Examine the role of chance and coincidence in the plot of the novel ‘Silas Marner’.
Introduction: Chance and coincidence play a vital role in the novel “Silas Marner” by George Eliot (1819-1880). They influence the plot of the Novel and contribute much for the development of the protagonist, Silas Marner, and in the lives of some other characters too. A number of chances and coincidences happen in the novel.
The term change and coincidence: The term chance and coincidence’ is a superb literary technique used by George Eliot. Chance means scope and coincidence means the fact of two things happening at the same time by chance in a strange way. By this term, the novelist means to say that a coincidence comes to the actional life of human beings with a chance or luck.
Significance of chance and coincidence: If there is no chance and coincidence, there is no regeneration in the life of the protagonist and other characters as well. The protagonist faces a huge number of bitter situations in his life but he has been regenerated at the same time by dint of coincidences which are as follows:
Betrayed by beloved and friend: The first and foremost chance and coincidence happen at the very out of Silas’ life in his native town Lantern Yard. In his youth, Silas was a pious man and was engaged to Sarah for marriage. But his fraud best friend William Dane plotted against him and Silas was accused of theft for stealing the minister’s money. When he was proven a thief by draw of lots, Sarah decided that she could not marry a thief. Having been betrayed by a beloved friend, he lost his faith in love and religion. This betrayal coincidence brought a change in his life and he started a new journey of life as a lonely waver at Raveloe.
Robbery of Silas’ cottage and Eppie’s appearance: This coincidence is really the center of the plot of the novel. It has at least two significance.
i) Safety for Godfrey Cass: Godfrey Cass is one of the vital characters of the novel who has to suffer a lot for marriage with a coquette Molly Farren. Molly wants to come to the house of Godfrey Cass with a two years little girl at the function of the new year to claim that she is his wife and the baby is the evidence but at the way, she dies accidentally and at the same time Dunstan Cass dies while fleeing with Silas’ gold coins. Thus, Godfrey is saved from the blackmail of Molly and Dunstan and a chance comes to his life to start a happy marriage with Nancy.
ii) Regeneration of Protagonist: Silas believes that work is the best form of restraint. He works alone, separating himself from the community and accumulating gold coins which are the only company in his life. One day he goes out to collect water from the nearby cataract or waterfall and his daily routine. He returns home and becomes frustrated because all his savings have been robbed by someone unknown to him. But he is decompensated with a two-year-old little girl with golden hair. From this onward, Silas is totally a changed and regenerated man.
Discovery of Dunstan’s skeleton and Godfrey’s confession: This is another coincidence of the novel that is no less significant at all as it brings a chance for Godfrey and Nancy to have a daughter in their conjugal life and for Silas’ economic recovery at the same time. After a long few years, the dead body of Dunstan is discovered suddenly by the power of Omnipotent, basically with Silas’ stolen or robbed guineas. At the very moment, Godfrey confesses to his wife Molly that he married before marrying her and has a daughter named Eppie who has been brought up by Silas. Hearing this, Nancy and Godfrey go to Silas’ cottage and claim that Eppie is their asset. Eppie unequivocally asserts that she never leaves Silas. Thus, Silas is decompensated doubly with his gold coins and Eppie permanently or forever.
Conclusion: Now it can be said that the role of chance and coincidence is inevitable in the plot construction of “Silas Marner.” The novel shows how random events can have a significant impact on people’s lives. This suggests that fate is not entirely predetermined and that people can still exercise agency in their lives, even through chance and coincidence.
Read more: Discuss the role of Eppie in bringing about optimism in the life of Silas Marner
