Goodness and Happiness in Silas Marner

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In Silas Marner, George Eliot addresses the timeless matter of the correlation between a person’s wealth and his or her overall happiness. In the novel, the working class of Raveloe is presented in a positive light in comparison to the fairly negative representation of the squirearchy. Because of Eliot’s portrayal of the characters in the two classes, it is evident that all people have the potential to live a good and happy life - regardless of their social status.
Eliot suggests how members of the upperclass do not have an advantage in achieving a good and happy life, although they may be regarded as the highest level of society. Brought up in the most prestigious family of Raveloe, the Cass brothers develop into corrupt and evil men whose actions lead them toward lives of misery. The lower class of Raveloe seems to view the squirearchy as their “betters,” but the unethical Cass brothers never stand a chance of living an honorable life due to their upbringing. The Squire’s position in society may give him the ability to provide bountifully for his family, but he fails in the area of raising his sons. Even Godfrey acknowledges his father’s faults and realizes the negative impact of the Squire’s half-hearted parenting. Interestingly, Godfrey “had always had a sense that his father’s indulgence had not been kindness, and had had a vague longing for some discipline that would have checked his own errant weakness and helped his better will” (Chapter 9). Godfrey’s younger brother Dunsey also had the ability to lead a decent life, but the Squire’s lack of kindness and discipline seems to have stirred bitterness and resentment in the way Dunsey acts towards his family. In his first appearance of the novel, Dunsey begins blackmailing h...

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... splendor with Godfrey because her modest upbringing among the working class taught her the true value of happiness. Her happiness radiates from within as she ends the novel saying, “o father, what a pretty home ours is! I think nobody could be happier than we are” (Conclusion). The movement of happiness throughout Silas Marner, originating with the working class of Raveloe and then being passed on to Silas and Eppie, shows the depth of joy and contentment within the lower class.
With the contrast of the working class and the squirearchy in Silas Marner, George Eliot suggests that social class does not define a person’s goodness and happiness. Those in the working class in Silas Marner who act ethically and take responsibility are rewarded with a happy life opposed to those in the upper class who face the consequences of relying on their social status and wealth.

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