Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe

Originally published in 1861, Mary Ann Evans, under the pseudonym George Eliot, combats prejudices, privileges and misconduct that are still evident in society today. Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe is the story of a linen weaver who was betrayed by his best friend and accused of a theft he never committed. Disenchanted with the people and the religion that condemned him, he leaves the village where he was born and lived forever. Settling in another, distant town, Silas begins to live as an outcast, interacting with no one. He clings to money and ends up amassing a small fortune, which, however, he will eventually lose, just as he had previously lost the respect of his neighbors. Only the appearance of a child, who will appear in place of the missing gold, will ensure his rediscovery of the joy of being alive. Notable for its strong realism and sophisticated treatment of a variety of issues ranging from religion to community industrialization, Silas Marner unmasks and combats prejudices, privileges, misconduct, and devious ambitions that remain entrenched in society today.