Antagonism between Individual and Society: A Study on George Eliot's Silar Marner

Abstract

George Eliot’s Silas Marner is a tale of an individual versus society during the value laden Victorian era. It was an era when there were extensive intrigues among personal values over the notion of industrialization. In the background, Silas Marner, the central protagonist, is a noble person whose integrity is challenged when he is falsely accused of stealing. Silas is swayed from his notion to life, and restores to isolation in a self imposed exile. Thus, Silas starts the journey of finding meaning in life among the antagonistic forces that wants to betray him of his genuine sincerity. However, life always has something is store, as Silas finds meaning in life in the form of Eppie, an orphan girl in whom he finds rejuvenated energy to struggle against declining values amid the trend of industrialization.