The Search for Happiness in George Eliots Silas Marner :: George Eliot Silas Marner Essays

In the novel Silas Marner, by George Eliot, the characters are in a see for happiness. One character named Godfrey Cass is disappointed in his search when relying on wealth and luck, instead of sock, does not lead him to happiness. Another character, Silas Marner, looks first to a pile of meretricious that only consumes his life until he starts loving and fondness for a child, who finally brings him happiness. The lives of these characters show that wealth or material objects do not bring as much happiness as love. Godfrey Cass believes that he endure use his wealth to buy happiness in place of love that he has neglected to give. In the novel, he has a daughter named Eppie whom he disowns for xviii years. After eighteen years, Godfrey wants her back to fill a hole in his life and make him happy. He believes that his wealth can replace his missing love. He admits this when speaking to Eppie, though I havent been what a father should ha been to you all these years, I wish to do the utmost in my exponent for you for the rest of my life and provide for you as my only child (714). However, Eppie cant feel as shes got any father but one, (715) meaning Silas Marner, who cared for and love her for sixteen years. The lack of love that Godfrey has given Eppie can not be replaced with wealth, and Godfreys life must remain incomplete. Silas Marner was once incomplete and unhappy besides when he was cut off from faith and love, (602) and lived only to collect a hoard of gold. He shut out the rest of the world and any love he had for anything with it. His life had reduced itself to the functions of weaving and hoarding (602). In this life with only gold, and without love, Silas was an unhappy and lonely man. Later in his life when he is happy, he recalls counting his gold every night and how his soul was utterly desolate(710). He remains in this bleak position for fifteen years until his gold is lost and replaced with something to love. When Silas loses his gold , he begins to experience happiness again after opening up to a child. The child, Eppie, replaces Silass gold, but unlike the gold, she requires the love and care of a person.