SILAS MARNER - CHAPTER SUMMARY
Chapter 1
George Eliot sets the scene. Silas Marner was a good, honest man who was
involved in a religious community in Lantern Yard. Silas suffers from cataleptic
fits and was accused of stealing money he was set up by William Dane. There is
no justice and Silas leaves. He feels betrayed by his friend.
Chapter 2
Silas now lives in Raveloe and is a stranger and outsider to the villagers. He is a
weaver and begins to hoard all the money that he earns. Silas has nobody to
love and devotes all his time to working and collecting his gold.
Chapter 3
We are introduced to the second plot which revolves around Godfrey Cass. The
Cass family are rich and powerful. Dunstan, the evil son of the Squire, is
blackmailing Godfrey who secretly married Molly Farren. She turned into a
drunken, drug taking wife. If this secret comes out then Godfrey will lose his
inheritance. Nancy Lammeter is Godfrey’s new interest, he can not court her
while he already has a wife.
Chapter 4
The story of Silas merges with the plot of Godfrey Cass. Godfrey has agreed to
sell his horse, Wildfire, to raise the blackmail money. Dunstan arranges a sale
yet foolishly kills the horse. As he is returning to Raveloe without the horse or
money he passes Marner’s cottage. Dunstan enters to see the cottage is empty,
he finds the bags of gold and goes back into the dark, misty night.
Chapter 5
Silas returns to his cottage and before his dinner he decides to get out the gold.
To his horror he finds that it is missing. His purpose in life has been destroyed.
Silas decides it is a thief and suspects Jem Rodney. Off he goes to The Rainbow
to tell of the robbery and trust that the Squire and others will help him to recover
his money.
Chapter 6
The scene is The Rainbow tavern where the villagers are assembled for a drink
and discussion. They argue about events in the village and we learn about
Raveloe life. This chapter of communal spirit is a contrast to poor Silas in the
previous chapter.
Chapter 7
The villagers are surprised by the appearance of Silas who enters the pub stating
his loss. Jem Rodney denies the charge and Silas apologises as he knows about
being wrongly accused. The men are helpful and suggest that there must be
some clues to track down the thief. Mr Dowlas and Mr Snell go out into the dark
to help Silas.
Chapter 8
Godfrey Cass is still waiting for news from Dunstan who has not returned since
selling the horse. Silas has not heard anything about his money and suspicion
falls on a peddler. Godfrey thinks he should tell the Squire about Molly instead he
puts his trust in chance and hopes something will turn up.
Chapter 9
Godfrey tells his father about selling Wildfire but does not come clean about his
secret marriage. The Squire thinks that his son should be planning a future with
Nancy Lammeter and if Godfrey does not do something soon then he will sort it
out.
Chapter 10
Silas is filled with grief and pain as he is still without his money. The attitude of
the villagers are changing as they try to comfort him by visiting his cottage and
bringing gifts. Visits from Mr Macey, Dolly Winthrop and Aaron show the concern.
Silas is asked to attend church. We see Silas slowly becoming a part of the
community.
Chapter 11
It is New Year’s Eve and a party at the Red House is organised. Everyone
comments on the beauty of Nancy. The Squire is hoping Godfrey will show her
affection, he wants to but he is already married.
Chapter 12
While Godfrey is enjoying himself at the party, Molly is on her way to the Red
House to disclose the secret marriage as she has been neglected; she is
carrying a child. Molly takes some of her drug and falls in the snow, the child
toddles towards Silas’s cottage, he is having a cataleptic fit and fails to notice the
child enter the doorway. When he wakes he sees a mass of gold by the hearth, it
is not his money but the golden hair of the child. He takes care of her and there is
an immediate bond.
Chapter 13
Godfrey sees Silas enter the party with his own child and hears that a woman is
dead in the snow. Dr Kimble, Dolly and Godfrey go to the cottage. Godfrey has to
make sure that the dead woman is Molly. Silas refuses to give up the child and
decides to keep her. On returning to the party, Godfrey thinks that all his
problems are solved and he can now pay attention to Nancy.
Chapter 14
The villagers see Silas as a good man who is trying to bring up a child singlehanded, they offer advice. Silas has her christened Hephzibah, Eppie for short,
after his mother. This chapter outlines Eppie being naughty and Silas can not
bring himself to punish her. The presence of a child is transforming Silas.
Chapter 15
Godfrey takes a keen but secret interest in Eppie. He has given small gifts
without arousing suspicion. Nancy has agreed to marry Godfrey.
Chapter 16
It is 16 years later and Eppie has grown into a beautiful girl and Aaron Winthrop
has shown a keen interest. There are signs of change in the cottage and it is now
a homely place. Eppie and Aaron hope to be married and to stay at the cottage.
Chapter 17
Godfrey is taking up dairy farming and Stone Pits is being drained. Godfrey and
Nancy have been married for 15 years, they have no children, Nancy had one
baby which she lost at birth. Godfrey has suggested adoption, the child in mind is
Eppie, he dares not tell her that she is his child. There is a disturbance in the
village.
Chapter 18
Dunstan’s body has been found in the drained pits and Silas’s money has been
found with it. Godfrey confesses to Nancy that Eppie’s mother was his wife and
Eppie is his child. It is time Godfrey acknowledged Eppie as his daughter, he
must do his duty.
Chapter 19
Silas has his gold back and explains how his life centred around it, Godfrey and
Nancy enter. Godfrey feels he should make up for his brother’s crime. Godfrey
thinks he should take Eppie off him to remove the burden. When Eppie refuses
Godfrey confesses that he is her father and has a claim on her. Silas is ready to
fight for what he loves. The argument shows Godfrey to be selfish and unfeeling
to the lower classes. Eppie is adamant to stay with Silas, the only father she has
known.
Chapter 20
Godfrey decides not to reveal that he is the real father, instead he will do all he
can to help her have a happy life. He has been punished for not doing his duty by
ending up being childless.
Chapter 21
Silas and Eppie set off to Lantern Yard to see the old home, it no longer exists
and Raveloe is the only home for Silas.