Guide to Critical Essays on Silas Marner
GUIDE TO CRITICAL ESSAYS ON SILAS MARNER: 1. 1. SILAS MARNER: A STUDY IN TRANSITION by Shirley Galloway
Writer’s thesis: * The story is not a fantasy but a serious work * Main issues are class ( Eliot refutes the common belief that the upper classes are superior) industrialization ( she argues that industrialization dehumanizes and alienates workers) and religion ( she suggests a ‘religion of humanity’ as substitute for failure of organized religion). * The issues are realistically treated, in the context of the author’s time, and through a series of contradictory parallels.
Para 2: Explains that novel is set during time of transition and summarises story.
Para 3: finishes summary.
Para 4: dual story line mirrors class divisions, and values of each.
Para 5 & 6: Gentry shown in unfavorable light, peasantry shown sympathetically. Result, author refutes idea that noble blood meant noble character.
Para 7: second parallel between urban centre and rural community. Comparison highlights dehumanization of industrialization.
Para 8: opposition between narrow religious sect and non-dogmatic community. This demonstrates ineffectuality of organized religion in contrast to simple human sympathy.
Para 9: novel focuses on time of transition to convey to eliot’s readers what has been lost.
Para 10: conclusion. Novel historically accurate, therefore realistic. Methods of dual story line and juxtaposed settings effective. Change described by Eliot has continued into our century. 1. 2. REVERSING THE ORACLES OF RELIGION by David Carroll * Story of Silas’ s life in Lantern Yard Eliot’s attack upon kind of religion she disapproved of. Catalepsy symbolizes man’s vulnerability, need for human help. This fact escapes sect, as it is too anxious to search for divine intention., interpret everything in supernatural terms. Contradicts reason and morality. * Bad effect on Silas - gives up knowledge of herbs, denies human wisdom and
Writer’s thesis: * The story is not a fantasy but a serious work * Main issues are class ( Eliot refutes the common belief that the upper classes are superior) industrialization ( she argues that industrialization dehumanizes and alienates workers) and religion ( she suggests a ‘religion of humanity’ as substitute for failure of organized religion). * The issues are realistically treated, in the context of the author’s time, and through a series of contradictory parallels.
Para 2: Explains that novel is set during time of transition and summarises story.
Para 3: finishes summary.
Para 4: dual story line mirrors class divisions, and values of each.
Para 5 & 6: Gentry shown in unfavorable light, peasantry shown sympathetically. Result, author refutes idea that noble blood meant noble character.
Para 7: second parallel between urban centre and rural community. Comparison highlights dehumanization of industrialization.
Para 8: opposition between narrow religious sect and non-dogmatic community. This demonstrates ineffectuality of organized religion in contrast to simple human sympathy.
Para 9: novel focuses on time of transition to convey to eliot’s readers what has been lost.
Para 10: conclusion. Novel historically accurate, therefore realistic. Methods of dual story line and juxtaposed settings effective. Change described by Eliot has continued into our century. 1. 2. REVERSING THE ORACLES OF RELIGION by David Carroll * Story of Silas’ s life in Lantern Yard Eliot’s attack upon kind of religion she disapproved of. Catalepsy symbolizes man’s vulnerability, need for human help. This fact escapes sect, as it is too anxious to search for divine intention., interpret everything in supernatural terms. Contradicts reason and morality. * Bad effect on Silas - gives up knowledge of herbs, denies human wisdom and