Silas Marner Essay Example for Free

Silas Marner Essay We expect that the relationship between a parent and a child is affectionate and caring; however, George Elliot explores and shows the reader that this is not always the case and relationships between different families are all very different. In the book there are many examples of relationships between parents and children. These include the relationship between Silas and Eppie, Squire Cass, Godfry and Dunstan also Godfry and Eppie. The Case of Godfry and Nancy’s sadness over not being able to have children also arises in the novel. One of the relationships between mother and child is Molly and Eppie. Molly was married to Godfrey and the only person who knew about his ‘secret’ life was his brother Dunstan. Molly was addicted to drugs and she lived in poverty, her relationship with Eppie was destroyed by her addiction, the only love Molly had in her life was the love to drugs. Instead of devoting herself to bringing up Eppie she devoted herself to being drugs. Perhaps this addiction was because Godfrey let her down and was ashamed of her so she had to rely on something and for her it was drugs. When Godfrey realises that his wife passed away, the expression ‘a weight was lifted of his shoulders’ is very relevant. Godfreys’ secret was kept and he was not prepared to claim Eppie even though she was motherless. As he was ‘free,’ he could now propose to Nancy without worrying about his wife. Godfrey entered this secret marriage as he was young and foolish, however he realised his mistakes when he realises he loves Nancy. He couldn’t get out of his marriage with Molly as Molly threatened to tell his father, so Godfrey would rather have a secret marriage than shame upon his name. However, Dunstan knew about Godfrey’s ‘secret’ life and having a family of his own, he constantly manipulated Godfrey over this, Godfrey did most of what his brother said as he was afraid that his brother was going to tell his father. Godfreys’ upbringing could be reflected on how he treated his wife and daughter. Godfrey was basically abandoned by his father, and was mostly brought up by his brother Dunstan. The Squire spent most of his hours in the local pub â€Å"the Rainbow† as he liked to drink and Dunstan became a lot like his father, he liked to drink and gamble; the villagers described him as â€Å"a spiteful jeering felloe†. If Godfrey and Dunstan had a mother raising  them and a father setting a better example, Dunstan and Godfrey would have more interests and be able to talk to each other instead of being afraid of their own father; keeping secrets from him and being afraid of him finding out the truth. The Squire’s household has no women to influence the upbringing of the two children, yet nor does Silas’, the upbringing of the children is very different because the Squire is harsh and Silas is very different in which he is very sympathetic towards others. Squire Cass is a man with authority and money who has to bring two children up. In Victorian England, child rearing and the development of good families were considered as a female role. The relationship between Silas and Eppie is one of the key parent-child relationships in the novel. A lonely man, feared by many villagers, is changed into a man who was admired by all of the villagers; he was changed by his adopted daughter Eppie. Throughout his life with Eppie, Silas regained his sense of faith and community. She changed his perspective of life, and taught him how to value human affection rather than gold. Eppie came into his life through an open door (which which could symbolise new place and a new beginning) and lay asleep by the hearth- in Celtic traditions the hearth was the heart of the home. Silas mistakes her golden curls for his lost money, he is stunned by her appearance just as he was when his money disappeared â€Å"Gold!brought back to him as mysteriously as it had been taken away! He felt his heart begin to beat violently, and for a few moments he was unable to stretch out his hand and grasp the treasure.† The child has the same affect on Silas as the gold does; the most important thing in Silas’ life was his gold. A metaphor; she becomes his new treasure. On first sight of Eppie, Silas associates her with gold and treasure. After calling upon a doctor to examine Molly, who is pronounced dead, Godfrey asks Silas â€Å"You’ll take the child to the parish to-morrow?† Godfrey recognises his child but he does not want anyone to know he is the father and he is willing to give her away. Silas wants to keep the child because he sees them both as lone creatures â€Å"it’s a lone thing and I’m a lone thing†. There is affinity between them and he is determined to bring her up himself as the child fills a gap that Silas has been missing- Love. From the start, there was a strong bond between Silas and Eppie. It is very  ironic how Silas, a stranger towards Eppie wants to be a father towards her, but her real father wants to offer her to a parish. Feeling sorry for his actions Godfrey gives money to Silas to buy clothes for Eppie so he feels he has given something towards her upbringing. In a short while, Silas becomes extremely attached and very possessive over Eppie, this is because he wants to bring her up himself; he wants to act like a father towards her. â€Å"I want to do things for myself, else it may get fond o’ some-body else, and not fond o’ me.† Love is jealous, with Silas only wanting Eppie to love him and no one else. Silas has a big desire to be loved, with this true and pure bond between them , Eppie transforms Silas’ life in many ways, she forms a ‘bridge’ between him and the villagers, with this link with the other villagers, he receives advice on how to bring Eppie up and they think of him as a good person. In Victorian England, to have a well brought up child, discipline and several beatings were the key. There was a strong belief that that children had to be ‘trained’ to be good, however Silas’ approach to disciplining Eppie was very different from how the other villagers punished their children. Silas tried to punish Eppie, after persuasion by Dolly, by putting Eppie in the coal hole but after â€Å"a little cry† he let her out again â€Å"she’s got no tricks but what she’ll grow out of.† In Victorian England the reader would be very surprised about his decision not to punish the child however a modern reader would think of his decision as being a typical loving parent. Silas’s decision on bringing up Eppie discipline free worked, she grew up to be a polite young woman. In the end after sixteen years, Godfrey confesses to Eppie about being her biological father, though she declines the offer to live with him and his newly wedded wife, the reader feels the true and loving relationship between Silas and Eppie as she chooses to stay with him â€Å"I can’t feel as I’ve got any father but one† referring to Silas. At the end of the novel Silas and Eppie stay together, the reader sees that she chooses the poor man over the rich, as there is love and care between them. The message seems to be that family affection can be found not in the well known richest families but in the poor families. The wealthiest family looses everything, for example, Dunstan dies and Nancy cannot produce a healthy child and it passes away (this could be a consequence as Godfrey  rejects his own child instead of taking responsibility of it). He gains a wife, but not the family he wanted.

