SIlas Marner Themes - Religion

Question 1

Give 6 quotes that show the detrimental attributes of strict faith and theology.

Answer 1

“narrow sect”
“exemplary life and ardent faith”
“This trance looked more like a visitation of Satan than proof of divine providence”
“God will clear me.”
“The lots declared that Silas Marner was guilty.”
“There is no just God, who governs the earth righteously, but a God of lies, who bears witness against the innocent.”

Question 2

Give 8 quotes that show how overly - zealous faith can lead to unhappiness

Answer 2

“difficult resistance to her husband’s wish to adopt a child”
“unalterable little code”
“usually sat with Mant’s bible”
“rigid principles”
“try and choose your lot in spite of divine providence”
“regretful affection”
“so little with her life”
“though it hurt (her) more than anything”

Question 3

Give 7 quotes that show how lack of faith can be incredible isolating

Answer 3

“shaken trust in God and man”
“delighted in making him a second time desolate”
“where he felt hidden from the heavens”
“And keep a jolly Christmas, Whitsun and Easter-tide”
“the light of his faith quite put out”
“or was it a cruel power who no hands could reach”
“wordship of gold”
“Silas spent his Christmas day in loneliness, eating his meat in sadness of heart”

Question 4

Give 4 Pieces of context that relate to religion

Answer 4

Lantern Yard was based on dissenting church sects such as Methodism and Calvinism at the time - these sects placed greater emphasis on the sin of the believers.
Silas’ doubts about religion reflect wider social change that happened later in the 19th century - Darwin’s origin of species was published in 1859. It was one of the first literary texts that disputed the accuracy of Genesis.
There was a strong Christian religious revival in the early 19th Century
In Eliot’s own life - she refused to go to church, causing violent conflict with her father.
She was raised a devout Christian but lost her faith in adulthood. However she maintained a strong sense of Christian morality.

Question 5

Give 4 quotes that demonstrate Dolly’s faith

Answer 5

“simple Ravloe theology”
“and all we’ve got to do is trusten”
“have you no father nor mother as taught you to say your prayers, and as there’s good words and good things to keep us from harm.”
“Dolly had said it was for the good of the child”