The Portrayal of the Community in Raveloe in Silas Marner by George Eliot

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The Portrayal of the Community in Raveloe in Silas Marner by George Eliot Silas Marner by George Eliot was first published in 1861 during the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution, as the transformation came to be called, caused a sustained rise in real income per person in England and, as its effects spread, the rest of the Western world. Historians agree that the industrial revolution was one of the most important events in history, marking the rapid transition to the modern age, but they disagree vehemently about various aspects of the event. The Industrial Revolution reshaped the urban environment, not least by concentrating workers in the new industrial towns and suburbs linked and supplied by railways. The industrial revolution meant the poor could find jobs especially in big cities such as London and Manchester. It also took trade from small companies or people. The picture of Gin Lane shows the distress of working in the industrialized towns and cities. The picture emphasizes the massive difference between town and country life and how many people where unhappy working and living in this environment. The village hierarchy was based upon distinct social roles and responsibilities. Dunsey was known throughout the village to be a good man who never did anything wrong, although some of the village folk did have there doubts. This was the general presumption among the village folk because of his social role. Yet the Dunsey did do things wrong but was not at all suspected by the village folk of stealing Silas's money because of his position as the Squire Casses son. Dunsey thought because he had all the money in... ... middle of paper ... ...ustrialized towns are still grim looking and there is still an element of competitiveness but the machines rules man and the Puritan evangelicalism has not completely gone but is not as obvious in today's industrialized towns and cities. I think the moral of this novel is to show that no amount of money can ever replace love or happiness. I think this is completely true you can have all the money in the world but still not be happy. I think money makes you selfish and self-centered. This glorifies the past village life because they did not have much money but they all loved one another and they were happier than the Squires family, who had all the money in the world which just proves my point. We can relate it to Elvis Presley - he had all the money in the world yet he wasn't happy and took a drugs overdose and died.

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