Slias Marner
Chapters 13 – 21 Test
Question
Chapter 13
What does Eppie symbolize to Godfrey in this chapter? (page
76)
Open ended. Possible answer: Godfrey would lose his
relationship to Nancy, and Silas gives him the child. Silas
returns to a life of solitude.
What factors do you think influenced Silas to take
responsibility for Eppie, despite not having any prior
intentions? (page 77)
Answer
Eppie symbolizes a sign and
possibility of Godfrey’s hidden
marriage being revealed, as she
is linked to Molly. However,
she is also a symbol of
Godfrey’s hidden fatherly side,
as shown in the latter half of the
chapter. (78-79)
Looking at his reaction to her in
the previous chapter and the
memories it invoked, he may
have gotten attached to her.
Also the feeling of the child
coming to him, as of fate had
chosen him to be the guardian
of the child may also be a factor
How would the story and Eppie’s fate change if Godfrey had
the courage and took responsibility and proclaimed his secret
marriage and his daughter?
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
How does Dolly Winthrop contribute towards the
upbringings of Eppie?
Because Silas fears losing Eppie’s love, what does he
refuse to do?
How does Eppie bring “Light” back to Silas’ life?
Clothing, Advice, Cooking,
gifts
Punsh her
If the answer refers to light
as value, then Eppie brings
value back to Silas’ life after
the loss of his gold, which he
valued.
Social/Economic class
Narrator thinks that poorer
are sometimes happier than
the rich
“The child was being taken care of, and would very likely
be happy, as people in humble stations often were –
happier, perhaps, than those brought up in luxury.” (89)
What theme of the novel does this bring up and what
are the narrator’s views on it?
“Godfrey had ceased to see the shadow of Dunsey across Free from Dunsey – free to
his path.” What does this show about Godfrey’s current
make his own choices –
state of mind?
independent
No longer cares about
“That was a father’s duty.” In what ways are Silas’ and
Godfrey’s duties in relation to Eppie different or similar?
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
What does Silas’ changed eyesight indicate about
changes in his personality over the last sixteen years?
After Eppie’s arrival, what does Silas do that shows his
reconnection with religion?
What does Silas’ reaction to Eppie’s desire to get
married indicate about his changed personality?
How has Godfrey’s sense of responsibility changed for
the first time in this chapter?
“Was there not a drawer filled with the neat work of her
hands all unworn and untouched, just as she had
arranged it there fourteen years ago—just, but for one
little dress, which had been made the burial-dress?”
(103)
Who is this in reference to and why is it significant?
What are the two sources of light in Godfrey’s life?
“Everything comes to light… sooner or later.” Who says
this and what does it mean?
“I’ll keep it from you no longer… I’ll tell you now.”
(p.108). What does Godfrey’s repeated use of “I’ll”
reveal about his character?
What theme about social classes is conveyed through
the discovery of Dunsey’s dead body with Silas’s gold?
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
How do the events in this scene emphasize George
Eliot’s view on class segregation in the 18th century?
(pages 110-116)
How is Silas’s reaction to Godrey’s request symbolic of
the growth in Silas’s character? (page 113)
How does Eppie’s decision to stay with Silas complete
the fairy tale arc of the plot? (page 116)
brother
Godfrey – responsibility as
biological father
Silas – he loves her, vowed
to take care of her. He found
her & she came to him
Pg. 108
He’s been a kind of person
who always planned to do
things in the future but did
not really push himself to
perform them, such as
telling his father about the
money or telling Nancy
about his secret marriage.
Trivialization of social classes
– while Dunsey is considered
to be in a superior class, he
ends up stealing money and
dying.