Historical Context (Silas Marner)

This section explains the historical context of Silas Marner by George Eliot. Silas Marner is set in the early 19th century, a time of significant social, economic, and religious change in England. Understanding the historical context is crucial to appreciating the themes and characters in the novel, as George Eliot carefully reflects the societal shifts of the time through her portrayal of rural life and the personal experiences of her characters.

Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution, which took place from the late 18th to the early 19th century, significantly influenced the social and economic landscape of England. It led to the growth of factories, mass production, and urbanisation, changing the traditional rural way of life.

Rural Life vs. Industrialisation: Raveloe, the village where most of the novel takes place, is portrayed as a traditional, pastoral community untouched by the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution. This contrasts with the town of Lantern Yard, where Silas originally lived, which reflects a more industrial and rigidly religious society.

Weaving and Industry: Silas Marner is a hand-loom weaver, a profession that was becoming increasingly obsolete due to the rise of mechanised weaving in factories. His occupation reflects the tension between old, manual methods of production and the new industrial order. Silas’ isolation in Raveloe may symbolise the broader decline of artisan trades as industrialisation took hold.

Social Change: The Industrial Revolution also led to shifts in the class structure. Traditional rural communities like Raveloe were still dominated by landowners like Squire Cass, but this was beginning to change as industrial wealth began to challenge the old class hierarchies. Eliot contrasts the static nature of Raveloe with the more dynamic, changing world outside the village, showing the impact of industrialisation on the social order.

Religion and Faith

Religion played a central role in 19th-century British society, but there was a growing tension between traditional religious beliefs and emerging ideas of science and secularism. This theme is evident in the novel through the different religious communities and attitudes portrayed.

Lantern Yard: Silas Marner’s experience in Lantern Yard reflects the strict, puritanical nature of certain religious sects in the early 19th century. The community is deeply religious, but also rigid, dogmatic, and superstitious. When Silas is falsely accused of theft, the community relies on a "drawing of lots" to determine his guilt, a process that reflects the irrationality of some religious practices.

Raveloe’s Religious Views: In contrast, the villagers of Raveloe practise a more relaxed form of religion. Their faith is intertwined with the rhythms of rural life and community traditions. For example, Dolly Winthrop embodies a simple, practical Christianity based on kindness and helping others, rather than rigid doctrine. This contrast highlights the shift in religious attitudes during the 19th century, as formal, institutionalised religion began to be questioned, and more personal, individualised forms of faith gained prominence.

Loss and Reclaiming of Faith: Silas’ journey from losing faith after his betrayal in Lantern Yard to regaining it through his love for Eppie reflects broader concerns in Victorian society about the decline of traditional religion and the search for alternative sources of meaning and morality.

Class and Social Hierarchy

Class divisions were a defining feature of 19th-century England, and Silas Marner reflects these distinctions, particularly in its portrayal of the Cass family and their relationship with the working-class characters like Silas.

The Gentry and the Rural Poor: Squire Cass and his sons represent the rural gentry, who held power and influence in villages like Raveloe. However, their moral failings and financial irresponsibility, especially those of Dunstan and Godfrey Cass, suggest that the traditional upper classes were not always worthy of their status. Eliot critiques the moral decay of the rural elite, contrasting them with characters like Silas and Dolly, who are hardworking and honest despite their lower social standing.

Godfrey’s Class Struggle: Godfrey Cass’ dilemma reflects the pressures of class expectations. His secret marriage to Molly Farren, a woman of lower status, and his eventual desire to claim Eppie, highlight the tensions between personal desires and social norms. Eliot uses Godfrey’s character to explore the limitations and hypocrisies of the class system.

Social Mobility: Eliot subtly hints at the possibility of social mobility through the characters' actions and relationships. While Silas remains a weaver, he gains social respect and emotional fulfilment by becoming part of the community and raising Eppie, showing that happiness and moral worth are not tied to class.

Victorian Morality and Family

The 19th century, particularly the Victorian period (1837–1901), was characterised by a strong emphasis on morality, family values, and the importance of duty. Eliot reflects these ideals in her portrayal of the family relationships and moral decisions made by the characters.

Family and Parenthood: The novel places great importance on the concept of family. Silas’ transformation is largely due to his role as a father to Eppie, highlighting the moral significance of parenthood. Godfrey’s failure to acknowledge Eppie as his daughter, and his later regret, underscores the Victorian belief in the responsibilities of family and the consequences of neglecting them.

Moral Choices: Victorian society placed great emphasis on personal responsibility and moral choices, and Eliot explores this through characters like Godfrey Cass, who must face the consequences of his actions. The novel demonstrates how moral failings, such as Godfrey’s dishonesty and weakness, lead to long-term unhappiness, while Silas’ honesty and eventual openness to love bring him redemption.

Gender Roles: The novel also reflects Victorian views on gender roles, particularly through the character of Nancy Lammeter, who embodies the ideal Victorian woman; virtuous, modest, and dedicated to her husband. However, Eliot also critiques the limitations placed on women through Nancy’s rigid moral beliefs, which prevent her from adopting Eppie and finding true fulfilment.

Superstition and Folklore

In rural communities like Raveloe, superstition and folklore played an important role in everyday life, often blending with religious beliefs. Eliot uses these elements to explore the gap between urban and rural ways of thinking in the 19th century.

Rural Superstition: The people of Raveloe initially view Silas with suspicion, partly due to his occupation as a weaver and his strange, solitary lifestyle. Weaving was often associated with mysterious, almost magical abilities, and Silas’ cataleptic fits (a medical condition) further add to the villagers’ belief that he possesses unnatural powers.

Contrast with Urban Rationalism: The rural superstitions of Raveloe contrast with the more rational, industrialised society of Lantern Yard. This highlights the divide between the traditional, rural way of life and the growing influence of urbanisation and modernity during the 19th century.

Folklore and Transformation: Throughout the novel, Eliot uses superstition and folklore to reflect deeper truths about human nature. The villagers’ superstitions about Silas gradually give way to acceptance and understanding, symbolising the broader theme of human connection and transformation.

George Eliot’s Own Life and Views

George Eliot (the pen name of Mary Ann Evans) was a deeply intellectual writer with progressive views on religion, society, and morality. Her own experiences and beliefs heavily influenced the themes and characters in Silas Marner.

Views on Religion: Eliot was known for her critical views on organised religion. Raised in a Christian household, she later rejected traditional Christian doctrines, favouring a more humanistic and moral approach to life. This is reflected in Silas Marner, where Silas’ loss of faith in formal religion is contrasted with his eventual redemption through human love and community, rather than religious belief.

Sympathy for the Working Class: Eliot’s sympathy for the working classes is evident in her portrayal of Silas Marner and other lower-class characters like Dolly Winthrop. She challenges the traditional class system by showing that moral worth and happiness are not tied to wealth or status, but to kindness, love, and personal integrity.

Interest in Rural Life: Eliot was interested in rural life and often used her novels to explore the contrasts between rural communities and the growing urban centres of industrial England. Raveloe represents an idealised, close-knit rural community, but Eliot also acknowledges its limitations, such as superstition and resistance to outsiders.

The historical context of Silas Marner; including the Industrial Revolution, religious change, class divisions, and Victorian morality, provides a rich backdrop to the novel’s themes and characters. George Eliot uses the setting of rural Raveloe to explore the tensions between tradition and modernity, isolation and community, and personal responsibility and social expectation. Understanding this context helps readers appreciate the novel’s critique of society and its emphasis on the redemptive power of love, family, and community.