SILAS MARNER - CHAPTER SUMMARY

George Eliot sets the scene. Silas Marner was a good, honest man who was involved in a religious community in Lantern Yard. Silas suffers from cataleptic fits and was accused of stealing money he was set up by William Dane. There is no justice and Silas leaves. He feels betrayed by his friend.

Silas now lives in Raveloe and is a stranger and outsider to the villagers. He is a weaver and begins to hoard all the money that he earns. Silas has nobody to love and devotes all his time to working and collecting his gold.

We are introduced to the second plot which revolves around Godfrey Cass. The Cass family are rich and powerful. Dunstan, the evil son of the Squire, is blackmailing Godfrey who secretly married Molly Farren. She turned into a drunken, drug taking wife. If this secret comes out then Godfrey will lose his inheritance. Nancy Lammeter is Godfrey’s new interest, he can not court her while he already has a wife.

The story of Silas merges with the plot of Godfrey Cass. Godfrey has agreed to sell his horse, Wildfire, to raise the blackmail money. Dunstan arranges a sale yet foolishly kills the horse. As he is returning to Raveloe without the horse or money he passes Marner’s cottage. Dunstan enters to see the cottage is empty, he finds the bags of gold and goes back into the dark, misty night.

Silas returns to his cottage and before his dinner he decides to get out the gold. To his horror he finds that it is missing. His purpose in life has been destroyed. Silas decides it is a thief and suspects Jem Rodney. Off he goes to The Rainbow to tell of the robbery and trust that the Squire and others will help him to recover his money.

The scene is The Rainbow tavern where the villagers are assembled for a drink and discussion. They argue about events in the village and we learn about Raveloe life. This chapter of communal spirit is a contrast to poor Silas in the previous chapter.

The villagers are surprised by the appearance of Silas who enters the pub stating his loss. Jem Rodney denies the charge and Silas apologises as he knows about being wrongly accused. The men are helpful and suggest that there must be some clues to track down the thief. Mr Dowlas and Mr Snell go out into the dark to help Silas.

Godfrey Cass is still waiting for news from Dunstan who has not returned since selling the horse. Silas has not heard anything about his money and suspicion falls on a peddler. Godfrey thinks he should tell the Squire about Molly instead he puts his trust in chance and hopes something will turn up.

Godfrey tells his father about selling Wildfire but does not come clean about his secret marriage. The Squire thinks that his son should be planning a future with Nancy Lammeter and if Godfrey does not do something soon then he will sort it out.

Silas is filled with grief and pain as he is still without his money. The attitude of the villagers are changing as they try to comfort him by visiting his cottage and bringing gifts. Visits from Mr Macey, Dolly Winthrop and Aaron show the concern. Silas is asked to attend church. We see Silas slowly becoming a part of the community.

It is New Year’s Eve and a party at the Red House is organised. Everyone comments on the beauty of Nancy. The Squire is hoping Godfrey will show her affection, he wants to but he is already married.

While Godfrey is enjoying himself at the party, Molly is on her way to the Red House to disclose the secret marriage as she has been neglected; she is carrying a child. Molly takes some of her drug and falls in the snow, the child toddles towards Silas’s cottage, he is having a cataleptic fit and fails to notice the child enter the doorway. When he wakes he sees a mass of gold by the hearth, it is not his money but the golden hair of the child. He takes care of her and there is an immediate bond.

Godfrey sees Silas enter the party with his own child and hears that a woman is dead in the snow. Dr Kimble, Dolly and Godfrey go to the cottage. Godfrey has to make sure that the dead woman is Molly. Silas refuses to give up the child and decides to keep her. On returning to the party, Godfrey thinks that all his problems are solved and he can now pay attention to Nancy.

The villagers see Silas as a good man who is trying to bring up a child single-handed, they offer advice. Silas has her christened Hephzibah, Eppie for short, after his mother. This chapter outlines Eppie being naughty and Silas can not bring himself to punish her. The presence of a child is transforming Silas.

Godfrey takes a keen but secret interest in Eppie. He has given small gifts without arousing suspicion. Nancy has agreed to marry Godfrey.

It is 16 years later and Eppie has grown into a beautiful girl and Aaron Winthrop has shown a keen interest. There are signs of change in the cottage and it is now a homely place. Eppie and Aaron hope to be married and to stay at the cottage.

Godfrey is taking up dairy farming and Stone Pits is being drained. Godfrey and Nancy have been married for 15 years, they have no children, Nancy had one baby which she lost at birth. Godfrey has suggested adoption, the child in mind is Eppie, he dares not tell her that she is his child. There is a disturbance in the village.

Dunstan’s body has been found in the drained pits and Silas’s money has been found with it. Godfrey confesses to Nancy that Eppie’s mother was his wife and Eppie is his child. It is time Godfrey acknowledged Eppie as his daughter, he must do his duty.

Silas has his gold back and explains how his life centred around it, Godfrey and Nancy enter. Godfrey feels he should make up for his brother’s crime. Godfrey thinks he should take Eppie off him to remove the burden. When Eppie refuses Godfrey confesses that he is her father and has a claim on her. Silas is ready to fight for what he loves. The argument shows Godfrey to be selfish and unfeeling to the lower classes. Eppie is adamant to stay with Silas, the only father she has known.

Godfrey decides not to reveal that he is the real father, instead he will do all he can to help her have a happy life. He has been punished for not doing his duty by ending up being childless.

Silas and Eppie set off to Lantern Yard to see the old home, it no longer exists and Raveloe is the only home for Silas.

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