Silas Marner

    AQA
    GCSE

    Silas Marner, a linen weaver, is falsely accused of theft in the religious community of Lantern Yard and exiles himself to the rural village of Raveloe. There, he lives as a recluse, obsessed with hoarding gold earned from his weaving, until his fortune is stolen by Dunstan Cass, the dissolute son of the local Squire. Silas's despair is lifted when a golden-haired toddler, later named Eppie, wanders into his cottage after her mother dies in the snow. Silas raises Eppie as his own, reintegrating into the community through his love for her. Years later, the discovery of Dunstan's body and the stolen gold prompts Godfrey Cass, Eppie's biological father, to confess his secret marriage and claim her, but Eppie chooses to remain with the weaver who raised her.

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    • Understand key concepts related to Silas Marner
    • Apply knowledge of Silas Marner to exam questions

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    • "Your analysis of Silas's isolation is insightful; consider exploring how Eppie's arrival challenges this."
    • "You have identified key themes, but try to integrate more specific textual evidence to strengthen your arguments."
    • "A strong understanding of the plot is evident; focus on developing your evaluation of Eliot's stylistic choices."
    • "Well done on structuring your answer clearly. Ensure all aspects of the question are fully addressed in future responses."

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