SILAS MARNER

1. Describe Silas Marner.

Silas Marner was a weaver. He was a thin, pale man, and was 40 years old but looked much
older. Also he had very prominent eyes.

2. Why did the villagers think that Silas was straneg? Give three reasons for this.
Because he didn’t speak to people, he never joined the other man of the village in the pub,
he didn’t go to the village church and also he had suffered cataleptic fits.

3. How were William and Sarah important to Silas?

William was his best friend and Sarah was the one he was going to marry. Besides, all three
were very close.

4. Silas doesn’t believe that William has acted like a close friend. Give four reasons.
Silas didn’t think William was a good friend because when he had a fit, he said it could be
the work of evil. William stole the church money and made him believe it was Silas and he
got Silas kicked out of town. Finally he married Sarah.

5. Compare the two brothers, Godfrey and Dunstain. Compare how they looked and their
characters.
Godfrey was a blond, good-looking man and was 26 years old. He also was a good man and
pleasant to everybody. And Dunstain was the younger brother, but he was a big heavy man
with dark hair and was not as good-looking as his brother. Also he drank a lot and wasn’t
honest.

6. What suggestion did Dunstan make to Godfrey to get money? Why did he make his
suggestion?
Dustain’s suggestion was that he sell his horse and he followed his suggestion because if not
Dunstain tell his father his secret.

7. What had Godfrey done a few years before, and what was the result of this?
Godfrey married a poor woman and had a son years ago, and now the woman was asking
her for money or would tell her father everything.

8. How did Silas react when he realised that his money had disappeared? What did he think has
happened to it?
He got nervous and started screaming in desperation. Then he thought he should have been a
villager when he was away.
And he went to the pub to ask for help and find the thief.

9. Why did Mr Cass want Godfrey to marry Nancy Lammeter?

He wants Godfrey to marry Nancy because he believes she is a good woman for him and
will help him be responsible.
10. How did the villagers attitude change towards Silas after the robbery?
The villagers became kinder to him because they saw that he was suffering. And many
people went to visit him at his home.

11. What was Molly going to the Red House on New Year’s Eve?
Molly wanted to get back at Godfrey, because he had kept her hidden for so long ,and so she
wanted to go on the day of the party to surprise everyone.

12. What did Silas decide to do with the child and why this surprised the guests?
Godfrey fed the girl, and he followed her through the snow. Then he saw a woman in the
snow and thinking she was dead he went to Godfrey's house because he knew the doctor
was there and took the girl with him, so the guests asked him about the girl and he said that
she would be the woman who was in the snow.

13. What three decisions did Godfrey make after Molly’s death?
Godfrey decides to hide the fact that Molly was his wife and the girl was his daughter,
decides to marry Nancy and help Silas economically to raise Eppie.

14. Give example of how Silas’ life changed because of the child.
Silas became more sociable with the villagers because he wanted Eppie to integrate well into
society, was happier and worked hard to raise and care for Eppie.

15. How does Aaron attitude to Silas show that Aaron is a kind person?
Aaron decides to help Silas build a garden for Eppie so that he doesn't have to work too
much, and then, when Aaron wants to marry her, he says that the three of them will live
together and that he will work so that Silas doesn't have to work anymore.

16. What objects were found with Dunstan’s skeleton and what did Godfrey realise from this?
They found Dunstan's watch, Godfrey's whip and Silas' gold coins. Godfrey also realized
that if he had told Nancy that Eppie was his daughter, they would have adopted her when
she was little and they would be a happy family now.

17. Whats was Godfrey’s plan for Eppie and was Silas’ reaction to the offer?
Godfrey's plan was for Eppie to move in with him and his wife, and Silas, though very sad,
said it was Eppie's decision, but she decided to stay with him.

18. What lesson did Godfrey learn from his experiences and what did Godfrey promise Nancy
as a result of what he has learned?
Godfrey learned not to lie and promised Nancy he would have no more secrets from her.