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Silas Marner: themes and context
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Eliot wrote in 1861 about rural England earlier in the century, at a time when industry was changing traditional ways of life.
Context
George Eliot was the pen name of Mary Ann Evans. She lost her own strict religious faith as a young woman.
The story is set in the early nineteenth century, when hand-loom weavers like Silas were being replaced by factories.
Rural villages such as Raveloe were close-knit, but suspicious of strangers. The squire (Squire Cass) was the leading figure.
The story is set in the early nineteenth century, when hand-loom weavers like Silas were being replaced by factories.
Rural villages such as Raveloe were close-knit, but suspicious of strangers. The squire (Squire Cass) was the leading figure.
Key themes
Love and redemption: Eppie restores Silas's life.
Wealth: gold isolates Silas; love connects him.
Religion and community: Lantern Yard's harsh faith against Raveloe's kindly church and neighbourliness.
Parenthood: what makes a real parent.
Morality: wrongdoing (Dunstan, Godfrey) is eventually punished; honesty (Silas, Nancy) is rewarded.
Wealth: gold isolates Silas; love connects him.
Religion and community: Lantern Yard's harsh faith against Raveloe's kindly church and neighbourliness.
Parenthood: what makes a real parent.
Morality: wrongdoing (Dunstan, Godfrey) is eventually punished; honesty (Silas, Nancy) is rewarded.
The ending
Silas returns to Lantern Yard, but it has gone: a factory stands there. The past cannot be recovered, but Silas has found a new home in Raveloe.
What does the disappearance of Lantern Yard suggest?
- The chapel has been replaced by a factory.
- Industrial change has swept away the old community.
- Silas's true home is now in Raveloe with Eppie.
Answer: Industry has changed the world, and Silas's future lies in Raveloe, not his past.
Eliot (Mary Ann Evans), 1861, set early 1800s; weavers and industry; rural community. Themes: love and redemption, wealth, religion and community, parenthood, morality.
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