Silas Marner: character analysis and social isolation

George Elliot's "Silas Marner" is considered one of the master's greatest works. It is a commentary upon 19th century England at the peak of its economic power and industrialization. The problems presented within this book are a struggle over individual identity within the group conscious and how individuals come to be defined by society. Social class is one of the central issues within the book as Marner and the Casses attempt to resolve the conflicts between their individual worth and social class. A close examination of Silas Marner reveals Elliot's message that; an individual's actions and character rather than their social class reflects individual worth.

This theme is repeatedly played out within Elliot's novel. Raveloe, like most 19th century English towns is organized by a strict social order, where worth and social relevance are completely determined by established social standards. The irony of the novel occurs in that the Casses dominate the top of the social order because they are landowners within the town, and Marner is considered on the lowest end of the social order because he is an outsider. This dynamic reveals why Marner is so unhappy and why neighbors consistently rejected his overtures for friendship. Elliot cleverly shows that despite the high social status enjoyed by the Casses their actions reveal them to be completely immoral and devoid of quality character. This can be reflected in both the characters of Godfrey and Dunsey. Dunsey, who repeated forces Godfrey to act upon his suggestions such as marrying Molly Farren, reveals himself to be a character of ill repute. His actions show that not only does he lack moral character but that he has no consideration for other's feelings. Godfrey similarly reveals his faults because of his lie about his secret message and his unwillingness to claim Eppie despite the fact that she was his legitimate daughter. Marner on the other hand, reveals that despite his social position, he is in fact a very noble individual; he chose to adopt and raise Eppie and to treat her with both love and care. His actions reveal him to be a moral and upright individual despite his social status.

Elliot goes on to show that social order not only dictates the actions of individuals but it dictates morality and integrity between cross-class interactions. Individuals who of higher social classes feel that they have a right to abuse and treat others of lower social class with disdain. This is the reason that Dunsey was so callous in taking Marner's money, because he felt that Marner was a simple source of easy money without any additional value to society. Similarly, Godfrey and Nancy revealed this dynamic when they thought that as higher-class landowners they had a greater claim on Eppie than Marner, despite the fact that he raised her himself. Elliot plays upon this dynamic to reveal the implicit prejudices of social order, but at the same time, the consequences of these two above interactions which resulted in the death of Dunsey and the rejection of Godfrey implies that character rather than social class is the most important element of growth between individuals rather than social class. The defined pecking order within Raveloe had no impact on Eppie's decision to stay with Marner simply because he was the better person.