the reader can see that Eppie recognises the unconditional love her and Silas share, by hugging Silas and stroking his hand they bond more. It appears that the more Godfrey attempts to pull Silas and Eppie apart the stronger their bond becomes. Godfrey becomes increasingly irritated and frustrated which leads to him ‘blundering on words that are coarser than his intentions’ (Chapter 19, p.167), this proves favourable to Silas’s relationship with Eppie as while Godfrey was talking ‘Eppie had quietly passed her arm behind Silas’s head, and let her hand rest against it caressingly..’(Chapter 19, p.167). The intimacy that is shown by Silas proves that fancy words or false promises are not required and that showing love and spending time with Eppie is how a father should be unfortunately Godfrey has no concept of this at all. Only when Silas realises he has unconditional love from Eppie, ‘I can’t leave my father, nor own anybody nearer than him’ (Chapter 19, p. 167) does Silas begin his fight back. Godfrey states ‘her mother was my wife’ (Chapter 19, p.168), Silas now begins his fight back feeling secure and safe with his loving relationship with Eppie to continue by saying ‘then, sir, why didn’t you say sixteen years ago, and claim her before I’d come to love her..’ (Chapter 19, p.168). Silas is showing more authority at this point by informing Godfrey that they love each other and that if Godfrey continues he will be destroying the love that Silas and Eppie share. Silas feels that he should place the onus on Eppie by saying ‘Speak to the child. I’ll hinder nothing’ (Chapter 19, p. 170), maybe at this point Silas is testing Eppie’s love to prove what he feels that they share unconditional love. Godfrey cleverly uses weasely words in an attempt to win Eppie round ‘Eppie, my dear’ (Chapter 19, p.170). Geoffrey’s language of affection is very formal, he is unable to show his feelings in the same way as Silas. Godfrey’s words are very patronising, condescending and monosyllabic ‘it’ll always be our wish that you should show your love and gratitude...’(Chapter 19, p.170). Nancy appears to reinforce Godfrey’s words ‘my dear, you’ll be a treasure to me’ (Chapter 19, p.171) only showing terms of endearment that were not evident at the beginning of this chapter. This suggests that Nancy wants Eppie as an item of treasure which she can show off and brag about. Eppie offers a rejection speech ‘Thank you ma’am – thank you sir, for your offers..’ (Chapter 19, p.171) which defines Silas as her father. Eppie reinforces this by stating ‘I can’t feel as if I have got any father but one’ (Chapter 19, p.172), proving that Silas’s bond with her is very strong. This shows that nurture and positive discipline make up a successful recipe for love and that you can’t demand love through legal claim. Godfrey feels very uncomfortable realising he can’t argue against such words so he leaves. This shows that Godfrey ultimately accepts the love that Silas and Eppie share and is indicative of proving that Godfrey is indeed a good man.
In conclusion by the end of this chapter it is clearly evident that Elliot has played stereotypical working class versus middle class family values against each other. I believe Raveloe was typical of any village before the Industrial Revolution. Its’ class structure is shown through:
Village customs and leisure – Christmas and New Year parties, the Rainbow Inn
Travel – predominantly the gentry had more freedom of travel
Dress – both gentry and others were portrayed with effective detail which assimilate the class divide
Religion – town – chapel, country church, Rector (Mr Crackenthorpe), Parish clerk (Mr Macey) and Deputy (Mr Tookey).
Social class appears to be based around housing contrasting Red Brick House and Silas’s cottage, land ownership, and work in towns compared to the traditional country trades, health and education.
This book was written at a time when there appeared to be a great deal of political unrest which appears to go unmentioned throughout the novel. Such issues including: The French Revolution and its effects, the abolition of the slave trade, and Catholic emancipation. However, the Napoleonic Wars against France, which had widespread effects, is mentioned in Silas Marner referring to the economic effect on farming such as Eppie came to Silas during ‘that glorious war time’ (chapter 3, page 23) when the high price of food made farmers rich. I believe that this novel may have caused some light relief for the reader in a time of a rigid industrial age and would have provided a tonic to the harsh reality of day to life.
