In ‘Silas Marner’ good triumphs over evil and leaves each character Essay Example

hands against his head'.

The villagers were kind towards him 'but the kindness fell on him as sunshine falls on the wretched- he had no heart to taste it, and felt that it was very far off him'. If the tale had ended at this point I would not have said that Silas did not get what he deserved because he is a compassionate and merciful man. The story takes a dramatic change and a new major character is introduced; Eppie. The arrival of Eppie 'warms his heart' and he starts to take interest in other people's lives again. He feels as if Eppie has been 'sent to save him'.

When Godfrey suggests that Eppie would be better off living with him, Silas 'trembles violently'. There is not one instance in the novel when Silas is ever violent, yet George Eliot describes Silas as 'trembling violently'. This demonstrates his affection and compassion for his 'blessed' daughter.. In many instances, Silas showed that he was not a selfish and uncaring man. Quote!!!!!!!!!!!! He may not have always done what was right, but in the end when Eppie 'warms his heart' he shows his true personality.

I feel that Silas gets what he deserves in the end; happiness and love, which are reciprocated by his daughter. Godfrey is not as courteous as Silas. Godfrey was never satisfied with what he had. He lived an 'idle', selfish life. Godfrey exhibits what he is like when his first wife dies. He was too worried about people knowing that his wife was a 'poor villager', that he would rather she was dead than alive. This was an 'evil terror' from an evil man.

Although Godfrey finishes the story with a good, kind wife and a large estate, he does not have a family around him.

He wanted a child, but after trying for a long time he realises that he cannot have a child. He then tries to make Eppie live with him, but nobody could persuade her to leave Silas. He also lacks something else; satisfaction. He will never be truly contented. I feel that Godfrey leaves the story as he deserves; unsatisfied. I felt that some of the actions of Godfrey were quite evil. I felt that good triumphed over evil, especially when Godfrey's evil ways where overcome by Silas's and Eppie's love for each other. He may be wealthy, but he is really quite poor.

Eppie is a kind and faithful character. She is 'full of life' and brought happiness to Silas. I could tell that she was a good character because an evil person could not bring as much happiness as she brought to Silas. Eppie and Silas are content, their 'life is wonderful'. The qualities of Silas 'shine' from her because of her upbringing. Eppie appreciates what Silas has done for her, for 'there had have been nobody to love her' if it was not for her 'loving' father. When Godfrey tried to take her away from her father, she 'held Silas's hand in hers, and grasped it firmly'.

She remains loyal to her father even when she could have had more money and become a 'proper lady'. She would not be separated from Silas, for she was true and faithful. The two of them would be 'happy together every day' for the rest of their

lives. Eppie is a good, sympathetic person and she leaves the tale as she deserves. I feel that good triumphed over evil again because Godfrey did not claim Eppie, which was an evil act, yet, good bonded two lost humans together and brought them happiness. Dunstan was the most evil character in the story.

He is an evil, cruel and manipulative 'jeering fellow', For he would 'enjoy his drink the more when people went dry'. His own family knew what he was 'really capable of' and at the family Cass Christmas dinner, after he has been missing a great deal of time, 'nobody was sorry for his absence'. Nobody liked him in any way, for 'he was made to hurt other people'. His father did not teach him manners, for 'the sweet flower of courtesy is not a growth of such homes as the Red House'. Dunstan is also a 'thief'. Inadvertently this helps Silas to become a proper person again.

Dunstan was a rude, unliked thief, an evil character. Later in the novel, Dunstan is found dead with Silas's money. However, when somebody dies, normally they are grieved for, but in this case nobody did. Nobody was sorry that he had gone forever. I believe that the fact nobody grieved for Dunstan was a punishment in its self. Dunstan dies at an early age and yet again good triumphed over evil. I agree with the statement 'In 'Silas Marner' good triumphs over evil and leaves each character as he or she deserves'.

As the reader you feel comforted by the fact that Silas and Eppie, the good characters, leave the novel contented. The final lines of the

tale are 'what a pretty home ours is! I think nobody could be happier than we are'. This reminds me of the old familiar fairy tale ending 'and everybody lived happily ever after'. The novel 'Silas Marner' is in some ways like a 'fairy tale'. The good people go through a rough patch and numerous bad things happen to them, yet in the end they come out on top. The good people, in the end, triumph over the evil people. I felt that everybody left the novel as they deserved.