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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is both Godfrey and Squire Cass’s first guess about what happened to Wildfire?

2. Who does Eppie want to marry?

3. What is Silas’ long-term reaction to the loss of his treasure?

4. Does anyone connect that the disappearance of both Dunsey and Silas Marner’s gold occurred on the same day?

5. During the holidays Godfrey is anxious about money needed to pay his wife to keep his wife silent. How can he get this money?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is the religious life of Raveloe the same as that of Lantern Yard?

2. What does Squire Cass mean when he tells Godfrey to “turn over a new leaf”?

3. How does Silas Marner’s trial of using the coal-hole work?

4. What happens to Molly Farren and her child on the way to the dance at the Red House?

5. Why is the New Year’s Eve dance more important than the Christmas Day party at the Red House?

6. What is the scene like as the women prepare themselves before the festivities of the great New Year’s Eve dance at the Red House?

7. How does having Eppie affect Silas Marner’s attitude towards church?

8. Dolly Winthrop seems to be the only visitor who comes with genuine care. Does her visit succeed in convincing Silas Marner to attend church on Christmas? Why or why not?

9. What does Eppie express a desire for as they leave the church? How does this reflect Eppie’s life with Silas Marner?

10. Does Nancy actually want to step out of the dance with Godfrey? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how Silas Marner and Eppie’s trip back to his old home of Lantern Yard failed to bring closure to the injustices of his past. Then explain how that lack of justice fails to ruin Silas Marner’s true happiness as the story ends.

Essay Topic 2

Eliot uses very eloquent wording throughout the novel to describe scenery, conversations, and emotions. While these passages often do not drive the storyline forward, they are critical to the overall impact of the story. Select two examples where Eliot uses vivid language and explain how it helps the story.

Essay Topic 3

A steady, reoccurring theme in the novel centers on how Silas Marner processes the various positive and negative events that occur throughout his life. An example of this can be seen in his hoarded gold. How does Eliot use Silas Marner’s gold and the loss of it to communicate his true brokenness not just from the theft but from his unhealed past?

(see the answer keys)

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