Silas Marner Themes - Social class

Question 1

Give 3 quotes that show upper class people are not necessarily fulfilled

Answer 1

“Nancy might have been expected to feel more keenly the denial of a blessing to which she looked forward to with all the varied expectations”
“the hearth had no smiles”
“I was tortured into it”

Question 2

Give a quote that shows working class people are often happier

Answer 2

“the child was being taken care of, and would likely be happy, as people in humble stations often were - happier, perhaps, than those brought up in luxury”

Question 3

Give a quote that shows how Godfrey expected Eppie to come with him

Answer 3

“But I’ve a claim to you Eppie - the strongest of all claims.”

Question 4

Give 6 pieces of context relating to social class

Answer 4

Class divides were strong in the Napoleonic wars (when the book is set) and in the Victorian era
However middle classes grew in the Victorian era and pressed for change
Reforms such as the Corn Law appeal (1846) ended such tight control over trade by landowners
Working classes were excluded from voting
Eliot criticizes landed gentry through the character of Dunstan
The end wedding scene merges all classes together, as the travel from the Red house of the landed gentry to the Rainbow pub of the working class

Question 5

Give 2 quotes that show landed gentry are not necessarily moral

Answer 5

“his natural irresolution and moral cowardice”
“but he had not moral courage enough”