View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The loss of Wildfire causes Dunsey to turn to what source to get his brother’s money?

2. After Sarah left Silas, how long was it before she married William Dane?

3. What item does Dunsey have with him while he walks back from the hunt towards Silas Marner’s cottage?

4. What form of judgment declared Silas Marner guilty of stealing at Lantern Yard?

5. What does Godfrey fear in confessing his marriage to Molly Farren to his father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Silas heals his neighbor, the cobbler’s wife, from sickness?

2. The absence of Dunsey and the news of the death of Wildfire drives Godfrey to what decision?

3. What is the narrative point of view of Silas Marner?

4. How is Raveloe different from Lantern Yard?

5. How does the reaction of the crowd at the Rainbow to the theft differ from our modern handling of a crime?

6. How does Eliot portray Silas Marner’s sudden arrival at the Rainbow?

7. What seems to be William Dane’s motivation in framing Silas Marner as a thief after nine years of friendship?

8. How does the conversation of the townsfolk differ from the feelings of Silas Marner regarding his stolen treasure?

9. Explain Silas Marner’s reaction to his gold being lost.

10. Why was Dunsey able to get away without immediate consequences after “staking” Wildfire during the hunt?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Part 2 of the novel, we see Godfrey Cass happy with everything except his lack of children. How does Eliot use Godfrey’s this as a symbol of the consequences of his failure to do what was right?

Essay Topic 2

Pick three of the main themes that can be found in the story of Silas Marner.

Essay Topic 3

In many ways, Silas Marner is a simple protagonist who does very little aside from enduring through the trials he is put through. Select three other characters besides Marner that Eliot uses to move the plot forward and write about how each of them impacts the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 807 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample