Sunday, January 27, 2013

In Silas Marner by George Eliot, what does Silas come to love in Raveloe apart from his work?

Arguably, Silas loved many things throughout his years in Raveloe. It really depends on what he was focusing on at the moment. However, it is arguable that Eppie is the source of love in Silas's life.
At first, Silas's love was the pleasure of being alone with the loom, working very hard, trying to focus on ending the grief in his life. Then, it was the money and gold that he acquired from all this extra work. He became quite fixated with it, and even vowed his dedication to it. It was because of his unhealthy love for his gold that, when it was stolen, Silas lost his mind and ended up at the Rainbow Inn, suffering a total nervous breakdown.
This is the time when Eppie shows up in his life, and warms his heart forever. Along with it, the people from Raveloe gave Silas all the care and support that, eventually, changed him for good. Still, the love Silas developed for his adoptive daughter definitely would rival any love he ever felt before or after, as his words to Godfrey clearly state when the latter tries to claim his biological daughter back:

"Then, sir, why didn't you say so sixteen years ago, and claim her before I'd come to love her, i'stead o' coming to take her from me now, when you might as well take the heart out o' my body? God gave her to me because you turned your back upon her, and He looks upon her as mine: you've no right to her!

Therefore, Eppie is the greatest love that Silas would ever have in life.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Why is the fact that the Americans are helping the Russians important?

In the late author Tom Clancy’s first novel, The Hunt for Red October, the assistance rendered to the Russians by the United States is impor...