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Original poster

Has anyone studied Silas Marner? Or just know it really well?

39 replies

Wilbur · 06/09/2007 10:29

Long shot, but I am hoping to find an uplifting quote, or passage from Silas Marner for a naming ceremony I am going to. Anyone got any ideas? Something about love, or family life, or simple pleasures? I read the book years ago when I did Mill on the Floss for A-level, but I don't have a copy and just wondered if anyone here was a George Eliot expert.

OP posts:
fluffyanimal · 06/09/2007 10:34

Crikey, is there anything uplifting in this book? Or is the recipient of the naming ceremony going to be called Hepzibah?

Sorry just joking. I can't remember the book well as I did it for O Level (yes O Level, before GCSEs), but the full text is online here:
www.bibliomania.com/0/0/21/2392/frameset.html

kittylouise · 06/09/2007 10:34

Not an expert by any stretch, but have read it several times and there is a beautiful passage when Silas wakes up after his gold has been taken, and Eppy is there, and he mistakes her golden curls for his lost gold coins. It's just written beautifully and has stuck in my mind. (Would go and have a look at the book and be a bit more specific but am on MN whilst skiving at work).

I am sure someone a lot more knowledgeable than me will come along in a minute!

kittylouise · 06/09/2007 10:35

Yes, is the baby called Hepzibah or Silas?

Original poster
Wilbur · 06/09/2007 11:00

Silas! I know the book is a heavyweight, but Silas himself is a good and honest character, as I remember, so I am hoping to find something.

Will have a look for golden curls bit.

OP posts:
donnie · 06/09/2007 11:02

ooh I love this book and used to know it very well. It was a GCSE option back in the nineties but unfortunately my notes are all locked away at home in my attic!! the bit where Eppie's golden hair and his hoard of gold coins merge is lovely.

donnie · 06/09/2007 11:03

the baby is called eppie

Original poster
Wilbur · 06/09/2007 19:52

bumping for the evening literati...

OP posts:
NKF · 06/09/2007 20:00

The golden curls bit is more about miserliness and the end of miserliness. But there is a lovely passage about Silas being renewed and restored to his community. It ends with a line about the hand that saves you can be the hand of a little child. That was a bad paraphrase.

Original poster
Wilbur · 06/09/2007 20:03

oooh, that sounds good - I will search around towards the end of the book for that.

OP posts:
NKF · 06/09/2007 20:04

It's about the middle I think.

NKF · 06/09/2007 20:04

It's about the middle I think.

NKF · 06/09/2007 20:11

"In old days there were angels who came and took men by the hand and led them away from the city of destruction. We see no white-winged angels now. But yet men are led away from threatening destruction: a hand is put into theirs, which leads them forth gently towards a calm and bright land, so that they look no more backward; and the hand may be a little child's."

NKF · 06/09/2007 20:12

"In old days there were angels who came and took men by the hand and led them away from the city of destruction. We see no white-winged angels now. But yet men are led away from threatening destruction: a hand is put into theirs, which leads them forth gently towards a calm and bright land, so that they look no more backward; and the hand may be a little child's."

OrmIrian · 06/09/2007 20:13

NKF - you've reminded me why I liked it so much years ago. Going to look out my ancient copy now.

NKF · 06/09/2007 20:15

I know. I've been thinking of it since Wilbur's post. Might re-read. That or Adam Bede which I haven't read since having children. I wonder if I'll see the character who kills her baby differently now. Hester is it?

Califrau · 06/09/2007 20:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FrayedKnot · 06/09/2007 20:25

God yes I did Silas too but can;t remember anything much about it, apart from the coal hole bit.

Was it Silas that had catatonic thingies?

God, not helping much, am I?

NKF · 06/09/2007 20:27

He had the catatonic thingies (technical term?) And he's been justly accused and kicked out of some religious nut community by a casting of lots. I love that book.

OrmIrian · 06/09/2007 20:27

I always hated Hester. I thought she was a stupid selfish vapid tart. Before and since having children.

I love that! The way that great literature brings out one's innate generosity of spirit

NKF · 06/09/2007 20:28

unjustly accused.
The bit about the junky mother dying in the snow always sticks in my mind. And Silas feeding the baby porridge.

NKF · 06/09/2007 20:29

She was vapid but not a tart. She just fancied the handsome rich guy and there was no contraception.

That's what's so good about Eliot. Giant brain herself but can write so well about ninnies.

OrmIrian · 06/09/2007 20:32

OK.Scratch 'tart'. Replace it with 'social climber'.

NKF · 06/09/2007 20:33

You're too generous OI.

NKF · 06/09/2007 20:33

She thought he lurved her....
and she was dazzled.

NKF · 06/09/2007 20:33

She thought he lurved her....
and she was dazzled.