George Eliot's Religion Of Humanity In Silas Marner

George Eliot has always been conspicuously ranked in English literary history. Her valiant rebellion in complete defiance of orthodox has initiated her many years of exile from the upper class society and all the decent families. However, George Eliot has attainted brilliant achievements in literature and endowed her country with splendid artistic treasures. In Silas Mamer, George Eliot describes the frustrated life of the title character Silas Marner, tells a story of ordinary people. The experience of Silas Marner in his religious belief reflects the similar experience of George Eliot herself. It shows that she opposes the formalized and hypocritical religion, but at the same time she still holds hope in the instructional functions of religious emotion; moreover, she advocates her own complete, non-ritualistic religion of humanity.The thesis is composed of three chapters. Chapter One is intended to probe how the author to reveal her obvious suspicion and rebellion against Christianity through the life of the title character, and the forming of the author's own religion of humanity.Chapter Two is devoted to the study of moral education of the author's religion of humanity. It reflects the author's idea to teach people by the thought of retribution and the doctrine of sympathy.Chapter Three touches upon the humanistic meaning. The experience of Silas Mamer gives some universal appeal. Mankind will gain their salvation through the pure, innocent love for each other. Furthermore, George Eliot's artistic use of the child and her choice of the title page motto is inseparable from the influence of William Wordsworth's philosophical concept of returning to childhood and to spiritual homeland.