The Theme of Duty in Silas Marner by George Eliot

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The Theme of Duty in Silas Marner by George Eliot

After careful analysis and examination of the novel Silas Marner, it

has come to my awareness that the theme of duty is very prominent

throughout the novel. The definition of duty is the obligation made to

others. There has to be duties between relationships not only in the

novel but also in realty to keep them alive. If duties were non

existent in relationships, they would not last and eventually would

fade away. There are various different types of duties that have to be

taken forward in the novel.

For instance, Silas has a duty towards Eppie as Eppie has a duty to

Silas. Their duty is to love one and other and to be grateful for what

they have got. Godfrey who is the oldest son of Squire Cass has to pay

his duties to many people in the book. He has to fulfil a duty to

Molly, Nancy, Squire Cass and Dunstan. He has to look after all of

these people and has to show them love. He has to support them through

all the bad times that they go through. Just because you should do

your duties in life, does not mean that the characters are all

honourable to their duties. Some characters honour their duties with

sincerity and some characters neglect their duties and wash them away.

There are different reasons for why the characters are honourable and

dishonourable to their duties. The people that do not want to perform

their duties try to make themselves believe that their priorities are

set backwards. By this, I mean that the characters seem to over power

their minds with less important duties in life and forget to do the

main duties.

As you will read on to see that the characters that honour their

duties are rewarded in some way or another the characters that honour

their duties are rewarded in some way or another. The characters that

are not faithful to their duties are some how punished. They may be

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