SILAS MARNER

SILAS MARNER

CHAPTER 1
1. Introduction and Lantern Yard events
2. William Dane - money and Sarah
3. The rest of the chapter is devoted to establishing our sense of the rural community
4. He suffers from occasional fits and Jem Rodney saw him in one, he lives in an isolated cottage. He is a weaver and such technical skill is viewed with suspicion by the country people, he has "large brown protuberant eyes". Marner does not readily trust other people.
CHAPTER 2
1. Silas' early life in Raveloe
2. Highlights changes in Marner - "loveless chasms of his life" - change from Sarah. "hidden from the heavens" - change from church life.
3. Tells of Marner's knowledge of herbs and medicine - "the occult character"
CHAPTER 3
1. Introduction to the Cass family
2. Godfrey gives Dunstan his horse to sell.
3. Dunstan - manipulative, blackmails his brother "I might tell the Squire how his handsome son was married to that nice young woman Molly Farren"
4. Godfrey - "a fine open-faced, good-natured young man", introduces that there may be something wrong, "Godfrey didnt look half so fresh-coloured and open as he'd used to.
CHAPTER 4
1. Dunstan steals Marner's money after the horse is killed.
  1. "the idea of Marner's money kept growing in vividness, he wanted it to become more immediate"
    1. Tries to convince himself Marner might be dead. He steals money and "felt an undefinable dread laying hold of him
2. Leaves chapter with a cliffhanger, "he stepped forward into the darkness"
CHAPTER 5
1. Marner discovers his money is missing with a "wild ringing scream, the cry of desolation"
  1. Marner tries to believe "a thief may be caught and made to restore the gold
  2. Marner's first interaction with the community, goes to the Rainbow for help
CHAPTER 6
1. Conversation in the Rainbow
  1. Introduction of rustic characters, Mr Winthrop, Mr Macey etc,
CHAPTER 7
1. Investigation into the theft
  1. Silas is met with "madman" and "strong curiosity" as he "opens his troubles to the community
    1. They agree to help and go with Silas to search for the money
CHAPTER 8
1. Godfrey worries about losing Nancy, thinking of her "looks and behaviour" and decides to tell his father about the rent money.
  1. Godfrey "irritated at himself that he had trusted his horse to Dunstan" tells his father Dunstan will "never be hurt, he was made to hurt other people"
CHAPTER 9
1. Godfrey tells his father about the rent money
  1. Godfrey blames himself, his father "attacks Godfrey". The Squire believes he may have been bribing Dunstan, Godfrey denies this "very hot and uncomfortable", he does not tell him about Molly.
CHAPTER 10
1. The villagers support Silas; Christmas party at the Squire’s house without Dunstan, who has disappeared
  1. Introduction of Molly and Aaron who visit Silas, beginning of Silas' connection with the community.
  2. Godfrey (literally) argues with "Anxiety" over what to do about Nancy.
CHAPTER 11
1. New Year's Eve party, introduction to Nancy
2. Nancy is described as an attractive girl and she has a warm personality but she holds strong moral views. She has said she will not marry Godfrey unless he changes his behaviour.
3. Contrast with her blunt and plain sister, Priscilla, who is willing to indulge Nancy’s wish to wear matching clothes in order to show they’re sisters
  1. Interaction between Godfrey and Nancy; "I should be glad to see a good change in anybody, Mr Godfrey," she answered, with the slightest discernible difference of tone, "but it 'ud be better if no change was wanted."
CHAPTER 12
1. Molly dies and Eppie goes to Silas' house.
2. After Molly dies of a drugged state in the snow, Eppie wakes up and wanders off to Silas’s cottage, where she falls asleep in front of the fire and is found there by Silas Marner. Following her footprints in the snow, he finds her mother’s body.
  1. Silas sees Eppie as his gold returned to him. Shows Silas' paternal, loving side, almost rebelieves in "some Power" presiding over his life.
CHAPTER 13
1. Silas interrupts the party with news of Molly asking for the Doctor, he brings Eppie.
  1. Godfrey realises his secret is safe, he is free to be with Nancy, as Silas wants to keep Eppie - "I cant part with it, I cant let it go, its come to me - I've a right to keep it". Godfrey offers money for Eppie.
CHAPTER 14
1. Silas learns to look after Eppie with some help from Dolly, and learns to live again.
  1. Silas’s love for Eppie and her bright and happy spirit means that they support each other. His devotion to her is sketched in by the description of how he cannot punish her for anything. He steeled himself to lock her in the coal hole but she saw this as a great joke and went in for fun. "Eppie in de toal-hole!"
CHAPTER 15
1. Godfrey looks forward to marrying Nancy. He will only help Eppie from a distance
  1. Godfrey’s help only takes the form of an occasional cash hand-out – as might be normal for someone in his position helping someone who has adopted a waif and stray. His thoughts are all on his future life with Nancy and he wants nothing to stand in its way.
CHAPTER 16
1. Sixteen years later – Nancy and Godfrey are childless; Eppie plans to marry Aaron Winthrop and to continue living with Silas
  1. Silas reveals to Eppie and Dolly the stories of his past - shows the trust he has in them.
    1. The change Eppie has made in Silas is clear, believes in God again, kind, loving.
CHAPTER 17
1. Gives a fuller picture of Godfrey and Nancy's life
  1. Nancys blames herself for Godfrey not being "contented", as she cannot have children. Godfrey has tried unsuccessfully to persuade Nancy to adopt Eppie – without telling her she was his daughter. "When you saw a thing was not meant to be", said Nancy, "it was a bounden duty to leave off so much as wishing for it." The absence of a child has caused strain in the relationship, but has not changed Nancy’s mind.
CHAPTER 18
1. The stone pits have been drained and Dunstan’s body is found, and with it, Silas Marner’s money
  1. This triggers a confession from Godfrey and he tells Nancy about his daughter. They go to see Silas and Eppie and Godfrey reveals himself as her father and offers her a home.
CHAPTER 19
1. Nancy and Godfrey offer to adopt Eppie, Silas argues, but soon retreats and tells Eppie to "speak. I won't stand in your way"
  1. Eppie politely refuses, saying she "would have no delight in life any more if shoe was forced to go away from her father (Silas)"
    1. Godfrey refuses to accept this, telling Eppie there's a "duty you owe to your lawful father", but Eppie still refuses, saying "I can't think I've got any father but one." They leave, saying "we shall come and see you again".
CHAPTER 20
1. Acceptance by Nancy and Godfrey
  1. Nancy remains kind and sensitive to her suffering husband. Godfrey sees the error of his married ways, appealing to Nancy. She replies that her "only trouble would be gone if you resigned yourself to the lot that has been given us."
CHAPTER 21
1. Contented acceptance by Marner that Raveloe is his life and home, after he and Eppie visit the much changed area that was Lantern Yard
  1. CONCLUSION
    1. Eppie and Aaron's wedding, Nancy has helped her get ready whilst Godfrey "had to go away". Eppie finishes by saying "I think nobody could be happier than we are."

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