Silas Marner: George Eliot

Silas Marner (1861) is Eliot`s classic tale of an outsider. A weaver who comes to live and work alone in the Midlands village of Raveloe, Silas Marner`s sole pleasure is to count his growing hoard of gold. When it is stolen, his life ceases to have meaning - until Eppie wanders into the weaver`s cottage one snowy New Year`s Eve and falls asleep on his hearth. Eppie is two years old.
Silas rears the little girl with friendly help from the villagers and she loves him as a father. Then, after sixteen years of contentment, Eppie`s true background comes to light.