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Chapter 2 - Summary, Silas Marner by George Eliot | Silas Marner by George Eliot - English, Class 12 PDF Download

  • Our somewhat verbose narrator waxes philosophic about how hard it is to move to new places.
  • Silas might as well be an alien in the midst of the merry crew of Raveloe peasants. He feels like God has deserted him.
  • All work and no play makes Silas a rich man. He only starts weaving for something to do, but the first time he gets his hands on that gold something magical happens. It's more money than he's ever had in his life, and now he's got the bug.
  • Around the same time, Silas tries to make friends. He hooks up the cobbler's wife, Sally Oates, with some medicine made of foxglove (a flower that even today doctors use to make the drug digitalis for people with heart disease).
  • The medicine works so well that Silas has a new problem on his hands: he's popular for all the wrong reasons. The villagers think he's some kind of witch, but, instead of trying to burn him, they flood him with requests for charms.
  • He sends them away, and the villagers respond by blaming him for all their woes.
  • Meanwhile, Silas adds to his money collection. He doesn't need the money, but he sure likes piling it up. (Who wouldn't?) At night, Silas hangs out with his hoard, admiring the shape and color of the coins. He keeps it hidden, even though he doesn't really fear robbers.
  • Silas gradually starts to wither and shrink, as misers do.
  • Beside money, the only thing he loves is an old clay pot. When he breaks it one day, he keeps the pieces as a kind of shrine.
  • This goes on for fifteen years: Silas weaves all day and fondles his money all night. Then everything changes.
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FAQs on Chapter 2 - Summary, Silas Marner by George Eliot - Silas Marner by George Eliot - English, Class 12

1. What is the summary of Chapter 2 in "Silas Marner" by George Eliot?
Ans. Chapter 2 of "Silas Marner" introduces the readers to Silas Marner, a weaver who lives in the village of Lantern Yard. Silas is a quiet and introverted man who finds solace in his work. He is deeply religious and is a trusted member of the community. However, his life takes a drastic turn when he is falsely accused of theft and his best friend, William Dane, betrays him. Silas is put on trial and is declared guilty by drawing of lots. He is then excommunicated from the church and the community, leaving him devastated and broken-hearted.
2. How does Silas Marner cope with his exile from Lantern Yard?
Ans. Silas Marner copes with his exile from Lantern Yard by moving to the village of Raveloe, where he isolates himself from society. He finds solace in his work as a weaver and becomes engrossed in his hoard of gold coins, which he earns through his weaving. The gold becomes his only companion and he spends his days counting and organizing it. Silas Marner becomes known as a peculiar and reclusive figure in Raveloe, with rumors of his strange behavior spreading among the villagers.
3. What is the significance of Silas Marner's gold in Chapter 2?
Ans. The gold in Silas Marner's possession represents his emotional and psychological transformation after his exile from Lantern Yard. It becomes his substitute for human connection and love, as he withdraws from society and becomes consumed by his hoard. The gold reflects Silas' deep sense of loss and betrayal, as well as his fear of being vulnerable to others. It also signifies his isolation and the hollowness he feels within himself.
4. How does Silas Marner's character change in Chapter 2?
Ans. In Chapter 2, Silas Marner's character undergoes a significant change. He starts off as a devout and trusting individual in Lantern Yard, deeply involved in the religious community. However, after being falsely accused of theft and betrayed by his best friend, he becomes a shattered and disillusioned man. He loses his faith in God and humanity, and his trust in people is replaced by an obsession with his gold. Silas becomes reclusive and withdrawn, losing touch with the world around him.
5. How does the setting of Raveloe impact the events in Chapter 2 of "Silas Marner"?
Ans. The setting of Raveloe plays a crucial role in Chapter 2 of "Silas Marner." It is a rural village that is far removed from the bustling city life, representing a slower and simpler way of living. Raveloe becomes a refuge for Silas Marner, allowing him to escape the judgment and scrutiny of a close-knit community like Lantern Yard. The village's isolation and tranquility provide the perfect backdrop for Silas' transformation and his withdrawal from society. Additionally, the villagers' curiosity and gossip about Silas contribute to his growing reputation as a mysterious figure.
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