Silas Marner Analysis Argumentative Essay Example

taken up weaving as his livelihood. This new lifestyle sets him apart from the farming community and seems to indicate that he has become an "outsider" who deliberately keeps his distance from others. The text refers to Silas's former life of belief and love, which he has been cut off from and subsists apart from.

Silas, driven by his obsession for his gold, weaves compulsively and replaces friends. He trusts that the gold cannot hurt him and remains in a numb mechanical state until circumstances force him to change. One such circumstance is when Dunstan, Squire Cass's son, tries to sell his horse 'Wildfire' but it dies during a hunt. Dunstan walks home and stops by Silas's cottage where he steals the weaver's gold. In the midst of a stormy night, Dunstan disappears with the stolen gold.

George Elliot's use of traditional light and dark imagery as a symbol of evil is quite ingenious. The terrible weather on the night that Silas is robbed evokes strong emotions in us and is an example of 'Pathetic Fallacy'. As he sits amidst Raveloe's warmth and its people – his closest hope for assistance – Marner is influenced by the novelty of opening up to his neighbors about his troubles. Despite being consumed by the loss of his gold, desperation drives him to seek their aid.

This marks the pivotal moment in Silas's transformation. Previously focused solely on his gold, he now experiences the communal support and empathy of the village as they listen to his tale. Despite his erratic behavior, which is rooted in genuine distress, the villagers respond with kindness and concern. Although Silas accuses

Jem Rodney of stealing, he also states that he will not blame anyone and admits that he is unsure about the whereabouts of his money. Initially seen as a ghost-like figure by the townspeople, Silas eventually implores them for assistance and they view him as less mad and more vulnerable.

After seeing Silas in distress, the men are convinced that the devil stole from him. However, when they provide evidence of Jem's innocence, Silas feels regret and apologizes for wrongly accusing him. This experience reminds Silas of when he was falsely accused in the past. The loss of his gold has left him a broken man, as it was his sole interest in life.

Despite his past losses, Silas remains a truly loyal man in pursuit of his wealth. His lack of socializing within society has caused him to become disconnected, but he is subsequently rejuvenated and begins to foster a sense of community. This is closely related to the themes of individuals and outsiders, as exemplified by the quote, "No man is an island."

Despite expecting to feel the familiar resistance of a hard coin, Silas instead had his fingers met with soft and warm curls. The arrival of the child left him feeling mystified and almost as though it was a supernatural event. However, through the child, Silas experienced a second transformation in his life.

Silas' goodness and other positive traits have been dormant until they are brought back to life through his relationship with Eppie. Through his bond with Eppie, Silas is able to develop a strong friendship with Dolly Winthrop, who helps him find peace in her strong Christian faith. This newfound sense

of peace helps Silas overcome false accusations from his past and renew his faith in God. In addition to these personal benefits, Silas saves the community from having to pay Eppie's cost through the poor rate, a fact that the villagers appreciate.

Silas, who lived a lonely and miserly life working tirelessly like a spider without love and fellowship, experienced a change in personality when Eppie came into his life. With Eppie's arrival, Silas was able to carry a much heavier load, yarn or linen, and could enjoy the beauty of nature and the countryside during his strolls. As a result, he became an admired and respected member of the village community. Despite his past, Silas decided to revisit Lantern Yard with Eppie in an attempt to set the record straight.

The chapel and its parishioners have vanished, replaced by a sprawling factory. In moving with the passage of time, Silas has also moved on. Elliot leverages dramatic irony to reveal upcoming events to readers before characters. This technique introduces Godfrey's child (who Nancy is unaware of), namely Eppie. Moreover, it is worth noting that Eppie becomes a part of Silas's life on New Year's Eve, signifying a new beginning.