I am going to start reading books that I might use for high school Literature for the kids. I just finished reading Silas Marner and it will definitely be on the list.
Silas Marner is a good natured man enjoying life with his community, his church, his best friend and the woman he loves and is engaged to marry, when his life takes a cruel turn. He is falsely accused of a crime, set up by someone close to him. When the "lots" fall against him he feels, according to his religion, that God has turned his back on him as well. This is one of the saddest parts of the book for me, due to the things I have seen in church, which only prove our sinful nature, not God's character. Unlike the unshaken faith of Job of the Bible, Marner's faith seems to be too closely tied to his religious community than to the Lord, thus his faith is shaken to it's core.
"But you may prosper, for all that: there is no just God that governs the earth righteously, but a God of lies, that bears witness against the innocent."
After he looses his betrothed as well, he looses all hope, and quietly leaves for another country. He lands in Raveloe and for fifteen years keeps to himself as a hermit, with exception to interaction necessary to earn a living by his weaving. The rumors run wild, because no one knows anything about from what country he has come and because they believe the set of his eyes means he is no good.
Marner lives in this condition until one stormy night, his hoards of gold are robbed and he comes outside himself to report the crime to the community. The community is sympathetic to him, searches and inquiries are made, but no one is able to crack the case.
Then on another dark stormy night, a deep dark secret of Godfrey Cass, a member of Raveloe, comes walking in the open door of the weaver. I will leave you curious as to the changes in Marner this brings and the ending of the book, but I will say, that this is a thoughtful and enjoyable read that will lead to much discussion.
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