Exanine the role of chance and coincidence in the plot of the novel, Silas Marner. [N.U 2009] To what stand do chance and coincidence influence the action in the novel, Silas Marner. Or Coincidence is overworked in the plot of Silas Marner. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer : Chance and coincidence play a vital role in the plot of the novel, Silas Marner. They direct the action of the novel and determine the course of action. They play an important role in the development of the life protagonists Silas Marner and Godfrey Cass. Chance and coincidence are determining factors in the life of Silas Marner. At the beginning of thé novel he is perfectly an innocent
man. He ieads a pious life possessing an ardent religious faith. He is engaged to Sarah. But his friend William Dane has a liking for the girl and wants to marry her. Because of Dane's machination, Silas is
charged with theft. He denics the crime. The members of Lantern Yard draw lots to be certain of Marner's guilt. It is sheer chance that the lots the lots declares him guilty. At this, Siias's faith in God and
man is shaken and he that there was no just God and departed from Lantern Yard in despair for good. With this departure the real action of the novel starts. It is pure chance that Eppie eniers Marner's cottage and this change is accompanied by a coincidence because the child arrive at his cottage on New Year's Eve which is expected to bring good luck.
The child actually brings good luck to Silas. Before the arrival of the child, Silas leads a miserable life. When the child comes, Silas's life improves dramatically. It infuses in Silas a new hope and a new faith in life. He regains his faith in life and cottage is filled with bright sunshine because of the child. His love and affection for the child make him understand the meaning of life. Godfrey secretly marries Molly. She gives birth to a child. But Godfrey is determined not to acknowledge her as his wife. Molly
wants to reveal the fact to her father-in-law, Squire Cass. When she is on the way to the Red House, she meets her death in the snow. Her chance death gives Godfrey the chance of marrying Nancy.
Another chance or coincidence is that Dunstan's skeleton is found at the bottoin of the stone-pit lying beside the gold
coins of Silas Marner. It is chance for Marner that his money is recovered. This discovery of Dunstan's skeleton with Marner's gold coins awakens Godfrey conscience. This leads him to reveal to
Nancy that brother has robhed Silas and he is the biological father of Eppie. Thus chance and coincidence directs the actions of Silas and Godfrey and bring about their regeneration.