Failure of the American Dream in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby :: Great Gatsby Essays

Failure in The Great Gatsby In Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, all the characters are, in one way or another, attempting to become happier with their lives. The characters in the novel are divided into two groups: the rich upper class and the poorer lower class(West egg and East egg) though the main characters only try to make their lives better, the American dream they are all trying to achieve is eventually ruined by the harsh reality or life. Tom and Daisy Buchanan, the rich couple, seem to have everything they could possibly want. Though their lives are full of anything you could imagine, they are unhappy and seek to change, Tom drifts on "forever seeking a little wistfully for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game"(pg. 10) and reads "deep books with long words in them"(pg. 17) just so he has something to talk about. Even though Tom is married to Daisy he has an affair with Myrtle Wilson and has apartment with her in New York.. Daisy is an empty character, someone with hardly any convictions or desires. Even before her relationships with Tom or, Gatsby are seen, Daisy does nothing but sit around all day and wonder what to do with herself and her friend Jordan. She knows that Tom is having an affair, yet she doesn't leave him even when she hears about Gatsby loving her. Daisy lets Gatsby know that she too is in love with him but cant bring herself to tell Tom goodbye except when Gatsby forces her too . Even then, once Tom begs her to stay, even then Daisy forever leaves Gatsby for her old life of comfort. Daisy and Tom are perfect examples of wealth and prosperity, and the American Dream. Yet their lives are empty, and without purpose. Though Myrtle Wilson makes an attempt to escape her own class and pursue happiness with the rich, she ends up gaining nothing and eventually dies. She is basically a victim of the group she wanted to join. Myrtle tries to become like Tom by having an affair with him and taking on his way of living, but in doing so she becomes unsatisfied with her life. Her constant clothing changes show that she is unhappy with her life, she changes personalities every time she changes her dress: "with the influence of the dress her whole personality had also undergone a change.

