The Weaver of Raveloe

Q.D.Leavis in her introduction describes how George Eliot read the newly printed 'Origin of the Species' and 'Pilgrims Progress' at the same time.  She criticises The Origin for want of 'luminous and orderly presentation'. She praises 'Progress' for 'true genius manifested in the simple, vigorous, rhythmic style'...  She is interested in the quality of the communication. Lewis describes Silas Manner as sharing the simple form of rhythm and style of Progress.  I think it is a wonderful story, very much like an opera.  I read that Eliot was a great opera lover.  The story starts by setting up the character of Marner, Godfrey and his brother Dunston. Marner's deep betrayal by supposedly devote Christian people. He moves south, far away from this distant country.  He is like a foreigner.  He lives for his simple pleasure of amassing money. ' Milas Sarner' or 'miser'.  He is robbed by a rich rogue. The recitatives are the detailed pub or parlour conversations, each beautiful pen sketch of village life, like a bit of soap opera.  No one thinks that a rich man would do such a thing. Silas' gold is returned to him in the guise of a two year girl.  His life is given meaning.  She is his joy.  Meanwhile the father of the child holds a secret for many years.  There is only one, his thieving brother, who could expose him. Both men keep the secret from Nancy.  Just as the story moves to a slow, sedate conclusion, we are brought up short with a masterful ending.  Like the subjects, we discover something goolish and shocking that has been there for sixteen years right in the midst of the story.  I am repulsed and am forced to reappraise my warm comfortable feelings. A brilliant story. It speaks of the changing rural life, where men from the north are from a different planet.  Where county traditions are disappearing, and the stabilising place of religion is necessary. Where industry and agriculture are changing. The Weaver will weave his last.
Chapter Seven
"Yet the next moment there seemed to be some evidence that ghosts had a more condescending disposition than Mr Macey attributed to them: for the pale thin figure of Silas Marner was suddenly seen standing in the warm light, uttering no word, but looking around at the company with his strange unearthly eyes. The long pipes gave a simultaneous movement, like the antennae of startled insects, and every man present, not excepting the skeptical farrier, had an impression that he saw, not Silas  Marner in the flesh, but an apparition; for the door by which Silas had entered was hidden by high screened seats, and no one had noticed his approach."