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Silas Marner | Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights

Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights

Technique:

Eliot uses various rhetorical techniques throughout Silas Marner, which allow her characters to be better understood, in addition to giving readers a clear illustration of her themes and ideas.

Irony: Pay close attention to the irony used in specific situations, especially concerning the Cass family and Silas himself.

Metaphor: Metaphors are used throughout, but are more prominent in the beginning. Be aware of Eliot's description of Silas. What is he compared to? How is the comparison relevant as the story progresses?

Speech: Eliot develops her characters in numerous ways. Among other obvious distinctions, the characters' manner of speaking or dialect makes each one unique, while also adding to the tone of the scene or supplying an additional element to an underlying motif or theme. Pay close attention to different characters and how they speak. How does Squire Cass' speech sound? What is different or uncharacteristic about Pricilla's manner of speaking? Why does she speak in this way?

Themes

Industrialization's negative impact: In Lantern Yard, Silas' hometown, a factory is built that is dirty, gloomy, and full of infection and disease. This rise in industrialization completely demolishes all the town's tradition, in addition to erasing the memory of how life used to be. The industrialization of Lantern Yard and ultimately, its disappearance, is also symbolic of Silas' personal triumphs: he has moved out of the past and eventually finds happiness despite the sadness he once experienced in Lantern Yard.

True happiness is found within personal relationships: Once exiled from his hometown, Silas moves to Raveloe, where he isolates himself completely. Through many different experiences, however, he is able to become a successful and contributive member of society. Throughout the novel, this theme is supporting the concept that the love of material goods is insignificant compared to the love of another person. This theme allows Eliot to illustrate the importance of interpersonal relationships and community.

Motifs:

Religion: The people and society of Lantern Yard are very religious, yet they prove to be hypocritical, judgmental, and completely unfair when determining Silas' guilt or innocence. The town finds Silas guilty and, without further thought, sends him into exile. In the village of Raveloe, Silas isolates himself from society and God— he has been deeply hurt by both. From this point on, Silas' journey from an atheistic recluse to a friendly man of religion, proves to be difficult, yet successful.

From a spiritual aspect, Silas, whose soul was lost and figuratively exiled, just as he was literally exiled from Lantern Yard, is eventually rejuvenated by Eppie, who will show Silas the beauty of the world and in human relationships.

Note how Silas is redeemed by love and again becomes a deeply religious man.

Class Distinction: The portrayal of the Cass family suggests that Eliot views the upper class as a damaged element of society. Through their wealth, the family shows greed and a desire for power that they believe only money can provide. Silas, however, a representation of the lower class, is portrayed as a victim, and his experiences allow the readers to feel sympathy for him.

Symbols:

Lantern Yard: Silas' hometown is a symbol of his past and the way his life used to be. Lantern Yard was a very close-knit community with strong religious values, one that by its name would be expected to be a shining light in the darkness. However, since the townspeople are so quick to judge and condemn Silas, the name is certainly intended to be taken ironically

Gold: The gold that Silas acquires through his weaving originally stood for his miserliness and greed. After he begins to feel love for Eppie, her golden hair comes to represent companionship and a recognition of something more valuable than money and gold.

Silas' “fits”: By the end of the novel, Silas' once-frequent “fits” have lessened; however, he still experiences them from time to time. The infrequent “fits” suggest that even though Silas can now successfully live a happy life, he has been permanently damaged by the experiences of his past.