Difference Between General Law and Special Law

Legal Notes Conflict between special and general law By Judge Gabriel T. Ingles Cebu Daily News First Posted 11:59:00 10/12/2007 Filed Under: Laws Reprint this articleSend as an e-mailPost a commentRelated ArticlesPelaez gets court reliefEsperon dares coup plotters: Tell truth in courtCalifornia bans smoking in cars with child passengers Also in this sectionGestaltwerte pa si PB Member TebanPartnership for better infrastructureWorthy TanodbayanJoavan’s comeuppanceBulls are backWhen deeds speakIn need of creativityHealing the waterLimiting, not eliminating fatNo idling ordinance a must Advertisement Vinzons-Chato vs. Fortune Tobacco Corporation, G. R. No. 141309, June 19, 2007 – A general statute is one which embraces a class of subjects or places and does not omit any subject or place naturally belonging to such class. A special statute, as the term is generally understood, is one which relates to particular persons or things of a class or to a particular portion or section of the state only. A general law and a special law on the same subject are statutes in pari materia and should, accordingly, be read together and harmonized, if possible, with a view to giving effect to both.The rule is that where there are two acts, one of which is special and particular and the other general which, if standing alone, would include the same matter and thus conflict with the special act, the special law must prevail since it evinces the legislative intent more clearly than that of a general statute and must not be taken as intended to affect the more particular and specific provisions of the earlier act, unless it is absolutely necessary so to construe it in order to give its words any meaning at all. The circumstance that the special law is passed before or after the general act does not change the principle.Where the special law is later, it will be regarded as an exception to, or a qualification of, the prior general act; and where the general act is later, the special statute will be construed as remaining an exception to its terms, unless repealed expressly or by necessary implicati on. 22 Thus, in City of Manila v. Teotico, the Court held that Article 2189 of the Civil Code which holds provinces, cities, and municipalities civilly liable for death or injuries by reason of defective conditions of roads and other public works, is a special provision and should prevail over Section 4 of Republic Act No. 09, the Charter of Manila, in determining the liability for defective street conditions. Under said Charter, the city shall not be held for damages or injuries arising from the failure of the local officials to enforce the provision of the charter, law, or ordinance, or from negligence while enforcing or attempting to enforce the same. As explained by the Court: Manila maintains that the former provision should prevail over the latter, because Republic Act 409 is a special law, intended exclusively for the City of Manila, whereas the Civil Code is a general law, applicable to the entire Philippines.The Court of Appeals, however, applied the Civil Code, and, we thi nk, correctly. It is true that, insofar as its territorial application is concerned, Republic Act No. 409 is a special law and the Civil Code a general legislation; but, as regards the subject matter of the provisions above quoted, Section 4 of Republic Act 409 establishes a general rule regulating the liability of the City of Manila for ? damages or injury to persons or property arising from the failure of? city officers ? to enforce the provisions of? said Act ? or any other law or ordinance, or from negligence? of the city ?Mayor, Municipal Board, or other officers while enforcing or attempting to enforce said provisions.? Upon the other hand, Article 2189 of the Civil Code constitutes a particular prescription making ? provinces, cities and municipalities . . . liable for damages for the death of, or injury suffered by, any person by reason? ? specifically ? ?of the defective condition of roads, streets, bridges, public buildings, and other public works under their control or su pervision.? In other words, said section 4 refers to liability arising from negligence, in general, regardless of the object thereof, whereas Article 2189 governs liability due to ? efective streets,? in particular. Since the present action is based upon the alleged defective condition of a road, said Article 2189 is decisive thereon. In the case of Bagatsing v. Ramirez, the issue was which law should govern the publication of a tax ordinance, the City Charter of Manila, a special act which treats ordinances in general and which requires their publication before enactment and after 23 approval, or the Tax Code, a general law, which deals in particular with ? ordinances levying or imposing taxes, fees or other charges,? nd which demands publication only after approval. In holding that it is the Tax Code which should prevail, the Court elucidated that: There is no question that the Revised Charter of the City of Manila is a special act since it relates only to the City of Manila, wher eas the Local Tax Code is a general law because it applies universally to all local governments. Blackstone defines general law as a universal rule affecting the entire community and special law as one relating to particular persons or things of a class.And the rule commonly said is that a prior special law is not ordinarily repealed by a subsequent general law. The fact that one is special and the other general creates a presumption that the special is to be considered as remaining an exception of the general, one as a general law of the land, the other as the law of a particular case. However, the rule readily yields to a situation where the special statute refers to a subject in general, which the general statute treats in particular. Th[is] exactly is the circumstance obtaining in the case at bar.Section 17 of the Revised Charter of the City of Manila speaks of ? ordinance? in general, i. e. , irrespective of the nature and scope thereof, whereas, Section 43 of the Local Tax Cod e relates to ? ordinances levying or imposing taxes, fees or other charges? in particular. In regard, therefore, to ordinances in general, the Revised Charter of the City of Manila is doubtless dominant, but, that dominant force loses its continuity when it approaches the realm of ? ordinances levying or imposing taxes, fees or other charges? in particular. There, the Local Tax Code controls.Here, as always, a general provision must give way to a particular provision. Conflict Between Special and General Law Category: Persons and Family Relations Conflict Between Special and General Law What are the rules when a conflict arises between a special and a general law? 1. If the general law was enacted first, the special law is considered the exception to the general law. Therefore the general law remains a good law, and there is no repeal (Lichauco v. Apostol, 44 Phil 138), except insofar as the exception or special law is concerned.However if there are inconsistencies with the general law it is considered as a repeal to the general law. 2. If the special law was enacted first, both special law and general law are good laws unless: a. There is an express declaration to tho contrary. b. Or the is a clear , necessary and unreconcilable conflict (Cia General v. Coll. of Customs, 46 Phil. Cool c. Or unless the subsequent general law covers the whole subject and is clearly intended to replace the special law on the matter. (Joaquin v. Navarro, 81 Phil. 373)

