Eliot’s What Extent This Is An Influential Essay Example

presents a prime example of this at the Cass family's New Year's Eve party held at the Red House where it is written, "...

. The door had benches for spectators during great occasions, including Mr. Macey and some other privileged villagers. There was a great admiration when the couples formed.

The formal segregation of the Raveloe community can be observed in both the dance and the local pub, the Rainbow. The dance made it evident that there was a mutually accepted system of separation between classes, where villagers sat on benches by the door and admired the upper classes who danced before them. Similarly, in the Rainbow pub, Chapter six describes the same kind of segregation.

The customers seated closest to the fire and drinking spirits were the most significant.

The text highlights that the middle classes enjoyed unrestricted access to pubs' fire, indicating that social status played a significant role in determining one's position in public spaces within such communities. Additionally, the text details the activities of the affluent customers in relation to the village's workers and peasants.

The beer drinkers, men in fustian jackets, stared intensely at each other, as if a wager depended on which man would blink first.

The individuals belonging to both social classes adopted similar behaviors of keeping their eyelids lowered and rubbing their hands over their mouths. Eliot not only distinguishes between the two classes based on their choice of beverage and clothing, but also on their innate mannerisms.

Spirits were considered more prestigious than beer at the time, creating a social divide between the upper and lower classes. The lower class men were further categorized by their behaviors,

such as wiping their mouths, and their inexpensive corduroy clothing. These subtle distinctions given by the writer shape the reader's perception of the lower class and reinforce the idea of societal separation. Additionally, Elliot illustrates the varying attitudes characters have toward each other when they interact. In chapter seventeen, Godfrey Cass speaks bluntly to his servants, but ironically Eppie--who is unaware that Godfrey is her father--feels inadequate in his presence.

George Eliot uses Silas Marner as the main character to illustrate the status division in the community of Raveloe. The novel explores the significant relationship between Silas Marner and Godfrey Cass, which leads to a major confrontation between the two characters later on.

It is crucial to the plot that Silas and Godfrey are depicted in stark contrast. Silas relocates to Raveloe to avoid the consequences of the incidents that occurred in Lantern Yard, giving him a significant backstory that naturally piques the interest of the close-knit community of Raveloe. Upon arrival, his unwelcoming appearance and epilepsy - which the people were ignorant of at that time - rendered him a mysterious figure with an air of strangeness. Consequently, he was treated as an outsider, and his odd behaviour further distanced him from the typical Raveloe way of life.

The protagonist craved wealth and expended the majority of his time hoarding and tallying it. He rarely ventured beyond his abode and refrained from participating in the communal engagements of the hamlet, including socializing with the "beer drinkers" at the "Rainbow" tavern. Occasional instances of impulsive confidence separated this unsociable demeanor, such as when he unexpectedly burst into the heart of Raveloe's society. After experiencing a theft of his

riches, Marner's unforeseen arrival at the pub aroused interest and fueled conjecture that there was something peculiar about him.

Chapter seven contains the reference to "Silas Marner."

Without saying anything, but with a gaze that communicated everything.

The text within the HTML paragraph tag describes the landlord's appearance as possessing "strange unearthly eyes."

Emphasizing how Silas was viewed as an outcast in the community, the paragraph uses Marner's description to highlight his obligation to keep his house open to all company. It also demonstrates how even the landlord, who was previously referred to as "neutral" between classes, had to compel himself to accept Silas in his establishment. This intrusion by Marner into the community was a shocking event for everyone involved.

In the Red House party, Silas makes an unexpected appearance again. The Squire becomes infuriated in chapter thirteen when Silas disrupts the party to announce the death of Molly. The guests find it odd that he would intrude on the carefully curated guest list, almost "lowering the tone" with his presence. Silas' bizarre conduct emphasizes his differences from the wealthy Cass family, widening the gap that Eliot establishes. Throughout the novel, Eliot uses her protagonist to represent the working labourer and how adapting to a tight-knit traditional community entails accepting one's economic status. Although initially considered an outcast in Raveloe, Silas loses all his money and eventually becomes accepted into their way of life through Dolly Winthrop's guidance and understanding that life is more than just wealth.

The Cass family stands in stark contrast to Silas Marner's life in the novel. Eliot depicts them as living a luxurious lifestyle with refined manners and etiquette. Throughout the book, Godfrey Cass is

portrayed as a well-mannered and respectable man, raised within his family's culture of politeness.

The character of Dunstan Cass is revealed as both irresponsible and selfish through his handling of the Squire's funds and his theft of Silas Marner's gold. Despite this, due to his elevated social status, he was not suspected of the robbery. The Cass family's true regard for those of lower classes is exposed through the stealing. According to the portrayal in the book, when taking the money, Dunsey believed it was his divine right to "borrow" it, completely disregarding Marner's feelings. His superiority convinced him that his need was more important. It is during the second half of the book that Godfrey takes over as a respected member of the community after succeeding his father.

According to the text, the individual experiences feelings of guilt in regards to Silas raising their child in secret. Despite this guilt, they publicly endorse and support Silas' activities with the child. This decision ultimately benefits the individual as it enhances their popularity within the village.

Godfrey Cass, like everyone in the village, treated the weaver Silas kindly. It was only right that those who could afford to help should look out for one another. Eliot uses the Cass family's portrayal to demonstrate their respectability in the eyes of villagers, while also highlighting their ruthlessness and willingness to leverage their position. As the storyline progresses, Silas Marner and Godfrey Cass become increasingly intertwined.

The focus of the novel shifts from the divide between the rich and poor to how the relationship between Silas Marner and Godfrey Cass depicts class segregation. The community's perception of Silas and Godfrey plays

a vital role in this context. Silas, an outcast and poor person, contrasts strongly with the rich and well-mannered Godfrey Cass. Godfrey's treatment of Silas is significant in illustrating how the wealthy view the poor, particularly when the latter is unaware of his place in Raveloe. George Eliot's portrayal of the two characters is instrumental in highlighting their separation, with Godfrey as the exemplary citizen and Silas with physical deformities such as a hunchback and protruding eyes. The nature of their relationship is also indicative of this distinction.

Godfrey helps to furnish Silas' house and takes an active role in ensuring that he is comfortable. Despite Silas feeling that he constantly owes Godfrey a debt due to his generosity, it was really the least Godfrey could do with his financial position. When Godfrey finally decides to claim Eppie as his own daughter and assume responsibility for her, he assumes that Silas will hand her over because he can provide a better life for her. This patronizing assumption is evident when Godfrey says, "Mrs Cass and I, you know have no children..."

Godfrey Cass arrogantly asserts his desire to possess Eppie as if it is his entitlement, reflecting the condescending and unsympathetic attitude of the wealthy towards the poor, exemplified in the dynamic between him and Silas Marner throughout the novel. Interestingly, towards the end of the story, Silas garners more compassion from the community of Raveloe due to his religious involvement and decision to raise Eppie, even though he remains separate from the Cass family.

By portraying the evolving perception of Silas in the society and Godfrey's innate high standing, Eliot effectively illustrates the tangible boundary between

affluence and poverty during the 19th century, utilizing both protagonists and various incidents that isolate them from the rest of the community. Such socioeconomic segregation affects individuals' treatment, leading to divergent experiences in Silas' life based on his social class.