Godfrey's fateful silence- Chapter 13

Godfrey

Hopes his wife is dead
Guiltily decides not to identify Molly+ his child-> would cost him Nancy
If Molly dies, he will be free to marry again
The child can be cared for, and he will reform by marrying N
Makes an excuse to see the dead woman
16 years later remembers every detail of his dead wife's face
Pleased yet sorry that his daughter can't recognise him
Feels better after giving money to S for E's keep
Controls his feelings
Praised by Dolly Winthrop+ brings her to S's cottage
Ironic-> his motive is to make sure M is dead; not tender-hearted to disown his child

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The separate stories of S+ G meet when S accepts the child+ G rejects her
Eliot stresses that G recognises his duty as father to the child through reference to his mental struggle
Selfish+ weak-> prefers to marry N+ chooses to disown the child
G's actions to those he should love- wife+ child-> in a sharp contrast to Dolly's
Puts herself out for a stranger in need
Can be relied on to help
Demonstrated the villagers' sense of community

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