Silas And Godfrey example essay topic

In George Eliot's Silas Marner, the reader is introduced to a number of characters that possess the elements of selfishness. Silas Marner, Godfrey Cass, and Dunstan Cass exhibit this trait numerous times during novel. Even though these characters all exhibit selfishness during this story, by the end their characteristics are not similar at all. This schism of development is one of the themes of the story that will be analyzed. Regardless of the similar characteristics characters may possess in the beginning of the story, they can become very different people by the end. These characteristics are not limiting and do not hinder the development of a character.

Dunstan Cass is a character that the reader finds extraordinarily selfish. The degree to which he manipulates people to gain more money and have a good time is ridiculous. In one instance, the speaker takes the reader into the mind of "Dun sey" as he is contemplating his plan to further scam his brother, Godfrey. In more than one instance, Dunstan reassures himself that he is more cunning than his brother and that manipulating him has become more like a game than anything else.

Dunstan gathers loans from his brother and other townspeople and never pays them off. The precious gold of Silas Marner also falls prey to the tireless machine of greed that lies within Callahan, Thomsen 2 Dunstan's desensitized mind. The fact that he is taking something of much value away from a simple man like Silas Marner never crosses his mind as he makes his way into Marner's house and steals the gold pieces. The purpose of the theft is not for the sake of being mean, but rather it is an opportunity to bail himself out of another hole he has dug by manipulating Godfrey. Of the three characters that are first introduced to the reader as being selfish, Dunstan remains cold and selfish even at the end of the novel.

He does not learn anything and he does not go through a dramatic change in his life that will force him to re-evaluate his actions. Godfrey Cass, brother to Dunstan Cass, is perhaps a little less selfish than his brother. He does not make manipulation a daily chore like his brother. Nevertheless, he still exhibits certain aspects of selfishness. From the outside, the reader is let in on a dark secret of Godfrey's. He has had relations with another woman and has a child, but refuses to recognize them.

Molly, this woman, is poor and is barely able to survive. Repelled by her poverty, Godfrey rejects Molly and focuses on attracting another, more extravagant woman named Nancy. Nancy allows more respect to come to him from the townspeople and he is comfortable in that he will be with someone close to his own social status. He disregards his former relationship with the woman who bore his child in order to be more socially correct. When Silas takes Eppie, Godfrey's child, under his wing, Godfrey secretly sends Eppie money and supplies. He feels regret and guilt as he reflects on his past decisions.

He does not let his true feelings of regret toward leaving his child show because his reputation would be radically diminished. Godfrey, a character who is very selfish in the beginning of the Callahan, Thomsen 3 novel goes through a rebirth. He realizes his faults and confesses to Silas and the rest of the town, attempting to compensate for his neglect and rejection of Eppie and Molly. Godfrey, along with Silas, is one of the three characters of similar characteristics that do change by the end of the novel.

Silas Marner first exhibits signs of selfishness when he starts hording all of the gold he accumulates. He keeps this fortune hidden under his floor and only takes it out to count it late at night. This action shows how miserly Silas really is but it really speaks to a deeper problem that Silas is having. The only reason for Silas acting in this manner is his deep feeling of ostracism.

He was forced out of his original home after being accused of a crime he did not commit and the people in his new community don't want to have anything to do with him. Silas is living at a time when people living in rural communities rely on the other people in their communities for material, emotional, and spiritual support. Silas is an outsider and when he tries to reach out to help a neighbor who has fallen ill, hoping only for a little inclusion, he is made to feel more like a leper. Instead of being just an outcast weaver the townspeople transform Silas into an outcast weaver who is also a devious conjurer simply because he tried to help a neighbor in need. This deep exclusion drives the miser in Silas transforming him into a man who feels he has no one but himself, destined for a life of complete seclusion. Silas's exclusion is broken when he adopts Eppie.

This decision shows that even though Silas acts in a selfish manner he is a good person on the inside. Eppie allows Silas to grow as a person and to become a true member of the community he Callahan, Thomsen 4 lives in. Furthermore, this action makes Silas look more human and compassionate to his fellow villagers. This opens Silas to inclusion by the group, and the townspeople, especially Dolly Winthrop, help Silas to raise Eppie. By the end of the novel Silas is very highly regarded by the members of his community and he appears to be very content with himself. This shows how Silas is transformed from a recluse miserly weaver to a kindhearted pillar of the community.

This transformation that Silas and Godfrey both undergo is a testament to the careful characterization employed by Ms. Eliot. This transformation, among other details, defines these characters making them appear vividly to the reader. Dunstan Cass' actions are predictable making him take the form of a simple stock character. In literature, a character's importance can often be measured by how vividly they are portrayed. This is also true in Silas Marner, where Silas and Godfrey are totally round characters, who are intricately involved in almost all important parts of the story; while Dunstan is extremely static, falling outside of the inner circle of highly important characters.