Abstract:This study aims to investigate George Eliot's ambivalent views on religion in Silas Marner. At the beginning, the protagonist Silas Marner believes in God absolutely. But after being wronged by church, he begins to question and doubt the religion and society. However, he finally converts to God because of Eppie's coming, though, the essence of God in his mind has been changed. Coincidentally, George Eliot's view on religion changes the same way as Silas Marner. She has been adapting herself to find an appropriate attitude towards religion in her life. Though nurtured by Christianity, Eliot is suspicious of it because of the influence of Origin of Species and the Industrial Revolution. She is with Feuerbach on religion, which means she cannot accept it completely nor abandon it as a whole. Eventually, in the process of denying religious doctrinaire and formalism, George Eliot establishes her own understanding of religion based on humanity and love. This paper concludes that Silas Marner's views on religion in different periods reflect George Eliot's religious development and ambivalence. 

Key words: George Eliot; Silas Marner; religious view

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1.Introduction.1

  1.1 A brief introduction to George Eliot and Silas Marner ...1 

  1.2 Literature review .1

2. Silas Marner's Views on Religion in Different Periods ..2

2.1 Before being wronged - Believing in God absolutely 2

2.2 After being wronged - Questioning his belief.2

2.3 Eppie's coming - Reconciling himself to Christianity...3

3. George Eliot's Ambivalent View on Religion . 4

3.1 George Eliot's initial view on religion - A pious follower of the faith. 4

3.2 George Eliot's later view on religion - Questioning her belief..5

3.2.1 The Influence of Origin of Species. 5

3.2.2 The Impact of Industrial Revolution..5 

3.2.3 The Influence of Feuerbach's Thought.6

3.3 George Eliot's Conversion to Christianity.7

3.4 The Similarities between Marner and Eliot.7

4.Conclusion8

Bibliography9

Acknowledgments10