Madeleine Treneer
English essay: What is the role of religion in Silas Marner?
Throughout George Eliot's novel Silas Marner, religion plays a fundamental role in Eliot's portrayal of the relationship between community and the individual, specifically in its protagonist's journey from despair to renewal. As the novel progresses, the author presents us with roughly three representations of spirituality. The worst state of affairs is represented in the Calvinistic evangelism of Lantern Yard, whose intolerance and strict rule abiding allows no scope of independent human action or moral compassion. The intolerance of that place is the direct cause of Silas' loss of faith in humanity and God, the second stage in his spiritual journey, which engenders only isolation and a loss of moral consciousness. Finally, when Eppie comes into his life, Silas' faith is restored and he is accepted into the community of Raveloe, a less dogmatic place kept together by a sense of community and kindness, as exemplified by the spirit at "the Rainbow". On the whole, Eliot seems to favor a Christianity where kindness and community are central values, and the novel employs religion to cast a light on the degree of people's moral understanding.
Eliot often seems to condemn narrow-minded belief systems in Silas …show more content…
On the destructive end is Lantern Yard, a closed-minded and intolerant society as shown by the effect they had on Silas' psyche. This causes Marner's loss of faith and alienation, which is cured by Eppie's arrival. Finally, she emphasizes the positive effect of the religion in Raveloe on her characters. Overall, Eliot explores the human condition through religion. In its most worthwhile and lasting form, she seems to indicate, it encompasses people's capacity for compassion and
English essay: What is the role of religion in Silas Marner?
Throughout George Eliot's novel Silas Marner, religion plays a fundamental role in Eliot's portrayal of the relationship between community and the individual, specifically in its protagonist's journey from despair to renewal. As the novel progresses, the author presents us with roughly three representations of spirituality. The worst state of affairs is represented in the Calvinistic evangelism of Lantern Yard, whose intolerance and strict rule abiding allows no scope of independent human action or moral compassion. The intolerance of that place is the direct cause of Silas' loss of faith in humanity and God, the second stage in his spiritual journey, which engenders only isolation and a loss of moral consciousness. Finally, when Eppie comes into his life, Silas' faith is restored and he is accepted into the community of Raveloe, a less dogmatic place kept together by a sense of community and kindness, as exemplified by the spirit at "the Rainbow". On the whole, Eliot seems to favor a Christianity where kindness and community are central values, and the novel employs religion to cast a light on the degree of people's moral understanding.
Eliot often seems to condemn narrow-minded belief systems in Silas …show more content…
On the destructive end is Lantern Yard, a closed-minded and intolerant society as shown by the effect they had on Silas' psyche. This causes Marner's loss of faith and alienation, which is cured by Eppie's arrival. Finally, she emphasizes the positive effect of the religion in Raveloe on her characters. Overall, Eliot explores the human condition through religion. In its most worthwhile and lasting form, she seems to indicate, it encompasses people's capacity for compassion and