Silas
Marner: Silas is the main character and protagonist of the story. When shunned from
his town and church after being falsely accused of robbery, Silas is forced to migrate to
another town, Raveloe, where he lives as a hermit weaver. Soon his small fortune of gold
becomes an obsessive endeavor. The monotony and repetition of weaving helps Silas forget
his old, unpleasant life, leaving him with nothing but his gold. This all changes,
however, when a blond-haired girl finds her way into his home and heart.Squire Cass: The Squire, father of four
sons, including Godfrey and Dunstan, is the good-natured owner of the Red House. Mr. Cass
is intent on keeping his family legacy intact and therefore is very demanding on his sons,
who never seem to live up to his expectations.
Godfrey Cass: Godfrey is the
first-born son of the Squire who eventually marries Nancy, his life-long sweetheart.
Before this marriage, however, Godfrey fathers another child in a secret marriage to Molly
Farren. This child, Eppie, is eventually found and brought up by Silas Marner, who knows
nothing of her family history until the end of the story.
Dunstan Cass: Dunstan, "a
spiteful, jeering fellow who seemed to enjoy his drink the more when other people went
dry," is the second-born son of the Squire who always finds himself getting into
mischief. Eventually he steals Silas Marners two sacks of gold and soon falls into a
stone pit filled with water, drowning and leaving his body and the gold hidden for sixteen
years.
Nancy Lammeter: Nancy is the wife
of Godfrey but doesnt know about his secret marriage and child until long after
their wedding day.
Eppie: Eppie is the golden-haired
daughter of Godfrey who is raised by Silas from the age of two. She is the true joy of
Silas Marners life, and sees herself as his daughter. Eppie replaces the
weavers obsession with gold and brings him back to a socially active life.
Mrs. Winthrop: She is the neighbor
and friend of Silas who teaches him how to care for Eppie. Mrs. Winthrop, though not very
sophisticated in her speech or knowledge of religion, persuades Silas to trust in God no
matter what happens to him, good or bad.
Aaron Winthrop: He is the son of
Mrs. Winthrop and the eventual husband of Eppie and son-in-law to Silas. Aaron pledges to
help Silas and Eppie with their garden and other household chores.
Molly Farren: This woman is the
secret wife of Godfrey and mother of his child, Eppie. When she attempts to walk to the
Red House to confront Godfrey during the New Years party, she dies from exhaustion,
leaving Eppie to walk by chance ino the home of Silas Marner.
William Dane: This man is the
childhood best friend to Silas but double-crosses him, forcing the weaver to flee from the
church and his life in Lantern Yard. |