african american leaders Essay - 961 Words

Jesse Jackson, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B DuBois are all African American leaders. All of these men were leaders in their own time and their own sense, living in different eras with different views, but they all shared common ground. All four were African Americans trying to overcome obstacles and become influential leaders in their society. Jesse Jackson was an African American civil rights activist and political leader. He was born in Greenville, South Carolina in 1941. Jackson overcame numerous childhood insecurities. He was shunned and taunted my classmates and neighbors. However, instead of letting this adversity defeat him, Jackson developed his exceptional drive and understanding for the oppressed. He†¦show more content†¦That is what drew attention to his trial. For the last 17 years Mumia has been locked up and denied any visits from family or press. Although imprisoned and â€Å"silenced† he is still considered an influential voice. Booker T. Washington rose up from slavery and illiteracy to become the foremost educator and leader of black Americans at the turn of the century. He was born on April 5, 1856 in Franklin County, Virginia. As a child he worked in the salt mines but always found time for education. Washington constantly dreamed of college but as an African American this dream was nearly impossible. His scrupulous working habits from the mines set him out for college at the Hampton Institute. He graduated in 1876 and became a teacher at a rural school. After 2 years of teaching, he went back to the Hampton Institute and was a â€Å"professor† here for 2 more years. His next challenge would be at a new all black college, Tuskegee Institute where he would become president. Under Washingtons leadership (1881-1915), Tuskegee Institute became an important force in black education. Washington won a Harvard honorary degree in 1891. Washington was powerful and influential in both the black and white communities. He was a confidential advisor to President Roosevelt and for years, presidential political appointments of African-Americans were cleared through him. By the last years of his life Washington began speakingShow MoreRelatedThe Civil Rights Movement and African American Leaders550 Words   |  2 Pages African Americans were fighting for freedom for centuries. They were treated very badly and they had supposedly going to have a better way of life after WWII. Keep reading to find out how African Americans struggled for equality in voting and the opportunity for a good quality education. First, African American leaders argued that everyone should be treated equally. They wanted black African American men to be able to vote just like the white American men did. The whites refused to allow theRead MoreAfrican American Leaders Post- Reconstruction Essay1320 Words   |  6 PagesDouglass was asked to tell his story at abolitionist meetings, after which he became a regular anti-slavery lecturer. 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