Fairytales are typically improbable stories, which tend to consist of fantastical elements and occurrences.
It is a tale involving a series of motifs that take place in an unreal world, involving individualized characters with developed or flat personalities. In the novel, Silas Marner, it is evident that fairytale tends to conquer realism. Thus, Silas Marner contains many aspects of the fairytale and therefore lacks credibility to some readers. Eppie is a beautiful, orphan girl, who whose character does not portray any flaws; therefore she is presented as having a fairytale personality. Eppie is presented as a charming, golden-haired girl. Her beautiful golden hair obtains significance as it symbolizes purity, integrity, delight and innocence, which are all ideal qualities.
As a child in the story, even though she is significant, she does not play much of a role, other than being cute and juvenile. The older Eppie, does not go through a lot of change, hence her character does not tend to show much development through the story. However, one of the only times where she is depicted in having the realistic characteristics of loyalty, generosity, and lovingness, are shown in the scene in Chapter 19, where Godfrey, her biological father comes to Silas’s house, asking Eppie to come live with him and his wife. Nevertheless, Eppie refuses him and tells him that she will stay with Silas, and not leave his side, for he is the only father figure she has known all her life.
As well, a big house and a rich lifestyle does not compel her to change her mind because Sila’s home and the lifestyle she lives is what she is use to, and she will also marry a workingman. Eppie expresses her feelings about Silas to her biological father:” We’ve been used to be happy together every day, and I can’t think o’ no happiness without him. And he says he’d nobody in the world till I was sent to him, and he’d have nothing when I was gone. And he’s took care of me and loved me from the first, and I’ll cleave to him as long as he lives, and nobody shall ever come between him and me.
” [206]Eppie’s fairytale character triumphs over her realistic character, as her realism is only evident during this particular scene in the novel, opposed to her character throughout the novel. As well, she plays a functional role as she is the main reason for the development of Silas Marner’s character. Regarding this, her character is very flat, and also contains no flaws. As a result, some readers might find there to be a lack of credibility in the novel due to Eppie’s immense amount of perfection, which does not leave much room for her realistic traits.
A fairytale plot is evident in Silas Marner as it revolves around good prevailing evil, coincidental and fated events, and is also an aspect which lacks credibility. In the novel, the plot follows when Silas, the protagonist, who is a linen-weaver from Lantern Yard, is framed by his best friend of a theft which he did not commit, as a result, he gets expelled from his church, and to make matters worse, his best friend marries his ex-fiance. In loss of hope, he then flees to Raveloe, where he is portrayed as an old, grumpy, quiet outsider, who takes pleasure in counting his gold, and enjoys his own company rather than mingling with others. The subplot enters with two characters, Dunstan and Godfrey. Dunstan is depicted as the antagonist in the novel.
A scheming, evil individual who will do whatever it takes to fulfill his desires. He blackmails his own brother, Godfrey regarding money issues with the secret of Godfrey’s marriage to a poor woman named Molly. Not only that, but he also steals Silas’s money, however as a moral punishment, he falls in the Stone-pits and then dies. Aside from this, Silas’s life changes when he finds Eppie, and this is portrayed when he tells Dolly:” There’s good in this world – I’ve a feeling o’ that now; and it makes a man feel as there’s a good more nor he can see, in spite o’ the trouble and the wickedness.
That drawing o’ the lots is dark; but the child was sent to me.” [175]Thus, the villain gets punished, while the good character receives happiness. As well, relative to this, is also the fairytale element of a grumpy old man who becomes joyful. Principally, some readers may find these characteristics of the story very similar to that of a fable because of its fated outcomes, containing no realism, which consequently leads to the story’s lack of credibility. Typical fairytales usually conclude with a happy ending.
Silas Marner is one of those stories that indeed end happily, which is an appropriate reason for one to criticize its lacking depth, as its similarities to a fable are obvious. Eppie rejects Godfrey’s offer to come live him and Nancy because she feels it is necessary to stay with the only father she has ever known, who is Silas. Also, Silas is pleased to receive the money that Dunstan had stolen. Ultimately, on a beautiful, warm, flawless day, Eppie and Aaron have a fairytale wedding, and Eppie tells Silas that she and her new husband will always be with him.
Thus, being a vital fairytale characteristic, it is one of the reasons which may cause the book to lack credibility to some practical readers. Those who enjoy twisted endings, unexpected outcomes, or a more rational conclusion, may be very critical towards the ending of Silas Marner. It is clear that the story, Silas Marner contains many aspects of the fairytale and therefore lacks credibility to some readers. Realistic characteristics in Eppie are minimized due to her vastly apparent perfection and simplicity of a character, where she can sometimes be depicted as a princess in disguise. The story structure of fortuitous coincidence, the relationship between good and evil, and the happy ending makes the story very fable-like.
Even though the story consists of realism, the fairytale aspects are prominent, and readers who prefer an abundant down-to-earth book, may not find Silas Marner to be of that sort.
