Explore what is interesting in George Elliots presentation of fathers in Silas Marner
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Explore what is interesting in George Elliot's presentation
of fathers and fatherhood in 'Silas Marner'.
Fatherhood plays a fundamental role in 'Silas Marner', through detailed exploration of the three main
father figures - the reclusive linen weaver, a weak and irresponsible Master and the parsimonious,violent
tempered,egotistical Squire. We observe the complexity of the various relationships between these
characters and their contrasting personalities and social classes,it allows the reader to develop their own
personal perception and understanding of how the roles of fatherhood are portrayed and how they
evolve and contrast throughout the novel.
Squire Cass the most senior of the three fathers, proves that although he is a character of great
prestige in which he has gained the fellow respect from the majority' of Raveloe's inhabitants, the Squire
fails to fulfil the role of what it takes to be a reliable father worthy of his status. Fatherhood involves
being able to offer constant stability throughout your child's life; guiding them through life's hardships
and offering them your total support. A father educates his children on the morals of life and is always
there to provide for them and to show that the love he has for his children is boundless. Unfortunately
for Godfrey and Dunstan Cass their father is a disappointment and his own irresponsibility's are inflicted
upon his two neglected son's.The Squire continuously scorns his children by corrupting their minds with
his own contemptuous belief's and sexist views on what his idea of a woman's duty is as he refers to his
late wife:
' "never had a will of her own a woman has no call for one, there not
to have opinion or respect there sole purpose is to look after the
home and bare children." '
This uncultured point of view surely had a negative effect on his children's characters, Godfrey made
the mistake of marrying Molly Farren,which he deeply regretted and instead of accepting responsibility he
abandoned the woman who was actually carrying his child. The reason behind his decision was solely
because he did not want to disgrace his father's honour and risk sabotaging the family reputation among
the community...