“Silas Marner” is a story of redemption through love Essay Example

very expensive where as Silas eats very poorly. Godfrey never has to do anything for himself he has servants to do everything and he also attends a lot of parties and has a very relaxed and laid back lifestyle. On the other hand Silas has to do everything for himself and has to earn every penny he makes he never goes to parties or has fine food.

A reflection on these different lifestyles is the way they talk Godfrey Talk's poshly where as Silas talks in common slang. A couple of examples of this are. "But shell be my little un said Marner rather hastily Shell be nobody else's. " Compared to. "It's just with your talk of me selling Wildfire in that cool wag-the last thing ive got to call my own and the best bit of horseflesh ive ever had. " You can see the way they speak is totally different. But they both have a major loss. Silas's misfortunes are fixable he can redeem himself.

On the other hand other hand Godfreys are permanent and he is constantly in fear. He is frightened that Molly will tell everyone he is married to her a drug addict and he will be chucked out the house. Silas takes comfort in his money after he is kicked out of Lantern Yard. He has no one to talk to so hi turns to his gold to help love and comfort him through li9fe. An example of this is. "He handled them, he counted them, till their form and colour were like the satisfaction of a thirst to him; but it was only in the night when his work

was done that he drew them up to enjoy their companionship.

This shows using the word companionship in the same way as you would for a human or a pet the George Eliot is getting across the point that Silas treats his gold like a friend. Godfrey uses every situation as a way to escape from his problems. His child is just a way for him to avoid confronting his difficulties and marry Nancy Lammeter. Godfrey does not care for Eppie he just pays for her clothes etc. An example of this is. "And that other child not on the hearth -he would not forget it was well provided for. That was a father's duty.

The way Godfrey thinks of Eppie as that and it is not the way a father would speak of a child. Also as well as to provide for a child should he not put a roof over its head. This shows that Godfrey is not caring for the child he is just hiding his secret and not feeling guilty about not looking after the child. I n different ways both men are shut away the difference Similarities are that they both inflict it on themselves and in the end Silas finds it hard to relate to other people. When Silas loses his gold it is a great loss to him! An example of this is that.

Again he put his trembling hands to his head, and gave a wild ringing scream of desolation. For a few moments after, he stood motionless; but the cry had relieved him from the first maddening pressure of the truth. " Silas has nothing to believe in anymore

and this makes you feel sorry for Silas Marner. Although when Eppie comes into his life Silas whole attitude changes he starts to talk to people again and he becomes a new man. The book reflects this with almost two stories part 1 and 2. Silas even becomes friendly with Dolly Winthrop.

Dolly eventually persuades him to go to church with Eppie. Quoted below "You must bring her up like christened folk's children, and take her to church, and let her learn her catechize, as my little Aaron can say off. " Godfrey on the other hand to Silas was never an outcast to the community the way he was cut off was in his own head. When Molly his ex-wife is found dead in the snow it means that Godfrey is relived and can go about his business, without his secret being found out. He can look forward to his future with his new wife Nancy.

After sixteen years of caring for Eppie Silas is content with his life. For example. "But in everything else one sees signs of a frame much enfeebledby the lapse of the sixteen years. " The days when Silas Marner was obsessed by his money were long gone. Godfrey has paid dearly though for his mistakes in life, as Nancy can have no children. Godfrey then tries to get Nancy to adopt a child but she refuses. Eventually though Dunstan's body is found at the Stone Pits after he fell in coming home drunk the night Silas's money was stolen Marners money is lying next to him and so the thief is found.

Godfrey admits all his secrets to Nancy and she

agrees that they should get Eppie to come back to live with them. Godfrey decides to go and see Silas himself along with Nancy. They try to persuade Marner to give her up but Godfrey soon becomes angry. For example. "Godfrey felt an irritation inevitable to almost all of us when we encounter an unexpected obstacle. " In this case Godfey is selfish to Silas's feelings an example is that he thinks because of Silas's class that he doesn't know anything about love. When really it is Godfrey who is being selfish.

This is a turning point in the story when he realises that he (Godfrey) cannot claim love because when Eppie rejects Godfrey, Godfrey realises that no matter what the class Silas Marner can still love Eppie. Godfrey now knows that just because he is from a higher social class than the weaver doesn't mean that Silas has no feelings. So just as Godfrey rejected her Eppie has rejected Godfrey. George Eliot, I think writes an emotionally binding story with lots of different characters all detailed in their own way in this epic tale of redemption through love.

He builds up insight into to two characters Godfrey and Silas whose stories overlap on each other. This contrast becomes stronger bas the story reveal itself. We see how Silas gives his love really to a total stranger without any thought what so ever. The question is still left as to whether Godfrey would still have acknowledged Eppie if he and Nancy could still have had children. I don't think so but that's for you to make your own minds up over. Godfrey still throughout the play does

what he thinks is best for himself without thinking of others. Godfrey never ever gives his love unselfishly and that is why he is punished and Silas is not.