The village of Raveloe is strongly contrasted to Lantern Yard both because of its homely appearance and because of the simple lives and perspectives of the people who live there. In Raveloe, practicality takes precedence over faith and church attendance. Community and familiarity are preferred to change and innovation. Raveloe’s community represents Silas Marner’s new faith, which he discovers through Eppie: a faith in humanity and love. Raveloe is a haven for Silas Marner, an unchanging world in which he and Eppie live happily together; a world that has not yet been affected by industrialization.
Raveloe Quotes in Silas Marner
The Silas Marner quotes below all refer to the symbol of Raveloe. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Dover Publications edition of Silas Marner published in 1996.
Chapter 1
Quotes
In that far-off time superstition clung easily round every person or thing that was at all unwonted, or even intermittent and occasional merely, like the visits of the peddler or the knife-grinder. No one knew where wandering men had their homes or their origin; and how was a man to be explained unless you at least knew somebody who knew his father and mother?
Chapter 8
Quotes
Mr. Snell gradually recovered a vivid impression of the effect produced on him by the peddler’s countenance and conversation. He had a “look with his eye” which fell unpleasantly on Mr. Snell's sensitive organism. To be sure, he didn't say anything particular—no, except that about the tinder-box—but it isn't what a man says, it's the way he says it. Moreover, he had a swarthy foreignness of complexion which boded little honesty.
Chapter 16
Quotes
By seeking what was needful for Eppie, by sharing the effect that everything produced on her, he [Silas Marner] had himself come to appropriate the forms of custom and belief which were the mould of Raveloe life; and as, with reawakening sensibilities, memory also reawakened, he had begun to ponder over the elements of his old faith, and blend them with his new impressions, till he recovered a consciousness of unity between his past and present.
Related Characters:
Silas Marner, Eppie
Related Symbols:
Raveloe
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
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Raveloe Symbol Timeline in Silas Marner
The timeline below shows where the symbol Raveloe appears in Silas Marner. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1
One linen weaver, named Silas Marner, resides in a cottage near the village of Raveloe, beside a Stone Pit. Local boys are both fearful of and fascinated by Marner and...
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At the beginning of the story, Silas Marner has lived in Raveloe for fifteen years. His appearance and lifestyle, fifteen years earlier, had discouraged his neighbors from...
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Despite the suspicions of his neighbors, Marner’s weaving services continue to be popular in Raveloe, and little changes in public opinion of Marner, or in Marner’s personal habits, over fifteen...
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Chapter 2
Silas Marner discovers that his new home in Raveloe is vastly different than Lantern Yard. The familiar figures, church, minister, and doctrine of Lantern...
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...false accusation had been to commit himself fully to his weaving work. Once settled in Raveloe, he wove without thought, as if from instinct, like a spider. Upon completing his first...
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...withered to the solitary practices of weaving and hoarding his gold. After twelve years in Raveloe, he is fetching water from the well one day when he stumbles and drops his...
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Chapter 3
The most prominent family in Raveloe is that of Squire Cass. Squire Cass is one of several occupants of Raveloe who...
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Chapter 4
...suggest his earlier idea to Godfrey: taking a loan from Silas Marner. Dunstan walks toward Raveloe through the misty evening, all the while tapping Godfrey’s inscribed gold whip that he carries.
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Chapter 5
...the Rainbow, which he thinks of as a place where the most prominent people of Raveloe, and those most likely to help him, pass the time. The nice parlor at the...
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Chapter 6
...Snell appeals to the elderly Mr. Macey who remembers when Mr. Lammeter’s father moved to Raveloe. Mr. Macey, tailor and parish clerk, says he prefers to let the young ones talk,...
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...the disagreement among the group, as Mr. Macey bemoans the absence of great musicians in Raveloe, when there used to be some in the village. Mr. Macey speaks warmly of Mr....
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Chapter 8
...secret wife, in order to dwell on Dunstan’s absence. The next day, the whole of Raveloe is fascinated by the story of Silas Marner’s robbery. A close examination of the area...
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...stopped at nearly every house in town, the question is posed to the villagers of Raveloe. Through the power of this suggestive question being passed among the villagers, there are at...
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Chapter 9
...never having interacted with men of a higher rank, and living among the villagers of Raveloe for his whole life. The Squire leads an idle life, but believes youth is the...
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Chapter 10
...in question. But as no news arrives over the next few weeks, the villagers of Raveloe slowly lose interest in Silas Marner’s robbery. Dunstan’s disappearance on the same day as the...
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...he moans aloud, in pain and loneliness. Yet, his misfortune has changed his reputation in Raveloe and his neighbors become more likely to help him than to avoid him.
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...Marner with the purpose of asking him to come to church. While the villagers of Raveloe are not religious churchgoers, it is still expected that one attend church occasionally. Mrs. Winthrop...
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...never too late to turn over a new leaf by coming to church. Her simple Raveloe theology, in which she refers to the divine “They” or “Them,” has little impact on...
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In Raveloe, the bells ring merrily on Christmas and the villagers celebrate. At Squire Cass’s family party,...
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Chapter 11
...early dances before sitting down to cards, and upholding this proper tradition seems to reinforce Raveloe’s society and quality. Those villagers sitting and watching comment upon the dancers. Mr. Macey and...
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Chapter 14
...and without any tears, but her death has redirected the lives of several individuals in Raveloe. Silas Marner’s decision to raise the child is met with surprise, and women throughout the...
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Chapter 16
...years have passed since Silas Marner discovered Eppie asleep on his hearth. The villagers of Raveloe are leaving their Sunday morning church service. Godfrey Cass and his wife Nancy depart first,...
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...he has acquired many such habits and beliefs which are held to be good by Raveloe society. By seeking out everything that could help Eppie and add to her happiness, Marner...
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Chapter 21
Upon their return to Raveloe, Marner reports to Dolly Winthrop that the old Lantern Yard has completely vanished. He realizes...
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Part 2, Conclusion
The wedding party passes into the humbler part of Raveloe and stops to greet old Mr. Macey, seated outside his door. Mr. Macey says he...
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