Paternal relationship Essay Example for Free

Paternal relationship Essay Out of all the new relationships that he starts, his paternal relationship with Eppie, after he takes her in, is by far the strongest and has the largest impact on his personality and attitude to life and God. It is not surprising that Silas defends his right to provide for Eppie when Godfrey claims that is would be better for her if him and Nancy took care of her. This question of who she belongs to is very important in the novel as it determines the future of not only Eppie but Godfrey and Nancy, and Silas (who all claim her), and indirectly affects others such as Squire Cass who might, for example, suspect Godfreys old secret marriage through his taking in Eppie. In chapter 19 of the book this issue comes to a conclusion when Godfrey and Silas debate on who has the right to look after Eppie and who would make her life happier. On reading this Elliot makes it clear that belonging to a family consists of far more than of being the same flesh and blood; it is being part of the same habits, lifestyle, religious practice and social class as well as having love for and from them and history with them. Eppies decision also plays a large part in this as what one does belong to is largely decided by what one wants to belong to and fortunately for Silas, she takes Elliots viewpoint on the situation. The debate between Godfrey and Silas is easily won by the latter as Silas argues that the attachment created by the bonds made through years of nurture and familiarity give a much stronger claim on Eppie than sharing the same blood and certain features. Elliot is also against Godfreys argument saying that the situation is his fault and speaks against him in the narrative voice:This frustration of a purpose towards which he had set out under the exalted consciousness that he was about to compensate in some degree for the greatest demerit of his life, made him feel the air of the room stifling. (page 150). In this chapter, at least, it is clear that the theme of belonging to a family is dominant and essential to the storyline not only because it is covered so broadly but also because the strength of Eppies belonging to Silas stops what would have been a radical change in the course of events. By attempting to take responsibility of Eppie, Godfrey is risking losing his place in the Cass family through exposing himself as the biological father and getting disowned as a result. There can be parallels drawn between him wanting to belong as family to Squire Cass and wanting to belong as family to Eppie but a major difference: with Eppie, Godfrey genuinely wishes to be part of her life and care for her but, with Squire Cass, he simply is anxious to stay part of the inheritance. This goes to show that although in many instances belonging can constitute deep bonds, moods and lifestyles, sometimes it can simply mean a little extra cash or other material things which can and often does affect weak characters in the book. The most simplistic and, by the friendless and Eppieless Silas in particular, overrated form of belonging is of material possessions. To the contrary of the majority of other types of belonging in the book, it is obvious, mostly by outcomes of material obsessions, that this type of belonging does not matter. This is almost undeniable as in every case where someone gains riches or maintains them it does not directly ameliorate any aspect of their situation and in many scenarios it even makes things worse for them. For example, Silass obsession with collecting gold turns out to be ultimately meaningless as he has no necessity or inclination to spend it and it gives him no true sense of fulfilment or happiness. Another proof of this is Eppies indifference to Godfreys property and fortune in terms of who she 3 chooses to look after her. In all the examples I have covered, with the significant exception of the belonging of material possessions, it seems that belonging has a great bearing on the outcome of many situations, which is often made clear through changes of belonging and their effects such as Silass depression and rejection of religion after he is refused the right to belong to Lantern Yard any longer. One can also make hypothetical situations based on the book where things dont belong to what they should do and in most cases the outcomes will be drastically changed. For example, had Eppie chosen to live with Godfrey and Nancy, Godfrey would be punished for his secret marriage to Molly, Silas would have been devastated and Eppies character and habits would change. Because almost every aspect of belonging affects the novel and in some cases in great magnitude, I come to a sure conclusion that the theme in general is of very high importance although not quite absolutely essential.