What Makes a Good Symbol? Symbols are a key aspect of the novel Silas Marner, by George Eliot. Eliot uses them to help develop and intensify the plot of the story. Each symbol represents major themes of the story. Some of the symbols she uses are so discrete, it makes the reader wonder if she meant to use them or not. Without Eliot’s skillful implementation of these symbols, the reader would be lost in …showed first 75 words of 878 total…

…showed last 75 words of 878 total…fits, he left the door open again and when he came back, Eppie was waiting for him. His opened door first brings a curse, and then it brings him a blessing in Eppie. Symbols are obviously a big part of Silas Marner. Through the examples shown above, symbols portray all the major themes of the book. Eliot uses symbols to make the story more interesting for the reader. She knows how to spice it up.